Track 1

Third Grade Teacher

Girls on the Run Site Coordinator

 Jennifer Burdette has been a teacher at Turner Creek Elementary since 2014. She has taught both 3rd and 4th grade. This upcoming year will be her 21st year of teaching!    Previously she taught at Brier Creek Elementary & Stough Elementary.   Her parents were both 5th grade teachers and her father was also an elementary principal.

 Mrs. Burdette’s goal as a teacher is to nurture lifelong learners, problem-solvers, and out-of-the box thinkers. She feels that students learn best in a place where they feel supported, connected, and valued.  Mrs. Burdette also applies these beliefs after school where she has been a Girls on the Run (GOTR) site coordinator and coach since 2008.

Mrs. Burdette has been married for 16 years and has 2 sons, Cole and Jake.  Cole is starting at Fuquay High School this year and Jake attends Holly Grove Middle School. She loves to spend her free time with her family and also loves to run, cook, and read. She's also a big Caniac - let’s go Canes!

Track 1

Third Grade Teacher

Caitlin McCommons has been a teacher at Turner Creek Elementary since 2018.  She has been in education for over 20 years, serving as a teacher in grades 1,2, and 3.  She has worked in both Wake County and Fairfax County public schools.    Education runs in Ms. McCommons’  family.  Her mother is a retired 2nd grade teacher.  Her father was a college professor and Architect, and her sister is currently a music and drama teacher at an international school in Switzerland.  Ms. McCommons has always wanted to be a teacher.

Ms. McCommons believes students learn best in  a supportive and inclusive classroom where each child is gently guided to discover their passions and talents as well as being pushed to work to their full potential. Ms. McCommons also has a passion for making sure that all students feel seen and heard.  She has been a Girls On The Run coach for over 10 years and enjoys getting to see all students flourish! 

Ms. McCommons is the youngest of 3 children.  She has an older brother and an older sister.  Her older sister lives in Switzerland!  She loves to go to the beach, travel, and read.  She loves all things cat, and NC State!  Most of her family still lives in Northern Virginia where she grew up.  Even though she grew up in Virginia Ms. McCommons considers herself a Carolina girl!  Her mom and dad are both products of Wake County Public Schools, and actually met in high school at  Broughton Magnet High School.  She spent most of her summers and school breaks in Raleigh NC with family at Topsail Island, her favorite place on earth!! 

Track 2

Third Grade Teacher

Samantha Arnone has been teaching 3rd grade at Turner Creek for 4 years and has taught 3rd grade for her entire career. Ms. Arnone previously taught for Thomasville City Schools in Davidson County, and the 2024-2025 school year will be her ninth year teaching. 

Ms. Arnone enjoys fostering a supportive and inclusive classroom for her students and is experienced in differentiating student instruction based on individual needs. Ms. Arnone also enjoys utilizing technology in the classroom and has been a co-leader of Turner Creek’s Robotics Club for the past two years. 

Ms. Arnone loves watching sports and played softball for High Point University's club team while earning her degrees. You can normally find her at a Carolina Hurricanes or Durham Bulls game in her free time. Ms. Arnone currently lives in Wake County with her fiance Tony, and they recently celebrated one year in their first house!

Track 3 

Third Grade Teacher

Ally Morse is going into her second year at Turner Creek Elementary! She has taught 2nd grade, Kindergarten, and now 3rd grade! Before coming to Turner Creek, she taught at a school in New Hanover County!

Ms. Morse believes that students thrive in an inclusive classroom that demonstrates positivity and respect. She recognizes that each student has individualized needs and strives to make sure that each and every student has the opportunity to grow and be successful in her classroom.  

Outside of school, Ms. Morse likes to play volleyball, go to Hurricanes games, and hang out with her family. Ms. Morse also enjoys going to the aquarium, especially the Georgia Aquarium, where she can see her favorite animal… the whale shark!! She is the oldest of three and is very close with both of her sister and brother. She enjoys cheering on the Michigan Wolverines with her dad when football is in season!

Track 3 

Third Grade Teacher

Ms. Barnes is going into her fourth year of teaching. This will be her second year at Turner Creek Elementary! Ms. Barnes has taught Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade. This will be her 1st year teaching 3rd grade.

Ms. Barnes believes in having a very close knit classroom family. She believes students learn best when they are the most comfortable. She recognizes students’ individual needs and strives for them to be the best they can be! 

Outside of school, Ms. Barnes loves to watch sports, shop and read! When she is not reading or shopping she also loves to go to the movie theater. Ms. Barnes loves to spend time with her family, especially her nephew :). Ms. Barnes is the oldest sibling to a sister who is often mistaken for her twin.

Track 4

Third Grade Teacher

Laura Thomas has been a teacher at Turner Creek since 2020. She started her career as a fifth-grade teacher and then moved down to third; this will be her third year in third grade. Ms. Thomas grew up in North Raleigh and is a product of Wake County Public Schools.

Ms. Thomas believes in fostering an inclusive classroom where every student feels valued and respected. Embracing mistakes as essential learning opportunities, Ms. Thomas encourages her students to take risks and view challenges as pathways to growth. Her teaching philosophy centers around creating a supportive environment that celebrates diversity and nurtures a lifelong love of learning.

Ms. Thomas loves Taylor Swift, the Carolina Hurricanes, and her cat Winston. When she is not at school, you can usually find her curled up with a good book or traveling. Her favorite place to travel is New York City, particularly Broadway. Growing up in musical theater, Ms. Thomas loves musicals.

Track 4

Third Grade Teacher

 Mrs. LaPorta has taught for over 25 years. Those 25 years include 6 years in 3rd grade, 9 years in 4th grade and 6 years in 5th grade. She was also an AIG teacher for 4 years at White Oak Elementary and worked part-time for a few years in various roles, such as an enrichment specialist, a Read to Achieve teacher, a part-time AIG teacher, and a home hospital teacher. She knew from a young age she wanted to teach and still enjoys working with students. 

Mrs. LaPorta believes in the importance of public education for the benefit of all of society. Students need to grow academically and also to learn to become productive contributors, which is a complex task. Therefore, understanding and supporting social-emotional growth, instilling an understanding and appreciation for different perspectives and developing character traits such as responsibility and ownership are central to her learning style. She works hard to build relationships with her students and their families and to nurture her students’ self-worth. 

Mrs. LaPorta is married with one child and one dog. Her son will be a 5th grader this school year. She enjoys spending time with her family when she is not working, especially attending her son’s events. She also enjoys running, yoga, reading and mindfulness. She is looking forward to a new year in LaPorta’s Lodge!