Kindergarten

Meet the Team

Mrs. Perkins — rperkins2@wcpss.net— Website -- Instructional Assistant: Veena Kadam

Mrs. Perkins: Hello! My name is Rachel Perkins, and I am so excited to be teaching Kindergarten at White Oak Elementary School! I graduated from North Carolina State University (Go Pack!) with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a concentration in STEM education. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of working with children through afterschool programs and summer camps at the YMCA, which deepened my passion for helping young learners grow and succeed.

I was raised in Apex, North Carolina, and now live in Raleigh with my husband and our rescue dog, Beau. In my free time, I enjoy spending days on the lake with my family, trying out new restaurants with my husband, baking, exploring local coffee shops, and traveling with friends. I’m truly excited to be part of the White Oak community and look forward to a wonderful year in Kindergarten!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a concentration in STEM Education 

Mrs. Kadam: Hello explorers and White Oak families! My name is Veena Kadam, and this is my fourth year at White Oak Elementary as an Instructional Assistant. I'm always excited to work with young minds. I live with my husband and two sons. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, taking long walks, traveling, camping and reading. I'm looking forward to seeing new faces and meeting new families! 

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelors of Science in Chemistry, Masters in Computer Management

Alicia Chin — achin2@wcpss.net — Website - Instructional Assistant: Ramya Kannan

Ms. Chin:  Hello Kindergarteners and Families! I am so excited to be joining White Oak Elementary this year! I moved to Apex, North Carolina from New York City with my husband and two daughters (Kindergarten and 2nd grade) four years ago and we are absolutely loving it here. After two decades of professional experience, I've decided to answer my calling to become a teacher and fulfill my dream. I have a Bachelors degree in Business and I am pursuing a Masters degree in Elementary Education at NC State. During my personal time, I enjoy exploring new places, trying new foods, being outdoors, and spending time with my family doing all the above. I look forward to creating a fun, safe, nurturing, and engaging environment for the students to learn and grow!

Degrees/Certifications: B.S. in Business (Finance and International Studies) from Binghamton University

Hannah Davenport — hcbobbitt@wcpss.net— Website  -- Instructional Assistant: Candice Dungel

Mrs. Davenport: Hello! My name is Hannah Davenport and I am so excited to continue teaching at White Oak Elementary for my 9th year in Kindergarten! I grew up in Laurinburg, NC and have lived in Wake County for 13 years. I graduated from Meredith College in 2017 and have many experiences teaching young children that brought me to my passion of teaching kindergarten. When not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our families, reading, watching football, and the beach. Last year, my husband and I welcomed our first son, who we absolutely adore and love making memories together as a family of three. I can't wait to spend the school year with our White Oak Explorers!!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Science in Child Development, Meredith College; Birth to Kindergarten NC Teaching Licensure

Mrs. Dungel:  Hi! I am excited to return to White Oak for my third year. We moved to NC from IL three years ago, but I'm a FL native. In addition to my kindergarten experience here at WOES, my teaching experience includes being a 5th grade math/science teacher, a 7th grade science teacher, and an elementary Title I teacher. I live in Apex with my husband and two sons (my youngest is in 5th grade here at WOES and my oldest is in 7th grade at Mills Park.) I look forward to a wonderful year!

Degrees/Certifications: M.A. Elementary Education with an ESOL Endorsement; B.S. Biology

Emily Storment — estorment@wcpss.net — Website  - Instructional Assistant: Nasrin Rahmathulla

Ms. Storment: Hello! My name is Emily Storment, and I’m so excited to be a kindergarten teacher here! I grew up right here in Apex and went to Meredith College. I love spending time with my friends and family, going on adventures, visiting the beach, and finding new restaurants to try. I can’t wait to learn and grow together this year at WOES!

Degrees/Certifications: B.S. Child Development with a B-K Licensure

Mrs. Rahmathulla: Hello everyone, I'm delighted to be working with the White Oak kindergarten explorers. This is my fifth year working as an IA and I look forward to the rewards and challenges this school year has in store. It's been 10 years since I moved to Cary with my husband and three kids.
When I'm not teaching I enjoy bike rides with my husband, binging shows with my kids, and traveling to new places.
Here's to a new school year!

 iDegrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Commerce

Meagan Richard —mrichard2@wcpss.net — Website  - Instructional Assistant: Lucia Ryder

Ms. Richard : Hello! My name is Meagan Richard and I am excited for another great year in Kindergarten! This will be my second year at White Oak, but my 5th year of teaching. I moved to North Carolina last year from Des Moines, Iowa where I taught 1st grade and Kindergarten for 3 years. I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and attended Iowa State University where I obtained my elementary teaching degree (go cyclones!).

I have always had a love for teaching and working with kids. I grew up teaching dance and baton twirling lessons at my baton and dance studio. I found so much joy and passion in helping my students grow and succeed, which ultimately led me to pursue a career in education. I strive to create a learning environment where each student feels loved, accepted, happy, and capable of success!

When I am not in the classroom, I love spending time with friends and family, drinking coffee, watching football, reading, shopping, and traveling! I am looking forward to another wonderful school year at White Oak Elementary!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education K-6 with endorsements in reading, English/language arts, and coaching

Mrs. Ryder: Hi! I am so excited to continue to be a part of the White Oak Elementary team as a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant. My family and I have lived in North Carolina for 20 years. I have several years of experience teaching children in NY and NC. This will be my 8th year working at White Oak. I have two children and a cat who thinks he's a dog :) My son is a recent NC State graduate and my daughter is a Senior at NC State. GO WOLFPACK!!! I love spending time with my family and friends, traveling, beach outings, NC State football games, music, and gardening. Can't wait to begin another year with my amazing White Oak family!!

Degrees/Certifications: B.S. Elementary Education and M.S. Special Education

Jessica Thorn — jthorn@wcpss.net — Website  -- Instructional Assistant: Monika Sood

Mrs. Thorn: Hi Families! My name is Jessica Thorn and I will be teaching Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year. I am so excited to be back at White Oak this school year and to get to work with our wonderful Kindergarten Team. I hold a B.S. in Child Development from Meredith College and a Birth-Kindergarten Teaching License from UNC-Greensboro.

I live in Apex with my husband, Dan, our two kids, Jackson (a rising fourth grader at White Oak) Emma (a rising Kindergartner at White Oak), and our dog, Axl. I enjoy spending time with family and friends! I also enjoy reading in my spare time. I am looking forward to a wonderful school year!

Degrees/Certifications: B.S. Child Development from Meredith College and Birth-Kindergarten Teaching License from UNC-Greensboro

Mrs. Sood: Hi, I have been associated with WCPSS for the past 9 years. This is my 5th year working with Kindergarten at White Oak Elementary School. I am looking forward to another exciting and fun-filled year with kids. I enjoy hiking, traveling to explore new places and cooking.

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Arts, Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management