CResT Scholars currently teaching

Hi, My name is Hannah Washburn. I am a Middle Grades Education major with concentrations in Mathematics and English. I’m from Oakboro, North Carolina and absolutely love my home away from home here in Charlotte. Some of my hobbies include hanging out with friends and family, tutoring, and having fun with my dog. I’m excited to become an educator and am grateful for the experiences the Robert Noyce Scholarship offers. I hope to truly make an impact on my future students. 

Hi, my name is Jessica Reddy and I am currently a junior here at UNCC. I am majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Secondary Education. I also work for the department of Resident and Student Life at UNCC as a Desk Assistant. Although I grew up in Durham NC, I moved to American from England when I was in elementary school. I hope that being a part of this program will allow me to expand my knowledge and help me become the best teacher I am able to be. I want to be able to positively impact my students’ lives and show them that they all bring something of value to their math classrooms no matter if they perceive themselves as being “bad” at math.

Hello, I’m Arrinna. I grew up in rural Nebraska and joined the Army when I turned 18. In getting out, I moved with my husband from Washington to North Carolina (we chose NC by throwing a dart at a map on the wall) and adopted our dog, Ava. I’m majoring in Middle Grades education with concentrations in math and ELA, but I’d love to get licensed to teach in high school as well. I’m looking forward to teaching in the CMS area after graduation and seeing where this career takes me and my future students.

My name is Rebecca Davis and I am a Mathematics major with a minor in Secondary Education. I am from Cedar Grove, North Carolina, but I grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. I have always loved math (I mean who doesn’t?), so much so that I want to teach it! My math teachers in high school made a huge impact on my life, and I want to have that same opportunity for my future students when I teach. I look forward to teaching and helping every student realize their full potential.

Hello, my name is Emilee Strohl! I am a junior at UNCC majoring in Middle Grades Education with a concentration in math and science. I hope to become a STEM teacher in a middle school because I want to show students that math and science classes do not have to equate to long, boring lectures, but can revolve around engaging hands-on activities that relate to their lives. 

My name is Katelyn Orzechowski and I am a Middle Grades Education major with concentrations in Math and English. I am from Frederick, Maryland but I absolutely love Charlotte and I cannot wait to teach in the area after college. Some things I enjoy are reading and watching Netflix, hanging with my family and friends, and working with kids of all ages. I am super excited to become a teacher and can’t wait to learn from my experience as a CResT scholar. 

Hi! My name is Madison Drumheller and I am studying Middle Grades Education with a concentration in math and science. I moved to North Carolina about three years ago from Pennsylvania. I am a part of the Teaching Fellows program and the Delta Zeta sorority.  I am excited to start my career in teaching and have a positive influence on my future students! 

Hi! My name is Carly Everhart. I am currently a Junior majoring in Mathematics and minoring in Secondary Education. I am from a small town in North Carolina, but I have loved living in the city of Charlotte! I have always possessed a strong admiration for educators, and thus I hope to inspire the younger generation like my former teachers have inspired me. 

My name is Owen White and I am majoring in Mathematics and getting a minor is Secondary Education here at UNC Charlotte. I realized I wanted to be a teacher during one of my years as a summer camp counselor because I saw the impact I made of kid’s lives and I wanted to do that for a living. Also I feel like I can relate to kids well because I have a wide variety of interests like video games and fantasy worlds like Lord of the Rings but I also love to play basketball and running. 

My name is Jennifer Helms and I am currently studying at UNCC with a major in Mathematics and minor in Secondary Education. I have always wanted to be a teacher, learning more reasons why with each new experience I have in the world of education. I want to become a high school math teacher so I can help all my future students realize and reach their greatest potential. My other passions include mental health awareness, environmentalism, and performing arts. 

Hello! My name is Lindsey Blackwell and I am senior middle grades education major with concentrations in math and social studies. I was born in Charlotte and raised just 30 minutes away in Gaston County, North Carolina. I come from a family of UNC Charlotte alumni and educators, which further fuels my passion for our school and education! I have always wanted to be a teacher and I am grateful for this opportunity that will help me better prepare for life as an educator. 

My name is Erin Russell and I am a senior at UNCC majoring in Mathematics and minoring in secondary education. I am from Hickory, NC and I have wanted to teach for my whole life. I can’t wait to have a classroom of my own and motivate students to be amazing, successful people that I know they can be. I also love cooking, working out, and teaching Pilates. 

Hi! My name is Brooke Bowen and I am currently a junior at UNC Charlotte, majoring in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Mathematics and History. I am from Wilmington, NC and, although love it here in Charlotte, I miss living minutes from the beach! I have had a passion for teaching from a young age and I hope to make a difference in the lives of my future students. I hope to learn through my experiences of being a CResT scholar and a North Carolina Teaching Fellow to become the best educator I can be to my future students.

My name is Rachel Jeska and I am a Middle Grades Education major with concentrations in Mathematics and Science. I am originally from New Jersey, but my family moved to Cary three years ago. I enjoy playing softball, working out, and spending time with my friends and family. I teach at a STEM camp throughout the year and work for the university as a faculties assistant for the sporting events. I am excited for my future career as a Math Teacher and am ready to share my knowledge with the students! 

My name is Shania Alexandria Warren, I am a junior at UNC Charlotte majoring in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Mathematics and History . I am originally from Burlington, NC and I have always aspired to be a part of the education system since a very young age. I am the youngest child and will be the second college graduate of my immediate family. I am excited to take advantage of this opportunity because I will be able to interact with students as well as encourage them to excel in their academic studies.

My name is Drew Polischak and I am a Middle Grades Education major with concentrations in Mathematics and English. I have had a passion for teaching ever since I have had the opportunity to be a middle school wrestling coach. I want to have the most impact I can on the upcoming generation and that begins with the classroom.

Hello, my name is Bryan Chung. I was born and raised in Charlotte. I’m currently a junior at UNC Charlotte and studying to become a Middle Grades Educator. The content areas I hope to teach in are Math and English. The reason why I decided to become a teacher is to have a positive impact on young students academically and character growth. I also enjoy sports and long walks on the beach.

Hey! My name is Makenna Horkan and I am a senior at UNCC. I am majoring in middle grades education with concentrations in Math and English, but plan to only teach Math. I am originally from Michigan, but have lived in Charlotte for around ten years. I love to travel and experience new things. I love a challenge, and anything that pushes me outside my comfort zone. My family is my world, and a huge reason that I have decided to become a teacher. Ultimately, I want to positively influence as many lives as possible, and live a meaningful and exciting life. 

My name is Cameron Wilson, I am a mathematics major from Cary, North Carolina. Fun fact about me is that I can play five different musical instruments. I chose UNC Charlotte because it represents community and the inclusion of different thinking. I have a passion for teaching and want to help future students have that same mentality and similar values that I have learned during my time as a Forty Niner.

My name is Amanda Smyle and I graduated in Spring 2019 with a Middle Grades degree, with concentrations in math and science. I currently teach middle grades science at Cochrane Collegiate Academy in Charlotte, NC. I am from Troutman, North Carolina. During my free time I like to watch netflix, read books, and watch the Star Wars Films. I have two cats, two dogs, and a fish. When I’m at the beach, I love to look for shark teeth and currently have a collection of about 500!

My name is Kaylee Bell and I graduated in Spring 2019 with a degree in Middle Grades Education with concentrations in Mathematics and English. I am currently a middle grades mathematics teacher at I am very excited to begin my career as a teacher and would love to teach 6th or 8th grade math! I work part time at a movie theater and love scary movies and comedies. I also enjoy reading mysteries and thrillers. I have two dogs, Buddy and Zuly. I have a younger brother who is in the Marines. My mom and dad have been married for over twenty years and they have graciously helped me pay for college and a car.

I’m Sutton Beckwith, a Middle Grades Education major concentrating in mathematics and science. I’m from Atlanta, Georgia and am the third member of my family to attend UNCC. I expect to teach mathematics in 6th or 7th grade and am very excited to get started as an educator.

My name is Calvin Brown and I am currently a junior at UNC Charlotte in the middle grades education program with my concentrations being Mathematics and Science. I have been a production manager for five years at a metal fabrication company until I recently decided to focus on my studies and attend school full time. I am 32 years old which allows me to bring my experiences from my life into the classroom. I have three wonderful kids who are 12, 11 and 1. My wife and I bought our house three years ago in Mint Hill where we decided to settle down. I have a Great Dane and my daughters each have a beagle. I love doing obstacle course racing, where I have completed over 50 of them in the last 6 years.

I’m Matthew Cranston (Chase), a future high school math teacher. I am majoring in Mathematics with a minor in Secondary Education. In my spare time I play a lot of video games. I’ve got a dog, Willow, and two cats, Marly and Jerry. I’ve lived in North Carolina my entire life and don’t have any plans on leaving. I want to teach because our youth are what shape our future nation. It is our job to raise them well, so that they can do the same for their own youth. Students need a guiding hand but they also need their own space to grow and develop on their own. Currently, school is set up to prepare students to work in factories. I want to change that, I want to help create brilliant minds, not restrained ones.

I’m Steven Ervin, a middle grades education major, graduating in the fall of 2019! From the village of Albany, Ohio, I moved to North Carolina in 2015. My interests include racing, stock trading, roller coasters, watersides, and spontaneous road trips. On a fascinating note, I was in a fast food commercial last year! Look for me around the 25 second mark! (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w8oszFd45k)

My name is Kai Stinson and I’m a Mathematics major with a minor in Secondary Education. I’ve been living in North Carolina for 8 years, but I was born in California. However, I consider my home Plymouth, Massachusetts as I was raised there for most of my childhood. I’m a kid at heart because I like video games, DnD, and Lego. I also have a black munchkin cat named Chessie.