**Please note that Pre-K students do not directly enroll at White Oak Elementary. They are assigned by the WCPSS Office of Early Learning. Click on this link for more information on preschool programs.

Pre-K Team

Meet the Team!

Marni Ostrander — mostrander@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter — Instructional Assistant: Ashley Dennis

Ms. Ostrander: Hello! My name is Marni Ostrander and I love being part of the White Oak PreK team!   I am originally from upstate New York and then moved to Michigan for a few years before making Apex North Carolina my home. I have a degree in early childhood and elementary education and a Masters degree in elementary education. I am early childhood National Board certified.  My husband and I have three children and I spend most of my time outside of school cheering them on during their many activities.  Our classroom motto has become “ it’s OK, try again!”, with the sincere belief that perseverance and acceptance will lead to growth and success.

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, Master's degree in Elementary Education, National Board Certified.

Ms. Denis: I am so excited to be back in the classroom and working at White Oak this year. Prior to moving to Apex in 2016 I was a Special Education teacher for ten years. I taught in New York specializing with children on the Autism spectrum as well as in Wisconsin where I worked with kids with varying special needs.  I grew up on Long Island, New York and shortly after I married my husband Josh we moved to his hometown of Green Bay, Wisconsin. We have been living in Apex for 3 years and have a daughter who is 9 and a son who is 6. Our family loves to go to the beach, play golf, visit our family, and travel. Special Education is truly where my heart is and it is a privilege to work with and watch students grow!

Michelle Leykum — mleykumenoch@wcpss.net— Website - Twitter — Instructional Assistant: Silpa Romy

Ms. Leykum: I am originally from Long Island, NY and have been in NC for 15 years. I have spent my career focusing on educating children and young adults with autism and other developmental disabilities, as well as consulting to special education teachers across the state. When I am not working, I like to read, hike, ride my Peloton, and spend time with my husband, four children (11 year-old twins, 14 year-old step-son, and 20 year-old step-daughter) and our three dogs. We live in Chapel Hill, near Jordan Lake, where we love to enjoy the outdoors and natural beauty that surrounds us.

Degrees/Certifications: Master's degree in Elementary Education and Special Education (K-12), Advanced certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, and Advanced certificate in birth-Kindergarten early childhood education (in progress)

Ms. Romy: Hi! My name is Silpa Mohan Romy and I am so excited to continue to be a part of the whiteOak preschool team as an Instructional assistant. I have been part of wake county school systems since 2013. My husband and I  have lived in Cary for the past 12 years  and have two boys. I  enjoy spending time with my family and friends, traveling and camping. I am looking forward to another great year at White Oak elementary.