SparkNC is a transformative new initiative that will accelerate learner progress along pathways to careers in high-tech fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning, software development, computer systems engineering, and cybersecurity.
Amie Caudle
Creative Director
Amie discovered her intense passion to create later in life. She has been a teacher, administrator, director of professional development, innovation coach, curriculum designer, and public speaker. Amie is excited to help marginalized students learn, grow, and explore pathways to high-tech careers through her work at SparkNC.
McClain Musson
Learning Experience Designer
McClain recently completed her 10th year of teaching. McClain lived in South America for two years while studying abroad in Argentina and Peru and completing a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Colombia. McClain has also taught middle school and high school in New Orleans, LA and Chapel Hill, NC.
Dawnn Breynae
Learning Experience Designer
Dawnn’s past work focused on igniting passion for STEM learning among culturally diverse youth not only in North Carolina, but across the U.S., Haiti, and Kenya. She most recently served as a Broadcast & Emerging Media Specialist at the North Carolina School of Science and Math, supporting distance learning for young scholars across the state.
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Scott Benson
Strategic Advisor
Scott founded and leads Trail B, LLC which advises leaders in the social impact sector who want to grow their impact. Having previously led grant portfolios focused on spurring education innovation at NewSchools Venture Fund and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Scott believes deeply in the power of nurturing bold ideas from creative, mission-driven leaders.
Meet Our Team
Our team is deliberative and strategic, but also impatient and driven to action. We are passionate about transforming learning, particularly for those who have been disengaged or left behind by traditional systems. We believe strongly in public education and the power of innovative educators to build impactful, personalized learning experiences for all kinds of learners.
Joe Ableidinger
Executive Director
Joe is a nationally-recognized leader in education innovation, with expertise in personalized learning, emerging technologies, and advanced teaching roles. He is excited to lead the SparkNC team to partner with innovative district leaders to design approaches to education that are more learner-centered, industry-relevant, and competency-based.
Dana Brinson
Senior Director
Dana has spent her career in service of equity, innovation and transformation in K-12 public education. Dana has more than two decades of experience as a special educator, consultant, grantmaker, transition coach, facilitator, and nonprofit board leader. She is driven by a vision of learning that is experiential, inclusive, and student-centered.
Patricia Hilliard
Senior Director
Dr. Hilliard is delighted to be part of a team that strives to rethink, reimagine, and redesign public education. Dr. Hilliard brings to her work a depth of knowledge on educational equity, instructional design, and pedagogy, with past experiences as a classroom teacher, instructional coach, university instructor, and curriculum designer.
Lynn Moody
Senior Director of Partnerships
Dr. Moody has served as a school superintendent for two school districts: Rock Hill Schools in South Carolina and the Rowan-Salisbury School System in North Carolina. Dr. Moody has earned major state and national awards for education innovation and leadership, recognizing her passion and her ability to transform education systems.