ECS Instructional Assistant

I began my career with WCPSS in 1988 as a teacher assistant in special education at Cary High School.  Then I transferred to
Combs in 1989 where I decided that working with younger kids is what I love best.  Over the years I have worked with many grade levels including Pre-K and AU1.  I love being part of the Combs family and helping children grow and reach their goals.  My husband and I have two daughters and two grandsons.   In my spare time, I love spending time with my family and just playing with our grandsons and two dogs.

Instructional 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 has worked as the school receptionist, and is now excited to be an instructional assistant with the kindergarten team. She is originally from Arizona and moved to North Carolina in 2009.  She resides in Cary with her husband and two boys.

Instructional Assistant

My name is Madison Bartholomew and I am very excited to be working at AB Combs! I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Carolina University and a Master of Arts in Teaching from NC A&T. Along with teaching, I have worked with elementary children as both a gymnastics and dance teacher, which has deepened my desire for creating ways to incorporate physical movement and kinesthetic learning into the classroom. My husband and I married in 2015 and have two sweet little boys, one of whom attends AB Combs. In my free time, I love to dance, sing and spend time walking with my family.

Instructional Assistant

I am thrilled to be part of AB Combs Elementary School. I was born and raised in Raleigh, NC, and I received my NC Early Childhood Credentials in 2011 from Wake Technical Community College. I began teaching in 2012 where I spent many years nurturing and guiding young children. I graduated from Stanly Community College in 2024, receiving my Associates Degree in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. I have had many amazing years of experience with children of many ages. I enjoy observing growth and development from each child throughout each day of the week. My goal is to learn about each child’s individual needs so that I can be there to help children be successful. I am excited for this brand new journey here at AB Combs. In my “free” time I enjoy spending time with my family and working out.

Technology Support

I was born and raised in southwest Detroit along with my 9 siblings. In 1982 I graduated from the University of Detroit with a degree in Electrical Engineering. I moved to Cary and got married in 1999. My wife Janice and I have two children who have both attened AB Combs for elementary school. In 2008 I started working at Combs as a technology resource. I had a breif hiatus in 2014, but now I am back again helping in any way I can. My hobbies include music and singing in the church choir.

Instructional Assistant

My name is Jacqueline Capes.  I am so excited to be helping educate our future! I stayed home starting in 2008 when I had our first daughter. While raising our four children, I also volunteered in numerous areas of early childhood development.  This included the development of curriculum targeting specific age groups.  My love for teaching young children started here. In 2022, I began teaching preschool, ages ranging from infancy to 5.  I have a passion for children and think they are magical.  I moved to North Carolina from Maryland in 2020.   I am a proud mother of four; Hazel, Ingrid, Liam, and Finnegan.  In my free time, I love to watch my girls cheer.  I also enjoy watching Liam ride BMX and learning from Finnegan anything science-related. I look forward to being a part of the AB Combs family and helping all children flourish!

Instructional Assistant

My name is Amy Eischeid and I'm so excited to be an Instructional Assistant at Combs Elementary. Working in education is not only my job, it's my passion! I have a PhD in Psychology, and I can tell you that being a student for all those additional years made me very fulfilled, even though it was hard work. Amazing and transformative things are constantly happening in classrooms. After being a student all those years, I turned my focus to educating others. I have taught kindergarten classes on up to graduate level college courses (I even added in teaching group fitness classes for 12 years). I happily use my doctorate every day at work and at home! My husband Todd and I have three fabulous sons, two gray cats, and one rescue dog. I consider myself to have two hometowns: Kansas City MO where I was born and raised, and Fairfax VA where I spent my later childhood and teen years. My husband and I met as undergraduates at Virginia Tech, moved all the way out to San Jose, CA, then to Cary, NC in 2004. Our sons have attended WCPSS schools and I have taught at Cary Elementary, Weatherstone Elementary, and now AB Combs! When not at work or school, you can find my family and me outside enjoying nature and fresh air.

ECS Instructional Assistant

Instructional Assistant

My name is Heather Olson and I am excited to be working at AB Combs.I graduated from UNCW with a degree in Biology. After a short time living in Connecticut, my husband and I moved back to North Carolina to be closer to family. I have been involved with Combs since my twin daughters started here in kindergarten. When I’m not driving my girls to and from theater rehearsal, dance class and piano lessons, I enjoy going on walks with my puppy, Kisuke, spending time at home with my family and reading.

Instructional Assistant

I am Melanie Panepinto and I have been part of the AB Combs family as an Instructional Coach since 2005. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education and have over 30 years of experience working with children of various ages and stages. I am happily married and have two boys that are Combs graduates. I enjoy spending my free time with my family, watching my boys play sports, hiking, photography and the beach.

ECS Instructional Assistant

My name is Maria Paniagua. I am thrilled to be a part of AB Combs Elementary and share my passion for teaching. I grew up in Cary, North Carolina. I have attended Wake Teach for early childhood education and have previously enjoyed teaching in an inclusive developmental day preschool for over 10 years. In my spare time, I enjoy making crafts, cooking, attending family events, and spending time with my family and friends. Teaching is my passion, and I look forward to sharing it with my new students, teachers, and parents.  I’m looking forward to teaching at AB Combs and living the 7 Habits with the wonderful staff and many students here at this wonderful school.

ECS Instructional Assistant

I began working in the Nash Rocky Mount School system in 1998. I started here at Combs in the ECU2 in January 2017. I love working with children to see how much they grow from the beginning of the school year to the end of the school year is a blessing. I recently got married in June to Lee McAbee.  But I have 3 wonderful children, Scott, Alicia, and Aaron. I have been blessed to two angels that call me Nana Kinsley Sue and Gracie Mae. I love going to the beach, karaoke, and visiting family and friends. 

Instructional Assistant

I am grateful to be part of the Combs Family. My name is Amy Pilz, mom to Sophia and Adalyn. I was born and raised in upstate New York. After getting my degree in Elementary Education from Cortland State in 1998, I moved to North Carolina and began my teaching career. I have taught kindergarten and first grade ever since. I am also a partner in some fabulous pizza restaurants. If you can believe it, that isn’t even my favorite thing to eat! I love soups and salads of any kind! I absolutely love teaching young children and guiding them to be their best selves! My inspiration to teach came about because of my first-grade teacher, Mrs. Rundle. Outside of my work life, I enjoy running and am proud to say I have completed a few marathons. I love the beach and the mountains equally! My children and I travel to both frequently. We also love to shop, cook, garden, and be creative in our art room. My life has been full of joy and courage. I look forward to teaching and instilling the 7 Habits with this wonderful Combs community.

Instructional Assistant

My name is Terry Proctor and I began working at AB Combs as a Teacher Assistant in 2005. I am originally from Nashville, NC and graduated from Peace College and East Carolina University with a degree in Health Information Management. I became a stay at home mom and transitioned into education as my children started school. I am married and have two children that both attended Combs and graduated in 2006 and 2009! I enjoy cooking, attending sporting events, playing golf, and beach trips!

 Media Assistant

Hi, my name is Lisa Ray and I’ve worked in the Media Center at Combs since 1998. I grew up in Livonia, Michigan and attended Schoolcraft College. I am married and have two children who graduated from Combs; Eric in 2002 and Lindsay in 2004. My passion is reading and my goal is to inspire all children to become lifelong readers! In my spare time, I love to read, go for long runs, cook and spend time with my family.

Instructional Assistant

My name is Cara Streger.   I am originally from New York (Go Yankees) but have been in North Carolina for a while now.  I graduated from Georgia State University with my B.S. in Early Childhood Education.  I have taught kindergarten through third grade and am happy to be a part of Combs Elementary as an Instructional Assistant/Coach.  When I am not at Combs, I love to spend time with my family, laugh, tutor and be outside.   I cannot wait for this upcoming school year and all the new memories we will make. 

Instructional Assistant

I was raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, and attended Combs Elementary as a student from 2004 to 2010!  I graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering.  After completing WCPSS substitute teacher training, I began teaching as an instructional assistant at Combs Elementary Pre-Kindergarten in the fall of 2022.  I am passionate about encouraging students in their value, intelligence, and ability to solve difficult problems. In my free time, I love to visit coffee shops, go to the movie theater, and spend time with my family and friends.  I'm very excited and honored to be back at Combs Elementary! Go Gators!

Instructional Assistant

My name is Laura "Alison" Williams. I am primarily a North Carolina native, and I graduated in 2007 from Meredith College with a B.A. in Psychology. While at Meredith, I gained a love of special education through working in the Meredith Autism Program, providing ABA therapy to young children. Upon graduation, I began my career opening Holly Grove Elementary as an assistant in Pre-K. Since then, I have served as a CCR assistant and ECS assistant in addition to many years working with the NC Early Intervention Program as a service coordinator. I am also the proud parent of two wonderful children, Logan and Violet. I love hiking, board games, puzzles, reading as much as I can and visiting new restaurants and museums. I am excited and grateful to be part of the Combs family!