Classroom Teachers

Kelsey Beckstedt

Teacher - Kindergarten

Kelsey Beckstedt was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Raleigh in the summer of 2021. She graduated with her BA in Early Childhood Education from Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has previously worked with children for the past 5 years coaching volleyball, tutoring, and teaching. Kelsey loves project based learning and integrating as many content areas as possible to really allow the students to make many different connections while engaging in active learning. In her free time she loves to travel, kayak, hike, and camp. Kelsey is a licensed teacher and is excited to be starting her 2nd year at TES!

Nanina Ferguson

Teaching Assistant - Kindergarten

This is Nanina's second year at TES and she is thrilled to be joining Ms. Beckstedt with our Kindergarten friends this year. Nanina lives in Burlington with her husband and her five beautiful children. For fun, Nanina loves to play board games and cook with her family. Her favorite thing to do is travel, she has visited more than half of the United States along with Jamaica, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Mexico and Haiti.

Samantha Roberts

Teacher - Kindergarten

Samantha Roberts grew up and still lives in Mebane NC. She attended Appalachian State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and masters in special education with certificates in autism and emotional and behavioral disorders. Some of her favorite things to do is spend time with friends and family, trying new coffee shops, and baking. She is so excited to start her teaching journey at TES!

Holly Crabtree

Teaching Assistant - Kindergarten

Holly grew up in South Carolina and graduated from Clemson University. After an adventure as an army wife that included working as a behavioral therapist for children with autism, living all over the country, and starting a family, she and her husband have settled here in Hillsborough with their now four children. She discovered a love for being in the classroom while volunteering at her children’s schools and spent five years teaching 4 year old preschool in Chapel Hill. Holly is happy to be spending her third year with TES in kindergarten. Her favorite things are books, board games with family, and good conversation with friends. She also enjoys teaching ESL online to kids in China.

Amy Daniels

Teacher - Grade 2

Amy Daniels has over 30 years of teaching experience in public, charter and homeschool settings. Born in Durham, she graduated UNC-CH with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Education. After teaching fourth grade in Virginia for a year, she returned to Durham, finding her true love teaching first and second graders in Person and Durham counties. Amy was the Durham Jaycee’s Outstanding Young Educator of the Year, Club Boulevard Teacher Assistant of the Year and also the first educator to pilot a multi-age 1st/2nd grade class for Durham Public Schools. Her enthusiasm for project-based learning and calm presence creates a classroom of engaged learners. She is a current licensed teacher. Amy loves doing anything and everything with her family.

Jenny Scott

Instructional Assistant - Grade 2

Ms. Scott has been working at TES as an Instructional Assistant for Ms. Daniels’ 1st/2nd grade classroom for 5 years. She enjoys working at TES and loves the community here. Ms. Scott graduated from Texas State back in the '80's with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. She later earned her teaching credential from California State University/Bakersfield. Ms. Scott enjoys gardening, taking hikes in the beautiful North Carolina woods, and spending time with her husband and puppy dog, Oliver, where she lives in Chapel Hill. Currently, her husband and she are hosting an exchange student from Spain who is a Junior in High School.

Laura Velkey

Teacher - Grade 2

Laura Velkey graduated with a B.S. in Elem Ed from Belhaven College in Jackson, MS. Laura taught in the gifted program through Jackson Public Schools for several years. In 2004, Laura and her husband bought an organic blueberry farm in Cedar Grove, NC. During the school year, Laura was a T.A. at Estes Hills Elementary in Chapel Hill. In 2011, Laura and her family relocated to Fairhope, AL. Laura organized and led homeschool groups for her youngest son and other 4th-6th graders. She then taught 1st-4th grade at a small, private progressive school in Fairhope. She is a current licensed teacher. Laura and her family have moved back to the area to be closer to her family. They have a small farm outside of Carrboro. She is looking forward to family dinners & teaching at TES!

Liz Varner

Teaching Assistant - Grade 2

Liz is originally from the mountains of NC but settled in Graham in 2011 with her husband and three kids. She began volunteering at her kids' preschool and fell in love with working with children. She spent eight years teaching four-year-olds at a preschool in Graham, NC. She joined TES in 2023 as a Teaching Assistant and loves the people and the culture. When not at work, Liz enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors with her family and pets.

Cassie Roberts

Teacher - Grade 1

Cassie is a current licensed teacher.

I am originally from Mt. Airy, NC and moved to the area two years ago to work at TES. I went to Lees-McRae College to gain my Bachelors in Elementary Education. I enjoy being able to work at a school like TES and love being able to call teaching my job. I love spending my free time doing art, hanging out with my two cats (Sam and Felix), and finding new coffee/boba shops.

Shymaria Broadway

Teacher Assistant - Grade 1

Shymaria Broadway, I am originally from Boston, MA and moved to North Carolina in 2015 for college. I have my BSW from Shaw University. Previously I worked at a Preschool as an Assistant Director for 4 years also doing ABA work with children. I have my own business "Broadway Esthetics Wax & Skin Studios" in Hillsborough, NC. I coach girls basketball at Southern Alamance Middle School where I was the ISS teacher before coming here. In my spare time I like to watch movies. I also enjoy going out to new restaurants to eat. I am excited to be here this school year at TES.

Colleen McKenna

Teacher - Grade 1

Colleen McKenna was born and raised in Mebane, NC. She is currently enrolled at Lees-McRae College working towards a degree in Elementary
Education. She previously worked as a preschool teacher in many different roles. While not at TES she loves spending time with her husband, two kids (15 & 6) and animals.

Sarah Beth Roberts

Teacher Assistant - Grade 1

Meredith Hailey

Teacher - Grade 4

Ms. Hailey has been teaching at TES for 6 years in the 3/4 classrooms. She is originally from Boone, NC and taught in Texas for 5 years before moving back to NC. She loves the community of Hillsborough and the culture of TES. She looks forward to many more years of teaching at TES. Meredith is a current licensed teacher.

Laquenta

Robin Thurston

Instructional Assistant - Grade 4

Robin Thurston received her Bachelor’s degree from Mount Holyoke College and her Master’s in Education from Harvard University. Her first teaching career was as a Middle School Latin and Social Studies teacher. After taking time off to be home with her two children, she returned to the classroom working with Middle School students with social and emotional challenges. She and her husband moved to Durham from Maine to escape the cold winters. In her spare time she enjoys playing soccer, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and camping.

Evan Johnson

Teacher - Grade 4

Evan Johnson moved from Napa, CA to North Carolina in 2020. She holds an undergrad in International Studies Spanish, Health Science, as well as a Multiple Subject teaching credential, Spanish credential, and health credential. Evan started teaching in California. She has taught Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, 5th Grade, 4th grade reading, reading and math interventions, middle school Spanish, as well as technology and coding. Evan lives in Alamance County with her husband, two children, 2 ragdoll cats, and one crested gecko. When she isn’t at work she loves discovering new places, sewing, reading, hiking, and drinking tea. She is looking forward to the new year at The Expedition School and the adventures it will bring!

Jessica Lapp

Teaching Assistant - Grade 4

Jessica Lapp graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a focus on counseling. Jessica has worked various jobs in different settings with all ages of children. Jessica discovered after working various positions how much she enjoys working with elementary and middle school aged children. She has 2 children of her own (7 and 17), 9 dogs, goats, and many various types of birds. When not at TES she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, travel, and animals.

Emily Alton

Teacher - Grade 3

Emily Alton graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, and is a current licensed teacher. She taught fifth grade prior to coming to TES in 2021. Emily loves the values and strong school community here! In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her friends and family.

Lauren Clark

Teacher Assistant - Grade 3

Lauren Clark was born and raised in Hillsborough, NC! She graduated from Orange High School in 2022 and is now attending Durham Tech Community College pursuing her Associate’s degree in Business Administration. She previously worked in Early Childhood Education for two years. She is interested in studying and fostering education and is excited to join The Expedition School this year. In her spare time, Ms.Clark enjoys spending time with her friends and family as well as going on long walks with her dogs!

Taylor Guyton

Teacher - Grade 3

Brittany Brown

Teacher Assistant - Grade 3

Tammy Chance

Teacher- Grade 6 Math/Science

Tammy Chance taught various levels of Biology and Forensics for 28.5 years in Durham Public Schools. Since leaving DPS, she has taught Biology and Conceptual Physics as well as 6th and 7th grade Math in two other charter schools. Born in Lumberton, NC she is part of the Lumbee Tribe and attended UNC-CH where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then worked four years for Roche Biomedical (now LABCORP) in their allergy and paternity labs. While teaching in Durham, she also worked part time for a year in their Infectious Disease lab. Tammy fell into teaching after working in an afterschool program at Seawell Elementary in Chapel Hill, NC. The following year she began here career in a Durham high school as a chemistry teacher. While teaching in Durham, she attended NCSU to get her MSA in School Leadership. She has a true passion for teaching and a sincere desire to make sure students understand and can apply the information they are learning in the real world.

Lilly Pilkington

Teacher - Grade 6 ELA/Social Studies

Lilly is originally from Boone, NC and received her Bachelor's Degree in English from Appalachian State University in 2020. She immediately went back to school and received her certification in Middle School ELA in 2022. She is a current licensed teacher. Lilly grew up going to a charter school and when she heard about The Expedition School she immediately knew that that was where she was going to be! She came to TES in December 2022 and has loved it ever since!

Erin McInerney

Teacher - Grade 5 Math/Science

A 2015 graduate of Duke University, Erin has student taught in Durham and at TES before working here as a licensed 3rd and 4th grade teacher. She is excited to practice the project based learning philosophy and to interact with the wonderful families and faculty that form the community of The Expedition School. In her free time, she enjoys watching Jeopardy and anything Duke sports related!

Tara Mortimer

Teacher - Grade 5 ELA/Social Studies

Tara came to North Carolina by way of Wisconsin in 2014 and joined TES in 2016. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and obtained her Master’s Degree in Teaching from North Carolina State University. Tara is a current licensed teacher. She leads the international travel program for TES middle schoolers and has a passion for youth character and leadership development. She loves dogs, coffee, and soccer. She likes to spend her free time hiking in the woods or reading in a hammock. Tara lives in a tiny house on a farm in Hillsborough.

Tessa Kanturek

Teacher - Grade 7/8 ELA

After having started her college career in broadcast journalism, then working as a CNA for two years, she substitute taught and found her niche in the middle school classroom. She graduated with her Bachelor's in education in 2021. During her first year of teaching, she began her Master's in literacy education and reading specialist license, completing that in 2023. She taught for three years in Alton, Illinois, before relocating with her family to North Carolina in 2024.

Sara Riek

Teacher - Grade 7/8 Social Studies

Ms. Riek was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow at Elon University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Middle Grades History education. She then spent two years teaching English in Ecuador and after returning spent four years in Durham Public Schools. Ms. Riek is licensed in Middle Grades Social Studies, Middle Grades Language Arts, and ESL, is Montessori certified, and has her National Board certification. She also received a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Xavier University with an emphasis in Montessori in the upper grades. Ms. Riek is starting her tenth year at TES, helps with 8th grade tasks like graduation & high school transitions, and has been on the TES Access, Belonging, and Culture team since it was founded. She has also led a travel abroad trip to Italy. In her spare time, Ms. Riek loves traveling, volunteering, and spending time with her son, husband and two cats.

Jackie Gibbs

Teacher - Grade 7/8 Science

Jackie Gibbs was born and raised in the mountains of North Georgia. She moved to North Carolina after attending Montreat College and UNC-Asheville. She taught middle school science in Durham Public Schools for many years. She is excited to be at TES!

Katherine Lavine

Teacher - 7/8 Mathematics Teacher

Katherine is a fourth-generation teacher. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Dartmouth College with High Honors in Mathematics and holds a Master of Science in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Arts in Teaching STEM from Western Carolina University. She holds masters-level teaching certification in Mathematics 9-12 and teaching certification in Mathematics 6-9 and Exceptional Children K-12 as well. Before coming to The Expedition School in 2019, Katherine spent six years teaching math to high schoolers in Durham, Chapel Hill, and the Seattle, WA area. In her more than a decade in education, she has taught math to students at a variety of ages and stages, from middle schoolers to math majors. Katherine is originally from Knoxville, TN and now lives in Chapel Hill with her Durham-native (and fellow math major) husband and their two elementary-aged sons.

Sarah Sakai

Upper School Support

Sarah is originally from Burnsville, NC. She has lived (and taught) in Atlanta, Chicago and Northern Virginia. Sarah has four children at TES. After completing her BS at UNC-CH, she decided to transition into education through Mercer University. She and her family split time between Burlington and Chapel Hill.

Photos courtesy of Laura Wessell at Honor Roll Portraits.