WAKE COHORT FELLOWS               WAKE PRINCIPAL RESIDENCY

Wake Cohort Fellows

Naeema Carter

Naeema Carter graduated with honors from East Carolina University with a degree in Elementary Education with an add-on in Middle Grades Science. She has taught first, second, and third grade at Walnut Creek Elementary, two of those years were spent teaching students in an online virtual classroom. She believes that a child’s success is measured by the child setting goals for themselves and working together with their families and teachers to achieve their goals. By following this belief system, she was voted beginning teacher of the year in 2017 and served as grade level chair for first grade from 2017-2019. She has represented her school on the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council from 2019-2022. She also committed her time to mentoring beginning teachers during the 2020-2021 school year. Her focus on building a positive school community can be seen throughout her interactions with her colleagues and students. Naeema completed her Principal Residency at Willow Springs Elementary School for the 2023-2024 school year. Currently, she serves as Assistant Principal at Willow Springs Elementary School in Wake County.

Anthony Grondziowski

Anthony Grondziowski earned his undergraduate degree in Social Studies Education from Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Following graduation in 2014, he taught in Iredell-Statesville Schools as a Social Studies teacher, as well as the Instructional Technology Facilitator. In 2017, Anthony moved to Wake County Public Schools where he has taught high school Social Studies at Green Level High School and Willow Spring High School. He has served on school leadership, school improvement team, digital portfolio committee, and as department chair at the newly opened Green Level High School. Anthony has also served as a curriculum writer for Wake County Public Schools since 2019. Anthony completed his Principal Residency at Fuquay-Varina Middle School for the 2023-2024 school year. Currently, he serves as the Assistant Principal at Broughton High School in Wake County.

Lauren Richards

Lauren Richards earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in English Language Arts and Social Studies from East Carolina University. Lauren has served as Grade Level Chair, a member of the MTSS Team, and the School Improvement Team. She is a Beginning Teacher Mentor and a member of the PBIS Committee. Lauren previously taught English Language Arts at Oberlin Magnet Middle School in Raleigh, NC. She completed her Principal Residency at Brooks Museums Magnet Elementary during the 2023–2024 school year and currently serves as Assistant Principal at Wendell Magnet Middle School in Wake County.

Alex Storey

Alex Storey graduated with honors from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English and a K–6 Teaching License. Since 2016, she has served in the Wake County Public School System, teaching kindergarten and fourth grade before becoming the Math Intervention Teacher at Oak Grove Elementary School. During her time at Oak Grove, she contributed to multiple leadership committees, including the Media and Technology Advisory Committee, Intervention Team, Digital Portfolio Team, and Diversity and Equity Committee. Alex completed her Principal Residency at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School during the 2023–2024 school year and now serves as Assistant Principal at AB Combs Elementary School in Wake County.

Lindsay Strickland

Lindsay Strickland earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Middle Grades Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She began her career as an 8th-grade Science teacher in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools before moving to Raleigh, NC. Lindsay has served as Magnet Coordinator and University Liaison at Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School, where she played a key role in helping the school earn National Magnet Schools of America Certification at the demonstration level. A dedicated member of the leadership team, she has co-facilitated the School Improvement Team for the past six years. Lindsay completed her Principal Residency at Root Elementary School during the 2023–2024 school year and now serves as Assistant Principal at Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School in Wake County.

Rachel Sweeney

Rachel Sweeney earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Secondary Education from the College of William and Mary. After graduation, she joined the Peace Corps, serving as an English teacher for grades 8–10 in a rural school in Namibia. Since 2013, she has taught Social Studies, English Language Arts, and magnet electives in Wake County, where she has also served as grade level chair, a member of the School Improvement Team, and a leader of professional development. Rachel has coached soccer, Mock Trial, and Model UN, and contributed to writing and revising the eighth-grade Social Studies curriculum for the district. She completed her Principal Residency at Farmington Woods Elementary during the 2023–2024 school year and currently serves as Instructional Facilitator and Intervention Coordinator at Moore Square Middle School in Wake County.

Kasey Wilmers

Kasey Wilmers earned an undergraduate degree in Child Development with an add-on B–K license from Meredith College, where she was a Meredith College Teaching Fellow. She began her career as a kindergarten teacher and, in 2021, became the intervention teacher at Lead Mine Elementary. During her time there, Kasey served as the School Improvement Team Process Manager, led professional development sessions, and contributed as grade team chair and a member of the Instructional Leadership Team. She completed her Principal Residency at Enloe Magnet High School during the 2023–2024 school year. She served as Assistant Principal at Enloe Magnet High School in Wake County and is an Assistant Principal at Garner Magnet HS in Wake County.