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Creating Navigators for Life

Welcome to Tiller School! 
 
Our dedicated teachers and staff are passionate about your child’s education. 

Our focus is the whole child. 

We believe in academic rigor as well as creative expression, social responsibility, and environmental awareness. 

Our goal is to provide the best education possible for your child. 

Thank you for choosing to be a part of the Tiller School community!

 

MEET OUR TEACHERS AND STAFF


“Education is like the tiller of a boat; you don’t pull kids or push them; you guide their learning.”


- Julie Burke, Founder of Tiller School


MEET OUR EXECUTIVE TEAM


DeAnne 'Dee' Rosen

Executive Director

  • About Ms. Dee

    I graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and minor in mathematics. I joined the Tiller family in 2008. I believe all children can be academically and socially successful in a warm, caring environment. I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the beach, and enjoying the outdoors.

Sarah Weinhold

Assistant Director

  • About Ms. Sarah

    It is my pleasure to serve as your Assistant Director. This will be my fourteenth year in educational leadership. Prior to becoming principal, I was a teacher, assistant principal and principal with the Carteret County School system.  I hold a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Chowan College and a Masters of School Administration from East Carolina University with certification in Curriculum and Instruction. I will always be a teacher at heart and always remember the important work being done in classrooms. 


    I am blessed to be married to my wonderful husband Bill of 34 years and mom to our son William. 


    My goal is to help provide a supportive culture where students grow and are provided the skills to reach their highest potential. I look forward to working with the students, faculty, staff and families of The Tiller School. 


Jennifer Lewis

Executive Assistant

  • About Ms. Jennifer

    I became a part of the Tiller school family in the fall of 2003 when my twin boys started Kindergarten.  The following school year I started as the Teaching Assistant for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade.  However, by the end of the same year I was offered the Executive Assistant position which I have held for almost two decades.  Working at Tiller has been a great experience for both my children and myself.  I couldn’t ask for a greater place to educate my children or to work.  This is a very special school!



MEET OUR MUSIC AND VISUAL ARTS TEAM


Mr. Jordan Amburn

Music Teacher

  • About Mr. Jordan

    I have been singing as long as l have been speaking! I participated in my first musical when I was in third grade which ignited my love of music and theater. I trained at the hand of Julliard, educated local legend Laurence Stith through high school, attended NC Governor's School for Vocal Music and trained as a classical vocalist at ECU's Fletcher School of Music. For the past four years I was the Music Teacher and Student Life Director at Saint Paul's Catholic School.


    Outside of the classroom, I spend my time teaching private voice lessons and I am the founder and president of the Elysian Players.

    I am so thrilled to be joining the Tiller family! I can't wait to ignite and further develop a passion for music and the performing arts in the Tiller

    learning community.


Ms. Sarah Leary

Visual Arts Teacher

  • About Ms. Sarah

    I am so excited to be your child's Art teacher! I believe where words may fail us, the ARTs and being creative speak volumes!


    My goal as Tiller School's Art teacher is to create a fun age-appropriate and educational environment that nurtures your child's individual creativity. I know the early years of children's lives are the most critical when it comes to their development. I believe a classroom should be a safe, caring community. I believe children should freely express themselves and grow individually in a collaborative community. It is my goal to bring an open mind, a positive attitude, fun excitement for art and high expectations of creativity to the classroom daily.


    This year we will experiment with a wide variety of artistic mediums and grow as artists as we learn about the elements of art and principles of design. We will showcase our art in a variety of methods such as art shows and community displays.


    I look forward to learning more about your children!

MEET OUR KINDERGARTEN TEAM


Carrie Huber

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Carrie

    I graduated from Salisbury State University with a degree in Elementary Education.  I have teaching experience in  California, Maryland, Washington State, and North Carolina.  I've taught kindergarten at Tiller School for three years and am so excited to be back for the 2022-2023 school year!  


    In my free time, I volunteer as the President of Misplaced Mutts, a local nonprofit dog rescue.  I have three kids: Michael, a recent graduate of UNCW, his twin brother, Cameron, and little sister Rachael who both attend CCC. When I'm not in the classroom I enjoy spending time with family, helping animals, and doing anything to do with the water.  

Jetta Ivester

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Jetta

    Coming Soon

Heather Ivester

Teaching Assistant

  • About Ms. Heather

    My time at Tiller began in 2005 as a parent volunteer in the classroom and with our PTSO. I then started helping with the after school program and as a sub until 2011 when I became full time. When I am not at Tiller, I enjoy spending time with son and my dog, music, running, reading, baking and being with my friends and family. Tiller is a very special place to me.

Jenna Scibal

Teaching Assistant

  • About Ms. Jenna

    Jenna Scibal is a Crystal Coast native and a lover of all things local. With a degree in interior design, she has an eye for detail and values the importance of expressing her true self every day. 


    While there’s a lot she loves, nothing has more of her heart than her baby girl, her husband, and her two Labrador retrievers, but desserts are a close contender. 

MEET OUR FIRST GRADE TEAM


Jenna Goodwin

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Jenna

    I came to Tiller School as a student teacher in November 2023. I graduated with my BA in Elementary Education from Western Governors University.


    Before this, I worked in the medical field as a medical assistant for 6 years until changing my career from medicine to education.

    As a military child, I grew up moving around. In 2010 we finally planted roots in Carteret County. Beyond the classroom, I am a mother to 3 beautiful girls ages 9, 4, and 3.


    I enjoy spending my free time on the boat and at the beach with my family. I believe that teaching is something that goes far beyond simply just "teaching", it's meeting each child where they are to help them grow to their fullest potential both academically and socially.

Katherine Sutton

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Katherine

    I began working at Tiller in 2007 after graduating from East Carolina University with a degree in Elementary Education and concentration in Child Studies.  I feel so lucky to teach at this wonderful school.  I believe that all children can learn and that the best learning is done in a safe, positive, fun environment.  We treat our classroom like our home and each other like family.  When away from my school family, I enjoy painting and other crafts, reading, and being outdoors.  I am very close with my family and love spending time on the water with my husband Blake and English bulldog Zeus.

April Chadwick

Teaching Assistant

  • About Ms. April

    I began working at Tiller in 2007. I enjoy working here because of the close community made up of staff, students and parents. My husband and I have two sons. Our oldest is happily married and they have blessed us with a precious granddaughter! Our second son is proudly serving our country in the Navy. We enjoy spending time as a family out on the water.

LeeAnn Guthrie

Teaching Assistant

  • About LeeAnn

    I am a Carteret County native. My husband and I have a family of three sons, three dogs, and two cats. When I am not in the classroom, chances are you can find me lounging in a beach chair on Shackleford Banks. In 2017 I began substitute teaching and found my passion for preparing children for the future. This passion lead me to Tiller School where I work as a Teaching Assistant in the 3rd and 4th grade classrooms. I am so proud to be a part of the Tiller School family, and to work alongside them to enrich the lives of our wonderful students. I’m a diehard Tarheel. GO HEELS!


MEET OUR SECOND GRADE TEAM


Courtney Cowley

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Courtney

    I graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and minor in mathematics. I joined the Tiller family in 2008. I believe all children can be academically and socially successful in a warm, caring environment. I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the beach, and enjoying the outdoors.

Kristen Boyd

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Kristen

    Hello! My name is Kristen Boyd. I am originally from Morehead City but have spent the past 5 years living in Wilmington. I’m glad to be living back in the area and so excited to teach 2nd grade at Tiller School! I graduated from UNCW with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and this is my third year teaching 2nd grade. In my free time, I love to be on the boat enjoying the sunshine with friends and family. I look forward to an awesome school year!” 

Alison Williams

Teaching Assistant

  • About Ms. Alison

    I am a graduate of East Carolina University.  My husband and I have two children and have lived in Carteret County since 2000, which we consider a dream come true.  After 14 years as a stay-at-home mom, I joined Tiller as a Guest Teacher in 2017 before becoming a full time 2nd grade Teacher Assistant in 2019. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and fur babies, traveling, boating, and relaxing on the beach. I am thrilled to be a part of the Tiller family!

MEET OUR THIRD GRADE TEAM


Kaitlyn Lambeth

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Kaitlyn

    I am a proud graduate of The University of North Carolina at Wilmington earning my B.A. in Elementary Education. I have known since I was a child that my career would involve working with children. I am very passionate about making a lasting impact on my students lives and helping them to succeed and grow in all that they do. I have come to find that each student makes an impact on you, just as you do on them. This too is why I chose the teaching profession. 


    In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors on the water with family and friends and traveling and exploring new places. I am excited to be teaching at Tiller School. I intend to bring a positive attitude, a smiling face and motivation to my students. Children are inspired and learn best in a positive, social environment.  I believe this is a special attribute of our school. Our sense of community, and nurturing environment allows for strong relationships to be made and provides extra love and support to students. I want to make sure my students come to school feeling excited and lucky to call Tiller their school.  I am so excited to begin building relationships with the faculty and staff at Tiller and most importantly all students and families. I am so honored to be a part of this family. 

Hannah Chadwick

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Hannah

    Hello, My name is Ms. Hannah, I am honored to be teaching third grade at Tiller school. My journey at Tiller school began 8 years ago as an afterschool assistant and substitute teacher and then the 2nd grade teacher assistant for 3 years. During this time I found my passion in teaching and knew I wanted to teach at Tiller. Several years later I graduated from the University of Mount Olive in May of 2020 with my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. I  taught Kindergarten in Craven County school for 1 year before I reached the opportunity of my dream job teaching at Tiller. I look forward to inspiring young minds and teaching creative learners at Tiller school.


    In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband Alex, my daughter Lexie, my son Cole and our golden retriever Callie. We love to spend time outdoors playing in the summer sun! Living in down east Carteret county gives us the opportunities to spend time on the water as well! We are grateful to be able to raise our little family here in Carteret county where my husband and I grew up. 

Maria Johnshon

Teaching Assistant

  • About Ms. Maria

    I have worked with children on many different levels for over 30 years.  I am married to Robert Johnson and we have a daughter named Victory who also attends Tiller.  In my spare time, I enjoy baking cakes, making candy, decorating, and spending quality time with family. We have lived here on the Crystal Coast all of our lives and attend church at Gods City of Refuge. 

MEET OUR FOURTH GRADE TEAM


Lou Floyd

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Lou

    My name is Lou Floyd and I am beyond excited to begin my first year teaching at the Tiller school. I grew up in Central Virginia and attended James Madison University where I earned my Bachelor's and Master's focusing on elementary education. During my graduate studies, I concentrated on the impact of art and nature on students' learning and social-emotional health as well as how a strong community can make a world of difference in a child's learning experience. I am excited to be a part of that community and to be a part of your child's learning journey. I know the impact that a passionate and dedicated teacher can make. I have felt this impact myself and I hope to do just that for my students.


    I am a lover of the outdoors, art, music, and consider myself to be a lifelong learner. I cannot wait to cultivate a classroom environment that helps students express their creativity, find leadership opportunities, and deepen their curiosity about the world. I cannot wait for the school year to start and to meet all of the amazing people in the Tiller community!


Taylor Phelps

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Taylor

    My name is Taylor Phelps and I am so excited to join the Tiller community. I am a Meredith College graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology along with a K-6 North Carolina Licensure and a K-6 Virginia Licensure. I am so beyond excited to possibly extend my journey of building a community in my classroom at Tiller School. 


    I am from the Roanoke Rapids area in North Carolina. I have just fallen in love with the charm that Carteret County has to offer. The community that has been established in the area is exactly what I am looking to be a part of. The mission statement "Tiller School is dedicated to fostering creativity, confidence, and enthusiasm for learning through arts integration, family engagement, and a responsive academic and social curriculum" upholds my educational philosophy.  


    I feel that these last few years have been a true example of the importance of being adaptable and teaching students the life skills needed to become effective contributors to society. With all the students have experienced this year, I have really had a newfound appreciation for the student's social-emotional health and am excited to implement Responsive Classroom. Students learn best when they are in a nurturing environment. It is my goal to build a community, not just within my classroom but within the school as a whole.

Maria Johnson

Teaching Assistant

  • About Ms. Maria

    I have worked with children on many different levels for over 30 years.  I am married to Robert Johnson and we have a daughter named Victory who also attends Tiller.  In my spare time, I enjoy baking cakes, making candy, decorating, and spending quality time with family. We have lived here on the Crystal Coast all of our lives and attend church at Gods City of Refuge. 

Alison Gillikin

Teaching Assistant

  • About Ms. Alison

    Coming Soon

MEET OUR FIFTH GRADE TEAM


Madison Howard

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Madison H.

    I am new to the Tiller Family!

    Coming from South Carolina, I studied at Coastal Carolina University. I knew from a young age that l wanted to be a teacher. I do my best to ensure my classroom is a safe place for all children. I want the kids in my class to know they are loved, important, and can do hard things! I love teaching and getting to inspire children.


    In my free time, I love going to the beach, to read and spend time with my husband. This will be my sixth year teaching. I am excited to see what this school year has in store for everyone!


    I like to listen to music; my all-time favorite artist is Dolly Parton!


    I am new to the Tiller Family but l already feel at home.

Madison Wright

Lead Teacher

  • About Ms. Madison W.

    Madison Wright is an avid reader, lover of the outdoors and animals, and enjoys spending time with her family. 


    Since she was old enough to be employed she has always worked to support and educate children in her community. This is where she learned of her calling in life. Some of her favorite things are poems, dove dark chocolate, her cat, and the season of winter. Madison is beginning her second year of lead teaching but her fifth year of being an educator. Ms. Madison's email is mwright@tillerschool.org.



Alison Gillikin

Teaching Assistant

  • About Ms. Alison

    Coming Soon

MEET OUR EC/AIG TEAM


Explore the Compass (AIG) Program

Lauren Chadwick

EC Teacher

  • About Ms. Lauren

    I am so excited to be joining the Tiller School staff & family. I am a mom to two beautiful little girls. Laria is a Kindergartener at Tiller and Kaia is in the three year old class in Headstart. I have a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education. I lived on the island of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands for 10 years, and during that time taught Special Education for 4 years. I believe in a students first approach and that it does take a village. I am so very happy to be joining your village here at Tiller to assist your children, their teachers, and you! 

    In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my husband Alex, my daughter Lexie, my son Cole and our golden retriever Callie. We love to spend time outdoors playing in the summer sun! Living in down east Carteret county gives us the opportunities to spend time on the water as well! We are grateful to be able to raise our little family here in Carteret county where my husband and I grew up.

Jillian Ferns

EC Teacher

  • About Ms. Jillian

    I moved to Morehead City in 2017, and I love our Crystal Coast community! Previously, I taught Special Education in Mooresville, North Carolina for 6 years after graduating from Chowan University. You could say I was born to be a teacher. My mother and two of my sisters are also teachers, so it runs in the family! I grew up watching my mom make a difference in so many kids’ lives, which made me eager to follow in her footsteps. I believe that every child is unique, and I have a passion for teaching the whole child. Each year, it is my hope to learn as much from my students as they learn from me. When I am not teaching, I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, playing with my dogs Bocephus and Folsom, and more reading! I look forward to getting to know you all!.

Kim Patterson

EC Coordinator

  • About Ms. Kim

    I joined Tiller School in 2008 after moving from Virginia with my family.  I received a BS in Special Education/Psychology and a MEd in Early Childhood Special Education from Lynchburg College.  Teaching at Tiller has provided an opportunity for me to work with an exceptional staff and help support students in all areas of growth.  At Tiller, students are provided with guidance in being their best, both academically and socially, in a caring environment.  Both of my children are alumni of Tiller.  I enjoy spending time traveling with my family as well as boating and swimming. 



Dana Pingatore

AIG Coodinator

  • About Ms. Dana

    Dana strives to inspire students, encourage them to take risks and embrace mistakes. She admires the great teachers along the way who encouraged her to question, think and challenge herself in the pursuit of new learning. Her degrees include a BA in Communications/Visual Arts from Stockton University, a Masters in Teaching from East Carolina University and Gifted Certification from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. Dana believes learning is a lifelong endeavor which keeps us young at heart and open minded. Her passion is exploration; from the mountains to the sea and across the globe she loves traveling to experience different cultures. Art, food, music, family and teaching bring her joy. She agrees with Albert Einstein that “Education is not the learning of facts, but the training of the mind to think”.  As the AIG Coordinator she collaborates across grade levels and values the partnership with the amazing staff of dedicated educators at Tiller School. The strong partnership between students, teachers and families is what makes Tiller an exceptional school. She believes that her vision and values are well aligned with the Tiller School Mission Statement and Vision of Creating Navigators for Life.


MEET OUR SUPPORT STAFF


Mark Adkins

Facilities Manager

 Finance Officer

  • About Mr. Mark

    My wife and I along with our little dog Nugget have had a  home in Morehead City for the past three years that we used for our weekend getaways and vacations.  During those 3 years we have grown to love the area and the many friends that we have made.   I recently retired from my previous job in Greensboro, N.C. at the end of 2020 and decided it was time to make Morehead our forever home.  I have worked in the Manufacturing industry for more than 20+ years and developed much insight about the operational needs of a facility.  I am  aware that each day will give me an opportunity to learn and grow, since each day will present different opportunities. My wife presently works at Bogue Sound Elementary as a Teachers Assistant and Bus Driver.  I am happy to be part of  theTiller Elementary School Family.  My commitment will be to this School, Faculty, Students and their Families. 

Kathy Hostetler

Occupational Therapy

  • About Ms. Kathy

    Coming Soon

Heather Wade

MTSS Interventionist

  • About Ms. Heather

    Coming Soon

Maria Johnson

After School Director

  • About Ms. Maria

    I have worked with children on many different levels for over 30 years.  I am married to Robert Johnson and we have a daughter named Victory who also attends Tiller.  In my spare time, I enjoy baking cakes, making candy, decorating, and spending quality time with family. We have lived here on the Crystal Coast all of our lives and attend church at Gods City of Refuge. 

Savanna Lawrence

Speech/Language Pathologist

  • About Ms. Savanna

    My name is Savanna Lawrence and I am so excited to be the speech therapist at Tiller School. I was born and raised in Carteret County and I currently reside in Beaufort with my husband and our dog, Ada. I went to Appalachian State University for undergraduate and graduate school. I graduated with my Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology in 2019 and I have been working in the schools ever since. I love working with elementary students. I am passionate about building strong relationships with my students and making speech therapy fun, engaging, and impactful. In my free time I like to read, play board games, spend time with my family and friends, and go on walks with my dog. I am looking forward to this school year and I am so excited to be a part of the Tiller family!



Scott Miller

Bus Monitor

  • About Mr. Scott

    Bio Coming Soon

Shawn Morrison

Nurse

  • About Ms. Shawn

    I joined the Tiller School in January 2022, and am very excited to be a part of the Tiller community. I grew up in Beaufort,and attended ODU/UOP with a BS degree in Nursing. My specialty is in the area of Pediatrics/Infant/Neonate and trauma triage. I believe there is a strong connection between healthy behaviors and academic achievements.

    I am looking forward to the new school year as we continue to promote a safe healthy environment for each individual student.

Victoria Wallace

Bus Driver

Custodian

  • About Ms. Victoria

    I joined Tiller School in August 2020 as a part-time Bus Driver. Driving the bus is the highlight of my day and I absolutely love it!  In 2021, I started assisting students in classrooms. I absolutely love the idea of helping  students of all ages. I am also eager to help in other areas when needed. Tiller is a wonderful school and I am proud to be part of the family. 


    I was born and raised in Beaufort, NC. I come from a family of 8. I was the babygirl until ten years later my mom decided to have my brother. I am the youngest of the girls. I have a son (also my best friend) whom I adore so much.  In my spare time, I sew, read, watch movies, and enroll in 6-week classes at Carteret Community College.

 Employment Opportunities


Teaching is a life changing experience! 

Be a part of making a difference in the world!


At Tiller School, we believe that teachers make a difference in the lives of our students and their families. Our teachers and staff strive to be a compassionate, caring and collaborative community of professionals. We are rooted in the Responsive Classroom philosophy and committed to the social and academic development of our students. We recognize that professionalism is not one skill, but the blending of many, including resilience, dedication, honesty and integrity. Additionally, we view learning as an adventure! We enthusiastically seek opportunities to be challenged and to use our creativity so that we grow as we teach and learn! Do you value these beliefs? Does this describe your approach to the teaching profession? We can’t wait to meet you!


We welcome your interest in Tiller School. We are a free, public charter school for 204 students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Our teacher salary is comparable to state pay. Additionally, we offer small class sizes, benefits options, professional development funds and Responsive Classroom training. We are committed to recruiting and retaining exceptional teachers and staff members to fulfill the mission and vision of our school. 


Vision

Creating Navigators for Life

Mission

Tiller Charter School is dedicated to fostering creativity, confidence and enthusiasm for learning through arts integration, family engagement and a responsive academic and social curriculum.


2024-2025 Employment Opportunities:

K-5 Teacher(s)


We welcome your interest in Tiller School. We are a free, public charter school for 204 students in Kindergarten through fifth grade. Our teacher salary is comparable to state pay. Additionally, we offer small class sizes, benefits options, professional development funds, IRA (retirement), PTSO support, and Responsive Classroom training. We are committed to recruiting and retaining exceptional teachers and staff members to fulfill the mission and vision of our school. At Tiller School, we believe that teachers make a difference in the lives of our students and their families. Our teachers and staff strive to be a compassionate, caring, and collaborative community of professionals. We are rooted in Responsive Classroom (www.responsiveclassroom.org) philosophy and committed to the social and academic development of our students. We recognize that professionalism is not one skill, but the blending of many, including resilience, dedication, honesty, and integrity. Additionally, we view learning as an adventure! We enthusiastically seek opportunities to be challenged and to use our creativity so that we grow as we teach and learn! Do you value these beliefs? Does this describe your approach to the teaching profession? We look forward to communicating with you. 


Open Positions:


Substitute Teacher (s)


Application Procedures  : We are gladly accepting applications for all grade level teaching positions.

1. Email your cover letter (please indicate the subject area(s) you are qualified to teach), resume or curriculum vitae, reference letters, and other materials (e.g., digital portfolios and videos of teaching, sample lesson plan or unit with materials, evidence of assessment analysis) that showcase your practice to  Ms. Dee at   executivedirector@tillerschool.org.


2. After review and selection, qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. 


Application Deadline  : We will accept applications until we find just the right candidates!

As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, disability, age, religion, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin.


Equal Opportunity Statement


Tiller School provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Tiller School complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.


Tiller School expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Tiller School’s employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated. 


Thank you for your interest and desire to learn more about joining the Tiller Community. We look forward to the opportunity to impress you!



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