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Wake Cohort Fellows

Traci Arnemann

Traci Arnemann earned a bachelor degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education from the State University of New York at Oneonta in 2000. Additionally, she earned a master’s degree in Special Education from Dowling College in 2004. Traci’s career as an educator spans 15 years spent in three different states: New York, Florida, and North Carolina. She has taught middle grades Mathematics, PE, and Science, as well as elementary grades five, three, and one. Traci started the 2021-2022 school year as a Principal Resident at East Garner Middle School before being hired there in March 2022 as an Assistant Principal.

Wyandotta Ervin

Wyandotta Ervin earned her undergraduate degree in English and Secondary Education from Chicago State University and a master’s degree in School Counseling from Governors State University. She served 10 years as a High School English Teacher in her hometown of Chicago. She maintained leadership roles such as English Department Chair and Junior Grade Level Lead. As a result of her commitment to student equity, she partnered with community stakeholders in Chicago to create a restorative justice program. She was nominated for Teacher of the Year in 2019. She served as an English Teacher, Intervention Specialist, Digital Portfolio Team Lead, and Mentor Teacher in Wake County. She completed her Principal Residency at East Millbrook Middle School during the 2021-2022 school year and served as Assistant Principal at Knightdale High School in Wake County. Wyandotta is Assistant Principal at Carroll Magnet Middle School.

Taylor Evans

Taylor Evans earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education with honors from Winston-Salem State University. She was a Resource and Occupational Course of Study Teacher and the Junior Varsity Women’s Volleyball Head Coach at Parkland Magnet High School in Winston-Salem, NC. She was Enloe Magnet High School’s Lead Behavior Support Teacher in Raleigh, NC. She was also a Professional Development Facilitator and a member of the school’s Equity Committee, Discipline Committee, and School Improvement Team. Taylor completed her Principal Residency at Carroll Magnet Middle School during the 2021-2022 school year. She served as the Assistant Principal at Walnut Creek Elementary School. Taylor is in the educational business sector as Director of Educational Programs.

Kortney Howerton

Kortney Howerton earned an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Penn State University. She began her career at Pearsontown Elementary in Durham County as a third-grade teacher. During her time in Durham County, Kortney was a part of Pearsontown’s school leadership team. After three years in that position, Kortney became a first-grade teacher in Wake County at Brier Creek Elementary. Kortney has served as Grade Chair Leader and is a member of the Curriculum and Instruction team at Brier Creek. She started her Principal Residency at West Millbrook Middle School, and in January 2022, continued her Residency at Lynn Road Elementary School. She currently serves as Assistant Principal at Barton Pond Elementary School in Wake County.

Krista Judd

Krista Judd graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Education from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She has taught elementary music and high school choir and received additional certifications in Elementary Education and Middle Grades Math. She has served on her previous school’s School Improvement Team, been the PBIS Team Chair at her current school, and was a team leader, Math Department Chair, and a member of the Leadership, Equity, and Intervention Teams. Krista served as a sixth grade math teacher at East Cary Middle School. She started her Principal Residency at South Garner High School, then, in January 2022, continued her Residency at Centennial Middle School. Krista then worked as an 8th grade math teacher at Carolina Charter Academy in Angier, NC. Krista was a 6th-grade math teacher in Wake County. She is a 7th grade math and science teacher at Herbert Akins Rd MS in Wake County.

Sonya Meeks

Sonya Meeks earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Winston-Salem State University. She earned National Board Certification in 2010. She has served as a member of the School Improvement team. She served as Career and Technical Education Department Chair. Sonya was involved in extracurricular activities, including the Student Government Association and the Prom Committee, and served as a mentor teacher. Sonya started her Principal Residency at Carver Elementary School and finished her Residency at Rogers Lane Elementary School. Sonya then taught business at Knightdale High School in Wake County. She was the Assistant Principal at Southern Nash Middle School in Nash County. Sonya now serves as Assistant Principal at Wakefield Middle School in Wake County.

Leanna Pierce

Leanna Pierce earned her undergraduate degree in Middle Grades Education – Math and Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. After earning her degree, she began teaching in Virginia at Christiansburg Middle School. Leanna has been developing students’ love for learning using project-based learning and interactive notebooks. She has been the chair of the MathCounts Club, American Sign Language Club, LEGO Club, and a Theatre Club Director, and coached Track and Field for three years. Leanna was a sixth grade math teacher at Carroll Magnet Middle School. She completed her Principal Residency at Parkside Elementary School during the 2021-2022 school year. Leanna has since left the field of education and currently works for Cerity Partners.

Kristy Smith

Kristy Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Denison University and holds a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashland University. She was a teacher in the Wake County Public School System at Holly Ridge Middle School and Holly Springs High School. Kristy taught Biology at Holly Springs High. She has held leadership positions throughout her teaching career, including roles as her Professional Learning Team Leader, Intervention & Continuous Improvement Team, and Hospitality Committee Leader. Kristy has coached girls’ basketball and girls’ tennis. Additionally, she was recognized with the “Character Award” at Holly Ridge Middle for her integrity and dedication to students. She completed her Principal Residency at Laurel Park Elementary School during the 2021-2022 school year and currently serves as Assistant Principal at Holly Ridge Elementary School in Wake County.

Beverly Taylor-Jones

Beverly Taylor-Jones received her Bachelor of Arts in Communications at the City University of New York at Brooklyn College and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction at Concordia University in Portland, Oregon. Beverly has been an Exceptional Education teacher and Program Facilitator responsible for the teaching and learning of exceptional education students in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City and Wake County Schools. Her background and focus on teacher collaboration have led to several volunteer opportunities and leadership roles in public schools and the community. She was a CCR teacher at East Wake Middle School. She completed her Principal Residency at East Wake High School during the 2021-2022 school year. Beverly is currently an Assistant Principal at Leesville Road High School in Wake County.

Justin Viens

Justin Viens earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in International Relations from Appalachian State University. Following graduation, Justin began teaching ESL in South Korea for four years. Following his return to the US, he became a Lateral Entry teacher through NC State University. Justin was recognized as Teacher of the Year in 2018 from Fuquay-Varina Middle School, where he has taught Social Studies since 2014. He has collaborated with Wake County 4-H to develop student leadership opportunities within his school. Justin started the 2021-2022 school year as a Principal Resident at Green Level High School before he was hired there as an Assistant Principal in March 2022.

Randi Woodruff

Randi Woodruff earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Elon University as an NC Teaching Fellow. She then went to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to obtain a master’s degree in K-12 Literacy. Her National Board certification area is a Generalist in Early Childhood. Randi has been a mentor and member of several school and county committees and teams. She taught at Brier Creek Elementary School in Wake County as a fourth-grade teacher and was the grade level chair. She served as the Curriculum and Instruction chair for the school, MTSS representative, School Improvement Team member, Equity Team Chair, and participant in Wake County’s Equity and the Brain cohort for Culturally Responsive Teaching. Randi completed her Principal Residency at Durant Road Middle School during the 2021-2022 school year. She then served as Assistant Principal at Wake Forest Charter School before becoming Principal in 2023. Randi is currently teaching 5th grade at Northwoods Elementary School in Wake County.