My name is Samantha Gregory. I graduated from UNC-Charlotte in 2023 with a degree in K-6 Elementary Education. Teaching is my greatest joy! I do have to thank my younger sisters for allowing me to play “teacher” so much when we were kids– I sure enjoyed the practice, but I’m not so sure they did! I grew up all over the place: Pennsylvania, Utah, and several NC towns/cities, but I am excited to be able to call Raleigh and Combs Elementary “home,” now! Outside of school, I have been told that I have “grandma hobbies” as I enjoy crocheting, sewing, reading, painting, embroidery, and walking in the various parks around the city.

My name is Carrie Hubbard and I am excited to be teaching at  AB Combs fostering the love of leading and learning together.  I graduated from Meredith College with a degree in Drama and Speech with a K-6 certification in Elementary Education and began my teaching career at Hunter Elementary. Along my career path, I have held many positions in WCPSS, such as an Instructional Resource Teacher, a Magnet coordinator, a Dance and Drama Specialist as well as teaching at various magnet and traditional schools in Wake County.   I am a proud mother of two college kids, Kathryn goes to school in Boca Raton, Florida for Journalism and my son, Taylor, is studying Trumpet Performance at Arizona State University in Tempe.  As well as education, my passions are gardening, cooking, traveling, hiking in Umstead State Park, spending time with friends and family relaxing at the beach.

My name is Joanna Klager and I started my teaching career here at Combs in 2014.  I received my Master's degree in Elementary Education at the University of Florida in Gainesville.  I moved up to Raleigh shortly after graduation and absolutely love the triangle!  Working alongside my fellow kindergarten teachers is a wonderful privilege.  We believe in putting children's needs first in the classroom and helping cultivate a life long love for learning.  Outside of work I love to stay active hiking, kayaking, and doing yoga.  I also enjoy reading and spending time with my dog and cats. I can't wait for the amazing year we are going to have!
 

My name is Rebecca Norton, and I am so excited to be a part of Combs Elementary School. I started teaching in 2018 in Caldwell County. I graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Child Development: Birth-Kindergarten. One of my favorite things about teaching is watching my students grow from the beginning to the end of the school year. I believe that each student is unique and can make a difference in the world. When I am not teaching, I enjoy cheering on the App State Mountaineers or spending time with my family and friends.

Michelle is a North Carolina native, from Charlotte.  She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing from Utah State University, a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education and a Masters of Education in English as a Second Language from Westminster College. Michelle has experience in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 7th grades. She has a strong passion for education and helping her students develop a love of learning. She is excited to be joining the Combs family as a Kindergarten teacher this school year!

My name is Elise Wagner (formerly Steele), and ever since I can remember, teaching has been my dream! I just moved to North Carolina in 2023 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I am a graduate of Slippery Rock University, where I had amazing opportunities to teach almost all elementary grades. I was also given the incredible opportunity to study and teach abroad in Spain. These experiences changed my life! Kindergarten has always been my passion. I love that “work” will never just be a job, but something I love. My goal is to radiate positivity everywhere I go, because life is too short not to be 100% me. I am currently a fiancée to Evan, so a soon to be Mrs. Wagner in July 2024:) When I am not at school, I LOVE to read and journal.  Thrifting is a common hobby, always ready to make new friends wherever I am, and I am thrilled that the beach is near! When I think back on my life, Kindergarten is where I would stay forever, as I am bright and colorful at heart. There is nowhere I’d rather start my career than here with Combs' staff and your students. I look forward to all that is to come!