Who We Are
Our MissionThe mission of NCTIES is to provide leadership in educational communications and technology by linking all who hold a common interest in the use of educational technology and its application to the learning process.
We Are An ISTE Affiliate
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NCTIES Provides:
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Meet Our Team
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Damien Akelman, West Region Representative
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Meredith Bates, Past President, ISTE Relations
Meredith is the Lead Instructional Technology Facilitator and Digital Resource Manager for Cabarrus County Schools. Prior to this current position, she was a school based instructional technology facilitator for ten years. She has been a member of the NCTies Board since 2016. Meredith enjoys traveling and has a passion for the country of Haiti. |
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Sarah Cardwell, 2026 Conference Co-Chair, Finance Director
Sarah is the Blended Learning Coordinator for Watauga County Schools. She has been an educator for over 15 years and is passionate about working with teachers and helping them grow professionally. Sarah loves reading and spending time with her family and dog. |
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Heather Edmisten, Nominations Chair
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Wendy Fusco, Vendor Liaison
Wendy Fusco is a Digital Learning Facilitator with Buncombe County Schools and serves 7 schools in grades K-12. She began her instructional technology journey as one of four directors for a Library of Congress grant program that worked with public, private and charter school K-12 educators throughout western NC to integrate some of the first laptop use in the classroom. She is committed to the importance of digital integration in schools and believes the impact of digital project-based learning bolsters self confidence and changes students’ lives. Wendy is married to an elementary school principal and is mom to two high schoolers who keep her quite busy outside of work. |
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Amber Godfrey, Board Vice President
Amber currently serves as the CTO for the Beaufort County School District. In her 21 years as an educational leader, Mrs. Godfrey has served in various leadership roles throughout NC, including Director of Technology Services; Director of Media and STEM Education; as well as serving the state of NC as a Digital Teaching and Learning Consultant with the NC Department of Public Instruction. Mrs. Godfrey’s experience spans K-12 public education as well as Higher Ed. She has received many professional honors as well as participates in many leadership forums across the country. She is a graduate of East Carolina University, NC State University, and Appalachian State University and is currently enrolled in the Appalachian State University Doctorate in Education Leadership program. |
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Wanda Hanley, East Region Representative
Wanda Hanley has made significant strides in digital learning over the past 9 years as a Digital Learning Coordinator for Wake County Public Schools, after initially starting her career as an elementary school teacher. She earned a technology certificate from Appalachian State University and a Master's in reading from NC State University. Wanda's exceptional dedication to enhancing education for both teachers and students earned her the prestigious ISTE Certification Award, highlighting her commitment to instructional technology excellence. Eager to connect and grow her Professional Learning Network (PLN), Wanda has been instrumental in curating professional learning experiences for the NC Coaching Collaborative, fostering a community of technology coaches committed to the ISTE Coaching Standards. She is now excited to serve as the Eastern Area Board of Directors. |
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Grant Haynes, 2026 Conference Chair, Communications Chair
Grant is an Instructional Technology Facilitator for Cleveland County Schools and is based at Cleveland Early College High School. He started out working as a math teacher in 2009 before transitioning to technology in 2011. Grant joined the NCTIES board in 2022. When he is not working, Grant enjoys spending time traveling with his wife, Anna and their two sons Mac and Sullivan. |
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Dr. Melanie Honeycutt, Executive Director
Melanie Honeycutt is the Executive Director for NCTIES, prior to that she was the Chief Information Officer for Burke County Public Schools. She has worked as a media coordinator, district Instructional Technology Facilitator, and NCDPI Digital Teaching and Learning Consultant. Currently, in addition to NCTIES, she is a member of the North Carolina Consortium of School Networks, the North Carolina Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and International Society of Technology in Education |
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Ginger Jackson, Board President, Board Infrastructure
Ginger is the Chief Technology Officer for Cleveland County Schools and is a CETL certified technology leader. With over 20 years of experience from a classroom teacher to a Technology Technician, Instructional Technology Coordinator and now CTO, she has a passion for the appropriate use of technology in education. In addition to volunteering on the NCTIES board, Ginger also loves to be unplugged by camping, kayaking, and homesteading. |
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Kim Jackson, West Region Representative
Kim Jackson is the Director of Technology for Haywood County Schools. She has spent the last 26 years serving the learning community in Haywood County as a teacher, District Instructional Technology Facilitator, Technology Coordinator, Assistant Director, and Director of Technology and Media. Kim is a COSN Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL) and has been on the NCTIES Board since 2022. When she isn’t working, Kim enjoys traveling with her husband, Jeremiah. |
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Estella Johnson, South Region Representative
Estella Johnson M.Ed, the inaugural Assistant Principal at the Virtual School in Cumberland County for the last 4 years, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the field of education. With a dedicated career spanning 14 years, she began as an 8th-grade Social Studies teacher, serving in crucial roles in Robeson and Scotland Counties. Estella holds a Master's in Instructional Technology from Lesley University, emphasizing her commitment to staying at the forefront of educational advancements. Actively involved in initiatives like the NC Coaching Collaborative and NCDPI's Blended Learning, she ardently believes in education as the great equalizer. A proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc for 18 years, Estella is dedicated to the principle of scholarship and embodies a lifelong learner ethos. She eagerly anticipates representing the Southern Region on the NCTIES Board, advocating for meaningful digital integration to ensure the future success of students. |
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Dannielle Lord, Technology Support
Dannielle Lord serves as a CETL certified Director of Technology for Mooresville Graded School District in North Carolina. She has served for over 20 years with a vast array of experiences in technology and supporting schools in the educational environment . She holds a MA in Leadership and is passionate about empowering others and helping or assisting people to obtain their purpose in life. |
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Matthew Mayo, Awards, Scholarships, and Grants Chair
Matthew Mayo is the Director of Digital Teaching & Learning and School Connectivity for NCDPI. He has served as Technology Director for several Eastern NC PSUs over the last 20 years. Matthew is CETL certified as well as CeCTO. Matthew joined the board in 2022. Matthew and his wife, Bethany have two children, Kalee and Noah. |
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Dr. Ashley McBride, Board Accommodations, DPI Liaison
Dr. Ashley McBride has spent her career working with students and other educators as a secondary English teacher, instructional technology facilitator, director of technology, and most recently the Digital Learning Initiative Section Chief for the Department of Public Instruction. In her work she has designed and implemented professional learning that supports educators and their understanding of digital teaching and learning practices. Additionally, she has led district and statewide initiatives that help promote effective integration of technology for students. McBride is a COSN Certified Educational Technology Leader and in 2020 earned her doctorate in educational technology from Central Michigan University. She also serves as an adjunct professor in Central Michigan University’s Masters in Learning, Design, and Technology program and is the author of the ISTE book The Edtech Coaching Primer, Supporting Teachers in the Digital Age Classroom. You can connect with her on Twitter through her handle @aplusedtech. |
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Brandy Moody, North Region Representative
Brandy is an Instructional Technology Facilitator for Burke County Public Schools. This is her first year on the NCTIES board. Brandy is married and has a son, Brady. Brandy loves to explore the mountains with her family, read, and travel. You can find her on Twitter via @bmoody33 |
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Allison Reid, East Region Representative
Allison Reid, an accomplished educator and CETL certified technology leader, holds an MEd in Instructional Technology from NC State University. She serves as the Senior Director for Digital Learning & Libraries in WCPSS, driving innovation in digital tools. Allison's accolades include the 2014-15 District Teacher of the Year, the 2019 CoSN NextGen Emerging EdTech Leader award, and the 2022 Ed Tech All Star Award sponsored by CoSN and RTM. With her unique blend of teaching and tech expertise, Allison ensures administrative policies positively impact student outcomes, fostering dynamic and inclusive learning environments. She was a contributor to CoSN’s Digital Equity Toolkit. |
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Dr. Alison Schleede, North Region Representative
Dr. Alison Schleede is the Director of Technology for Watauga County Schools. She has worked as a teacher, instructional technology facilitator, school and district administrator for over 25 years. Alison has been in the board of NCTIES since 2022. |
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Delandrus Seales, South Region Representative
Delandrus is a Teaching & Learning Librarian on the Academic, Research, & Engagement Team with Randall Library at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (UNCW). Prior to joining the faculty at UNCW, Delandrus served as a school librarian with New Hanover County Schools, an Onslow County Public Library Branch Manager, and an Exceptional Children’s teacher (school and district levels) with Onslow County Schools and Department of Defense Schools at Camp Lejeune. She has 14 years in education at elementary and high school levels. She was named the 2018-19 Emerging Leader with NCSLMA, and previously served as an NCSLMA Coastal Director. Delandrus currently serves on the Executive Board for the American Library Association’s Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table. She enjoys exploring emerging trends in technology and inspiring all to make their mark in the world as connected digital learners. |
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Aaron Slutsky, Treasurer
Aaron Slutsky graduated from NC State University with a forestry degree, which is a bad choice for someone allergic to poison ivy. Luckily, he found his calling as an educator. For the past 24 years, Aaron has worked as an 8th grade teacher, Instructional Technology Facilitator, and Chief Technology Officer. Aaron has served in Burke County Public Schools, Catawba County Schools, McDowell County Schools, and is currently the Chief Technology Officer for Gaston County Schools. Along the way he has earned a Master’s Degree in Middle Grade Education and an Educational Doctorate Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. He has picked up a passion for instructional technology and strives to put powerful, yet frustration-free technology in the hands of teachers and students. Aaron is a Google Certified Innovator, YouTube Star Teacher, and Certified Educational Chief Technology Officer. Aaron serves as a board member for NCCoSN (North Carolina Consortium of School Networking) and is the Treasurer for NCTIES (North Carolina Technology in Education). He was the first Chief Technology Officer to be appointed President of NCASA (North Carolina Association of School Administrators) in 2022 and currently serves as past president. |
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Dr. Chris Smith, Fall Virtual Conference, North Region Representative
Chris is one of two Instructional Designers with NC Virtual. Chris has been an educator in North Carolina for the past 22 years where he has served as an elementary teacher, district-level Instructional Technology Facilitator, Director of Distance Education, and an Instructional Designer. He works with accessibility on the state, national, and international levels including serving on the NC Accessible Educational Materials Leadership Team, and is a member of the Accessibility Committee for the Association for Educational Communications & Technology. Chris is also the moderator for the Quality Matters Accessibility and Usability Site (AURS) and served as the Team Leader for General Standard 8: Accessibility and Usability on the K-12 Quality Matters Rubric 5th Edition Revision Team. He serves as a K-12 Master Reviewer and a Higher Ed Peer Reviewer for Quality. |
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Dr. Scott Smith, CoSN Liaison, NCASA Rep
Dr. Scott Smith has twenty-seven years of experience in the area of education, curriculum, and technology. As a teacher, instructional technology facilitator, system engineer, director, Chief Technology Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and now Chief Operations Officer, Scott understands all aspects of curriculum, instruction, technology, media, and facilities. Formerly president of NCTIES (NC’s ISTE Affiliate), Scott led efforts for NC’s technology educators. Scott is CETL (Certified Educational Technology Leader) from CoSN and Co-President of the NC Chapter of CoSN |
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Jeannie Timken, Past President, Student Showcase
Jeannie is the Director of Digital Learning and School Library Services for Brunswick County Schools. Prior to that, she was a District Digital Learning Specialist for both Brunswick County Schools and New Hanover County Schools….but she is a middle school ELA and social studies teacher at heart! She has been on the NCTIES board since 2016. |
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Brian Whitson, Secretary
Brian is currently a Digital Teaching & Learning Consultant with DPI serving the Piedmont Triad. Previously he taught in Rowan-Salisbury Schools serving as a science/STEM teacher, instructional technology facilitator, and instructional coach. His best teaching experience involved teaching Design Thinking and. Challenge Based Learning at North Rowan High School. He loves facilitating learning experiences where individuals create and explore their creativity. He has served as an adjunct instructor at Catawba College in the chemistry department for over ten years. Additionally he serves on the board of the NC Science Teachers Association. |
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Connie Wolf, South Region Representative
Connie Wolf has been an Instructional Technology Facilitator for the past 10 years, serving Dare County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and most recently, Craven County Schools. Before entering the world of instructional tech, she was a math teacher in Durham Public Schools, the same school district in which she was once a student. She earned her AB and MAT from Duke and her MA in Computing in Education from Columbia. Connie is passionate about coaching educators, helping them redesign units, develop lesson materials, and integrate technology tools to meet the needs of all students. As a member of NCTIES, NCSLMA, and the North Carolina Coaching Collaborative, she seeks to share educators’ expertise and help them connect with like-minded individuals. |
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Erin Wolfhope, Past President
Erin is an Instructional Technology Facilitator for the high schools in Burke County Public Schools. She’s been on the NCTIES board since 2018 serving initially as a Northwest Director, and additionally as Conference Co-Chair. Erin is a wife, married to Jeff, a middle school teacher. She is also a mom to two boys, Lucas and Griffin. Erin is an avid reader and would love to chat books with anyone and everyone. She’s enrolled in the Educational Leadership doctoral program with Appalachian State University beginning in the Fall of 2023. You can find her on Twitter via @ewolfhope. |