Principal

Muriel Summers has been the principal of A.B. Combs since 1998. She holds a BA degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, a master's in Elementary Education from UNC-Charlotte, a master's in School Administration from the University of Maryland and an honorary doctorate from California University. One of the greatest professional joys of her life is being the principal of A.B. Combs.

Ms. Summers has guided our school to create the first Leadership Elementary School in the nation. Combs has received many national awards under Ms. Summers’ leadership including, The National Blue Ribbon, The National School of Character, The National Magnet School of America, and the Lighthouse Recognition Award from FranklinCovey.  Ms. Summers has been recognized as Wake County’s Principal of the Year, one of North Carolina’s Women to Watch, and in 2014 received the coveted Friday Medal of Honor for her contributions to education.  She is the very proud mother of Banks Summers, a UNC-W graduate in elementary education and lives in Savannah, Georgia and Colin Summers, a recent graduate of Wake Forest University who works in Raleigh for Prometheus Group.  

Assistant Principal

Juley is a native to Wake County and grew up in Fuquay-Varina. She is a graduate of Meredith College with a degree in Psychology and certification in Elementary Education, received her National Board Certification in 2012, and completed her master's degree in Executive School Leadership in 2015. She began her teaching career at AB Combs in 2000 and is passionate about our leadership model. As a former kindergarten and 1st grade teacher, Juley first transitioned into the role of Magnet Coordinator and then into the role as an Assistant Principal. Juley and her husband, Ryan, reside in Cary with their three children.

Magnet Coordinator

My name is Traci Totherow, and I am so excited to represent AB Combs as the Magnet Program Coordinator.  I graduated from Meredith College in 1993 with a B.S. in Child Development, and I have lived in the Raleigh area ever since.  Immediately after graduating, I obtained a K-6 Certification from Meredith, and began my teaching career.  I am an MBTI and MMTIC certified trainer, and I love pairing personality type theory with the 7 Habits to help meet the needs of every student. Visit my virtual magnet office here.

IRT

Paula Everett began her teaching career at A.B. Combs in 2003. During her time at Combs, she has had the opportunity to teach 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grades. Paula holds a Bachelor's of Science in Education from Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. She and her husband have three beautiful children. Paula has a tremendous passion for the Leadership Model and encourages all students to work to their fullest potential. 

Administrative Assistant

Being a former A. B. Combs student and parent, Susan Reeves Staton is very honored to have been working for Combs Elementary for the past 20 years as the Administrative Assistant. Ms. Staton works very closely with administration, handling all bookkeeping, payroll, personnel and Leadership Day registration.

Mrs. Staton enjoys the beach, estate sales, crafting and spending time with her husband Tom, family, and friends.

Data Manager

My name is Denise Price and I began working at AB Combs as a Teacher’s Assistant in First grade in 2006 and was the Receptionist before taking on the role as Data Manager.  I am a mom to a beautiful girl, Haleigh and the Aunt/Mom of Alex, Jessie, and Taylor. I am very busy, to say the least. When we are not at school we like to play games together and just relax and watch movies with each other. I am looking forward to my journey at AB Combs this year and hope to enjoy many more!

Clerical Assistant

Heather initially joined Combs as a Kindergarten parent and currently has two boys attending Combs.  She immediately started volunteering in the classroom and became an active member on the PTA Board.  She is now very excited to continue her journey with us as the school receptionist.  She is originally from Arizona and moved to North Carolina in 2009.  She resides in Cary with her husband and two boys.