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Arasi Adkins
HR Consultant and Partner with School Operations Specialists, LLCArasi has worked in K12 and higher education human resources for over 20 years. Prior to independent consulting, she served as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources in Durham Public Schools, NC. She became interested in helping school districts recruit and retain the right people in healthy working environments. Arasi is also interested in mindfulness and meditation and during the most stressful times in her career – especially and including during this COVID crisis. She’s interested in helping other busy women take practical steps to improve their overall health and well-being through mindfulness, meditation, and simple breathing techniques and exercises.
Emma Braaten
Director of Digital Learning at Friday InstituteEmma Braaten is the Director of Digital Learning with the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. In this role, Emma leverages her 22 years of experience as a former Chief Technology Officer in Chatham County Schools (NC), Digital Learning Specialist and Digital Learning Coach with NCDPI, School Librarian, and Classroom Teacher to inform research and application in the K-12 setting and beyond. She works collaboratively with educators and stakeholders to support the effective implementation of instructional practices, content standards, and technology to make learning more accessible for all students. As a PhD student at NCSU’s Teacher Education and Learning Science program, her current research is focused on student engagement in a digital-age classroom.
Robin Buckrham
Executive Director of Chapel Hill - Carborro City SchoolsDr. Robin Buckrham is the Executive Director of Secondary Schools for the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools District in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In this role she supports and coaches school leaders at the middle and high school levels to develop their comprehensive instructional leadership skills and expertise in school improvement. Robin has served as an interim high school principal and a middle school principal within the district. Prior to working in Chapel Hill, she served as a teacher and assistant principal in Guilford County Schools, and a principal of a K-8 charter school where her school received recognition for exceeding growth under her leadership. She has been an Adjunct Lecturer at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University in the Liberal Studies Department, an instructor at the community college level, and an Associate Professor at East Carolina University where she supervised aspiring school administrators in the M.S.A program. She is a wife and mother and absolutely ADORES her children. Robin has over 25 years of experience in education and is dedicated to developing and coaching principals to their fullest potential both professionally and personally.
Sandra Carter
Assistant Superintendent at Stanly County Schools, NCSandra is a North Carolina native with over 27 years experience in education. She started her educational journey in Stanly County Schools as an elementary classroom teacher then moved into administration as a middle school principal and high school principal. At the central office level in Stanly County Schools, Sandra served as Executive Director of Human Resources and Student Services and later Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Student Support Services with oversight of ten departments. After twenty years in Stanly County Schools, Sandra then served over six years as Superintendent in Caswell County Schools. Returning to her primary roots and family, Dr. Carter has recently moved to Stanly County and serves as Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources. Reflecting on her vast experience in education, she is most proud of the progress of students and the new educational opportunities that were afforded to students through the co-authoring of numerous grants including grants for new and safer facilities, a state-of-the-art high school as well as multiple educational initiatives.
LaKeyda Davis
Director of Federal Programs at Chambers County Schools, AlabamaI have been a warrior for students and their families for a total of 25 years. I have served as an elementary teacher Grades K-3, Instructional Coach, Assistant Principal, Principal, and now Director of Federal Programs. The decision to become an educator was non-negotiable from an early age. Growing up in rural Alabama with many odds stacked against me, I was determined to be successful. It was my teachers' investments in me that helped me to overcome and achieve. My mission is simple... "to sow those same seeds of encouragement and opportunity that were sown into me many years ago." My husband, Will, and I coparent a blended family of six children, ages ranging from 25 down to 13. I aspire to teach on the collegiate level in the near future. I also hope to write an inspirational book to encourage aspiring female educators to stay the course!
Denise Gartner
Onslow County SchoolsDenise Gartner has worked in elementary education for 25 years, 18 of them as a building level administrator. She currently serves as the principal of Clear View Elementary School in Jacksonville, NC. Denise focuses on building a school culture that fosters collaboration, trust, and is centered around meeting the needs of students in a positive learning environment. An additional professional passion for Denise is growing strong adult leaders for teacher leadership roles and administration, and she serves as a mentor to developing teacher leaders and new principals
Nyah Hamlett
Superintendent at Chapel Hill - Carborro City SchoolsNyah Hamlett began as Superintendent for Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools (CHCCS) on January 1, 2021. Under Dr. Hamlett’s leadership, the district serves approximately 12,000 students and 2,000 employees in 11 elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, an alternative school, and a school for young people being treated at UNC Hospital. Before arriving in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, Dr. Hamlett enjoyed a long and successful career in public education in Virginia. She previously served as chief of staff for Loudoun County Public Schools, serving as a key strategic advisor to the superintendent and other cabinet members. In her work with the Superintendent and School Board, Dr. Hamlett supported and coordinated the governance team approach to serving over 84,000 students and 12,000 employees. While there, Dr. Hamlett also played an important role in supervising the director of equity and leading the district’s equity efforts.
Prior to that, Dr. Hamlett spent twelve years with the Henrico County Public Schools at both the school and central office levels, ultimately working for five years as assistant superintendent for instructional support. In this position, she supervised a number of instructional and support programs, including exceptional education (special education and gifted education), family and community engagement, school improvement, professional learning, mental wellness and social-emotional learning. Under Dr. Hamlett’s leadership, HCPS won first place in the National School Boards Association’s 2017 Magna Awards for the district’s overhaul of the code of student conduct and its development of preventative behavioral support programs. Hamlett began her career as a special education teacher in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools.
Dr. Hamlett received her bachelor’s degree in speech-language pathology and audiology with a minor in special education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She went on to earn two master’s degrees in K-12 reading and educational leadership from Regent University in Virginia Beach, and a doctorate in educational policy, planning, and leadership from The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. Dr. Hamlett also earned an urban superintendent certification from the AASA Howard University Urban Superintendents’ Academy.
Dr. Hamlett is a champion of high-quality, equitable and affirming learning experiences, Relational Leadership, Culturally Relevant & Responsive Pedagogy, School-Based Mental Health, Disrupting the School to Prison Pipeline, Gifted Identification of Underrepresented Student Populations, and more.
Gia Hoke
Senior Administrator, Title IX Coordinator at Wake County Public School System
Iwinosa Idahor
Durham Public SchoolsIwinosa Idahor serves as the Student Equity, Engagement and Opportunity Coordinator for Durham Public Schools. In this role, she primarily provides support and facilitates additional professional learning for boys/girls of color programs and coordinators across the district. Along with supporting coordinators, in collaboration with various stakeholders, she also supports the design/development, implementation and evaluation of equity-focused initiatives that centers students from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups. Her myriad of experiences with students spans over 10 years and includes work at the K-12 and college levels, in traditional and non-traditional settings. Iwinosa is dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of students through (counter)narratives, advocacy and creating/cultivating spaces and access to meaningful, impacting opportunities and resources. She hopes that her work and impact will lead to equitable and optimal educational experiences and outcomes for students and their families.
Angela King SMith
Partner at Education Resource Strategies
Tracey McCain
Fitness, Health, Wellness Coach at Tracey McCainTracey was on the air at WFMY in Greensboro from 4:30am until the job was done, for nearly 17 years. Waking up and 1:50 a.m. then going home and starting her second job as a wife and mother was an amazing part of Tracey’s life, but in June 2023, she made the important decision to sign off from the Good Morning Show to spend more time with her family.
McCain, a North Carolina native graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in journalism and communications before obtaining her Master’s degree in electronic journalism from Quinnipiac University.
McCain started her career in journalism at WSHM in Springfield, MA before moving on to nearby WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut but home was calling. She returned to North Carolina in 2006 to be closer to her parents in Guilford County.
McCain, a certified life coach, fitness and wellness instructor is continuing her passion for health and wellness with the launch of her fitness brand, Train with Tracey.
An experienced public speaker, McCain also turned her passion for inspiring others into a business where she will continue to serve the community as a motivational speaker.
Tracey is an Emmy-award winning journalist, having captured journalisms highest honor in 2018 and 2023. The community advocate has won several awards including the Triad’s prestigious 40 Under 40 Award, the 2020, 2021, and 2022 Greensboro News & Record Reader’s Choice Awards, as well as notable awards from the Writer’s Guild and the NC NAACP. In June 2023, McCain also shared her story on the cover of North Carolina’s O’Henry Magazine.
McCain will continue her work in the community, volunteering for several community organizations. She and her husband Jaron are raising their family in Guilford County.
Raegan McCullough
Trainer, Entrepreneur at The Healthy TeacherRaegan was raised in a family of over 17 educators in the small town of Iva, SC. Though she always had the desire to teach, she desired to tackle a different subject than the rest of her family. Raegan dreamed of owning her own personal training company where she could help people live mentally and physically empowered. In 2016, Raegan graduated from Clemson University, where she took her first year studying Food Science and finished with a major in Communication Studies and a minor in Education. After college, Raegan completed her PT certification and joined Lauren under Freedom Fitness Personal Training LLC, where (due to knowing so many) she ended up training multiple educators. During this time, Raegan realized that many of the trials she witnessed her family of educators endure could have been lessened or prevented by simple health practices. From there, you guessed it, The Healthy Teacher (THT) was born. THT has been implemented in 13 states and has over 1500 members. Lauren and Raegan enjoy traveling America, highlighting the fundamentals of health and the power of one’s thoughts and words. They recently opened a second business specifically for mental health called Dan McCullough Affirmations, which offers every person the chance to be encouraged and affirmed.
Tricia McManus
Superintendent at Winston Salem Forsyth County SchoolsThe Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Board of Education appointed Tricia McManus the 8th Superintendent of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools on February 23, 2021. began working as the Deputy Superintendent for WS/FCS in June of 2020. She led the “Our Safe Return” plan as schools phased back to in-person learning. She also worked with staff and community partners to get as many employees as possible vaccinated even before teachers were “eligible” under state guidelines.
Prior to WS/FCS, McManus was the Assistant Superintendent for Leadership and Professional Development, and School Transformation in the Hillsborough County Schools in Florida since 2016. Before that role, she served as a Director and Executive Director of that district’s Leadership Development for five years. From 1990 to 2009, McManus spent time in a variety of roles within the district. She served as an elementary teacher, resource teacher, elementary assistant principal and then principal.
Carrie Lynn Morris
East Carolina UniversityCarrie Morris joined the East Carolina University Department of Educational Leadership in March 2019 after transitioning from a school administration role in Onslow County Schools, NC. She is excited to learn from and with eastern North Carolina public school leaders in her position as the Associate Director for School Leadership, funded through a U.S. Department of Education grant entitled edPIRATE (Educator Pipeline in Rural Action for Teaching Equity). Carrie is interested in equitable educational practices positively impacting all students, empowering women in leadership, and the importance of relationship building in K-12 public education.
Mia Pumo
Program Manager at Ed Direction
Tracy Purvis
Assistant Principal at Wake County Public SchoolsDr. Tracy T. Purvis is an educator with 30 years of experience in K-12 public school education in Title I, Traditional, and Year-Round Schools. She has been a K-12 Special Educator in three districts, an Instructional Facilitator, an Assistant Principal, and a Principal. She is currently an Assistant Principal in the Wake County Public School System at Moore Square Gifted and Talented/AIG Basics Magnet Middle School in Raleigh, NC.
Brandy Reeves
Chief of Staff and School Leadeship at Chapel Hill - Carborro City SchoolsBrandy Reeves, is a 22 year old veteran educator, most of her time in education has been spent as a school leader and now a district leader. In 2010, Brandy was selected from leaders across the country as a top leader to go into schools and produce better outcomes for students. Brandy has had a successful career working in multiple sectors of education to include LEARN Charter and other education spaces throughout the country. In every environment that she has led in the schools have seen significant gains and improvements to school culture to include-teacher and student attendance and retention. The last ten years Brandy has been responsible for onboarding and equipping leaders to go on to lead their own schools. She has done this by serving as a mentor principal, leading professional learning for leaders, with an emphasis on leadership development, for leaders across the country and now supervising professional learning and leadership development for an entire school district to include an aspiring principals program. In her current organization, during her first year, Brandy launched a leadership pipeline program where three of the six leaders went on to become principals the next year and Brandy and her team through sustained coaching and support assists these leaders. Brandy currently leads the development of over 70+ leaders in her organization, both principals and Senior Leadership. Currently, Brandy Reeves, serves as Chief of Staff and School Leadership.
Lauren Ross
Trainer, Owner The Healthy Teacher at The Healthy TeacherLauren Ross grew up playing multiple sports and progressed to being a college athlete at Western Carolina University. While there, Lauren set numerous records and discovered her passion for health and fitness. Upon graduating, Lauren set out to become a personal trainer. She trained under Mr. USA, won 4th place in a bodybuilding competition, taught PE and Music at a small GA school, and, in 2016, opened her own personal training company, Freedom Fitness. With 9 years and over 13,000 hours of personal training under her belt, Lauren has worked with many overworked, stressed, and burnt-out educators. Around 98% of these educators were on anxiety medication and either lowered their dosage or concluded their prescriptions. With Lauren's understanding of proper health and fitness, she knew her work could empower educators physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thus, The Healthy Teacher (THT) was born. THT has been implemented in 13 states and has over 1500 members. Lauren and Raegan enjoy traveling America, highlighting the fundamentals of health and the power of one’s thoughts and words. They recently opened a second business specifically for mental health called Dan McCullough Affirmations, which offers every person the chance to be encouraged and affirmed.
Christa Tyson
President of Sales at Ty-Par RealtyChrista is a Union County native and a graduate of Wake Forest University with a BS in English. She has a 30 year career in the Commercial Real Estate Development industry. Besides her professional career, Christa serves on various boards such as Chair of the Foundation Board for South Piedmont Community College, Alliance for Children and Bridge to Recovery to name a few. She was recently named one of Union County’s most Powerful Women for the 3rd year in a row. Christa is a motivational speaker for non and for profit organizations. She is the proud mother to two adult daughters, Leah and Logan.
Christa speaks from the heart and is honest and comedic in her presentation of her real life struggles such as abuse, death, illness and alcohol abuse and how she has learned to thrive and not just survive.
Marna Winter
Elon UniversityMarna Winter is a certified Holistic Health Coach who partners with clients to restore balance to their lives by establishing healthy sustainable habits, through her company Winter Wellness For You. She graduated from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in July of 2022, earned a Gut Health specialization in January of 2023, and became an Autoimmune Paleo Certified Coaching in May of 2023. Marna is also a Senior Lecturer of Education at the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education at Elon University.
Christina Winters
CEO/President of Creating & Managing Wealth- Factory Worker's Daughter : Lessons in Leadership
- Personal Finance one-on-one meetings
- Mental, Emotional, and Physical Aspects of Retirement: What will you do with 8,000 Saturdays? and Re-Focusing Your Resume to Fit Your Job Search
From her Celebrating Diversity Cable TV show and former Ms. Biz Radio Show to educational workshops
for women about finance, Christina Winters focuses on educating strategic retirement moves. She
participates on several of the region’s largest non-profit investment advisory committees and has
worked with Texas Legislators to ensure the retirement benefits for educators. Winters has been
opening doors to a better financial future for her clients for more than 30 years.
For 8 years she conducted an elective course “Straight Talk” for at risk girls, in 2 Dallas middle schools,
Comstock & Spence Middle Schools.
She holds an Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF ®) and Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFATM)
certification.
Christina is a cervical cancer survivor since 1988 and she has written a book “For the Sake of You” about
her journey.