Traci Arnemann was born and raised on Long Island, New York. Before moving to NC this summer, she taught for 14 years in Broward County, Florida including grades 1, 3, 5, and middle grades mathematics. She loves to read, create, and practices yoga frequently. On weekends her and her family can be found hiking the lakes, traveling the roads, or snuggling on the couch watching Planet Earth. She is very happy to be teaching in Wake County but ECSTATIC to become a Hawk.

Saida Bouhajja is a 3rd Grade Teacher at Hortons Creek Elementary School. This will be her 5th year teaching, after having taught 1st grade and 5th grade in the Richmond, Virginia area. She taught 1st grade here at Hortons Creek this past year!

She graduated Virginia Commonwealth University with her Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies and Masters in Teaching. She is passionate about mindful and purposeful teaching for all students, as well as, equity in education.

Her and her husband have just recently relocated to the Raleigh area, but she is no stranger to moving after living in Minnesota, Tunisia (Northern Africa), and Virginia. Experiencing, and learning about, the diversity of this world through travel is a passion of hers. So far, Florence, Italy has been her favorite destination for its food, culture, and artistic root in history.

She is an avid soccer fan, so both US and international league games are often being watched at her home. While soccer is often a topic of conversation, she will always be able to recite a Disney song at the drop of a hat or dress up as one of her favorite Star Wars characters.

Ms. Bouhajja is so excited to start a new adventure at HCES with my fellow hawks!

Jessica Courtney is excited to return to Hortons Creek as a 3rd grade teacher. She is from Pensacola, Florida and taught there for 3 years before moving to North Carolina in 2016. Ms. Courtney graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of West Florida in 2013. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University.

Outside of school, she enjoys rock climbing and traveling, frequently traveling to Florida and Washington D.C. to visit family. 

Ms. Courtney is looking forward to a great year!

Andrew Hall was born and raised in Central New York. He graduated from Keuka College and SUNY Cortland with honors in Elementary, Special Education, Reading Specialist, and minors in Sociology and Psychology. He taught in New York for a year before escaping the snow and moving to Durham, N.C in 2006. He’s been teaching here in North Carolina every since. He’s taught multiple grades, including 2nd, 3rd, 5th, Gifted and Talented, Special Education, and Magnet. He lives proudly in Bull City with his wife, his daughter, and two rescue dogs! He enjoys everything local, DIY, antiques, record collecting, building RC cars, playing and performing music and enjoying the outdoors! Mr. Hall cannot wait to continue learning as a Hawk.

Jillian Jackson was born in Winston-Salem North Carolina where she has taught for the past 6 ½ years. She has taught both grades 2 and 3 (gifted and talented and all male). In her free time, she enjoys reading, coaching cheerleading, watching Steeler football, and spending time with her family. Jillian is a proud graduate of North Carolina A&T State University where she received her bachelor's in Elementary Education and Appalachian State University where she holds a masters in School Administration. “Educating students is truly my passion. It is my goal to be identified as the teacher that has children racing to school daily, excited and prepared to learn”.

Tania Knapp is originally from Mexico City. She attended Northern Kentucky University for her undergraduate degree and UNCW for her graduate degree in elementary education. She is ESL certified and loves to learn about her students and their families. As her 15th year begins, she looks forward to building relationships that last beyond the school year. She is passionate about Positivity Project, where she has found the opportunity to teach beyond academics and learn about oneself and the power of positive psychology.

Ms. Knapp is the proud mother of a sixteen-year-old son, Mateo, and her daughter-year-old daughter, Sofia.  She enjoys traveling, reading, bujo journaling, watching movies, and learning new things. Ms. Knapp is looking forward to continuing to be part of a community where we try new things and learn with/from each other.

Laura Mentler was born and raised in New Jersey, and has lived and taught in Chicago, IL, and Fresno, CA, as well. She and her husband moved to Cary, NC, eleven years ago. They love raising their three children here. Her children describe her as: adventurous, smart, fun, kind and forgiving. Some of her hobbies include: traveling, hiking, reading, running and being crafty. Currently, she is training for the Marine Corps Marathon. She has also been a professional family photographer for over 10 years.

Ms. Mentler is thrilled to be back in the classroom and to be teaching third grade this year at Hortons Creek. She is passionate about sharing her love of reading with students. She is looking forward to creating a caring classroom community that values kindness and is excited to work with students to integrate technology into their school day in a purposeful and meaningful way.

Jaime Renville recently moved to North Carolina this summer from her hometown of Long Beach, California. As a military kid she has lived in several places including Germany, Texas, Washington, and Colorado, before settling here in Cary. Ms. Renville graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design with a BFA in Graphic Design and then went on to pursue her teaching credential in education at California State University of Long Beach. Ms. Renville joins us as a beginning teacher and is excited to share her creativity and passion for learning with her fellow Hawks at Hortons Creek.  Outside of the classroom, Ms. Renville enjoys reading, pursuing art, and spending time with her husband, two daughters, and son exploring Raleigh, Durham, and the entire East coast.