Headmaster

Mr. Travis Copeland serves as Headmaster of Drexel High School. A North Carolina native, Mr. Copeland attended Judson College, where he studied both history and humanities at the undergraduate level. He also holds a graduate degree from Missouri State University in History. Prior to joining Drexel, Mr. Copeland served as Upper School Principal at Covenant Classical School, where he also taught in the humanities. He loves both Classical education and the Church for how they foster virtue, holiness, wisdom, and love for God and neighbor. In his leisure time, Mr. Copeland enjoys tea, books, home cooked meals, daily Mass, gardening, wrestling his kids, and chatting with his lovely wife. You can read more from Mr. Copeland on his blog, The Green Dragon, hosted by the Classical Education group, The CiRCE Institute. 

Humane Letters Teacher

Dr. Adderley was born in Crewe, England. He teaches Literature, History, and Theology at Drexel. Dr. Adderley is the author of the popular adventure series The McCracken Adventures.

Science & Mathematics Teacher

Mrs. Akerblom teaches Science and Mathematics at Drexel. She is a dedicated teacher with twelve years of experience in private, home- and hybrid-schools. She brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the classroom. Mrs. Akerblom has a strong foundation in math and science, with a MS degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Virginia and BS and BA degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Theology from the University of Notre Dame. She is excited about leveraging her skills and experience to continue building up the academic program and Catholic culture at Drexel High School. She lives with her husband and three of their six children in Gastonia, with one of them attending Drexel High. In her spare time, she enjoys going to daily Mass, taking walks with her dog and her husband, traveling, and enjoying meals with family and friends.

Earth Science Teacher

Dr. Polnaszek teaches Biology and Biochemistry at Belmont Abbey College. He is also Drexel High School's Earth Science teacher. Dr. Polnaszek is the author of six textbooks in The Foundations of Science series published by TAN Books.

Humane Letters Teacher

Mr. Scott teaches History and Theology at Drexel High School. He is a long time Gastonia resident and is a graduate of Belmont Abbey College, where he received Bachelors degrees in philosophy and economics. His love for Catholic classical education began at a young age, and he further developed and pursued his passion for studying and teaching the Great Books as a member of Belmont Abbey’s Honors College and as middle school teacher at Ascent Classical Academy. Mr. Scott cherishes and is passionate about Catholic classical education because it endows students with a lasting sense of wonder and reverence at a world so filled with beauty, grandeur, purpose, and adventure—a world that shines forth God’s creative glory. In his free time, he enjoys reading, walking, playing volleyball, and spending time with family and friends.

Latin & Mathematics Teacher

Mrs. Haley Tomaszewski teaches math, Latin, and logic for Drexel High School. She has over nine years of experience working in classical schools. Mrs. T earned her BA studying philosophy from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign where she also minored in psychology. However, the two best things she received from her university experience were reception into the Catholic Church Easter of 2013 and meeting her husband, Christopher. She also received her MA in classical and liberal education from Belmont Abbey College. Haley and Christopher love to travel and take care of their beast of a German shepherd, Borromeo. When not teaching, she can be found studying languages, craning her neck in European cathedrals, reading extensively, drinking far too much coffee, and planning adventures with friends flung across the country.