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Degrees and Certifications:

University of Rhode Island - BS Zoology Rhode Island College - MA Elementary Teaching National Board Certification - Early Childhood

Ms. Jen Burdette

Third Grade Teacher- Track 1

Girls on the Run Site Coordinator

Jennifer Burdette has been a teacher at Turner Creek Elementary since 2014. She has taught both 3rd and 4th grade. This upcoming year will be her 22nd year of teaching! Previously she taught at Brier Creek Elementary & Stough Elementary. Her parents were both 5th grade teachers and her father was also an elementary principal.
 
Mrs. Burdette’s goal as a teacher is to nurture lifelong learners, problem-solvers, and out-of-the box thinkers. She feels that students learn best in a place where they feel supported, connected, and valued. Mrs. Burdette also applies these beliefs after school where she has been a Girls on the Run (GOTR) site coordinator and coach since 2008.
 
Mrs. Burdette has been married for 17 years and has 2 sons, Cole and Jake. Cole will be a sophomore at Fuquay High School this year and Jake is finishing his last year at Holly Grove Middle School. She loves to spend her free time with her family and also loves to run, cook, and read. She's also a big Caniac - let’s go Canes!

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Degrees and Certifications:

Longwood College- BA Elementary Education NC State-Masters Degree Reading Instruction Nationally Board Certified Teacher 

Ms. Caitlin McCommons

Third Grade Teacher- Track 1

Caitlin McCommons has been a teacher at Turner Creek Elementary since 2018.  She has been in education for over 20 years, serving as a teacher in grades 1,2, and 3.  She has worked in both Wake County and Fairfax County public schools.    Education runs in Ms. McCommons’  family.  Her mother is a retired 2nd grade teacher.  Her father was a college professor and Architect, and her sister is currently a music and drama teacher at an international school in Switzerland.  Ms. McCommons has always wanted to be a teacher.

Ms. McCommons believes students learn best in  a supportive and inclusive classroom where each child is gently guided to discover their passions and talents as well as being pushed to work to their full potential. Ms. McCommons also has a passion for making sure that all students feel seen and heard.  She has been a Girls On The Run coach for over 10 years and enjoys getting to see all students flourish! 

Ms. McCommons is the youngest of 3 children.  She has an older brother and an older sister.  Her older sister lives in Switzerland!  She loves to go to the beach, travel, and read.  She loves all things cat, and NC State!  Most of her family still lives in Northern Virginia where she grew up.  Even though she grew up in Virginia Ms. McCommons considers herself a Carolina girl!  Her mom and dad are both products of Wake County Public Schools, and actually met in high school at  Broughton Magnet High School.  She spent most of her summers and school breaks in Raleigh NC with family at Topsail Island, her favorite place on earth!! 

 

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Degrees and Certifications:

High Point University - BA Elementary Education High Point University - Master of STEM Education

Mrs. Samantha Rascati

Third Grade Teacher- Track 3

Samantha Rascati is entering her 5th year teaching 3rd grade at Turner Creek, and she has taught 3rd grade her entire career. Mrs. Rascati previously taught for Thomasville City Schools in Davidson County, and the 2025-2026 school year will be her tenth year teaching. 
 
Mrs. Rascati enjoys fostering a supportive and inclusive classroom for her students and is experienced in differentiating student instruction based on individual needs. Mrs. Rascati also has experience in teaching STEM through different mediums, such as Lego and robotics.
 
Mrs. Rascati is originally from Connecticut and moved to North Carolina in 2012 to attend college. Mrs. Rascati loves watching sports, and you can normally find her attending the Carolina Hurricanes, Durham Bulls, or Richmond Kickers (where her brother Billy works) in her free time. Mrs. Rascati currently lives in Wake County with her husband, Tony.

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Degrees and Certifications:

State University of NY at Geneseo - BS Elementary Education East Carolina University - Master of Elementary Education UNC Charlotte - AIG Certificate Program

Ms. Denise LaPorta

Third Grade Teacher- Track 4

Mrs. LaPorta has taught for over 25 years. Those 25+ years include 7 years in 3rd grade, 9 years in 4th grade and 6 years in 5th grade. She was also an AIG teacher for 4 years at White Oak Elementary and worked part-time for a few years in various roles, such as an enrichment specialist, a Read to Achieve teacher, a part-time AIG teacher, and a home hospital teacher. She knew from a young age she wanted to teach and still enjoys working with students. 
 
Mrs. LaPorta believes in the importance of public education for the benefit of all of society. Students need to grow academically and also to learn to become productive contributors, which is a complex task. Therefore, understanding and supporting social-emotional growth, instilling an understanding and appreciation for different perspectives and developing character traits such as responsibility and ownership are central to her learning style. She works hard to build relationships with her students and their families and to nurture her students’ self-worth. 
 
Mrs. LaPorta is married with one child and one dog. Her son will be a 6th grader at Salem Middle this year. She enjoys spending time with her family when she is not working, especially attending her son’s events. She also enjoys yoga, reading, puzzles and mindfulness. She is looking forward to a new year in LaPorta’s Lodge!

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Ms. Sarah Garvey

Third Grade Teacher- Track 4

This is Ms. Garvey's sixth year teaching and first year teaching at TCE!
 
She grew up in Greensboro, NC before moving to Boone to attend App State. Go Mountaineers!! She moved to Raleigh in 2017 and has loved every bit of it. She and her husband, Matt, have two dogs, Evie and Zoey, who are super rambunctious and cuddly. In her free time, she likes to read, knit, play with her pups, and spend time on the Pamlico River in Bath, NC. 
She cannot wait to have an AWESOME year learning a lot and having fun doing it!