Ms. Carter graduated from NC State College of Design with a BA in Art & Design and from Meredith College with a BS in Interior Design. Previous careers have taken her into hotel & residential interior design, photography, retail sales, and real estate coordination, events, staging and marketing. Deciding on a career change, Ms. Carter first came to Root as the long-term art substitute in the Fall of 2023. Wishing to remain with her new Root family, she accepted the position as the 3rd grade IA and enjoys continuing to encourage and assist all of our wonderful 3rd graders!

Ms. Carter is originally from Morehead City and has lived in Raleigh since attending NC State. She and her husband Chad enjoy boating, the beach and traveling with their triplets, Charlie, Sam and Cameron.

Mrs. Cheng  is originally from Cheshire, England. She attended the University of Central Lancashire and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Education. She then went on to gain her Postgraduate Certificate and Masters in Education from Manchester Metropolitan University. After teaching for 3 years in England, she moved to Raleigh in 2017 as part of a teaching programme and has never looked back. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the gym, traveling and reading. 

Ms. Cummins grew up in Fairfax, Virginia with her mom, dad and younger brother. She attended North Carolina State University and earned a BA in Elementary Education with a STEM Concentration. After she graduated this past May she decided to make Raleigh her new home. Ms. Cummins is a huge sports fan and loves to cheer on the Wolfpack and the Washington Capitals. In addition to teaching Ms. Cummins also loves playing with her pet bunny, Bauer, exercising, spending time with friends, cooking, drinking coffee and watching Netflix. 

Ms. Jones was born and raised in Wendell, North Carolina. This past May she graduated from North Carolina State University, where she earned a BS in Elementary Education with a STEM Concentration. During college, she was actively involved in her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, and was also on the NCSU All-Girl Cheerleading Team. When she is not teaching, she loves to spend time with friends, and go to the beach or lake! Ms. Jones is so excited about beginning her teaching career here at Root Elementary!  

Ms. Leithead is originally from Mahopac, New York, and moved to Raleigh in 2008. She attended Meredith College her freshman year and played lacrosse for the school. She transferred to NC State for her sophomore year where she graduated in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in STEM. In her time at NC State, she was an active member of her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, working out and playing with her energetic puppy, Emmie!