Miranda Duncan – Kindergarten Teacher

My family moved from Shelby this summer when my husband accepted the Defensive Coordinator position at Polk High School. We have two young children. January will begin my eleventh year in the classroom.

Ashley Blackwell – Guidance Counselor 

My name is Ashley Blackwell. I am 26 years old. I grew up in Polk County and am a product of Polk County Schools. I completed my undergrad at UNCW and I am completing my Master’s through WCU. I have a two and a half year old daughter named Adelyn that goes by Addy. I love visiting the beach and hiking in the mountains. I like many types of music. I like to read and be crafty. I am excited to be at Polk Central Elementary!

Lee Cantey – Art Teacher 

I am beyond thrilled to be teaching Art at Polk Central Elementary School this year.  I cannot wait to share my passion for the arts with the students.  Growing up with my mom as an art educator, how could I not be inspired to teach what I love? I have recently completed my Master of Arts in Teaching in Art Education from Converse College.  In my free time, I love exploring all aspects of WNC, from hiking new trails to gallery hopping.  I am always up for an adventure! 

Jeremy Huff – Fifth Grade Teacher 

I am a graduate of the College of Charleston. I have been teaching for thirteen years. For the past two years, I have been teaching a STEM lab and coaching robotics teams with fourth, fifth, and sixth graders.

Carey Upton – Exceptional Children Teacher

I started at Tryon Elementary in 2000 as an EC self-contained assistant. In 2006, I moved to Title 1 Reading instruction and continued until 2014. Taking many college education courses along the way, I finally earned a BS Dual Degree in Elem/Spec Ed in the fall of 2013 and became Highly Qualified in 2014.

Angie Sullivan – Exceptional Children Teacher

I am originally from Rochester, New York. I grew up loving horses and was an active foxhunter, dressage and event rider.  I have a cat named Amelia, a Jack Russel named Pacey, and a Greyhound named Archie.I graduated from the State University of New York at Geneseo. As an undergraduate, I dual majored in elementary-special education and sociology. Later at Geneseo, I earned a master’s degree in Literacy. After university, I moved to Wake County where I taught for 7 years. I have served as an EC teacher, Title 1 reading specialist, and a 3rd grade classroom teacher. In August, I joined the Polk Central Elementary family as an Exceptional Children teacher and relocated to the area from Raleigh. My husband, Jeremy is originally from Western North Carolina. He and I chose Polk County because of the strong sense of community, numerous outdoor activities, horses, and of course the natural beauty of the mountains! I am so excited to be teaching and living here and look forward to a great school year!

Stacy Evans – Academically Gifted Teacher

I have been teaching for 18 years.  I taught middle school science for 10 years and moved to 5th grade at Tryon Elementary in 2005.  I grew up in Ohio and received my bachelor’s of science in Elementary Education from Wright State University.  I received my master’s in Library Science from Appalachian State.  I have three wonderful girls.  Lindsey is a junior at Polk County High School, Rachel is a freshman at Polk County High School, and Kayla is in 5th grade a Tryon Elementary School.

 

-article and photos
submitted by Katie Bailey