ABOUT

The GTFYC Team met in 2006 while Amy and Eva were education consultants in the Early Childhood Team at the NC Department of Public Instruction and Lee and Marylee were kindergarten teachers in the mountains of NC. Recognized as strong teacher leaders, Lee and Marylee participated in several state level projects with the early childhood team. During that time, it was decided that Kindergarten programs across the state needed some focused support, thus the NC Power of K Teacher Leader Initiative was born! As co-leaders, Amy and Eva spent almost four years working with an amazing group of highly dedicated kindergarten teachers, including Lee and Marylee. Through that time together, they all grew into even stronger and more articulate district and state leaders and have stayed connected ever since.

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Fast forward to today- Amy, Eva, Lee and Marylee are still working together to bring professional development and support to early learning educators across the state. Their common passion for providing the most effective and appropriate experiences for young children is what brought them together and is what keeps them focused on the goal of high quality early learning programs for each and every child!

Eva is a 36 year veteran early learning educator who served as a kindergarten teacher, state-level early learning consultant, assistant professor in the Birth-Kindergarten Education program at Winston-Salem State University and district level early learning program manager. Upon retirement, she started her own education consulting business.  She loves animals, photography, traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and snuggling with her dog, Lexie and cat, Frankie.

Amy is a 25 year veteran educator and has served as a PreK-3rd Grade teacher, state-level early education and math consultant and is currently Clinical Supervisor and adjunct professor for the Child Development Program at Meredith College as well as adjunct professor at East Carolina University. Amy also has her own education consulting business. She loves working with teachers, scuba diving, riding her motorcycle, traveling and playing with her two cats, Pumpkin and Mo.

Marylee spent 30 + years as a classroom teacher serving as a NC Kindergarten teacher leader and Demonstration classroom teacher. She served as clinical faculty and instructor at Western Carolina University.  Upon retirement, she started her own education consulting business. She enjoys listening to live music, reading children's books, traveling and spending time with her family, including her new kitten, Purrl.