NCSU Cohort Fellows

NCSU COHORT HOME            FELLOWS            NCSU COHORT APPLICATION PROCESS            NCSU COHORT PRINCIPAL RESIDENCY

Jeffrey Batten, Ph.D.
Sponsoring District: Granville
Current District: Vance

Jeff earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating, he conducted research on gravity sensing organs of newts at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. He received a Master and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Plant Pathology & Microbiology from Texas A&M University. After conducting postdoctoral research on the biochemistry of viruses, he became a middle school science teacher at Hawley Middle School in Granville County. He has served as a science teacher, soccer coach, mentor, substitute bus driver and team leader. Jeff was recognized at the 2014-2015 Teacher of the Year at Hawley Middle School. In 2015, he taught LEGO robotics as part of the county’s STEM summer camp. He also was a Duke TIP instructor from 2010-2012 and an instructor for the University of Phoenix from 2011 to 2015. He most recently served on Hawley’s School Leadership Team and taught science. Jeff completed his principal residency at J.F. Webb High School during the 2019-2020 school year, then became Assistant Principal of South Granville High School in August 2020. Jeffery served as Site Administrator for Summer Quest (summer school) at Butner Stem Elementary School, and then back to his position as Assistant Principal at South Granville High School for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. In January 2022, Jeffery began serving as Assistant Principal at Cedar Ridge High School and then served as Assistant Principal at Pinkston Street Elementary School in Vance County. Then he served as Principal of EO Young Elementary School in Vance County. Currently, Dr. Batten serves as Principal at Vance Virtual Village Academy.

Kathleen Carswell
Sponsoring District: Chapel Hill-Carrboro
Current District: Durham

Kathleen, a North Carolina Teaching Fellow, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since graduation, she has taught 5th grade at Morris Grove Elementary in Chapel Hill. After Kathleen’s first year of teaching, she was recognized as Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools’ Promising New Teacher of the Year. She has served as lead teacher of her PLC, faculty chair and member of the SIT, and has mentored student teachers. In addition, Kathleen has assisted in planning school events such as the African American Read-In and Curriculum Nights. She was recognized as Teacher of the Year for the 2017-2018 school year. She most recently taught 5th grade at Morris Grove Elementary School. Kathleen completed her principal residency at Culbreth Middle School during the 2019-2020 school year. She served as an Interim Assistant Principal at Glenwood Elementary school until October 2020. Kathleen then served as a math teacher and learning coach at Parkwood Elementary School, until July 2022 when she transitioned to her role there as Assistant Principal.

Harrison Do
Sponsoring District: Wake
Current District: Out of State

Harrison Do earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Human Biology from North Carolina State University. He then earned his teaching license through the NCSU NC TEACH program. Harrison most recently taught 6th grade science at the Magellan Charter School. He enjoyed giving back to the Magellan community by serving in a variety of leadership roles such as Coordinator of MCS News, Co-Founder/Co-Instructor of the MCS Leadership Team, and Faculty Adviser to the MCS Dance Committee during his time at MCS. Harrison completed his principal residency at Durham School of the Arts during the 2019-2020 school year then served as Assistant Principal at Paisley IB Magnet School in Winston-Salem. Harrison later served as College Access and Preparedness Counselor at Success Academy Charter School in NYC and is now a law student at North Carolina Central University.

Glenn Estacio
Sponsoring District: Durham
Current District: Chapel Hill-Carrboro

Glenn Estacio earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Master of Arts in Teaching secondary science from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Glenn taught in the Durham Public School system for 10 years. During that time, he served on the School Improvement Team, PBIS Committee, and MTAC Committee at his school. He has also served as the Science Department Chairperson and as team leader for several years. He has been actively involved in extra-curricular activities including coaching the lacrosse team and serving as the advisor for the National Junior Honor Society. He most recently taught 7th grade science at Rogers-Herr Middle School. Glenn completed his principal residency at Southwest Elementary School during the 2019-2020 school year. He then served as Assistant Principal at Lucas Middle School until 2022. Glenn is currently serving as Assistant Principal at Phillips Middle School in Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools.

Melanie Forte Johnson
Sponsoring District: Vance
Current District: Other

Melanie Forte Johnson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she ran Track and Field. She joined Teach for America Eastern North Carolina as a 2013 Corp member, and taught 6th and 7th grade English at her placement school, Henderson Collegiate. She participated in the RELAY Graduate School of Education Principal’s Fellowship Program in the 2016-2017 school year. She has served as the Reading Department Chair, Instructional Coach, and 4th Grade Level Chair at Henderson Collegiate. She most recently taught 7th grade language arts. Melanie completed her principal residency at Henderson Collegiate Middle School. She will remain at Henderson Collegiate Middle School serving as Principal.

Anita Jarrett
Sponsoring District: Durham
Current District: Durham

Anita Jarrett earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She was recognized as Burton Magnet Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2015. She has served as SIT chair, grade chair, and as a Beginning Teacher mentor. She most recently taught 3rd Grade at Burton Magnet Elementary in Durham, where she taught 10 years. Anita completed her principal residency during the 2019-2020 school year, then transitioned into her current role as Assistant Principal at Holt Elementary Language Academy.

Will Lamb
Sponsoring District: Durham
Current District: Edgecombe

Will Lamb earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Romance Languages, specifically in Spanish, from UNC – Chapel Hill. He most recently taught 3rd grade at Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet School in Durham Public Schools. Will has served as grade level chair, a member of the Instructional Leadership Team, and chair of the School Improvement Leadership Team. He founded and coordinates a Friday Clubs program for Club Blvd. Will served as a mentor teacher for the Duke University Program in Education. He also served as a Guardian ad Litem in Durham County. Will began his principal residency at Merrick-Moore Elementary School. Will was transferred to Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet School to complete the remainder of his residency. He served as Assistant Principal of E.K. Powe Elementary School from July 2020-January 2022. Will then worked as an Assistant Principal at Northwoods Elementary School and later served as Assistant Principal at Beaverdam Elementary School in Wake County. Currently, Will serves as Principal at GW Bullock Elementary School in Edgecombe County.

Portia Lee
Sponsoring District: Durham
Current District: Durham

Portia Lee graduated from North Carolina Central University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. During her undergraduate years, Portia spent time volunteering at John Avery Boys and Girls Club serving as a mentor. She served as a lateral entry teacher while in school to obtain a degree in Elementary Education. She has taught 3rd grade at Parkwood Elementary. She has also served as grade chair, SIT team member, PBIS team member, Beginning Teacher mentor, and mClass facilitator. Portia completed her principal residency at Riverside High School during the 2019-2020 school year then served as an Instructional Coach at Hope Valley Elementary School. She will start the 2021 school year as Assistant Principal of Bethesda Elementary School in Durham.