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Tonya (Ashe)

Tonya Denny

Ashe County Schools

“Being a SparkLab Leader allows me to empower students to take control of their learning and explore the limitless possibilities in their future.”

Jessica (Asheboro)

Jessica Tinnin

Asheboro City Schools

"SparkNC gives students the space to dream, build, and lead in a future that's already here, and I absolutely love that for all involved!"

Davonal (BGC)

Davonal Williams

Boys and Girls Club - New Hanover

"SparkNC where learning meets leveling up! From tech to teamwork, every day feels like unlocking a new power."

Sarah Gardinor (Brunswick)

Sarah Gardinor 

Brunswick County Schools

"I am excited to have students create their own path to learning! Showing students that not learning is seat or bookwork will hopeful inspire them to explore other topics that interest them."

Nina (Cabarrus)

Nina Darnell

Cabarrus County

 

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Nicole Stevenson

Chatham County Schools

"As a SparkLab Leader, I’m excited to support students as they explore paths that inspire them and build a solid foundation in technology — a foundation that will empower any career they pursue."

Jennifer (Cumberland)

Jennifer Milton

Cumberland County Schools

"I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future."

Chris (Edgecombe)

Chris Beneck

Edgecombe County Schools

"Seeing my students push past the speedbumps they encounter in their work and getting to a finished product they can be proud of is my favorite part of being a SparkLab Leader."

Marquita (Edgecome)

Marquita Faison-Burrus

Edgecombe County Schools

Daniel (Granville)

Dr. Daniel DuLany

Granville County Schools

"I love creating a space where every student can shine, lead, and shape the future."

Nicole (Guilford)

Nicole Baize

Guilford County Schools

"I love being a SparkLab leader and getting a front-row seat as scholars rise to the occasion every single time. They tackle challenges head-on, turn setbacks into learning moments, and constantly surprise me with how much they can achieve. I am so privileged to watch them grow, step up, and realize just how capable they truly are."

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Tim Hawkins

Haywood County Schools

Jennifer (Haywood)

Jennifer Smathers

Haywood County Schools

"I am excited to implement SparkNC at our school because there is a great need to help our students learn practical, collaborative, hands-on skills to equip them and their futures for our ever-changing world."

Toni (Hertford)

Toni Hunter

Hertford County Schools

"It’s about thinking differently being creative and turning ideas into something useful like new technology, products, methods, or solutions that make life easier faster or better."

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Kristy Marslender

Hyde County Schools

"What excites me most about SparkNC and leading our SparkLab is the chance to open doors for students—helping them explore cutting-edge technologies, discover their passions, and realize that they have the power to shape the future."

Garland (Lexington)

Garland Beamer

Lexington City Schools

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Justin Combs

Mount Airy City Schools

"Being a Spark Lab leader is getting to spark curiosity, help people get creative, and seeing those cool moments when something just clicks for them."

George (New Hanover)

George Knipps

New Hanover County Schools

"I love that the SparkLab provides students with voice and agency. Learners are able to control their own path and actively create what they want, rather than just consume material/information that is given to them."

Sara (New Hanover)

Sara Toothman

New Hanover County Schools

"I love how SparkNC keeps the learner's experience as the focus of experiential learning. The traditional anchors of grades and seat time have been removed so learners can build life-long learning skills that will serve them long after they graduate."

Penny (Pender)

Penny Wolff

Pender County Schools

"I believe in empowering students to explore, innovate, and solve real-world challenges and that’s what SparkNC makes possible."

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Ashlynn McNeely

Rowan-Salisbury Schools

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Ashley Knowles

Sampson County Schools

"I'm excited to engage with students in a new and creative way which will, hopefully, spark their interests!"

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Roshien McClain

Scotland County Schools

Nicholas (Vance)

Nicholas Barrett 

Vance County Schools

Donald (Wake)

Donald Evans

Wake County

Lindsay (Wake)

Lindsey Lewis

Wake County

Sasha (Warren)

Sasha Harrison

Warren County

"I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future."

Brenda (Wayne)

Brenda Elam Coney

Wayne County

"Where premium learning is designed to shape future-ready minds as a high-tech corporate-level pipeline."

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Who We Are

SparkNC is driven by the collaborative efforts of the SparkNC Team, SparkLab Leaders, our Board of Directors, our Business Advisory Council, and a dedicated network of engaged district, industry and education partners. Together, these groups guide and shape SparkNC’s mission-driven work.

SparkNC Team

The SparkNC Team is passionate about reshaping education, especially for those who feel disconnected from traditional approaches to learning. With a strong commitment to education, we believe in the power of innovative educators to create meaningful, personalized learning experiences for every learner.

LynnMoody

Lynn Moody

President

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Dana Brinson

Vice President of Strategy

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Keith Babuszczak

Vice President of Programs

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Joe Ableidinger

Senior Advisor & Co-Founder

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Patricia Hilliard

Senior Director of District Leadership

Amie Caudle

Amie Caudle

Creative Director

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Rayshoun Chambers

Director of Development & Business Partnerships 

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Morgan Draughon

Director of Technology

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Stanton Fields

Director of College & Career Navigation

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Kelly Martin

Director of Operations and Administration

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McClain Musson

Director of Learning Design and Accessibility

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Nate Myers

Learning Experience Designer

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Stacey Shumake

Director of Implementation

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SparkLab Leaders

The heartbeat of SparkNC is our SparkLab Leaders. These innovative educators advise and support students as they navigate learning experiences and opportunities offered through SparkNC’s interdistrict model.

SparkLab Leaders facilitate in-person learning in their SparkLabs and they partner with other SparkLab Leaders and industry experts to deliver blended and remote learning experiences to students across the SparkNC interdistrict network.

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Jennifer Milton

Cumberland County Schools

I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future.

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TBD

Chatham County Schools

I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future.

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Nina Darnell

Cabarrus County Schools

Lollipop sweet cupcake gummi bears gingerbread candy lemon drops cotton candy. Sweet roll toffee pastry jujubes tiramisu sugar plum jelly beans fruitcake brownie. Marzipan jujubes oat cake chupa chups chupa chups.

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Jessica Tinnin

Asheboro City Schools

Lollipop sweet cupcake gummi bears gingerbread candy lemon drops cotton candy. Sweet roll toffee pastry jujubes tiramisu sugar plum jelly beans fruitcake brownie. Marzipan jujubes oat cake chupa chups chupa chups.

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Jennifer Milton

Cumberland County Schools

I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future.

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TBD

Chatham County Schools

I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future.

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Nina Darnell

Cabarrus County Schools

Lollipop sweet cupcake gummi bears gingerbread candy lemon drops cotton candy. Sweet roll toffee pastry jujubes tiramisu sugar plum jelly beans fruitcake brownie. Marzipan jujubes oat cake chupa chups chupa chups.

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Jessica Tinnin

Asheboro City Schools

Lollipop sweet cupcake gummi bears gingerbread candy lemon drops cotton candy. Sweet roll toffee pastry jujubes tiramisu sugar plum jelly beans fruitcake brownie. Marzipan jujubes oat cake chupa chups chupa chups.

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Jennifer Milton

Cumberland County Schools

I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future.

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TBD

Chatham County Schools

I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future.

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Nina Darnell

Cabarrus County Schools

Lollipop sweet cupcake gummi bears gingerbread candy lemon drops cotton candy. Sweet roll toffee pastry jujubes tiramisu sugar plum jelly beans fruitcake brownie. Marzipan jujubes oat cake chupa chups chupa chups.

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Jessica Tinnin

Asheboro City Schools

Lollipop sweet cupcake gummi bears gingerbread candy lemon drops cotton candy. Sweet roll toffee pastry jujubes tiramisu sugar plum jelly beans fruitcake brownie. Marzipan jujubes oat cake chupa chups chupa chups.

Daniel (Granville)

Dr. Daniel DuLany

Granville County Schools

I love creating a space where every student can shine, lead, and shape the future.

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TBD

Elizabeth City-Pasqutank Schools

I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future.

Marquita (Edgecome)

Marquita Faison-Burrus

Edgecombe County Schools

Lollipop sweet cupcake gummi bears gingerbread candy lemon drops cotton candy. Sweet roll toffee pastry jujubes tiramisu sugar plum jelly beans fruitcake brownie. Marzipan jujubes oat cake chupa chups chupa chups.

Chris (Edgecombe)

Chris Beneck

Edgecombe County Schools

Seeing my students push past the speedbumps they encounter in their work and getting to a finished product they can be proud of is my favorite part of being a SparkLab Leader.

Sara (New Hanover)

Sara Toothman

New Hanover County Schools

I love how SparkNC keeps the learner's experience as the focus of experiential learning. The traditional anchors of grades and seat time have been removed so learners can build life-long learning skills that will serve them long after they graduate. 

Barry (Mount Airy)

Barry Hill

Mount Airy City Schools

I love the freedom that SparkNC provides learners so that they can explore their interests and build a pathway toward their future success.  It is an indescribable feeling to see high school students excited about coming to the SparkLab each day ready to challenges themselves in new learning.

Garland (Lexington)

Garland Beamer

Lexington City Schools

I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future.

Nicole (Guilford)

Nicole Baize

Guilford County Schools

I love being a SparkLab leader and getting a front-row seat as scholars rise to the occasion every single time. They tackle challenges head-on, turn setbacks into learning moments, and constantly surprise me with how much they can achieve. I am so privileged to watch them grow, step up, and realize just how capable they truly are.

Nicholas (Vance)

Nicholas Barrett

Vance County Schools

I love the freedom that SparkNC provides learners so that they can explore their interests and build a pathway toward their future success.  It is an indescribable feeling to see high school students excited about coming to the SparkLab each day ready to challenges themselves in new learning.

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Roshein McClain

Scotland County Schools

I love the freedom that SparkNC provides learners so that they can explore their interests and build a pathway toward their future success.  It is an indescribable feeling to see high school students excited about coming to the SparkLab each day ready to challenges themselves in new learning.

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Ashlynn McNeely

Rowan-Salsibury Schools

I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future.

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TBD

Rockingham County Schools

From the creative energy of student-led podcasts, to the dynamics of budding rappers and DJs, to student exploration of SparkNC curriculum, to meeting so many talented SparkLab leaders from across the state, I’ve been thrilled by the talent and drive of people all around me. I’m especially proud of Kristi and Vince, our dedicated Spark Ambassadors.

Lindsay (Wake)

Lindsay Lewis

Wake East Campus

Lollipop sweet cupcake gummi bears gingerbread candy lemon drops cotton candy. Sweet roll toffee pastry jujubes tiramisu sugar plum jelly beans fruitcake brownie. Marzipan jujubes oat cake chupa chups chupa chups.

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Donald Evans

Wake RTP Campus

Lollipop sweet cupcake gummi bears gingerbread candy lemon drops cotton candy. Sweet roll toffee pastry jujubes tiramisu sugar plum jelly beans fruitcake brownie. Marzipan jujubes oat cake chupa chups chupa chups.

Sasha (Warren)

Sasha Harrison

Warren County Schools

I love seeing students find their passion and get excited about their future.

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Board of Directors

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Dr. Randy Bridges

Board Chair

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Jennifer Bell

SAS

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Dr. Bill Harrison

Education Consultant

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Allen Mask

CoLab

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Dr. Jim Merrell

Education Consultant

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Dr. Derwin Warren

Cisco

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Jamie Falkenbury

Apple, Inc.

Manager, Strategic Innovations

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Adam Garry

Artifical Intelligence Consultant

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Kate Groat

Live Oak Bank

Director of Corporate Philanthropy

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Kendall Latham

Lenovo

Education Strategist

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Steve Isaacs

Epic Games

Senior Manager Programs and Partnerships

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Phaedra Boinodiris

IBM

Global Leader for Trustworthy AI

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Dexter Robinson

Cisco

Early-In-Career Talent

Business Advisory Council

Members of the SparkNC Business Advisory Council serve as thought partners in our work, brainstorming with our team to vet bold ideas from the perspective of business leaders with a deep commitment to K-12 public education.

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