Kindergarten

Meet the Team

Amity Ledford — adledford@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter - Instructional Assistant: Caitlin Tonn

Ms. Ledford: Hello, kindergarten explorers and families! I am thrilled to be teaching our sweet kinders here at White Oak Elementary. I was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina. I received my Bachelors in English from NC State University and my Masters in Elementary Education from Liberty University. Outside of school, I love playing with my energetic border collie, Cooper, exploring new places, doing DIY projects, reading, and hiking trails.

Degrees/Certifications: B.A. in English: Language, Writing & Rhetoric, M.A.T. in Elementary Education

Mrs. Tonn: Hi everyone! I’m excited to start my second year as a Kindergarten IA. Last year was my first in the education system and I’m so glad I landed with the White Oak team. I was born and raised in Durham and currently live in Raleigh with my husband and 7 year old puppy. I’ve enjoyed getting to know Apex and expanding my community. Looking forward to another great year!

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

Mrs. Davenport: Hello! My name is Hannah Davenport (previously Ms. Bobbitt) and I am so excited to continue teaching Kindergarten at White Oak Elementary! I grew up in Laurinburg, NC and have lived in Wake County for 10 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. 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

Ms. Dungel:  Hi! I am excited to be a part of the WOES family as an Instructional Assistant. We recently moved to NC from IL, but I'm a FL native. 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 (also new to the WOES family). I look forward to a wonderful year!

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

Kristin Bruce — kbruce@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter - Instructional Assistant: Nasrin Rahmathulla

Mrs. Bruce: I am very excited to be teaching Kindergarten at White Oak Elementary again this year! I grew up in Lexington, Kentucky and graduated from the University of Kentucky with an Elementary Education degree. I went on to pursue a Masters Degree as a Reading Specialist and am a National Board Certified Teacher. We moved to Apex in 2007 and we love it here! I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two sons, and our yellow Labrador Retriever. My oldest son is studying Engineering at the University of Alabama (Roll Tide!) and my younger son is at UNC-Chapel Hill (Go Heels!).  

Degrees/Certifications: B.A. Elementary Education, M.A. Reading Specialist, National Board Certified Teacher, ELL Certified

Ms. Rahamathulla: Hello! My name is Nasrin, and this is my third year as a kindergarten IA. I have lived in North Carolina for 18 years now and currently live in Cary with my husband and 3 kids. When I am not at school I love cooking, shopping, and traveling. I am very excited to be working with your kids this year and see them learn and grow!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor’s in Commerce

Ashtyn Golden —ajgolden@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter - Instructional Assistant: Lucia Ryder

Mrs. Golden: My name is Ashtyn Golden and I am so excited to be teaching Kindergarten this year at White Oak Elementary! I graduated from Meredith College where I had many experiences teaching young children that brought me to have a passion for teaching. I was born in Illinois, but I grew up in Apex, NC. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with my friends and family, and going to the beach. I am looking forward to another great year at White Oak Elementary!

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

Mrs. Ryder: Hi! I am so excited to continue to be a part of the White Oak Elementary team as an Instructional Assistant. My family and I are originally from New York but we have lived in North Carolina for almost 18 years. I have several years of experience teaching children in NY and NC. This will be my 6th year working at White Oak. I have two children and a cat, Seamus. My son is a Senior at NC State and my daughter is a Sophomore at NC State. GO WOLFPACK!!! I love spending time with my family and friends, traveling, going to the beach, NC State football games, and gardening. Can't wait to begin another year with my amazing White Oak family!!

Degrees/Certifications: BS in Elementary Education and MS in Special Education

Kristen Plazas — kplazas@wcpss.net— Website — Twitter -- Instructional Assistant: Veena Kadam

Mrs. Plazas: Hello there, my name is Kristen Plazas. I was born and raised in NC, and now reside in the triangle with my husband and our dogs and cats. I enjoy reading, traveling, movies, and spending time with my family and pets. I look forward to another great year in Kindergarten at White Oak!

Degrees/Certifications: B.A. Elementary Education

Mrs. Kadam: Hello! My name is Veena Kadam, and this is my second 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, travelling, camping and reading. I'm looking forward to seeing new faces and meet new families!!

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

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

Mrs. Thorn: Hi Families! My name is Jessica Thorn and I will be teaching Kindergarten for the 2023-2024 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 second grader at White Oak) and Emma (3), 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 moved from Singapore to North Carolina in 2015. Since then, I have been associated with WCPSS. This is my third year working at White Oak Elementary School. I am looking forward to a fun-filled year with kids. I enjoy going for long walks, Yoga and cooking.

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