Principal

Ms. Wooden is honored to serve as the new principal of Powell Magnet Elementary School. Having lived in Raleigh for the last decade, she has a deep connection to the community and cherishes the relationships she has built here. For the past five years, Ms. Wooden had the privilege of being the assistant principal at Aversboro Elementary School, where she developed a profound appreciation for the importance of a supportive and nurturing educational environment. Her educational journey began in Wake County, where she served as a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher, fostering a love of learning in her young students.

Ms. Wooden earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University. She continued her education by obtaining a Master of Arts Degree in Educational Leadership from Queens University of Charlotte, driven by her commitment to making a difference in the lives of students and educators alike.

Ms. Wooden is passionate about ensuring that all students have equitable access to the education they deserve. She is a devoted advocate for her students' needs and goes above and beyond to support her staff, believing that a strong, united team is essential for student success. She challenges everyone to ensure that no resource is left underutilized in the effort to meet the needs of all students. Together, she believes this can and will be accomplished.

Ms. Wooden looks forward to partnering with the Powell Magnet Elementary School community, embracing the journey ahead with enthusiasm and determination to ensure each and every student reaches their fullest potential. She is excited to work alongside students, families, and staff to create an environment where every child feels valued, supported, and inspired.

My Play-losophy:

Playing allows students to practice skills and concepts taught, deepening their conceptual understanding of academic standards. It fosters growth and development in the whole child by providing opportunities to collaborate, communicate, create, and think critically. Through play, learning becomes fun, interactive, and innovative, uniting students, teachers, and families in shared experiences that emphasize the 4 C’s: Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, and Collaboration.

Assistant Principal

Mrs. Hart is a native of Raleigh, North Carolina and grew up attending WCPSS during middle and high school. She has been married to the love of her life for 19 years, and together they have 3 children, ranging in age from 5-17. Mrs. Hart has been in the profession of education for 22 years, 17 in WCPSS. Prior to becoming the proud assistant principal at Powell, Mrs. Hart had experience in the areas of teaching 4th and 5th grade, teaching Academically Gifted students, working as a reading specialist, and working as an Instructional Facilitator. Mrs. Hart is a local church member and loves serving annually during Vacation Bible School and for the AWANA program. In her free time, Mrs. Hart likes to spend time with her family, go to the beach, run and read.

My Play-losophy:

Playing allows students the opportunity to practice skills and concepts taught, and allows them to gain a deeper conceptual understanding of the standards. Playing allows students the opportunity to collaborate, communicate, create and think critically.