Originally from Parkersburg, West Virginia, Ms. Deems brings her passion for outdoor activities to our Pre-K classroom. A proud graduate of West Virginia University, she enjoys hiking, visiting the beach, camping, and anything that allows her to connect with nature.

I'm #StoughProud: Ms. Deems is thrilled to be part of our school community and has already been impressed by the friendliness and support she has received during her first few weeks here.

Ms. Sharpe, born in Chapel Hill, NC, and raised in Haw River, NC, is a dedicated educator with a strong background in early childhood development. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation and Human Services from Winston-Salem State University and a master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Phoenix. Ms. Sharpe is currently pursuing another Master’s degree in Birth-Kindergarten at the University of Pembroke.

Outside of her professional life, Ms. Sharpe enjoys spending time with her baby, friends, and family. She loves exploring new restaurants, shopping, and traveling. As a twin, she brings a unique perspective to her work. Ms. Sharpe chose to join Stough Elementary because of her passion for building meaningful relationships with Pre-K students with special needs and supporting their growth and development.

I was born in Xiamen, China. Xiamen is a beautiful island which is very close to Taiwan. I graduated from Guangxi University Xingjian College. My bachelor's degree major is English. I like oil painting, belly dancing, and cooking. I was a belly dancing coach and I have a chunky belly! LOL! 

I'm #StoughProud because: I was born in the horse year under the Chinese zodiac. (Stough's mascot is the stallion or horse.)

Ms. McCool was born in Virginia but has spent her entire life in North Carolina. She graduated from NC State with a degree in education, which has fueled her passion for teaching young learners.

Ms. McCool enjoys spending time outdoors, whether it’s walking or working in the yard. She’s also the proud owner of chickens, adding a bit of farm life to her daily routine.

I'm #StoughProud: Ms. McCool chose to work at Stough because she loves its international focus, which aligns with her values and interests in fostering a global perspective in education. She is excited to be part of such a vibrant and diverse school community.

My name is Suzanne LaHurd and I'm super excited to work in the preschool classroom at Stough this year. I began teaching elementary school in 1989. I've been a classroom teacher for grades K-4, a substitute for grades K-8, taught preschool in a private setting, worked in special programs including CCK and ECS, and I've been a one-on-one. In addition to my career in education, I raised 2 kids who attended Millbrook High School and Broughton High School. I enjoy cooking, entertaining, organizing, musicals and concerts. I love Diet Coke, sushi, cheeseburgers, blue hydrangeas and dogs! Here's to another great year at Stough!

I'm #StoughProud because: nothing makes me happier than passing a student in the hallway and they greet me with a "Ni hao!". During my 2 years at Stough, I have learned so much about different cultures, including Chinese and Middle Eastern cultures. One of my favorite parts of the day is working in the before-school program. Yes, it's an early start but the students and staff are extremely enjoyable and wonderful to be around! I am proud to work at Stough and I'm proud of all our Stallions!