• Meet Our First Grade Teachers

     

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Ms. Christie

First Grade Track 1

Class Website

My name is Lesley Christie and I am excited to be teaching first grade this year at Olive Chapel Elementary. My family and I moved to North Carolina from New York in 2005. While in NY, I taught preschool for several years before moving to NC where I have been teaching Kindergarten and First grade for almost 20 years. I graduated from Mercy College in NY with my Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and Behavioral Science. I am also a National Board Certified Teacher. When I am not teaching, I enjoy being outdoors. I love to garden, camp, hike and work with my hands (DIY and woodworking projects). I have three, mostly-grown children who are working and attending college right now. I am looking forward to working with your child this year and to helping them to reach their fullest potential!

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Ms. Butler

First Grade Track 1

Class Website

eMail: mbutler7@wcpss.net

Hi, my name is Ms. Butler and I am so excited to be your 1st grade teacher! I am looking forward to all of the amazing things we will do this year! This will be my first year at Olive Chapel and as a teacher. I love integrating Social Studies and Science into all content areas and I am excited for all the fun projects we will do!

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Ms. Hatley

First Grade Track 2

Class Website

eMail: nhatley@wcpss.net

My name is Nan Hatley and this is my 8th year teaching. I received my B.A. with a double major in Elementary Education/Exceptional Student Education and my M.Ed. in Reading Education K-12 from the University of West Florida.

My husband Curtis and I have 5 kids: Nora, Cyrus, Bethany, Helen, and Gillian. We love living in the triangle!

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Ms. Walker

First Grade Track 2

eMail: jwalker5@wcpss.net

Hello! My name is Jessica Walker and I am so excited to be a part of the OCE family. I am originally from Ohio and grew up in a very small town with my mother, father and younger brother! I studied Inclusive Early Childhood Education at Bowling Green State University and right after college I moved to the Raleigh area! I have claimed this as my home ever since. I taught three years of kindergarten before I decided to make my transition to first grade. I am so excited to experience this with you!

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Ms. Dunn

First Grade Track 3

Class Website

eMail: jdunn3@wcpss.net

Hello! My name is Jennifer Dunn, and I'm very excited to be a part of the OCE 1st grade team. I enjoyed working at Olive Chapel for several years. I’m looking forward to another exciting year! My husband and I have two children, both of whom were students at OCE. Outside of school, we love to work in our garden, go to the beach, and hang out with family/friends.

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Ms. Smith

First Grade Track 3

Class Website

eMail: ksmith18@wcpss.net

Hi! I am Mrs. Smith. Welcome to first grade! I have lived in the Apex area my whole life and even went to Olive Chapel for first and second grade. I graduated from Meredith College in 2013 and have been teaching ever since. During my time as a teacher, I have taught kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. 
 
My husband and I have 2 children, Jack and Maggie. We also have a dog named Filson. We live in Apex on a pine tree farm not far from school. In my free time I love to bake, go for runs, and spend time with my family. I am so excited to experience first grade with you! 

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Ms. Costa

First Grade Track 4

Class Website

eMail: dcosta@wcpss.net

Hello! I am so excited to start another year at Olive Chapel. I have over 20 years teaching experience. I have spent these years in a variety of general and special education settings in MA, NH, and NC. I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Kutztown of Pennsylvania and a Masters degree in General Special Education and Behavioral Disorders from Rivier University. 

I have 2 children, 2 cats, and a dog.  I love animals. Owls and monkeys are my favorite!  I love spending time outside.  Some of my favorite hobbies include exploring new places, going to the beach, reading and relaxing on my porch.

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Ms. Alligood

First Grade Track 4

Class Website

eMail: lalligood@wcpss.net

Hello!  I am ecstatic to be teaching first grade at OCE!  I received my Masters in Early Childhood Education in 2002 from Old Dominion University.  I have been teaching for more than 10 years now and, in that time, I have taught K-3 and intervention, with the majority of those years teaching first grade.  First grade really has my heart!  Additionally, I had the opportunity to live and teach cross culturally in both Zambia and Singapore.  Those experiences have sparked a love for travel and learning about other cultures. I use those experiences to foster a love for learning about and from one another in my classroom.    I look forward to working with your child and seeing their passion for learning grow this year!  
 
My husband and I married in 2015, and we moved to Cary/Apex area in 2017.  We love our Apex community and it has quickly become home to us.  When I am not teaching, I love to spend time with my husband and friends, get outdoors, travel and explore new places, and read.  Our favorite place to escape to is the beach.   We feel fortunate we are short drive to many great beaches in NC.  I look forward to getting to know your family this school year!

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Ms. Obrien Cobb

First Grade Track 4

Class Website

eMail: pobrien@wcpss.net

I have been in the teaching profession for over 20 years. My favorite grade to teach is 1st grade because I love to help students become good readers. I also enjoy running and biking outside and going to the beach to relax. I am so lucky to have many blessings in my life, three daughters, three grandchildren and an awesome husband.  I'm feeling very excited about this school year with my new class.