My name is Erin Polich, and I will be South Lakes ECS 3-5 grade teacher. In my free time I enjoy working out, reading, puzzles, and spending time with friends, family, and pup! I graduated from East Carolina University (GO PIRATES!) and began my teaching career in Greenville, NC. I am fully invested in each of my students and committed to delivering positive learning experiences. I'm so excited to continue my teaching career as a South Lakes Elementary Sea Turtle!!

My name is Courtney Maready. I have been teaching in North Carolina for 5 years and love every second of working with my students! I am a native North Carolinian from Pine Level, North Carolina and a proud graduate of Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. I graduated from Lee in 2015 with a BS in Interdisciplinary studies and Elementary Education Prek-3 and K-6. I started my journey in education during my time at Lee. I fell in love with the idea of having a direct hand in helping children get the best education in all circumstances. I am a firm believer is Social Emotional Learning. I believe that building relationships through SEL and using a lens of equity are the foundations to true learning. It is my passion to fight for every student that comes across my path and their access to the education they deserve. When I’m not in my classroom I enjoy going to the beach, camping, hiking, and playing board games with my family. I have a 4 year old son, Adrian. I love playing Power Rangers, Ninja Turtles, Spider-Man, and Lion King with him. I can’t wait to meet you!

My name is Debbie Richterkessing. I was born in New York but lived most of my life in South Florida. I met my husband when we were 13 years old. While pregnant with my daughter at 23 years old; I pursued my Culinary Management degree. I have been a chef for over 7 years. My lifelong goal has always been to be a wife and a mother. Those two things make me the happiest.

My name is Jennifer Coufal. This is my 18th year teaching, my 3rd year at South Lakes Elementary, and my 2nd year as a CCR Special Education Teacher. I graduated from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a dual degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. It wasn't until I started teaching and working with students with special needs in the regular education classroom as a kindergarten teacher, that I realized my love for special education and added special education to my teaching certification. I believe all children can learn, and will learn when given the opportunity and the support they need. When given the right environment, children will teach us more than we could ever teach them. When I'm not at school, you will find me spending time with my husband and two daughters. Both of my daughters attend South Lakes Elementary and we all love being Sea Turtles! You can often find our family at the beach, in the mountains, or doing some traveling around the country looking for our next great adventure. We enjoy attending concerts and seeing new places. If we aren't out and about, you'll find me curled up with a good book, or trying to learn something new.

Hello! My name is Justine Razzaboni and I am the occupational therapist at South Lakes. I am a New Hampshire native and moved down to North Carolina in 2020. I love the outdoors and being in warm weather so you can find me at the lake, beach, hiking, exploring North Carolina, playing tennis, or walking around my neighborhood. I enjoy being on the water, as I grew up spending my summers at our family lake house in Maine swimming, boating, fishing, and my newest adventure of paddle boarding. I spend my weekends with family and friends, and love to travel to see them as well as experience new places. You can expect lots of arts and crafts and themed activities throughout the school year for the students in OT to target their fine motor skills and keep things fun!

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and traveling. I am originally from a small town in New York and moved to Raleigh in 2010. I attended East Carolina University for my undergraduate  degree and West Carolina University for my masters. Working with kids has always been my passion!

I was born and raised in Wisconsin (GO PACK GO!) and just moved my family (husband, 3 kids and 2 dogs) to North Carolina in August 2020. Prior to becoming an Instructional Assistant, I spent 13 years in Fundraising Consulting and Project Management. As schools started to open up after COVID, I saw the dire need for support in schools. The best way to make the most impact was to join the school staff. Even though this is my second career, I can't imagine it any other way. I look forward to creating a positive learning environment making a meaningful impact on students' lives.

I have just recently moved from Arizona, where I taught in education for 14 years. I have taught every grade in the elementary sector except Kinder! I have loved being a teacher. This is my 3rd year as a certified Special Education teacher. Teaching in general, has brought great happiness to my life and has allowed me to be a working mom and still stay connected with my own treasures (kids). I have 6 of them. I was an army brat, and spent much of my childhood in Germany. North Carolina is the 6th state I have lived in the U.S. I believe that every kid is amazing, intelligent, and capable of greatness. Sometimes, they just need someone to help them open a door to possibilities! That's me! I am here to help and I am so excited to work with the kiddos here at South Lakes.