Meet the Fifth Grade Team

5th grade

  • Sherri DeVoto

    I was born in Winston Salem, NC. While attending Appalachian University I received two degrees. My first degree was in Child Psychology and second was in Elementary Education. This school year, 2015-2016, celebrates my 22nd year teaching. I taught middle school math and science for ten years in Morganton, NC before moving to Raleigh. I have been at Washington teaching math and science since then. Mr. Shaw and I team teach. I wanted to be a teacher because I wanted to try and make school fun and engaging. The best thing about teaching is watching the students grow and learn I love to be outside. I enjoy the mountains, the beach, and sitting by a pool. I also like animals. I have two dogs, two cats, a hamster, and a brid. My husband and I have two children. My son is in high school and my daughter is in middle school. Both children attended Washington and LOVED it.

    Julie Edwards

    I am honored to be a part of the Washington Elementary family. I teach math and science on the Macon/Edwards team. I am a product of Wake County schools kindergarten through 12th grade. I graduated from Agnes Scott Women's College in Decatur, Georgia in 1997 with a BA in Sociology and Anthropology in addition to my K-6 teaching certification. After graduation,I returned home to Raleigh to begin my teaching career at York Elementary. I received my Master of Education from Meredith College in 2000. I earned my National Board Teaching Certification in 2003. During my over twenty years of teaching I have taught 4th, 5th and 6th grade. I was also a reading teacher for grades K-2. Teaching 5th grade is my passion. I love this age group’s sense of humor, inquisitive nature, as well as their desire for independence! My goal is to make the classroom environment an active place where students feel comfortable taking risks. My style of teaching math and science lends itself to hands on exploration and problem solving. My husband and I have two sons. We love traveling and enjoy spending time at our lake house, boating, fishing and birding.

    Ken Smith

    Hello.  My code name is Ken Smith.  I am the Grade 5 ELA/Social Studies teacher. This is my 2nd year at Washington.  This is my 22nd year of teaching overall.  I graduated from Ohio University.  My experiences in teaching includes stints at schools in Sampson County and in Wake County.       

    I am married to my lovely wife, Christine, also a teacher.  I consider her the reading queen and you will often find her with a good book.  My stepson, Henry, is a superb and avid rock climber who is a coach, route-setter, and individual instructor at all the Triangle Rock Clubs.  He is also a student, studying natural resources, at North Carolina State University.  My stepdaughter, Mary, is an award-winning and talented artist and is the family stand-up comedian.  She is a student at Broughton High School.  Our dog, Jasper, is a champion napper, loves the sun, and is a bed hog.  

    I am an Ohio native, growing up in suburban Cleveland. I am a life-long fan of the Indians and the Browns.  What is that saying…Misery loves company?  Cleveland sports fans have endured seasons of misery and heartbreaks. If you enjoy baseball, you may see me occasionally on the field at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park.  I work several games over the summer as a member of the Ground Crew.

    I enjoy reading; listening to music, especially my vinyl records; watching movies; hiking; traveling, and watching sunsets and clouds rolling by. 

    I look forward to a great year and helping every one of my students achieve “whole” success.

    Nieshia Macon

     I am excited to join such an amazing team this year.  I am new to WashinGTon, but I have been a teacher for many years.  After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, I began my teaching career in Charlotte. I moved to Raleigh in 2007.  I have taught grades 3-6 while in Wake County. My most recent experience was at Carnage Middle School, but I have also taught at Brentwood Magnet Elementary, and Bugg Creative Arts and Science Elementary. I am thrilled to return to my first love, which is elementary school. This is year 17 for me and I am looking forward to the learning adventures through ELA and Social Studies.

    I am married and have a daughter in Kindergarten at WashinGTon this year. I enjoy spending my free time with my family. I like having big dinners at my Grandma's house and family outings .  I also enjoy scrapbooking, watching HGTV, and anything involving organization.

    I believe that all students have unique talents and abilities. Each student's contributions to the classroom are valuable and are to be respected.  It is my responsibility to create an environment in which students are free to take risks, feel safe, and feel valued. 

    I believe that students will rise or fall to your expectations.  Therefore, I hold high expectations for all students. I appreciate your support in helping our children become responsible, respectful, and productive citizens.