The Howlers 2028 Fellows

Jose Agoncillo

Jose Agoncillo earned his undergraduate degree in both English and Creative Writing and his Master’s degree in Education and Professional Development from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. He is a National Board Certified Teacher and has taught English Language Arts and Public Speaking at Middle Creek High School for 22 years. At Middle Creek, he has served as a PLT Leader and facilitated professional development on cell phone use in the classroom and Canvas. In addition to classroom teaching, he works with students in afterschool programs, both in person and online, for grades elementary through high school He has been an active member of the Holly Springs community, coaching youth baseball, basketball, and soccer for nearly a decade. Jose can be reached at jragonci@ncsu.edu. 

Dewan Ashford

Dewan Ashford earned his Bachelor of Science in Education from Jackson State University. During his first two years as a teacher, he taught ACT Prep and coached varsity football at Callaway High School in Jackson, MS. During the spring of 2020, Dewan packed and moved to Raleigh, NC. He began teaching at East Millbrook Magnet Middle School, offering CTE and engineering courses to 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students. In addition to teaching, he is an active member of the School Improvement Team/FCE lead, CTE Department Chair, and Magnet Implementation Team/Community Outreach lead. Dewan also coached football and taught robotics for CHAMPS after-school program. He received WRAL Teacher of the Week honors as well as East Millbrook’s 25-26 Teacher of the Year Award. Dewan can be reached at dashfor@ncsu.edu.

Lisa Bartels

Lisa Bartels earned a Bachelor of Arts in French from Wheaton College and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction in 2009 from Indiana Wesleyan University. Lisa has more than two decades of experience teaching French, Spanish, and English, including two years at Foss High School in Tacoma, WA, two years at Rain Forest International School in Cameroon, Africa, eight years at Faith Academy Davao, Philippines, six years at Fuquay-Varina High School, and seven years at Dillard Drive Magnet Middle School. Lisa has served in leadership roles, including Curriculum Coordinator, Department Chair, county PLC leader, and NCDPI State Standards Review Team member. She is a frequent presenter at local, state, and national conferences and serves on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Teachers of French. She is co-author of the book, “Achieving National Board Certification in World Languages: Proven Strategies and Tips for Accomplished Teaching,” and was the 2023 Foreign Language Association of NC Teacher of the Year. Lisa can be reached at lebartel@ncsu.edu.

Stephanie Bason

Stephanie Bason earned a Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in English Language Arts and Social Studies and a minor in Political Science from NC State University, where she was also a Teaching Fellow. She began teaching in the Wake County Public School System in 2013 and has served in the district throughout her career. She currently teaches 8th Grade Social Studies at Carroll Magnet Middle School, where she serves on the SIT Team and mentors beginning teachers. Stephanie can be reached at smhairye@ncsu.edu. 

Laura Demby

Laura Demby earned a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education and a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management with a minor in Coaching from Kennesaw State University. She later earned a Master of Education in Physical Education from the University of Arkansas, graduating Summa Cum Laude. Laura currently teaches at Broughton High School in Wake County, where she serves as Health and Physical Education Co-Department Chair and a member of the school Leadership Team, Equity Team, and Professional Development Committee. She has developed and implemented curriculum for high school Weight Training and Team Sports courses and created a Female Weight Training class to foster a safe, inclusive environment for female students. Laura also coaches the Varsity Women’s Soccer team. In recognition of her impact in the field, she was named the NCSHAPE High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year. Laura can be reached at Lcdemby@ncsu.edu. 

Lauren Doran

Lauren Doran graduated from the UNC- Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and a minor in Cognitive Science. She began her teaching career in 2015 at Athens Drive Magnet High School in Wake County, where she has taught Chemistry, AP Chemistry, Physical Science, and Astronomy. Throughout her time at Athens Drive, Lauren has served the school in a variety of roles, including as a coach, club advisor, member of the School Improvement Team and the Equity Team, and leader of multiple Professional Learning Teams. She was also designated as the school’s representative to the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council. In 2021, Lauren became the Athens Drive STEM Academy Coordinator, leading a group of 270+ students interested in STEM-focused education. In this role, she has supported program development, student leadership, teacher growth, and family engagement. In 2024, alongside the magnet team, she led Athens Drive to become the largest school ever recognized as a North Carolina Model STEM School of Distinction. Lauren can be reached at lpdoran@ncsu.edu.

Krista Fischer

Krista Fischer earned her Bachelor’s degree in Middle Grades Education from NC State University and is currently a 7th-grade ELA teacher at Apex Friendship Middle School in Wake County. Before entering education, Krista spent several years volunteering with youth, supporting students through mentorship and relationship-based guidance, an experience that shaped her student-centered approach and belief in the power of meaningful connections. Krista has been a part of Apex Friendship Middle School, now a Blue Ribbon School, since its first year and has built her career around creating inclusive, engaging learning environments where students feel comfortable taking risks and being themselves. Through her teaching experience, she developed a strong interest in school systems and leadership. Krista serves as the 7th Grade Team Leader and is an active member of the School Improvement Team. She provides leadership on the MTSS committee, manages intervention cases, and has helped design and implement the new Smart Block model to support targeted intervention and enrichment. She is committed to building classrooms and schools where joy and rigor coexist, ensuring students feel seen, known, engaged, and challenged each day. Krista can be reached at kffische@ncsu.edu. 

Jada Jenkins

Jada Jenkins earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Communications and Master of Arts in Teaching from Fayetteville State University. She began her teaching career in 2022 as a sixth-grade teacher at Darden Middle School in Wilson County. In 2023, Jada continued her career in Wake County Public School System, where she taught sixth-grade Social Studies at Zebulon Magnet Middle School.  During her career, Jada has taught both English Language Arts and Social Studies at the middle school level and currently teaches seventh-grade ELA. Jada is an active member of her school’s leadership and support teams, including the School Improvement Team, the Student Well-Being (PBIS) Committee, serves as advisor for the National Junior Honor Society, and is currently the Head Cheerleading coach. She also serves as a Cougar Connector for new staff members. Jada is passionate about fostering inclusive school communities, building strong relationships, and creating positive learning environments where all students feel valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Jada can be reached at jnjenki3@ncsu.edu. 

Jamika McWilliams

Jamika McWilliams earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Barton College and a Master’s Degree in Human Services from Liberty University. She began her career in Early Childhood Education and later entered the public school system as a lateral entry NC Pre-K teacher. After serving four years with Nash-Rocky Mount Schools, she relocated to Wake County with her family. There, she was hired by Wake County Public School System as a Special Education teacher in a Pre-K classroom. To gain leadership experience, Jamika made a bold move, leaving the school system to accept the Early Childhood Director position at the Nash Community College Child Development Center. For the past two years, Jamika has served in this leadership position, overseeing program operations and mentoring Early Childhood Educators across Nash County. In addition, she has facilitated Community of Practice meetings that bring together directors from Nash and Edgecombe Counties to collaborate and share best practices. Jamika can be reached at jemcwill@ncsu.edu.

Steven Rainville

Steven Rainville earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from East Carolina University. After earning his degree, Steven began his teaching career with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Steven spent the majority of his teaching career serving students in Johnston County Public Schools before moving to his current position at Wendell Magnet Middle School in Wake County. Steven is currently serving as the Director of Bands as well as the Arts Department Chair and as a member of the School Improvement Team. Steven can be reached at smrainvi@ncsu.edu. 

Melanie VonBraunsberg

Melanie VonBraunsberg earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Briarcliffe University in NY and a Master of Science in Education from Hofstra University in NY. She began her career in the business field before returning to school to pursue a degree in Education. Melanie started her teaching career part-time at Holly Springs High School for one semester, then moved to Kinston High School, where she taught for three years. During her time at Kinston, she worked closely with the Environmental Club and the Anchor Club, both focused on student service and community involvement, and also taught driver’s education. She later joined Orange County Schools at A.L. Stanback Middle School, where she has served for approximately 12 years. While at Stanback, Melanie has held numerous leadership roles, including Assistant Athletic Director and member of the PBIS Committee. She was named Teacher of the Year in both the 2019–2020 and 2022–2023 school years. Beyond her work at Stanback, Melanie has also served as a Code Facilitator for the past eight years. She is currently a CTE teacher at A.L. Stanback Middle School in Orange County. Melanie can be reached at mvonbra@ncsu.edu.