The Leadership Team
North Carolina Cyber Academy
LEAD. SERVE. SOAR.

Principal
Chris Vecchione
Dr. Vecchione is a 26-year career educator and North Carolina Principal Fellow with 23 years in administration at the elementary, middle, high school, district, and state office levels. He has spent 15 of those years as a building principal leading schools, the last 12 as a High School Principal. During his years leading schools, "Dr. V." has had varied Principal experiences with backgrounds in alternative, extended-year, magnet, traditional, and virtual school formats.
After years in leadership roles with schools and districts, and then six (6) years of service at the State Department, in March of 2020 he returned to the "frontlines" and placed his full attention towards the North Carolina Cyber Academy High School (NCCA-HS). He has been a building level principal in Guilford, Randolph, and Rowan-Salisbury School Systems and now devotes 100% of his time and effort towards his mission at the NCCA-High School...where his goal for our school is to be "Second to None". Dr. V. has a son (Shykeim) who he adopted from his first principalship in Guilford County and who now is a NICU Nurse in Texas, and a daughter (Grace) who is in her senior year of high school - planning for her next transition to college. Dr. V. lives on a farm in Forsyth County with his daughter and over 100 animals!
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Assistant Prinicpal
Melissa Barnhart
Melissa Barnhart joined North Carolina Cyber Academy in August of 2019. Ms. Barnhart holds a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from McDaniel College, and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education from University of Maryland.
Ms. Barnhart has been an educator since 2003. Prior to coming to North Carolina Cyber Academy, Ms. Barnhart served as an Instructor, Course Lead, Instructional Leader, Strategic Support Instructional Leader, as well as Curriculum Developer at North Carolina Virtual Public School. With almost two decades of educational experience and over a decade of experience in virtual education specifically, she strives to provide students and families with the best online education possible.
Ms. Barnhart enjoys spending time with her husband and 4 children & visiting her family back in Maryland as often as possible. Born in Washington, DC, Ms. Barnhart grew up in Maryland (between Baltimore and DC) until she and her husband moved to North Carolina in 2009. Having lived in North Carolina for so long, this state is officially where she feels most at home.

Assistant Principal
Christy Scott
Christy Scott joined North Carolina Cyber Academy in the 2020-2021 school year, and is passionate about virtual education. Ms. Scott holds a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Massachusetts, and a Bachelor degree in History from the University of Rhode Island.
Ms. Scott has been an educator for over 10 years, and in virtual education for the last six years. Prior to coming to North Carolina Cyber Academy, Ms. Scott served as the Assistant Principal at TEC Connections Academy in Massachusetts.
Ms. Scott enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and traveling as often as possible. Her goal is to have been around the world at least once. She is an avid animal lover, and is dog-mom to her Morkie Bailey. Born in Rhode Island, Ms. Scott is pleased to be living in North Carolina, where her sister and nephews reside-she is also VERY pleased about the lack of snow shoveling!
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Instructional Coach
Erin DeRoo
Erin DeRoo joined North Carolina Cyber Academy in August 2020. She Graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelors of Science in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social Studies and Psychology and holds an AP certification in World History.
Prior to coming to North Carolina Cyber Academy, Mrs. DeRoo served the roles of Strategic Support for the Social Studies Department, an Instructional Leader, a Curriculum Developer, and a Social Studies teacher for North Carolina Virtual Public School. As an Instructional Support Coach with more than 14 years of virtual education experience, she works with teachers and educators at the high school focusing on learning-centered instruction, design thinking, project-based learning, technology integration.
Born and raised in Michigan, Mrs. DeRoo has come to feel like a native North Carolinian. After moving to this wonderful state in 2004, she married, started her career in education, and had three children whom she adores. She enjoys hiking the beautiful trails throughout the state, spending time at the beach (Sunset Beach!!), and reading!