I am originally from Ohio and graduated with honors from Bowling Green State University. Next, I worked in Columbus, Ohio as a resource teacher for children with learning disabilities. Then one year later, I moved to North Carolina and was blessed to be hired at Willow Springs Elementary. In 2006, I earned my National Board Certification from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and have since renewed that certification. Now I am excited to be working at Willow Springs for my 27th year! I serve in several leadership positions at WSES. I am a member of the School Improvement Team, Resilience Team and Zones of Regulation Team. I am also the coordinator for our school garden and WCPSS Edible Garden Coordinator. I stay busy, but I love my job and the students who enable me to do what I love! Outside of school, I spend every moment with my two beautiful girls, my husband, and our sweet dogs. My oldest daughter, Makayla, is a Junior at NC State and my youngest, Miranda, is in high school - both are WSES grads! My husband and I have always loved watching our daughters grow and learn new things and I will do my best to provide that environment for your child too. Other than spending time with my family, I love to be out in nature, exercise (tai chi and yoga), cook healthy meals and, of course, my "teacher brain" is never turned off as I am constantly in search of new things that will help my students.
Mrs. Potter is my half-time assistant as I share her with the other Track 4 teacher, Mrs. Haley. She is fabulous and I am lucky to have her working in my classroom. She is fluent in Spanish, which is so helpful for our Spanish speaking families. She has lots of education experience as she taught high school Spanish and ESL for seven years in California before moving to North Carolina. After serving as a parent volunteer for many years, she joined our staff as a TA in Kindergarten and then as an intervention TA in first grade. She has worked with me for the past 7 years. She has even been named WSES Teacher Assistant of the Year - TWICE! Mrs. Potter is the mother of 2 children. Her daughter is a Junior at Duke, but once upon a time she was a first grade student in my classroom! Her son was a Baby Bengal as well and will be joining his sister at Duke as well. Mrs. Potter spends her weekends with her family and loves spending time outdoors. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, gardening, and crocheting.