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Kindergarten Teachers

Ms. Heather Hunkele (1st over)

My name is Heather Hunkele and I have been an IA at Baucom since 2017. I moved from Ohio in 2000 and have enjoyed living in the south ever since. I spend most weekends boating on Jordan Lake with my family and friends. When I'm not boating, I enjoy baking, crocheting, and watching football. My husband and I have a son at UNC Charlotte, a son at  AFHS and a daughter at AFMS - all are Baucom Alumni! We also have a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, an orange tabby cat and 25 cichlids. Our house is busy! I look forward to meeting new students as we SOAR to new heights as Baucom Aviators.

Email: hhunkele@wcpss.net

 

Ms. Whitney Deal (2nd over)

Hi. My name is Whitney Deal ! This is my fifth year at Baucom.  I am excited to be part of such a wonderful community.   I am beginning my 27th year of teaching. I have taught Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades.  I went to Meredith College and my husband went to NC State.  After college, we lived in Atlanta for 22 years before moving to Apex. I am married and have two children.  Our daughter is a NICU nurse in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Our son is a sophomore at the University of Alabama. I look forward to working with you and your child!

Email: wdeal@wcpss.net

 

Ms. Jennifer DeVarnne(3rd over)

My name is Mrs. DeVarnne, I have been teaching for 22 years at Baucom Elementary.  I am originally from upstate NY.  I have been married for 20 years and I have one son who is 17 and a daughter who is 14.  My family and I like to travel to the beach and the mountains.  When I am not working or traveling with my family, I like to spend time working on crafts.

Email: jdevarnne@wcpss.net

 

Ms. Kathryn Miles (4th over)

I'm so excited to join the Baucom Elementary Kindergarten Team this year as an IA.  I have worked for WCPSS in a variety of capacities for 20+ years and I am thrilled to join the world of kindergarten this year.  My husband, a local firefighter, and I have lived in Apex since 2000, and we love this community. We have three children, two boys and one girl.  When we aren't working, you'll find us at one of our kids' sporting events or doing something as a family. 

Email: kpmiles@wcpss.net 

 

Ms. Abigail Johnson (5th over)

My name is Abigail Johnson and I am super excited to be in Kindergarten this year with your students! I am originally from Sanford, NC and earned my degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Elementary Education K-6 and Special Education K-12 in 2019. I also am currently working on my master's degree in literacy from UNCG. This is my 6th year of teaching, my second in Kindergarten, and my first year here at Baucom! I spent the first 4 years teaching first grade in Lee County and the past year at Oakview Elementary but I am excited to be here! I hope to create a positive, engaging classroom community to help my students develop and work towards their hopes and dreams!

Email: ajohnson51@wcpss.net 

 

Ms. Kelsey Jacobson (6th over)

Hello! My name is Kelsey Jacobson. This is my second year teaching and my second year at Baucom. Before moving to Raleigh, I grew up in York, Pennsylvania and I attended Kutztown University where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Elementary Education. Outside of school, you can find me spending time with family and friends, playing with my cat, Mabel, doing something creative/making art! I love to bring the creative side of my personality into the classroom as many children have a natural creativity and curiosity to them. Teaching is a great passion of mine, however, I also have a passion for cows, they are my favorite animal! Don’t be surprised by all the cow items in my classroom…. moo! I am looking forward to another great year, I am so proud to be a part of the Baucom family!

Email: kjacobson2@wcpss.net 

 

Ms. Jennifer Whitby (7th over)

Howdy!  My name is Jenn Whitby and my family and I moved here from Vermont!  I went to college at Champlain College for my undergrad degree and then moved to a town over, for my master's in education from Saint Michael’s College, both schools in Vermont!  I have been teaching for over 15 years, mostly with younger grades.  I love to have new experiences with them and foster their love for learning.  I live with my husband (of 17 years!), my two daughters, Avery (14) & Riley (11), along with our dog Oakley.  In my spare time, I love to be outside in the sunshine, swimming, playing games and baking.  I also love to travel and spend time with my family! I am so excited to be a part of the Baucom family and can’t wait for a fantastic school year!
 

 

Ms. Jennifer Beck (8th over)

Hi!  My name is Jen Beck.  This is my second year as an IA at Baucom, but I have worked with children for many years.    I have four children, three girls and a boy.  My oldest is a first year teacher here at Baucom in first grade, my middle is a sophomore  attending UNCW, and my youngest are boy/girl twins who are sophomores at Green Hope High School.   I also have two dogs, Brownie and Finley and a cat, Kiki.  When I'm not at school, you will find me watching soccer, cross country or track for my twins, but I also love to be at the beach whenever I can!   I am looking forward to another great year!  
 
Email: jmbeck@wcpss.net

 

Ms. Sarah Thomas (9th over)

Hello! My name is Sarah Thomas and I am so happy to be working in the Kindergarten classroom at Baucom. My husband and I have four very special  children of our own that all attended Baucom! We currently live on a small hobby farm in Apex with 3 dogs, 4 cats, 27 chickens, 3 geese, 2 goats and 2 turkeys. I love to see the look on the kids faces when I tell them how many “pets” I have. 😆 In my spare time I enjoy gardening, watching my kids play sports, and relaxing outdoors with my family. I have worked with kids since I was a teenager, and I can't imagine doing anything else!

Email: sethomas@wcpss.net 

 

Ms. Priya Rajendran (10th over)

Hi, I am Priya (Ms. R), a mom of two wonderful kids. I was a software engineer for almost 10 years before taking a break to raise my family. My parents were English Professors in college (Ph.Ds in English Lit.), I always wanted to be in the education field. I enjoy helping children learn and be one of their safe people to come to. I love to read psychological thrillers, travel with family and especially love reading at the beach.

Email: prajendran@wcpss.net