Kindergarten

Meet the Team

Kristen Plazas — kplazas@wcpss.net— Website — Twitter -- Instructional Assistant: Veena Kadam

Mrs. Plazas: Hello everyone! Welcome to another exciting year at White Oak! This is my seventh year teaching Kindergarten here, and I couldn't be happier to be part of such a wonderful community. Originally from North Carolina, I graduated from UNCW with a degree in Elementary Education and an ESL add-on licensure. Teaching is my passion, and I love creating a fun and engaging environment for my students. When I'm not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our family, and our beloved pets. I'm looking forward to a fantastic school year filled with learning, laughter, and growth together!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, ESL add-on licensure, UNC Wilmington; K-6 Teaching Licensure

Mrs. Kadam: Hello! My name is Veena Kadam, and this is my third year at White Oak Elementary as an Instructional Assistant. I'm always excited to work with young minds. I live with my husband and two sons. In my free time, I love spending time with my family, taking long walks, traveling, camping and reading. I'm looking forward to seeing new faces and meeting new families!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelors of Science in Chemistry, Masters in Computer Management

Amity Ledford — adledford@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter - Instructional Assistant: Caitlin Tonn

Ms. Ledford: Hello, kindergarten explorers and families! I am thrilled to be teaching our sweet kinders here at White Oak Elementary. I was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina. I received my Bachelors in English from NC State University and my Masters in Elementary Education from Liberty University. Outside of school, I love playing with my energetic border collie, Cooper, exploring new places, doing DIY projects, reading, and hiking trails.

Degrees/Certifications: B.A. in English: Language, Writing & Rhetoric, M.A.T. in Elementary Education

Mrs. Tonn: Hello everyone! I'm thrilled to be starting my third year at White Oak as an Instructional Assistant. A Durham native, I now call Raleigh home, where I've lived with my husband and our adorable puppy for the past eight years. Outside of the classroom, I love spending time outdoors in any way possible, exploring new restaurants, attending concerts and sports events, and playing chess. I can't wait to meet the new kiddos and watch them learn and grow!

Degrees/Certifications: Associate in Education, Associate in Business Administration

Hannah Davenport — hcbobbitt@wcpss.net— Website — Twitter -- Instructional Assistant: Candice Dungel

Mrs. Davenport: Hello! My name is Hannah Davenport and I am so excited to continue teaching at White Oak Elementary for my 8th year in Kindergarten! I grew up in Laurinburg, NC and have lived in Wake County for 12 years. I graduated from Meredith College in 2017 and have many experiences teaching young children that brought me to my passion of teaching kindergarten. When not in the classroom, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our families, reading, watching football, and the beach. Earlier this year, my husband and I welcomed our first son, who we absolutely adore and love making memories together as a family of three. I can't wait to spend the school year with our White Oak Explorers!!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Science in Child Development, Meredith College; Birth to Kindergarten NC Teaching Licensure

Mrs. Dungel:  Hi! I am thrilled to continue being a part of the WOES family as an Instructional Assistant. We moved to NC from IL two years ago, but I'm a FL native. My teaching experience includes being a 5th grade math/science teacher, a 7th grade science teacher, and an elementary Title I teacher. I live in Apex with my husband and two sons (my youngest is in 4th grade here at WOES and my oldest is starting middle school this year!) I look forward to a wonderful year!

Degrees/Certifications: M.A. Elementary Education with an ESOL Endorsement; B.S. Biology

Kristin Bruce — kbruce@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter - Instructional Assistant: Nasrin Rahmathulla

Mrs. Bruce: I am very excited to be teaching Kindergarten at White Oak Elementary again this year! I grew up in Lexington, Kentucky and graduated from the University of Kentucky with an Elementary Education degree. I went on to pursue a Masters Degree as a Reading Specialist and am a National Board Certified Teacher. We moved to Apex in 2007 and we love it here! I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two sons, and our yellow Labrador Retriever. My oldest son graduated from the University of Alabama (2024) with an Engineering degree and is currently working on his MBA in graduate school. My younger son is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill. I am excited to meet our newest Explorers and have a wonderful year!

Degrees/Certifications: B.A. Elementary Ed, M.A. Reading Specialist, National Board Certified

Mrs. Rahmathulla: Hello, I am very excited to continue to be a part of White Oak family. I moved to North Carolina from Chicago in 2004 and I currently live in Cary with my husband and 3 kids. When I am not at school I love cooking, walking, hiking and traveling. I am eager to work with your kids and helping them learn and grow.

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor’s in Commerce

Meagan Richard —@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter - Instructional Assistant: Lucia Ryder

Ms. Richard : Hello! My name is Meagan Richard and I am so excited to be joining White Oak Elementary this school year as a Kindergarten teacher! I just moved to North Carolina from Des Moines, Iowa where I have taught 1st grade and Kindergarten during the last 3 years. I grew up in Omaha, Nebraska and attended Iowa State University where I obtained my elementary teaching degree.

I have always had a love for teaching and working with kids. I grew up teaching dance and baton twirling lessons at my baton and dance studio. I found so much joy and passion in helping my students grow and succeed, which ultimately led me to pursue a career in teaching.

When I am not in the classroom, I love spending time with friends and family, drinking coffee, watching football, reading, shopping and traveling! I am eager to explore my new home here in NC and I am looking forward to a wonderful school year at White Oak Elementary!

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of science degree in Elementary Education K-6 with endorsements in reading, English/language arts, and coaching

Mrs. Ryder: Hi! I am so excited to continue to be a part of the White Oak Elementary team as an Instructional Assistant. My family and I have lived in North Carolina for 19 years. I have several years of experience teaching children in NY and NC. This will be my 7th year working at White Oak. I have two children and a cat who thinks he's a dog :) My son is a recent NC State graduate and my daughter is a Junior at NC State. GO WOLFPACK!!! 
I love spending time with my family and friends, traveling, going to the beach, NC State football games, and gardening. Can't wait to begin another year with my amazing White Oak family!!

Degrees/Certifications: B.S. Elementary Education and M.S. Special Education

Jessica Thorn — jthorn@wcpss.net — Website — Twitter -- Instructional Assistant: Monika Sood

Mrs. Thorn: Hi Families! My name is Jessica Thorn and I will be teaching Kindergarten for the 2024-2025 school year. I am so excited to be back at White Oak this school year and to get to work with our wonderful Kindergarten Team. I hold a B.S. in Child Development from Meredith College and a Birth-Kindergarten Teaching License from UNC-Greensboro.

I live in Apex with my husband, Dan, our two kids, Jackson (a rising third grader at White Oak) Emma (4), and our dog, Axl. I enjoy spending time with family and friends! I also enjoy reading in my spare time. I am looking forward to a wonderful school year!

Degrees/Certifications: B.S. Child Development from Meredith College and Birth-Kindergarten Teaching License from UNC-Greensboro

Mrs. Sood: Hi, I have been associated with WCPSS for the past 8 years. This is my 4th year working with Kindergarten at White Oak Elementary School. I am looking forward to another exciting and fun-filled year with kids. I enjoy hiking, traveling to explore new places and cooking.

Degrees/Certifications: Bachelor of Arts, Post Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management