4th Grade

From front to back: Mrs. Lillis, Ms. Bankert, Mrs. Hansen, Ms. Erikkson, Mrs. Parker, Ms. Su

4th Grade Team Website

Meet the Team

Kristine Hansen —khansen@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter -- -- Grade Level Website

Ms. Hansen: I love teaching fourth grade and love fourth graders! I am from Ottawa, Canada originally. I have been teaching in Wake County since 2008 and taught in Nash County previously. I love being a White Oak Explorer! As graduates of East Carolina University, my husband and I are big Pirate fans. We also root for the Francis Marion University Patriots where our daughter plays volleyball. Alyssa is a senior nursing major. Our boys (Robbie and Joey) are 18 and 15. Robbie is a freshman at Wake Tech and Joey is a sophomore at Apex High. We love visiting our cottage by the sea and traveling together when volleyball and baseball schedules allow. My students inspire me daily and I look forward to working with each of you!

Degrees/Certifications: BS-Elementary Education, M-TESL, Google I Certification

Sujata Shirsekar — sshirsekar@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter-- Grade Level Website

Ms. Shirsekar: I am Sujata Shirsekar, the lucky teacher of iExplorers. I have worked in the WCPSS system for 17 years. I have two wonderful children, one has graduated from NC State and the other is a senior at State. We are a Wolfpack family! We love to travel and explore different places, restaurants and foods. I am very passionate about teaching. My students become my second family. Together we spend almost 180 days together and truly become part of each other’s lives. Looking forward to an amazing year with the children!!

Degrees/Certifications: BA in Accounting and Economics, Bombay University, India. BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, Western Governors University, Utah

Robyn Lillis — rslillis@wcpss.net — Website -- Twitter -- Grade Level Website

Mrs. Lillis: I live in Apex with my husband Kevin, daughter Ryan (19), and son Kevin (17). I am originally from Long Island, NY. However, I moved to NC twenty-five years ago. When I moved to NC, I was a police officer with the City of Raleigh for about three years. Then I decided to change careers and have been teaching for 22 years. This is my 3rd year at White Oak Elementary. I look forward to working with everyone to make this an amazing year.

Degrees/Certifications: Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Campbell University, Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice from State University of New York at Brockport, National Board Certified Teacher Middle Childhood Generalist, Orton-Gillingham Trained

Madeleine Eriksson — mreriksson@wcpss.net — Grade Level Website -- Twitter

Ms. Eriksson: Hi everyone! My name is Maddie Eriksson and I am so excited to be teaching fourth grade for the third year at White Oak! I grew up in Cary and attended all Wake County Public Schools until I went to North Carolina State University. Go pack! After graduation, I taught in the Czech Republic for two years. I have dual citizenship in America and Sweden and use those passports to travel as much as I can. I have a 70 pound goofball Goldendoodle named Nellie Bean and the cutest niece in the world. I truly believe my students can teach me just as much as I can teach them, so I can't wait to learn together!

Degrees/Certifications: BS Elementary Education with a STEM Concentration, Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certification 

Sarah Bankert —sbankert@wcpss.net -- Grade Level Website— Twitter

Ms. Bankert: I am excited to be starting my 14th year of teaching! I grew up just a few minutes down the road in Apex. I attended all WCPSS schools as a child: Apex Elementary, Apex Middle, and Apex High School! Go Cougars! Upon graduation from high school, I attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. One reason I chose ASU was for the cold winters. I LOVE snow! I will be the first one outside when the snow starts to fall. I first worked for three years in Chatham County Schools as a 1st grade teacher. After my first semester teaching, I enrolled at Meredith College to earn my Masters degree in Elementary Education while continuing to teach first grade. Following my years in first grade, I taught 4th and 5th grade at Morrisville Elementary, and most recently I have taught 4th and 5th grade here at White Oak.

When not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, especially my niece and nephew! I love day trips to the beach, relaxing at the pool, or visiting the lake.

I look forward to meeting all of you and having a fantastic year in 4th grade!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Math, Science, and Technology from Appalachian State University. Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Meredith College. Google Level 1 & 2 Certified Educator 

Sara Parker — sjparker@wcpss.net — Grade Level Website - Twitter

Ms. Parker: Hi there! My name is Sara Parker (formerly Ms. Guthrie) and I am so excited to be teaching fourth grade again this year! I am originally from Greenville, South Carolina and graduated from Clemson University in 2018. Go Tigers! After working in the business world for a year, I quickly realized that education is my passion. I then obtained my Master's in Elementary Education from Liberty University.

I live in Creedmoor with my husband and our dog, Murphy. We enjoy traveling and spending time visiting our families. I look forward to building positive relationships with each of my students & learning together! We are going to have a fantastic year!

Degrees/Certifications: Master of Arts in Teaching: Elementary Education from Liberty University & B.S. in Marketing from Clemson University