Susan Bouchard graduated from Mary Baldwin College with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. With 19 years of experience, she is National Board Certified and is a certified Reading Specialist for grades K-5. She enjoys spending time with her two grown sons, Cameron and Carter. If you cannot find her at school, you will find her in a CrossFit class or hiking through one of Raleigh’s many beautiful parks. She is looking forward to another great year at Hortons Creek Elementary!

Amber Bruner is in her fourth year year teaching at Hortons Creek. For the previous three years she was in the blended preschool classroom and is excited to move to kindergarten this year. She has taught in a variety of settings over the past thirty years including kindergarten, first grade, early childhood special education, and preschool. She earned her undergraduate in Early Childhood Education with a K-4 teaching license and her Masters in Library and Information Science form the University of Kentucky. She earned her Master’s Degree in Birth-Kindergarten: Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development in from the University of North Carolina - Greensboro along with her Birth to Kindergarten teaching license. She is a level 1 Google Certified Educator. Ms. Bruner believes in the power of play to help children develop a lifelong love of learning. Outside of school, Ms. Bruner lives in Cary with her husband of 35 years. She has three grown children and a two year old grandson. She enjoys tennis, reading, hiking, and playing with her dog Wilson.

Maeve Coakley graduated in May 2017 from James Madison University with her Masters in Elementary Education. (GO DUKES!) Ms. Coakley grew up in New Jersey and moved North Carolina in the summer of 2018. In her free time she likes going on hikes and playing with her dog Stella. This is Ms. Coakley’s third year of teaching at Kindergarten at HCES. She is excited for a new year at Hortons Creek! #GOHAWKS

Kelly Dickerson is in her eighth year teaching and her fourth year at Hortons Creek. She has experience teaching both preschool and kindergarten. She graduated with her undergraduate degree in Child Development from Meredith College. She received her B-K and K-6 teaching licensures from UNC-Greensboro as well as her Master’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development in Birth-Kindergarten. She is a National Board Certified Teacher. She also is a level 1 and level 2 Google Certified Educator. Mrs. Dickerson is passionate about children’s play and was able to study it abroad in Italy during her time at Meredith College! Outside of school she enjoys spending time with her husband Jordan, friends and family, traveling, trying new restaurants, and doing Pure Barre. She is excited to be a part of the kindergarten team!

Laura Gassaway is a kindergarten teacher at HCES! This will be her fourth year teaching kindergarten at Hortons Creek since the school opened. She graduated with her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a Minor in Linguistics and French from NC State University (go Pack!) She went on to continue her studies at NCSU and earned her Master's Degree in Elementary Education with a K-6 teaching licensure. She also is a Level 1 and Level 2 Google Certified Educator and Seesaw Ambassador. She loves when her students refer to her as "Mrs. G." She is passionate about turning students into problem solvers in today’s 21st-century world and to build their love for learning! In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband (Mr. G) and their rescue dog Luna. They are looking forward to growing their family and are expecting their own babyhawk, Elijah, in early December!

Lisa Poirier is SO excited to be your teacher this year! This will be her thirteenth year teaching kindergarten and her fourth year at Hortons Creek.  She is originally from Syracuse, NY. Before moving to North Carolina, she lived in Arizona where she earned her Master’s Degree from Arizona State University. She is also a National Board Certified teacher. She is passionate about teaching children to love reading, equity in the classroom, and utilizing instructional technology. She and her husband live in Cary with their daughter Reece (born in December 2017) and Emma (born in May 2020). In her free time she absolutely LOVES to spend time with her family, read, go to group fitness classes, and shop! She is so excited to be a part of the excitement that is Hortons Creek! It’s going to be a great year.

Ms. Griffin is ready and excited for another amazing year of Kindergarten! Ms. Griffin grew up in Charlotte, NC and went to N.C. State University to receive her B.S. in Elementary Education with a STEAM concentration (Go Wolfpack!). Ms. Griffin started her teaching career in Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and now looks forward to another year of teaching Kindergarten at HCES! Ms. Griffin is a Google Certified Educator Level 1 and pursuing her National Board Certification. Ms. Griffin is passionate about learning through play experiences, developing critical thinking skills through experimentation and integrating the arts into everyday learning.  In Ms. Griffin’s free time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, running, taking dance class, and playing with her dogs Finley and Peyton!

Bianca Hankinson is originally from South Carolina and graduated from the College of Charleston with a BA in Political Science. After that, she moved to Raleigh to get her Master's in Teaching (Go Pack!). She is passionate about creating a community culture where all students feel welcomed and valued, teaching kindness, and helping students realize their power as world-changers. Outside of school she loves going to the beach & sea kayaking, reading, and traveling to new places with her husband. This will be her third year as a member of the kindergarten team at Hortons Creek and she is looking forward to another fabulous year!