Alumni

Aimee Fraulo, Science

Aimee received her Bachelor’s in sociology from Indiana University with a concentration in human interactions with the environment. She has a Montessori teaching certification and a Masters in interdisciplinary ecology from the University of Florida. Her research interests are in the neuroscience of learning and incorporating nature-based education in formal classrooms.

Danielle Gallagher, Math

Danielle received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill. She taught for five years as a fifth grade math and science teacher in NC. She returned to graduate school at NC State for a Master’s degree (Elementary Education) and Ph.D. (Teacher Education and Learning Sciences). Danielle’s research interests include teacher learning and equitable teaching practices, and she is passionate about getting research into the hands of teachers. In her free time, she enjoys playing board games and spending time with family and friends.

Amanda Kates, Math

As a former educator, Amanda successfully helped teachers, students, and families reframe their understanding of mathematics as a relevant way to understand the world. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education from Oswego State University, a master’s degree in Elementary Education, and a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences from NC State University, where her research focused on understanding teachers’ mathematics-focused professional learning. After graduation, Amanda transitioned to EdTech, where she created mathematics games and resources, blending her passion for mathematics education with innovative technology. This path ultimately led her to her current role as Director of STEM Professional Learning Development at Imagine Learning, where she leads a team in developing a catalog of professional learning options for educators, school and district leaders, and professional learning facilitators who support educators in implementing research-based practices.

Teresa Leavens, Science

Teresa received a BS in chemical engineering from NC State and PhD in toxicology from UNC-Chapel Hill. After a 20-year career in pharmacokinetics, she entered the field of education as a way to share her passion and knowledge of science and engineering. Her research focuses on building teachers’ knowledge and instructional strategies to support a sense of belonging in science and engineering among elementary students from traditionally marginalized groups. When not busy with teaching or research, you will find her outside running, hiking, paddle boarding, practicing yoga, and playing with her dogs or drinking coffee while reading, drawing, or arranging flowers.

Jill McGowan, Science

Jill received her Bachelor’s in Comprehensive Science from Villanova University and Master’s in Education (Curriculum, Assessment, and Instruction) from Walden University. For 13 years, Jill taught Science in 5th through 8th grade, 5th grade (all subjects), PreK-2 Environmental Inquiry, and was a Science Specialist and Environmental Connections Integration Specialist. Her interests lie in outdoor education, particularly as it relates to early childhood education, as well as helping teachers utilize the outdoors for learning in all content areas. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, hiking, going to the beach, reading, hanging out with family and friends, cooking, and getting sleep!

Laura Romeo, Science

Laura received her Bachelors in Elementary Education from Wake Forest University. She taught in Elementary classrooms for four years as a fourth and fifth grade teacher, and as a technology facilitator. Laura received her Masters in Instructional Design and Technology from East Carolina University and served as a Curriculum Specialist before being accepted into the Elementary Education doctoral program at NC State. She is interested in researching how certain teaching and learning strategies can be successfully implemented to support all student learners in elementary science instruction. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, being outside, and spending time with family and friends.

Danielle Scharen, Science

Danielle has been part of the Wolfpack for over 10 years (and counting)! She received her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from NC State before teaching fourth and fifth grade in WCPSS. While teaching, Danielle completed her Master’s of Education in NC State’s Elementary Education Science Specialist program where she began her research on interdisciplinary approaches to teaching science and literacy. In 2019, Danielle continued her education & research when she joined the EEMS doctoral program. Outside of campus, you can find Danielle cheering on Wolfpack sports with her husband, hiking with her dogs, and enjoying a good cup of coffee!

Heather West, Math

Heather received a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Penn State University, a Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University. Heather graduated in May 2021 with a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences from NC State University. Her dissertation focused on how growth patterns can be used to support elementary students’ development of early algebraic thinking. Heather now works as the Principal Foundational Research Specialist at an EdTech company. She draws on her knowledge and experiences as a former researcher, teacher educator, and elementary teacher to translate research into digital curriculum, assessments, and resources for students in prekindergarten through 12th grade. In her free time, she loves to travel, hike, cook, and spend time with her family and friends.

Kelly Womack-Adams, Math

Kelly received two bachelor’s degrees from NC State, one in Elementary Education and the other in Mathematics. She taught in Wake County at the high school level before switching and teaching 4th grade. Her main research interest lies in the impact of dialect on math understand and math discourse in the classroom. The overarching theme is how informal language can affect math understanding, specifically at the elementary level. In her time outside of her Ph.D. work, she enjoys coaching lacrosse and swimming along with taking time to travel and cheering on the Wolfpack in all sports.

Natalia Yáñez Castillo, Math

Natalia received her Bachelor’s in Childhood Education from Universidad Catolica del Peru, in Peru. She also did a Master’s in Learning Difficulties and Education at CPAL, in Peru. She has taught Kindergarten for 13 years, 5 of them in a Dual Language Immersion Program (Spanish-English) in North Carolina. She is interested in how teachers perceive their historically marginalized students in terms of cultural background and their ability to learn in the Math classroom. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, crafting, spending time with her family, and traveling.

Frédérique Yova, Math

Frédérique Yova graduated in 2021. Over the years, she has developed a strong interest in early childhood education and mathematical thinking of young children. Her dissertation focused on exploring early mathematics through book reading, centering on Head Start participants’ experiences, practices and sayings.