3rd Grade

Back: Mrs. DePaola, Ms. Lacouture, Mrs. Wombacher, Ms. Lawrence, Mrs. Needell

Front: Mrs. DelSorbo, Mrs. Caruso

Meet the Team!

Erin Needell — eneedell@wcpss.net — Grade Level Website — Twitter

Mrs. Needell: After living in New Jersey for 22 years I made the decision to move for a job in teaching. I packed up my one dog Beau and we left to move in with my mom after college. I started teaching that following fall at Middle Creek Elementary in fall of 2016. This is my sixth year here at White Oak Elementary and my eighth year of teaching! I am super excited for this year and can’t wait for it to start!

Degrees/Certifications:  Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education, American Studies, and educational technologies.

Danielle DePaola ddepaola@wcpss.net  --  Grade Level Website -- Twitter 

Ms. DePaola: After living in Florida for my entire life, I made the decision to change my scenery. I packed up my puppy (Copper) and son (Caleb) and ventured to North Carolina in July of 2024. I taught 1^st grade at SLWK-8 for 2 years, and this is my first year teaching 3rd! I am super excited for this year to unfold.

Degrees/Certifications: BA from IRSC in Human Services, with a focus in Psychology 

Katie Caruso — kfurtado@wcpss.net — Grade Level Website — Twitter

Mrs. Caruso: Hello White Oak Elementary families! I am thrilled to be teaching third grade again this year. I was born and raised in Massachusetts where I earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Elementary Education at Stonehill College. I am currently completing my master's degree in school administration at Appalachian State University. I taught fourth and fifth grade up north before seeking out warmer weather. Two years ago, I relocated to North Carolina with my husband and two dogs. When I’m not teaching, you can find me hiking trails, enjoying the sunshine at the beach, or exploring the community. I am looking forward to the year ahead!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Psychology

Elisa Wombacher — ewombacher@wcpss.net — Grade Level Website  - Twitter

Mrs. Wombacher: Hi, White Oak Families! I grew up in Providence, Rhode Island and earned a BS in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics at Rhode Island College.

I taught third grade in Rhode Island for two years, then moved to Cleveland, Ohio where I also taught third grade. We decided to move to the Raleigh area (much warmer) in 1999 and I stayed at home to raise our four children. This will be my 20th year teaching and I love being a part of the White Oak school community.

My husband Bob and I have 4 children: Kai, Sierra, Raynee, and Rio. Kai graduated from Brown University twice; Undergraduate with an Applied Mathematics degree and a Masters in Data Analytics. He is currently a Data Scientist/Product Manager for a Silicon Valley start-up corporation, Sierra graduated University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry and is a dentist in the area. Raynee who graduated from UNC-Wilmington is currently teaching 2nd Grade in Cary and she is pursuing her Masters in School Administration from Appalachian State University, and Rio graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with degrees in Mathematics & Statistics with a minor in Entrepreneurship, he is currently attending Brown University as he pursues a Masters in Data Science.

I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, going to the beach, shopping, and watching my beloved Patriots.

Degrees/Certifications: BS Elementary Education ~ Concentration in Mathematics

Kelli DelSorbo -- kdelsorbo@wcpss.net -- Grade Level Website  -- Twiitter

Mrs. DelSorbo: I am originally from Southwest Virginia. I went to Virginia Tech (Go Hokies). I am married to a Buffalo man (Go Bills) and have two amazing daughters. Ella is 15 and a sophomore in high school and Anna is 12 and in 7th grade. I love football, sports in general, working out, traveling the world and making connections with my students and their families!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelors Degree in Communications from Virginia Tech-Pre K-6 Teaching Licensure from ODU

Colette Lacouture —clacouture@wcpss.net — Grade Level Website   — Twitter 

Ms. Lacouture: Hey there, Explorers! My name is Ms. Lacouture and this is my second year at White Oak! I moved here a year ago from Florida, and have loved living in North Carolina so far! I have really enjoyed being a part of the White Oak family, and can’t wait to have another fantastic year in 3rd grade!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelors in Elementary Education K-6, Certified in ESOL and Reading, Certificate of Community Engagement

Abby Lawrence —alawrence4@wcpss.net —  Grade Level Website   — Twitter

Ms. Lawrence: Hi Explorers! I am so excited to be back at White Oak Elementary for a second year teaching third grade! I graduated from Clemson University in 2022 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Go Tigers! In May, I received my Masters in Elementary Ed. with a concentration in AIG from UNC Charlotte, where I was born and raised. Outside of the classroom I love to travel, spend time with friends and family, shop, and find new music. I am looking forward to a wonderful, fun-filled year!

Degrees/Certifications:   Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education; Masters in Elementary Education with a concentration in Academically Intellectually Gifted