• Instructional Support

    Meet the Team!

    Intervention Team Facilitator & Teacher - Allison Molinaro —emolinaro@wcpss.net

    Mrs. Molinaro: I have been teaching in Wake County Schools since 1996 and at White Oak since the school opened! I live in Cary with my husband, Mark. Together we have 3 kids. My daughter Linnea is a Junior at Green Level High School. My daughter Maren is a Junior at UNC. My son Celyn graduated from NC State last May and now works for IBM in the DC area. I also have 2 cats: Lou Lou and Finn.

    Degrees/Certifications: BS Child Development from Meredith College, MEd N.C. State University, National Board Certified Teacher

     

    Intervention Teacher, Instructional Facilitator, & Testing Coordinator - Sarah Bankert — sbankert@wcpss.net

    Ms. Bankert: I am excited to be starting my 17th 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 nieces and nephew! I love day trips to the beach, relaxing at the pool, or visiting the lake.

    I look forward to working with and supporting teachers and students across all grade levels this year!

    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. Letrs Certification.

     

    Intervention Teacher - Meg Kovacs — mkovacs@wcpss.net

     

    Mrs. Kovacs: This is my 17th year of teaching, and I am excited for another great year of supporting students and teachers as an intervention teacher. I love getting to work with students who need extra support to meet their goals. Previously I've taught 2nd grade here at White Oak since the school opened, and before coming to White Oak I taught Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and worked as a literacy interventionist K-6. I have my Master’s and Undergraduate degree from Appalachian State, and I am trained in Orton Gillingham. I love the mountains and the beach so being in the middle of the state is great. My husband and I have a fun and loving toddler named Luka and and our sweet baby girl, Lily, who is almost a year old. We love spending time together as a family! I enjoy traveling, singing, reading, and being a lifelong learner. I'm very passionate about teaching, and I strive to help my students love learning each day.

    Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University in 2009. Master of Arts in Reading Education from Appalachian State University in 2013. National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Literacy in 2014.

     

    Intervention Teacher & Literacy Coach - Brandy Ridpath — bridpath@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter

    Mrs. Ridpath: I am thrilled to start another school year at White Oak as the Literacy Coach and Intervention teacher. This will be my 18th year in education, with past teaching experience including 1st/4th grade classroom teacher, k-5 intervention teacher, special education co-teacher, and GT/AIG coordinator/teacher. I absolutely love supporting students and collaborating with teachers.

 My husband and I have lived in the Apex area for about 14 years with our two children and our sweet cat, Xander. This school year, my daughter will be a freshmen in high school, while my son will be in 7th grade. I am so excited to meet you all and fill our school year with learning and fun!

    Degrees/Certifications: BS in PK-6 IDS & MS in Education, Certified in Elementary Education Prek-6; AIG K-12; Reading K-12; Special Education K-12 (MD only)

    AIG - Sujata Shirsekar — sshirsekar@wcpss.net — Website

    Ms. Su: My name is Sujata Shirsekar, and I’m an Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) Program teacher with 21 years of experience in the WCPSS system. I’m a proud mom of two amazing NC State graduates — we’re a true Wolfpack family! My family and I love to travel and enjoy discovering new places, restaurants, and cuisines. Teaching is my passion, and over the school year, my students become like a second family to me. We spend nearly 180 days together, forming meaningful connections that leave a lasting impact. I’m excited for another incredible year of learning and growing with my students!

    Degrees/Certifications: Bachelors in Accounting and Economics, Bachelors in Elementary Education, K-12 Interdisciplinary Studies, Gifted and Talented Program Certification

    ESL/AIG - Kristine Hansen —khansen@wcpss.net -- Website

    Mrs. Hansen:  I’m excited to start the new school year as White Oak’s 50% AIG and 50% ESL teacher! After many years in the classroom, I look forward to supporting a variety of students in this new role. Originally from Ottawa, Canada—and a former ESL student myself—I’ve taught in Wake County since 2008 and in Nash County before that, in grades 3–5. My husband and I, both ECU graduates, are proud Pirates fans. Our youngest currently attends ECU, and this year we have three children in college! I enjoy reading and visiting Emerald Isle. I’m proud to be a White Oak Explorer—my students inspire me every day, and I’m eager to work with all of you!

    Degrees/Certifications: BS Elementary Education K-6 from East Carolina University; TESOL UNCW; Certified Elementary Education K-6; Add on Licensure ESL K-12

     

     

    Guidance Counselor - Brittney Ruggieri -- bruggieri@wcpss.net -- website 

    Ms. Ruggieri:  My name is Brittney Ruggieri and this is my fourth year at White Oak Elementary serving on staff as a School Counselor. Prior to joining White Oak Elementary, I held a position coaching women’s soccer at Green Level High School. My husband Bryce and I reside in Apex with our son Brayden and daughters Landen and Teigen. Our family has one furry friend, a dog named Otter and two lizards.

    Degrees/Certifications: I graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science, and also from Kutztown University with a master's degree in Education specializing in School Counseling.

     

    Guidance Counselor - Amy Mott -- - website 

    Ms. Mott: Hi everyone! I am excited to be entering my third year as a School Counselor at White Oak! My family and I live in Cary. My husband and I are proud parents of Emma (18) and Caleb (16). Emma will be entering her freshman year at NCSU, and Caleb is a junior at Cary High School. We love spending time together and traveling with our Doxie, Roxie! I look forward to working with you all again this year and continuing to grow with the students of White Oak Elementary School!

    Degrees/Certifications: BS-Mathematics, BS-Mathematics Education from NCSU. Go Wolfpack! MA-Marriage and Family Therapy and Post-Master's Certificate in School Counseling from UNC-Charlotte.

     

    School Psychologist - Justine Ward —jeward@wcpss.net

    Ms. Ward -- I have worked as a School Psychologist since 2007 in Cincinnati, Durham, and now in Wake County, where I’ve served for the past 6.5 years. I’m excited to begin my first year at White Oak Elementary and to support students, staff, and families as part of this wonderful school community. My husband and I have raised a blended family with five children—two from me and three from him!

    Degrees/Certifications: B.S. in Psychology from the University of Virginia and both an M.Ed. and Ed.S. in School Psychology from the University of Cincinnati. 

     

    Social Worker - Kate Allen — kallen8@wcpss.net

    Mrs. Allen: My name is Kate and this is my first year at White Oak as the School Social Worker! I have been at Salem Elementary for the past few years, and will now split my time between the two. I attended Appalachian State University for my Bachelor and Master of Social Work degrees, and I loved my time in Boone. I live in Raleigh with my husband and our cats. I love working with families and students to help them access resources and remove barriers. I am excited to be here!


    Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Social Work from Appalachian State University