Instructional Support

Meet the Team!

Intervention Team Facilitator & Teacher - Allison Molinaro —emolinaro@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter

Mrs. Molinaro: I have been teaching in Wake County Schools since 1996! I live in Cary with my husband, daughter Linnea (who is a student at Green Level High School), and 2 cats: Lou Lou and Finn. My other daughter is a student at UNC and my son is a student at NC State.

Degrees/Certifications: BS Child Development from Meredith College, MEd N.C. State University, National Board Certified Teacher

Intervention Teacher, Instructional Facilitator, & Testing Coordinator - Sarah Bankert — sbankert@wcpss.net

Ms. Bankert: I am excited to be starting my 16th year of teaching! I grew up just a few minutes down the road in Apex. I attended all WCPSS schools as a child: Apex Elementary, Apex Middle, and Apex High School! Go Cougars! Upon graduation from high school, I attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. One reason I chose ASU was for the cold winters. I LOVE snow! I will be the first one outside when the snow starts to fall. I first worked for three years in Chatham County Schools as a 1st grade teacher. After my first semester teaching, I enrolled at Meredith College to earn my Masters degree in Elementary Education while continuing to teach first grade. Following my years in first grade, I taught 4th and 5th grade at Morrisville Elementary, and most recently I have taught 4th and 5th grade here at White Oak.

When not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, especially my nieces and nephew! I love day trips to the beach, relaxing at the pool, or visiting the lake.

I look forward to working with and supporting teachers and students across all grade levels this year!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Math, Science, and Technology from Appalachian State University. Masters Degree in Elementary Education from Meredith College. Google Level 1 & 2 Certified Educator. Letrs Certification.

Intervention Teacher - Meg Kovacs — mkovacs@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter

Mrs. Kovacs: This is my 16th year of teaching, and I am excited to be moving back into an intervention teacher position this year! I love getting to work with students who need extra support to meet their goals. I have taught 2nd grade here at White Oak since the school opened, and before coming to White Oak I taught Kindergarten, 3rd grade, and worked as a literacy interventionist K-6. I have my Master’s and Undergraduate degree from Appalachian State, and I am trained in Orton Gillingham. I love the mountains and the beach so being in the middle of the state is great. My husband and I have a fun and loving toddler named Luka and we love spending time together as a family! I enjoy traveling, singing, reading, and being a lifelong learner. I'm very passionate about teaching, and I strive to help my students love learning each day.

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University in 2009. Master of Arts in Reading Education from Appalachian State University in 2013. National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Literacy in 2014.

Intervention Teacher & Literacy Coach - Brandy Ridpath — bridpath@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter

Mrs. Ridpath: I am thrilled to start another school year at White Oak as the Literacy Coach and Intervention teacher. This will be my 17th year in education, with past teaching experience including 1st/4th grade classroom teacher, k-3 intervention teacher, special education co-teacher, and GT/AIG coordinator/teacher. I absolutely love supporting students and collaborating with their teachers.

My husband and I have lived in the Apex area for about 13 years with our two children and our sweet cat, Xander. This school year, my daughter will be in 8th grade, while my son is starting 6th grade! We look forward to having them both at the same school again - at least for a year :) I am so excited to meet you all and fill our school year with learning and fun!

Degrees/Certifications: BS in PK-6 IDS & MS in Education, Certified in Elementary Education Prek-6; AIG K-12; Reading K-12; Special Education K-12 (MD only)

AIG - Sujata Shirsekar — sshirsekar@wcpss.net — Website  - Twitter

Ms. Su: I am Sujata Shirsekar, Academically and/or Intellectually Gifted Program (AIG) teacher. I have worked in the WCPSS system for 21 years. I have two wonderful children who are NC State grads! We are a Wolfpack family! We love to travel and explore different places, restaurants and foods. I have a deep passion for educating children, guiding them to discover new and exciting things. I am eagerly anticipating the amazing year ahead with my students!

Degrees/Certifications: BA in Accounting and Economics, Bombay University, India, BA in Interdisciplinary Studies, Western Governors University, Utah

AIG/Talent Development - Susan Joyce -- sjoyce@wcpss.net -- Website - Twitter

Mrs. Joyce: Hi! I am thrilled to be at White Oak Elementary family as one of the AIG teachers! It is a very special school. This is my 15th year as an AIG teacher with Wake County Schools. I have also worked as an instructional coach and a third grade teacher in Wake County.

I grew up in Western New York, and graduated from SUNY Geneseo. I moved to North Carolina in 1993. My daughter is 26 and she graduated from the University of South Carolina in May of 2020. She currently lives in New York City and works in the fashion industry. My son is 19 and is serving in the military. In my spare time, you can find me visiting my children, reading, exercising at the gym, listening to music, and walking a large, sweet rescue dog!

Degrees/Certifications: MS In Early Childhood Education, BS in Elementary Education, Certifications - PreK/K add on, Elementary Education 1-6, AIG K-12, Spanish K-12 

Guidance Counselor - Brittney Ruggieri -- bruggieri@wcpss.net -- website -- twitter

Degrees/Certifications: I graduated from Liberty University with a Bachelor of Science, and also from Kutztown University with a master's degree in Education specializing in School Counseling.

Guidance Counselor - Amy Mott -- - website -- twitter

Degrees/Certifications: BS-Mathematics, BS-Mathematics Education from NCSU. Go Wolfpack! MA-Marriage and Family Therapy and Post-Master's Certificate in School Counseling from UNC-Charlotte.

School Psychologist - —@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter

Degrees/Certifications:

ESL - Kathy Hensinger —khensinger@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter

Mrs. Hensinger:   Hi, my name is Kathy Hensinger. This is my 4th year at White Oak Elementary School and my 26th year teaching in WCPSS. I am the part time ESL teacher at WOE this year. I am originally from Woodbury, NJ. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and cooking. My husband and I enjoy boating, kayaking, and hiking together. We have 3 children, a junior at Western Carolina, and 2 seniors at AFHS. I am looking forward to another great year at White Oak!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Science from Elizabethtown College, ESL add on certification from NCSU, TESOL Certification

Social Worker - Ginny Mann —@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter

Ms. Mann: 

Degrees/Certifications:

Building Sub - Varsha Audut

Ms. Audut: Hi, I’m Varsha Audut, I live in Apex with my husband and two kids. My daughter is a senior at UNC Charlotte and my son is in 9th grade at Green Level High School . 
In my free time I enjoy cooking, gardening and playing board games with my family. This is my second year as a building substitute at White Oak Elementary. I’m very excited to be a part of this team and look forward to this wonderful journey.

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor in Arts and certification in computer operating and programming assistant