Peggy Ellis - Lead Title I Teacher
For the first part of my career, I taught Spanish in a bilingual kindergarten for many years in an urban setting in Los Angeles. After earning my Connecticut Reading Credential and a Master’s Degree in Reading/Language Arts in 1996, I taught reading intervention to small groups of students. This entails focusing on their particular areas of difficulty including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency and comprehension. I enjoy motivating students to try their best, and work to create a supportive and positive rapport with them. Teaching many different students with unique needs can be challenging, but I think this is the most rewarding and interesting job in education!
Sherry Barret – Assistant
Education and Teaching Background: In 1987, I attended Asheville-Buncombe Technical with a mayor in accounting. After completing two and a half years of the program, I decide that it wasn’t the right profession for me. After feeling led to pursue a career in education, I received me effective teacher certification from A-B Tech in 1995. In 2007, I returned to college majoring in Early Child Education. This is my 11th year working in the field of education. Prior to taking a position with Johnston Elementary School in September of 2008, I taught science, health and computer technology for 6 years at a local private school.
Why my students love their Title I reading group time: Meeting together during SMILE time with other students who also struggle with reading, helps my students feel more relaxed and willing to step outside their comfort zone. As a result, my students become more confident and their self-esteem is boosted. It is extremely rewarding to see a student grow as a reader and go from hating to read o having a love for books.
Kim Waites – Assistant
Education and Teaching Background: I earned a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from AUBURN University. I have taught diverse group of children, including ADD/ADHD, learning disable, autism, speech impairment, noncompliant behaviors and physical challenges. After moving to North Carolina I was teaching at the progressive Education Program for a multi-disable classroom for 21/2 years. I stopped teaching to raise my children and it’s time to teach again. I am now a Title I teacher. I love to teach and look forward in helping each child learn to their fullest potential an become reader and have a love for reading.
During my small groups students enjoy reading while focusing on their specific reading skills and needs.
James Wilson – Assistant
Education: I graduated from UNC Asheville in May of 2006 with a B.A. in Psychology and a K-6 teaching license.
Background in education: This is my 12th year in education. I started working in education while still a high school senior in Florida. I attended college at UNCA, graduating from the elementary Education program there. During that time I worked with kids in several capacities, including after school care, tutoring, and a student teaching internship at Woodfin Elementary. Since then I have worked with individuals both academically and behavioral as a one-on-one.
My small groups provide a socially safe environment for my students as they progress at their own pace.
Renee Branch – Assistant
Education and Teaching Background: I earned my Associates Degree in Business Administration from AB-Tech in 1998. I also received my effective teacher training certificate from AB-Tech in 2008. I joined Johnston Elementary in October of 2011 as a Third Grade/Title I Assistant. This year I was transferred into the Title I department as a Title I Assistant.
During my Title I reading groups my students enjoy reading, and are able to focus on their specific reading skills and needs. It is extremely rewarding to see a student grow as a reader.
Connie Medford – Parent Community Liaison
Education and Teaching Background: I attended the Universidad Libre de Colombia with a mayor in Law and Political Sciences in Bogotá, Colombia, South America. After three years attending the law school, I married and moved to North Carolina. During my first years here in the United States I attended the ESL program at Haywood Community College, where also I taught in the ESL program to the migrant population. Later in 1998, I worked as an Interpreter at Haywood County Health Department. After I received my effective teaching certification from Haywood Community College, I taught Spanish at North Canton Elementary School in 1999. I joined Buncombe County School in 2001 as an ESL Assistant and Interpreter, first at Sand Hill-Veneable, and then at Johnston Elementary. Presently I am a Media Assistant and Parent Community Liaison.
I love my job and I am very pleased to serve as a bridge of communication within the school community as well I have the opportunity to better serve our Hispanic community.
