meet the teachers

Mrs. Antinori

ELA/Social Studies

This is Mrs. Antinori's second year at Jones Elementary as a 5th grade ELA/Social Studies teacher. She has been teaching for over twenty years in a variety of settings. After getting her BS in Social Studies Education at the University of North Dakota, she started her teaching career as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Papua New Guinea. Jodi taught high school and middle school in New Jersey and earned her MSEd in Early Adolescent Education from Bank Street College in New York. In 2003 she moved with her family to the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina where she worked at Burnsville Elementary School and Carolina Day School. Jodi is married with three sons, and dog. The older two boys attend UNC Chapel Hill (go Tarheels!), and the youngest is a student at Asheville High. Jodi's teaching goals are to create a supportive community of learners and make learning relevant for her students. In her spare time, Jodi loves to run, read, hike, and cook.

Dr. Dunkel

Math/Science

This is Dr. Dunkel's 2nd year as a member of the 5th grade team at Jones Elementary. He has over twenty-five of experience in elementary education, both as a teacher and an administrator. After many years of visiting Western North Carolina, Richard and his wife, Michelle, were thrilled to move to Asheville in the summer of 2018. Michelle is a 4th grade teacher with Asheville City Schools. They have one daughter, Rachel, who is a writer and lives in New York City. Richard has earned a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Rollins College and a Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Central Florida. He brings to the classroom a passion for teaching, a goal to make learning engaging, meaningful and fun, and a desire to make a difference in the lives of the students he teaches. In his spare time, Richard enjoys spending time with his wife, reading, playing golf, painting, hiking, gardening and exploring all the wonderful things that Asheville has to offer.

Ms. Madkins

ELA/Social Studies

Kelli Madkins is one of the Ira. B. Jones 5th grade ELA and social studies teachers. This is her eleventh year teaching and her fourth year at Jones. Prior to moving to Asheville, she lived in Arlington, TX and has taught all subjects in grades 4th-7th. Before becoming an educator, Kelli served on active duty in the United States Air Force and still serves in the North Carolina Air National Guard. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Child and Family Development and a Master of Arts in Human Services Counseling. She has two children; her daughter is a freshman at Asheville High School and her son is attending preschool with grandpa this year. Her hobbies include spending time with family, reading, photography, writing, singing, and hiking. Kelli is excited about exploring a whole new world through text with her students and allowing them to share their beautiful perspectives through writing.

Mrs. WArren

Math/Science

Jennifer Warren is one of the fifth grade mathematics and science teachers. This is her sixth year at Jones and her sixteenth year as an educator. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Western Carolina University and she also has her National Board Certification. She is a wife and mother to human children and four-legged fur babies. She has two toddlers, four dogs and one cat. Spending time with her family, reading, and being outside are her favorite things to do! She believes that every child can learn with the support of a welcoming environment and dedicated teachers. She is ready to give your child a challenging, hands-on academic experience fit to meet his or her needs.

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