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2020 Cohort

Melissa Altemose

Melissa Altemose is an educational leader committed to bringing high quality, equitable educational experiences to students from rural communities in N Carolina. Melissa holds degrees in cell and developmental biological science, science G-12 curriculum and instruction, and school administration. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in educational leadership. Melissa serves equally an assistant main in eastern North Carolina (Edgecombe County) and employs the tenants of design thinking in addressing challenges in the school community. Melissa tin be reached at maaltemo@ncsu.edu.

Pam Batchelor

Pam Batchelor earned a Bachelor of Science in History Educational activity at E Carolina University. While serving as a middle school social studies instructor, she discovered a talent and passion for coaching teachers on integrating technology in their classrooms. Pam went on to earn her Master of Arts in Didactics in Instructional Technology at Eastward Carolina University. While studying for her master'south degree, Pam had the opportunity to move into a K-12 district coaching role on the Digital Learning Team in Johnston County. Subsequently earning her masters, Pam continued her education with an authoritative add-on license from Appalachian Country University. After five years of coaching educators at the district level and leading a multidisciplinary support squad, Pam received an offer for her current position as a Digital Learning Systems Consultant at North Carolina Section of Public Instruction in 2017. Pam currently provides state-broad support for the instructional applications in the Habitation Base of operations arrangement. Pam can be reached at psbatche@ncsu.edu.

Donnell Cannon

Donnell Cannon, a native of Richmond, Virginia, works on bug of educational equity and youth development, with a focus on designing and building innovative learning environments that piece of work for all children. Later on earning a bachelor's caste from Norfolk State University, Donnell joined Teach For America equally a corps member in Eastern Due north Carolina and taught middle school social studies in Weldon, North Carolina. He served every bit the director of the CDF Freedom School in Rocky Mount, NC from 2013-2015. Donnell holds a Master of School Assistants degree as part of NC State University's Northeast Leadership University (NELA). Donnell is the old main of N Edgecombe High School, and the co-founder of the N-Phillips Schoolhouse of Innovation. The North-Phillips School of Innovation, a micro-schoolhouse, was created to provide students a liberating education that allows them to develop and pursue their passions, realize their life's purpose, remain resilient in the confront of challenges, and lead social and economic change in their families and communities, creating a ripple for generations to come up. He is currently serving as Executive Director of District Transformation and Redesign for Edgecombe County. Donnell is the proud uncle of one niece and 2 nephews, who constantly fuel his inspiration and urgency in this piece of work. Donnell tin can be reached at ddcannon@ncsu.edu.

Ernest Cooley Jr.

Ernest Cooley Jr. earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business organization Assistants from Livingstone College and a Principal in Didactics from Cambridge Higher. He worked as a Student Assistance Counselor at Hertford Canton Middle School. He taught Business organisation Teaching, coached several sports and worked as Able-bodied Director at C.Thousand. White Eye. Ernest served every bit Asst. Main of Bearfield Master School in Hertford County. He too served as Asst. Chief/ Primary of Camden Middle for 10 yrs. During this time he was recognized as the 2013 and 2015 District Principal of the Year. Ernest returned to Hertford County as Principal of Hertford County High School where he was named the 2021 District Master of the Year. Ernest was recently promoted to Director of Secondary Curriculum and Career and Applied science Education of HCPS. While serving his country in Operation Desert Storm as a fellow member of the US Naval Reserves, he received the National Defense Medal. Ernest and his wife Delina take 2 sons, and he serves as a Minister at Ahoskie Christian Center Church. Ernest can be reached at ecooley@ncsu.edu.

Beth Gulewich

Beth Gulewich is originally from Roseburg, Oregon and had the opportunity to live in Germany, New York, and Oahu, Hawaii, yet has called North Carolina habitation for the concluding 19 years. She earned both a Bachelor and Master of Arts in High german from University of Oregon equally a beginning generation college graduate, as well as a Main in School Administration degree from NC Country Academy as a NC Principal Fellow. Beth began her didactics career as a middle and high school German teacher at Carnage MS and Broughton HS in Raleigh. After xvi years, she left the German language classroom to back up teachers and students in affecting meaningful modify within the school edifice. She started working on her doctorate from NC State Academy in the summer of 2020, and was thrilled to bring together the Terrell Lane MS family unit in December of 2020. Beth wants to enquiry true integration at the classroom-level. Beth tin can be reached at bmgulewi@ncsu.edu.

Tekeyla Jones

Tekeyla Jones earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Shaw University and a Master of Science degree in Counselor Education from East Carolina Academy. She later earned a second Master of School Assistants from NC State University through the Northeast Leadership Academy (NELA). Formerly a social worker, she started her career in instruction every bit a center schoolhouse Social Studies teacher with Nash-Rocky Mountain Schools. After several years in the classroom, Tekeyla spent fourth dimension as a middle and high schoolhouse counselor, an instructional passenger vehicle, and a high school assistant principal. She has also worked office time as a licensed therapist in a children'south mental health facility. She currently serves as an assistant main at Terrell Lane Middle School with Franklin County Schools. Tekeyla can be reached at tsjones4@ncsu.edu.

Scott Lassiter

Scott Lassiter is a proud production of Wake County Public Schools, NC Land University and NC Central University. He began his pedagogy career every bit a loftier schoolhouse history instructor in WCPSS and afterward taught middle school earlier being appointed assistant primary. Near recently, he has get a founder of the district's newest alternative schoolhouse for students otherwise facing exclusionary subject field. Lassiter believes strongly in public service. He was his high school's student trunk president, served equally NC State University's pupil body treasurer, spent four years serving his hometown of Apex, NC every bit a town councilman, and now represents Wake County every bit an elected soil and water conservation district supervisor. He has a potent conventionalities in the ability of all students to become contributing community members through diverse paths. He is married to his favorite Wolfpacker, Jamie; they reside in Cary. Scott enjoys golfing, sporting clays, gardening, DIY projects, reading, beach trips, and spending time with his four-legged 'ride-or-die' Nash. Scott can be reached at srlassit@ncsu.edu.

Caroline Linker

Caroline Linker graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Available of Arts in Public Relations and minors in Concern Assistants and Spanish from NC State University. She joined Teach for America as a corps member in 2012, where she earned her teaching licensure through East Carolina Academy. As a corps member, Caroline served equally a Transition Team Leader for incoming corps members and served equally a Summertime Young man in 2014. Caroline taught Algebra I and Geometry at Northwest Halifax High School in Littleton, N.C, where she was likewise head volleyball coach. She besides served every bit a member of the School Improvement Team, the PBIS Intervention Team, and was the Gorging Site Team Leader. Caroline was at Scotland Cervix Primary for her Chief Residency. Caroline was an Assistant Principal at Bunn High School during the 2016 to 2017 school year, so Principal of Youngsville Elementary Schoolhouse from 2017-2019. Caroline currently serves every bit Chief at W.G. Pearson Elementary Schoolhouse with Durham Public Schools. Caroline can be reached at aclinker@ncsu.edu.

David Lott

David Lott earned a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary English language Instruction from Barton College in 1999. He also completed undergraduate work at Oral Roberts University and Eastern Michigan University. He taught middle schoolhouse Language Arts for 1 year in Wayne County, and he taught English at Chase High School in Wilson County for 13 years. In addition to serving equally the English department chair at Hunt, he served as a fellow member of the School Leadership Team, the AVID site squad and the eLearning squad. He besides served as co-chair of the PBIS committee and helped to oversee transportation and bus subject area. David earned his Master of School Administration at Barton College in 2017, and he has served equally the assistant master at Vick Elementary School in Wilson County since August 2017. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. David enjoys running, cycling, kayaking, and hiking. He resides in Farmville, NC with his wife, iv cats, and one canis familiaris. David tin be reached at dllott@ncsu.edu.

Kristen McCollum

Kristen D. McCollum earned a Bachelor of Science in Uncomplicated Education from Winston-Salem State University. Afterwards which she moved to New Orleans, Louisiana to join the Teach For America Corps. In New Orleans she taught a variety of subjects in 4th-6th grades at Encore Academy and Morris Jeff Community Schoolhouse. During that time, her passion for educational equity, fostering teacher growth and implementing strong school civilization took root. She moved dorsum to her home state of North Carolina where she then earned a Primary of Schoolhouse Assistants from NC Country University. Kristen now serves as a proud Banana Principal at West Cary Middle School and has served in this role since 2018. In improver to her role every bit an Assistant Principal, she serves as a member of #Equity4Wake, a grassroots grouping of educators who programme programming for the Wake County community. Kristen is also one of eight Disinterestedness Fellows for the Wake County Public School System. She is committed to edifice positive school communities that back up, uplift, and empower students, families, and staff. Kristen tin can be reached at kdmccol2@ncsu.edu.

Jennifer Mckinnon

Jennifer McKinnon earned a Available of Arts Caste from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007. She worked as a Kindergarten and Tertiary Grade Teacher in WCPSS for many years prior to transitioning to an administrative position role. Jennifer graduated from Northward Carolina Central University in 2011 with a Masters Caste in Curriculum and Instruction, and so again in 2013 with a Masters Degree of Schoolhouse Administration. She transitioned to an Assistant Master position at Holly Grove Elementary School in 2013. In 2015, Jennifer moved to Tokyo, Nihon and worked with the Section of Defense Education Action as a Classroom Teacher, School Improvement Chair, Grade Level Leader, AIG Support Team Member, and Commune Teacher Representative. She transitioned back to WCPSS in 2018 where she has been the Assistant Principal at Holly Springs Uncomplicated Schoolhouse. She enjoys serving her community in many capacities, including supporting non turn a profit work focused on culturally relevant pedagogy and an equitable education for all students. Jennifer can be reached at jdmckin2@ncsu.edu.

Victoria Privott

Victoria Privott is a proud HBCU grad and received her B.S. in English Education from Fayetteville State University and her M.Due south.A. from Gardner-Webb University. She spent 11 years as a high school English teacher in Charlotte, NC before becoming a primary with District of Columbia Public Schools in Washington, DC. She has since been a schoolhouse ambassador in the United Arab Emirates and Wake County Public Schools where she currently serves equally an unproblematic schoolhouse master. Victoria tin can be reached at vmprivot@ncsu.edu.

Eric Rosen

Eric Rosen earned his Bachelor's degree in Center Grades Education with concentrations in math and science from E Carolina Academy. He taught math and scientific discipline and held a variety of leadership roles at Apex Center, Salem Heart, and East Garner Eye inside the Wake County Public School System. Eric completed a Principal of School Administration caste from NC Country Academy in conjunction with the Triangle Leadership University. His administrative internship was at Dillard Bulldoze Centre. Eric's first Banana Principal position was at Apex Middle School from 2010 to 2015. In 2015, he decided to change levels and moved as an Assistant Principal to Panther Creek High School in Cary where he currently works. Eric can be reached at emrosen@ncsu.edu.

Sarah Simmons

Sarah Simmons obtained her Available's caste in Unproblematic Education with a major in English language from Wayne State Academy in Detroit, Michigan. Her teaching career has spanned three states (Michigan, Florida, and North Carolina) and half-dozen grade levels. During her teaching career, she served as a mentor and coordinating teaching to several student teachers and adult a dear for supporting and growing teachers. Equally a consequence, she received a Primary of Schoolhouse Administration as a Principal Fellows recipient from the University of N Carolina at Chapel Loma and has served as an elementary administrator since 2009. During her tenure equally principal, Sarah has worked to consistently enhance student growth and achievement and increase teacher satisfaction and morale. She has served as a mentor to iv MSA interns and four start-year principals. In addition, she helped to shape the WCPSS strategic plan by serving as a member of the district MTSS committee. Sarah presented "a principal's perspective on MTSS implementation" at the NASP and the NCSP conferences. She has also presented "Budgeting 101" to MSA students at UNC-CH, and "PLT's through an MTSS lens" at the WCPSS new school leader university. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Education Leadership at NCSU. Sarah can be reached at slsimmo4@ncsu.edu.

Claudia Smith

Claudia Smith is a doctoral student in the Educational Leadership plan. She earned an undergraduate caste in Elementary Education with double minors in French and Hispanic Studies from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While teaching, she earned her English language as a 2nd Language (ESL) licensure. She then attended Teachers Higher at Columbia University, where she earned a Master'due south degree as a Literacy Specialist and interned at the Teachers Higher Reading and Writing Project (TCRWP). Upon returning from graduate schoolhouse, Claudia led her school'southward Response to Intervention (RTI) team as a K-5 bilingual RTI specialist. Later, while working as a dual language instructional coach and running her own consulting company, she attended NC Land University where she received her Master of School Administration (MSA). Claudia can be reached at cpsaaved@ncsu.edu.

Abby Stotsenberg

Abby Stotsenberg graduated from Western Washington University with a caste in History Education. After moving to North Carolina, she taught center school social studies and linguistic communication arts in Cumberland and Hoke Counties and high school social studies at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High Schoolhouse and Fuquay-Varina High School, both in Wake County. During this fourth dimension, she became a National Board Certified Instructor. In 2011, she completed a Master of School Administration from NC State University and became an assistant primary at Leesville Road Middle School. She and so served equally the Wake County School'southward Senior Administrator for Social Studies Curriculum and Educational activity. In 2017, she became the principal of Vernon Malone College Career Academy, which earned Magnet School of Distinction in 2018, 2019, and 2020. In 2020, Vernon Malone became a Certified Demonstration National Magnet School. Abby tin can exist reached at alstotse@ncsu.edu.

Jennifer Swartz

Jennifer Swartz earned her Available of Arts in English with a concentration in English language Education from NC State University. She taught English at South Johnston High School for seven years, so at West Johnston High School for vi more. She earned her National Board Certification in English language earlier re-enrolling at NC State University to earn a Master of School Administration. Jennifer moved into the role of instructional coach before being named an banana primary at West Johnston where she served seven years as a member of the administrative squad with duties focused on professional development of staff and curriculum and instruction. She received the Johnston Canton Assistant Master of the Year honour and has served as president of the Alpha Beta Affiliate of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She served one yr as an assistant principal at McGee'southward Middle School earlier returning to West Johnston High School as Primary where she has led her Mutiny community for the past iv years. She is the wife of Fleck Swartz and mom to her beautiful daughter, MacKenzie. A native of Elizabeth Metropolis, Jennifer enjoys cooking, hand lettering, and traveling with her family. Jennifer can be reached at jwswartz@ncsu.edu.

Ronica Watford

Ronica Watford earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Unproblematic Didactics from N Carolina Central Academy in 2008. Upon the completion of her undergraduate degree, Watford's interest in education was further propelled and she committed her professional person life to the promotion of instruction. She was named Ahoskie Elementary School Teacher of the Year for the 2012-2013 school year. While serving as a 5th Grade Mathematics and Scientific discipline teacher at Ahoskie Elementary Schoolhouse, she decided to expand her sphere of leadership. She earned a Master of School Assistants Degree through the Northeast Leadership Academy (NELA) at NC Land Academy in 2014. Watford's collective x plus years in public education include service at the Unproblematic, Eye, and High school level. As she seeks to be a vocalism of education in her community, she has served in various positions within Hertford County Public School System of increasing responsibility. She has served equally a Fifth Form Mathematics and Science Teacher, Dean of Students, Kickoff Teacher Mentor, and Instructional Double-decker. In 2019, Watford transitioned into the banana principalship at Hertford County High School. Ronica can be reached at rtwatfor@ncsu.edu.