Ms. Kelly Raye (Far Left)

After graduating college from West Chester University in 1995 I worked as a co-teacher for 8th grade language arts. During this time, it was difficult to get a full-time elementary teaching position in PA so myself and a group of college friends accepted positions to teach third grade in Las Vegas, NV. I spent the next 10 years teaching third grade. During this time, I met my husband, and we married in 2002. We welcomed our daughter Piper in 2003 and this is about the time I took a maternal sabbatical. Over the next few years, we welcomed our first son, Maxwell in 2006 and our second son, Logan,  in 2007. When our daughter started school, we realized that we wanted to raise our children in a more family friendly place, so we relocated to North Carolina. During my years at home, I went back to school and got my Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. When my last little guy started Kindergarten, I accepted a position at Baucom teaching 5th grade but moved back to my favorite grade (third) after a few years. 

Currently our household includes my husband (married 21 years this past June) my daughter who is a junior at NCSU studying graphics arts/animation, my son who is a junior at AFHS and is working as a referee for NCFS and some local rec leagues, and my baby who is a sophomore at AFHS and recently made the JV soccer team as a goalie. We also share our home with our puppy named Blu and an old cranky black cat named Binx. If you love Hocus Pocus you know where the name came from. 

Email: kraye@wcpss.net

Ms. Kayli Scott (2nd over)

I was born and raised in Pittsboro, NC and graduated from Guilford College in 2020. I studied Elementary Education and Psychology and played on the softball team. I have been married to my high school sweetheart for three years and we have two rescue dogs, Sadie and Maggie. I love to read, do yoga, and collect houseplants. I also have a small business called Grades and Graze where I make charcuterie boards for friends and family.

Email: kscott3@wcpss.net

Ms. Brittany O'Brochta (3rd over)

Hello!! My name is Ms. O'Brochta, but I go by Bob Rochta to my friends and family. I'm super excited to work with your students this year and teach them all about two passions of mine, Math and Science! I grew up in little vegas, aka Reno and went to college at UC Santa Cruz, go Banana Slugs, to study communications. Before teaching I worked at the largest bowling arena in the country and got to meet several professionals such as Gene Stus and Billy Welu. 

My hobbies include spending time with my family, my amazing husband and our 13 year old son. I love traveling in North Carolina, especially Gastonia and to the Land of Oz amusement park. I know this year will be an amazing one and I can't wait to learn more about you and your wonderful students. 

Email: bobrochta@wcpss.net

Ms. Carolyn Ewing (4th over)

Hi, I am Carolyn Ewing! I have been at Baucom for 12 years, having taught 3rd grade for 9 of those years. Before that, I taught 3rd grade at Weatherstone and Holly Ridge. I am originally from New Jersey, but have lived in Maryland, Utah, Texas, Georgia, and finally, North Carolina. I graduated from Goucher College, just outside of Baltimore.  I have 3 children, Wesley, William, and Bailey. I have 2 dogs, Brody and Luna. I love to travel and explore new places. 

Email: cewing@wcpss.net

Ms. Nicole Dinardo-Gray (5th over)

I moved to NC from Long Island, New York in late elementary school. I attended Apex Elementary, Middle, and High, so I am practically a native! I graduated from North Carolina Central University with a bachelor’s in elementary education. I started my teaching career in Durham, teaching 5th grade at Fayetteville Street Elementary School. After 3 years I transferred to Wake County and taught 5th grade math and science at Salem Elementary. We went year round after my first year there and I stayed until I needed to be on a traditional calendar, staying for 7 years. I then came to Baucom and taught 5th grade ELA and social studies for 7 years before moving to 3rd grade 3 years ago. I have been married for 18 years and have children, Hailey and Matthew. I have a dog, Izzy, and a cat, Shady. I love to read and dance, and all things Harry Potter!

Email: ndinardo-gray@wcpss.net

Ms. Amy Gelm (6th over)

Born and raised in Northeast, Pa…very close to Scranton, Pa. and Dunder Mifflin Paper Company :-), I graduated from Mansfield University with a BSE in Elementary Education (1994) and graduated from Lesley University with a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Literacy in 2010.

I taught Kindergarten for two years in Pennsylvania, taught Kindergarten for two years in Moorestown, New Jersey, then made my way to North Carolina in 1998. I spent 12 years teaching Kindergarten at Baucom Elementary and left in 2010, when my son was born. After spending 8 blissful years home on a maternal sabbatical, I returned to the classroom, but in Third Grade. I have been here ever since.

I have been married for 19 years to a pretty awesome guy and we have one pretty awesome son who is starting 7th grade this year. (Pray for me and him during this middle school years) When I am not teaching, you can find me cheering on the sidelines of all the soccer games, spending time on water on our boat, trying to read mystery novels or books by Colleen Hoover and also eating Mexican food.

Email: agelm@wcpss.net