Dara Butler

I am thrilled to be joining Wolfpack WORKS!  I am originally from Connecticut and received my BA from the University of Richmond in English and Spanish. After completing a graduate certification program at Central Connecticut State University I taught in Connecticut for 6 years before coming to North Carolina where I taught third grade in Wake County. Next, I spent a short time outside Dallas, TX where I was a Reading Specialist and received my M.Ed from Texas Woman’s University.  Most recently I have served as an Instructional Resource Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Literacy Coach across Wake, Chapel Hill, and Orange Counties.  I am passionate about partnering with teachers to design joyful and equitable classrooms in which every student has access and opportunities to succeed.

Abby Butler

Growing up in Arlington, Texas, Abby Butler loved school and dreamed of becoming a teacher. She followed her dreams, attending Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College to earn her B.S. in Elementary Education and Child Studies, and her M.Ed. in English Language Learners. Abby taught 2nd and 4th graders in Nashville, TN; Cary, NC; and Durham, NC before transitioning to her role as a Teaching and Learning Coach in Durham Public Schools. 

Through experiences such as Metro. Nashville Public Schools’ Teacher Leadership Institute and the North Carolina Digital Leaders Coaching Network (NCDLCN), she built her coaching philosophy around the “4R’s:” relationships, relevance, rigor, and reflection. She is passionate about building literacy instructional capacity within teachers and students, personalizing literacy learning through innovative practices, and fostering independent learners through culturally responsive pedagogy. Abby is excited to join the Wolfpack WORKS team to support the literacy instruction of beginning teachers in North Carolina!

Elisha Cliette

I am honored and so excited about joining the Wolfpack WORKS team. I graduated from Fayetteville State University with my bachelor in Elementary Education. I received my Masters from Pfieffer University and my add-on Licensure in Academically and Intellectually Gifted education from Duke University. I spent 12 years in the classroom teaching grades K-3. I absolutely love teaching but was ready to spread my knowledge and love for the classroom with other teachers, which brought me to Wolfpack WORKS. It will be great to support new teachers in the field. I know we will both learn so much from each other. This is going to be a great year!

Nicole Fensel

I am honored and excited to join the Wolfpack WORKS team! I earned a Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and my Ed.D. from Gardner-Webb University. During my time in the classroom, I enjoyed teaching literacy to first, second, and fourth grade students. My past five years as a literacy coach showed me the power and value of engaging in discussion and thoughtful design of literacy instruction. I am so thrilled to continue working with teachers and other coaches as we share the love and joy of reading.

Carrol Hammond

Beginning as a Literacy Coach in the Wolf Works program at NCSU is a needed change in my career in education.  The first 12 years of my teaching career bagan  I have taught all grades K-5 in Cumberland County Schools, NC.  The last three years of my career has been in Wake County as a K-2 and K-5 Literacy Coach and last year as an Intervention Coordinator. I have only ever worked in Title I low-performing schools.  My passion in working with a population of students who I can relate too.  When I have some free time, I like to spend time with my husband and travel.  My favorite place to visit is any beach.  I hope to one day to visit as many beaches as possible.

Robin Herridge

I have truly been in school my whole life in one capacity or another. Literacy and serving in schools of high poverty have become my passions.  During my career, I have taught preschool, elementary and graduate students.  I have been a principal and a District Office Director.  I took a year off to be a nanny to my grandson and now most recently I have been an MTSS teacher and a literacy coach.   I am excited about the opportunity to “pay it forward” to new teachers! Together we are reaching and teaching a new generation of readers.

Dawn Holland

I graduated from ECU in 1993 with a B.S. in Elementary Education and a Reading Certification for grades K-12. I have taught 2nd-6th grades in Wake County Public Schools and a charter school.  Recently, I’ve had the opportunity to learn at The Reading and Writing Project at The Teachers College, Columbia University, in New York City. In 2017, I graduated from NCSU with a Master of Education degree with a concentration as a Math Coach.  I am excited to be a part of the Wolfpack WORKS program and I look forward to a great year together!

Priscilla Johnson

I’m honored to be working this year with wonderful colleagues, NCSU, and districts across the state of North Carolina to support beginning teachers.  My teaching career has been in primary grades and I was most recently a Curriculum and Intervention Coach.  Through my career, I have developed a passion for teaching literacy and supporting teachers.  I believe it takes a village to raise and teach students and with right support, guidance and resources they can live successful lives.  I’m thrilled to be apart of the Wolfpack WORKS team and to continue to share the love of literacy with beginning teachers and their students.

Allison Kuhns

After my undergrad degree -1987- from UNC-G, I began my teaching career in kindergarten. Realizing the need for additional literacy training, I returned to college, received my master’s in 1991 from NCSU – reading specialist. In 2011, I received my second master’s from NCSU in Education Administration. After 30 years in the public schools, I am EXCITED and THRILLED to join the Wolfpack WORKS team, coaching beginning teachers across North Carolina.  At home, there are three men – my husband, Doug; my sons – Max and Nick – both in college.  Often I’m spotted reading “teacher” books or cheering on the sidelines!  Go Wolfpack!!!!!!

Donna Lehning

This will be my 20th year working in education in the state of North Carolina.  After graduating from Appalachian State University with an Elementary Education (k-6) degree, I served as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years. Then, I taught 2nd grade where I remained for the last 9 years.  During this time I received a Masters degree from NC State in Curriculum and Instruction: New Literacies and Global Learning program.  I am excited about my position with NC State’s Wolfpack WORKS as a literacy coach.  Having worked with student teachers in the past, I am passionate about supporting beginning teachers.

Tammy Marble-Youel

My career in education began in 1986 in the Sacramento, CA area.  I have taught preschool, Kindergarten, and third grade.  I served as a reading specialist for students (K-6) from 2001-2010 in Arizona and California.  I have attended several universities.  My bachelor’s degree is in Child Development.  I also hold two master’s degrees (Elementary Education and Educational Leadership).  I transitioned from teaching students to school leadership eight years ago.  Since then, I have been a school administrator (VP and Principal) in the San Diego area.  I am excited to be a part of the Wolfpack Works team!

Dana Melton

I am excited to begin my 19th year in education! I taught elementary school for twelve years before leaving the classroom to work at NCDPI in the School and Transformation Division under the Race to the Top grant that served low performing schools. I was placed in Halifax County to coach teachers with a focus on improving literacy instruction for three years. After that opportunity, I acquired a district Elementary ELA Specialist position in Nash Rocky Mount Public Schools. There my role changed from year to year, but my focus remained largely in improving literacy and building teacher capacity at the district and school level. I am very passionate about coaching and supporting teachers to improve student achievement.

Salem Metzger

I have served as a classroom teacher, literacy specialist, and instructional facilitator in multiple, high-need, elementary schools. In my doctoral studies at the University of NC at Greensboro, I conducted research on student agency in literacy and beginning teachers, and taught literacy methods courses and supported pre-service teachers in their practicum experiences. I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Wolfpack WORKS team to support teachers and students across North Carolina.

La Niece Newkirk

After graduating from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York with a degree in Elementary education. I moved to New York City where I joined the largest school system in the nation. I began my educational journey as a teacher in the South Bronx. During my fourteen years in the classroom I taught 3rd grade all boys and I was a writing cluster with the remainder of my years in the classroom dedicated to my true love Kindergarten.  While teaching Kindergarten I developed a true love for early childhood education with a focus on Literacy. I then began my master’s work from Kaplan University where I earned a Masters in K-2 Literacy.  Upon finishing my Master’s I join a major initiative in New York City call Pre-K for All. I held this position for four years in which I became an instructional coordinator for Pre-K teachers and a resource and point person for principals and directors.

Tonia Percy

Tonia Percy has over 15 years of experience as an educator and has served as a national and international consultant, staff developer, and presenter on balanced literacy best practices for the past 5 years. She writes curriculum and provides staff development, workshops, and weeklong institutes about the teaching of reading and writing.  Tonia works with principals and district leaders to support building and district-wide change through best practices in balanced literacy and the teaching of reading and writing workshop.  She holds advanced degrees from Teacher’s College-Columbia University in both Curriculum and Teaching with an emphasis in Literacy Instruction and Special Education. Tonia is well known for providing teachers with practical strategies that can be easily implemented the very next day. She is excited to be joining the Wolfpack WORKS team to support beginning teachers in North Carolina!

Shannon Russell

After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, I began my career as a first grade teacher.  I later earned a master’s degree in reading from NC State University while teaching second grade.  I went on to teach K-5 reading intervention, and became an elementary literacy coach.  My 14 years as an educator have been challenging, fun, and incredibly rewarding.  I am thrilled to be part of the Wolfpack WORKS team, partnering with teachers to explore the art of our profession and helping primary readers and writers discover the joys of literacy.

Devin Warmack

I am a graduate from Fayetteville State University with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. I received my Masters from the University of West Alabama in Elementary Education. Over the last 11 years I have taught grades pre-K- fifth nationally and internationally.  The last 3 years I have been an instructional facilitator with Durham Public Schools in North Carolina. In this position I supported teachers instructionally and had other responsibilities that ranged from MTSS co-coordinator, testing coordinator, iReady contact and mClass coordinator. I am excited to begin my next step on my educational journey with NC State, as part of the Wolfpack WORKS program.

Jennifer Wood

I began teaching in 1998 after graduating from Campbell University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. I found so much joy in watching my students become successful readers and writers that literacy became my passion. In 2008, I began Reading Recovery training and started teaching Reading Recovery. I also served as a reading inclusion teacher assisting K-2 teachers during their guided reading time. While teaching Reading Recovery I obtained my Master’s Degree in Reading K-12 from The University of North Carolina at Pembroke. I love literacy and I am excited to support beginning year teachers through Wolfpack WORKS!

Katy Wyborny

After graduating from UNC- Chapel Hill in 2008, I began my teaching career in first grade. I earned my Master’s degree from East Carolina University in elementary education and school administration. In 2014, I worked with a district team to implement a one-to-one,  iPad initiative and transitioned to my most recent role as Digital Learning Specialist. In that position, I worked with teachers to implement technology in their classrooms and make meaningful connections with students. Through the use of digital tools, teachers were able to enhance their literacy instruction and engage students in purposeful reading and writing experiences. I am excited about joining the Wolfpack WORKS team and working with beginning teachers across NC!