Staff Directory
The Oakwood School educators...
- Model the Portrait of an Oakwood Graduate
- Passionately pursue their own professional growth and renewal
- Hold children at the center of all decisions and actions
- Cultivate an inclusive and vibrant learning community
- Are committed to the education of children and the Mission of The Oakwood School
Excerpt from Oakwood's Characteristics of Professional Excellence adopted December 10, 2014

Catherine Allen
Titles:
Middle School English and Social Studies Teacher, English Department Chair
Degree(s):
BA English, Washington & Lee University
MAT English, Duke University
North Carolina Teacher Certification
MAT English, Duke University
North Carolina Teacher Certification
Email:

Kim Alston
Titles:
Long-term Lead Kindergarten Teacher
Degree(s):
BS, East Carolina University
AS, Pitt Community College
AS, Pitt Community College
Email:

Christine Barker
Titles:
Office Manager, Lower and Middle School Receptionist
Degree(s):
BS Child Development, Appalachian State University
Email:

Dr. Amanda Bates
Titles:
Director of Admissions
Degree(s):
BA (Hons), Appalachian State University
MA, Arizona State University
Ph.D, Arizona State University
GCLi Certification, University of Pennsylvania
MA, Arizona State University
Ph.D, Arizona State University
GCLi Certification, University of Pennsylvania
Email:

Catherine Biggs
Titles:
Middle School Social Studies Teacher
Degree(s):
BA, American University
MAT, East Carolina University
MAT, East Carolina University
Email:

Ashley Blackmer
Titles:
Middle School Science Teacher
Degree(s):
BS Marine Biology, Florida Institute of Technology
Email:

Keith Blades
Titles:
Lower School Coordinator, Director of Teaching and Learning
Degree(s):
BS, Towson State University
MA, University of Maryland
MA, University of Maryland
Email:

Wanda Carr
Titles:
Business Officer
Degree(s):
AAS Information System Technology, Martin Community College
BS Business Administration Management, Shaw University
Masters Business Administration, Liberty University
MS Accounting, Liberty University
Ph.D Business Administration Management, Argosy University
BS Business Administration Management, Shaw University
Masters Business Administration, Liberty University
MS Accounting, Liberty University
Ph.D Business Administration Management, Argosy University
Email:

Ronnia Cockrell
Titles:
Testing Coordinator, Reading Intervention Specialist
Degree(s):
BS, East Carolina University
MSA
MAED, East Carolina University
MSA
MAED, East Carolina University
Email:

Mary Katherine Cole
Titles:
Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Degree(s):
BS University Studies, East Carolina University
Email:

Miles Cowles
Titles:
Upper School Math Teacher, Math Department Chair
Degree(s):
BS Secondary Education, Grand Valley State University
Basic Skills Teacher Certification
Mathematics Teacher Certification
Biology Teacher Certification
Basic Skills Teacher Certification
Mathematics Teacher Certification
Biology Teacher Certification
Email:

Shona Daniels
Titles:
Upper School Spanish Teacher, Foreign Language Department Chair
Degree(s):
BA Spanish, Barton College
North Carolina Teacher Certification
North Carolina Teacher Certification
Email:

Hermelinda Doughtie
Titles:
Lead Lower/Middle School Spanish Teacher
Degree(s):
LLB, Universidad del Distrito Federal
MA, University of Barcelona
MA, University of Barcelona
Email:

Lexie Ellis
Titles:
Middle School Math Teacher
Degree(s):
BS Middle Grades Education, East Carolina University
Apple Teacher Certified
North Carolina Teaching Certified
Apple Teacher Certified
North Carolina Teaching Certified
Email:

Leslie Hawkins
Titles:
Lead 3rd Grade Teacher
Degree(s):
BA, East Carolina University
Teacher Certification in Education
Teacher Certification in Education
Email:

Erica Imbimbo
Titles:
Upper School History Teacher, History Department Chair
Degree(s):
BA American Studies with a minor in Theology, Georgetown University
JD, Wake Forest University School of Law
JD, Wake Forest University School of Law
Email:

Les Jackson
Titles:
Director of Security
Degree(s):
BS, University of Mount Olive
MS, Methodist University
MS, Methodist University
Email:

Lauren Jahrsdorfer
Titles:
Director of Marketing and Communications, Yearbook Advisor
Degree(s):
BS, East Carolina University
Email:

Patsy Johnson
Titles:
Lower and Middle School Innovation Lab Facilitator
Degree(s):
BA, University of North Florida
MS, Kansas State University
MS, Kansas State University
Email:

Jessica Jones
Titles:
Director of Development
Degree(s):
BA, Mercer University
MEd, Georgia College
MEd, Georgia College
Email:

Yuliy Leontiev
Titles:
Middle and Upper School Band Director
Degree(s):
BM, Oklahoma City University
MM, University of Houston
MM, University of Houston
Email:

Cherita Lytle
Titles:
Middle and Upper School Dance Teacher, Fine Arts Department Chair
Degree(s):
BFA Dance Education, East Carolina University
North Carolina Teaching Certification
North Carolina Teaching Certification
Email:

Angus McKellar
Titles:
Upper School History Teacher
Degree(s):
BA, University of North Carolina Greensboro
MAT Secondary Social Studies Education
NC-DPI Professional Educators Licensed
MAT Secondary Social Studies Education
NC-DPI Professional Educators Licensed
Email:

Hunt McKinnon
Titles:
Lower School Science Teacher, Middle School Agriscience OASES Teacher
Degree(s):
BA Politics, North Carolina State University
BEnvD Architecture, North Carolina State University
M Architecture, Princeton University
BEnvD Architecture, North Carolina State University
M Architecture, Princeton University
Email:

Chris Nunnally
Titles:
Middle and Upper School Strings Director
Degree(s):
BMusic, East Carolina University
JD, New York Law School
JD, New York Law School
Email:

Jeannette Painter
Titles:
PK4 Lead Teacher
Degree(s):
BA Psychology, East Carolina University
Email:

Emily Prokopowicz
Titles:
Upper School English Teacher, Registrar, College Counselor
Degree(s):
BA, University of Michigan
Email:

Dan Quesnel
Titles:
Head of School
Degree(s):
BA Political Science, University of North Carolina Asheville
JD, Wake Forest University School of Law
JD, Wake Forest University School of Law
Email:

Ellyn Quesnel
Titles:
Part Time LS/MS Librarian, Battle of the Books Coach
Degree(s):
BA, UNC Chapel Hill
BA, UNC Chapel Hill
North Carolina Teaching Fellow
BA, UNC Chapel Hill
North Carolina Teaching Fellow
Email:

Anita Rish-Hodgkins
Titles:
Middle School Division Coordinator, Middle School Science and Math Teacher
Degree(s):
BS Biology, East Carolina University
MA Ed, Endicott College
North Carolina Certified in Middle Grades - Science, Math, and English
MA Ed, Endicott College
North Carolina Certified in Middle Grades - Science, Math, and English
Email:

Stacy Ruffin
Titles:
Upper School Science Teacher, Science Deparment Chair
Degree(s):
BS Biology, East Carolina University
Email:

Jennifer Smith
Titles:
Upper School Division Coordinator, Upper School English Teacher, Alumni Coordinator
Degree(s):
BA English, Newberry College
MA English, University of Charleston/The Citadel
MA English, University of Charleston/The Citadel
Email:

Keisha Stanley
Titles:
Maintenance Supervisor, Eagles Landing Lunch Coordinator, Eagle Bus Service Driver
Email:

Tracy Strickland
Titles:
Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Degree(s):
BS Family and Community Services, with a concentration in child studies, East Carolina University
Email:

Thomas Taylor
Titles:
Upper School Science and Latin Teacher
Degree(s):
BS Biology, East Carolina University
BA Classics, East Carolina University
BA Classics, East Carolina University
Email:

Stephanie Webb
Titles:
Upper School English Teacher, Lower and Middle School PE Teacher
Degree(s):
BA, University of North Carolina Wilmington
MEd, Virginia Commonwealth University
MEd, Virginia Commonwealth University
Email:

Chris Young
Titles:
Innovation Lab Facilitator
Degree(s):
BS, UNC Greensboro
BS, UNC Greensboro
Masters, East Carolina University
North Carolina Certified in Information Technology Education (Grades 6 to 12)
BS, UNC Greensboro
Masters, East Carolina University
North Carolina Certified in Information Technology Education (Grades 6 to 12)
Email: