-
Instructional Support
Back row: Ms. Su, Mrs. Ridpath, Ms. Audut, Ms. Joyce
Front Row: Ms. Collins, Mrs. Molinaro, Mrs. Hensinger
Meet the Team!
Literacy Coach, Intervention Teacher - Allison Molinaro —emolinaro@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter
Mrs. Molinaro: I have been teaching in Wake County Schools since 1996. I live in Cary with my husband, 3 children, and 2 cats.
Degrees/Certifications: BS Child Development, MEd in Reading, National Board Certification
Intervention Teacher & Instructional Facilitator- Valencia Collins — vcollins@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter
Ms. Collins: Hello! This will be my 12th year of teaching and my 6th year at White Oak Elementary. I have taught all grades, from first to fifth grade. I am originally from Fayetteville, North Carolina and currently live in Holly Spring. When I'm not teaching, I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, and crafting.
Degrees/Certifications: Bachelors in Elementary Education
2nd & 3rd Grade Intervention & Enrichment Teacher - Kaylie Carr — scarr2@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter
Ms. Carr: I have been passionately teaching for over 25 years. I have enjoyed my teaching years in PK-4th grade. I hold a BS in Accounting and earned my Masters Degree in Early Childhood from Kent State University. Several years later, I earned my license in Gifted Education. I just love learning (and teaching too)!! Then I reached my proudest career moment when I achieved National Board Certified Teacher status in November of 2014.
I live in Cary with my wonderful husband and our adorable dogs, Cupcake and Trixie. Our sons are grown and have degrees in Electrical Engineering and Education. We love having fun and going on vacations together. We have been to Disney World over 28 times!! Shopping is my favorite ""sport""! I love searching for unique things at vintage markets, reading and watching historical fiction, and baking with my grandmother’s recipes. I love teaching with all my heart and can't imagine doing anything else.Degrees/Certifications: MS in Ed in Early Childhood, Gifted Intervention Specialist Licensure and National Board Certification
Intervention Teacher - Brandy Ridpath — bridpath@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter
Mrs. Ridpath: I was born and raised in a small town in southern Virginia. I attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, where I earned both my Bachelor and Masters degree in Elementary Education. I met my husband, Chris, during my time at ODU. After college, we moved to Cary, NC where I taught at a year round school in Cary for 9 years. My husband's job took us to Maryland for 3 years where I taught in Severna Park, MD. During my time in Maryland, I became special education certified k-12 and taught both special education, as well as Gifted and Talented (GT). After a few years, my husband's job brought us right back home to North Carolina. We currently live in Apex, NC, with our two children and our sweet cat, Xander. My daughter will be in 7th grade this year, while my son is a rising fifth grade here at White Oak. We are all so excited to start this school year as Explorers. This will be my 16th year as an educator. I can't wait to learn all about YOU this year too!
Degrees/Certifications: Bachelors Degree in IDS prek-6; Masters Degree in Elementary Education; AIG K-12 certification; Special Education K-12 certification (MD)
AIG - Sujata Shirsekar — sshirsekar@wcpss.net — Website - Twitter
Ms. Su: I am Sujata Shirsekar, Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) teacher. I have worked in the WCPSS system for 20 years. I have two wonderful children who are NC State grads! 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
AIG - Susan Joyce -- sjoyce@wcpss.net -- Website - Twitter
Ms. Joyce: Hi! I am thrilled to be at White Oak Elementary family as one of the AIG teachers! It is a very special school. This is my 14th year as an AIG teacher with Wake County Schools. I have also worked as an instructional coach and a third grade teacher in Wake County.
I grew up in Western New York, and graduated from SUNY Geneseo. I moved to North Carolina in 1993. My daughter is 25 and she graduated from the University of South Carolina in May of 2020. She currently lives in New York City and works in the fashion industry. My son is 18 and is a freshman at Appalachian State. In my spare time, you can find me visiting my children, reading, exercising at the gym, listening to music, and walking!Degrees/Certifications: MS In Early Childhood Education, BS in Elementary Education, Certifications - PreK/K add on, Elementary Education 1-6, AIG K-12, Spanish K-12
Guidance Counselor - Brittney Ruggieri -- bruggieri@wcpss.net -- website -- twitter
Ms. Ruggieri: Brittney Ruggieri and her husband, Bryce, reside in Apex with son Brayden and daughters Landen and Teigen. The Ruggieri family has also welcomed a new furry friend into the home named Otter. Prior to joining White Oak Elementary, Ms. Ruggieri took a position coaching women’s soccer at Green Level High School.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 -- twitter
Ms. Mott: Hi everyone! I am so excited to be starting my first year as a School Counselor at White Oak! I have enjoyed working in the school system for many years as tutor, IA, Substitute teacher and now School Counselor. I am originally from Johnston County, NC, but have had the wonderful opportunity to live in many states including Hawaii and California!
My family and I are now happily settled in Cary. My husband and I are proud parents of Emma (16) and Caleb (14), both of whom attend Cary High School. I can't wait to get to know all of the amazing students of White Oak Elementary School!
Degrees/Certifications: BS Mathematics and BS Mathematics Education Secondary from NCSU, MA Marriage and Family Therapy from Liberty University, Post-Master's Certification from UNCC. Certified as a K-12 School Counselor in NC.
School Psychologist - Camilla Tungate —ctungate@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter
Ms. Tungate: Hey! My name is Camilla Tungate and I am the school psychologist at White Oak Elementary! In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, watching Alabama Football (ROLL TIDE!), and exploring NC.
Degrees/Certifications: Ed.S. - School Psychology, MA - School Psychometry, BS - Psychology
ESL - Kathy Hensinger —khensinger@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter
Mrs. Hensinger: Hi, my name is Kathy Hensinger. This is my 3rd year at White Oak Elementary School and my 25th year teaching in WCPSS. I am the part time ESL teacher at WOE this year. I am originally from Woodbury, NJ. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and cooking. My husband and I enjoy boating, kayaking, and hiking together. We have 3 children, a sophomore at ECU and 2 juniors (twins) at AFHS. I am looking forward to another great year at White Oak!
Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Science from Elizabethtown College, ESL add on certification from NCSU, TESOL Certification
Social Worker - Lexy Goodwin —@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter
Ms. Goodwin: I am a part time school social worker split between Scotts Ridge Elementary and White Oak Elementary. This is my 8th year as a school social worker in Wake County. I love working with students, their families and community members and am excited to be a part of the White Oak team!
I live in Raleigh with my husband and our son, Walker, who will be one in February. When I'm not at work, I'm spending time with my little family!Degrees/Certifications: BA in Psychology, NCSU, Master of Social Work, NCSU
Building Sub - Varsha Audut
Ms. Audut: Hi, I’m Varsha Audut, I live in Apex with my husband and two kids. My daughter is a junior at UNC Charlotte and my son is in 8th grade at Mills Park middle school.
In my free time I enjoy cooking, gardening and playing board games with my family. This is my first year as a building substitute at White Oak Elementary. I’m very excited to be a part of this team and look forward to this wonderful journey.Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor in Arts and certification in computer operating and programming assistant.