(704) 621-8482
OUR LEADERSHIP
Michelle Spaulding, executive Director
This is Michelle Spaulding's 4th year as Executive Director of Carolina Collaborative Prep.
She is a North Carolina Certified P-12 Special Education Teacher with 29 years of experience in the field. This certification has allowed Michelle to help students of all ages and abilities succeed both in the classroom and their personal lives. Prior to CCP, Michelle worked in Laurel Heights Behavioral Health Hospital in Atlanta, Atlanta Public Schools, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, UCP Easter Seals, Developmental Disabilities Resources, and her own start-up company Soar Tutoring.
​
Michelle graduated from the University of Georgia in 1995 with a 5 year Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education. Additionally, Michelle has received certificates in Orton-Gillingham Multi-Sensory Training, TEACCH Fundamentals of Structured Teaching, and Handwriting Without Tears. Her goal in teaching is to help children achieve their maximum potential in all areas of development in a multi-sensory, fun, positive, supportive environment that focuses on the unique learning styles and strengths of the individual learner.
​
Michelle has lived in Charlotte since 1998. She is happily married with two children and two adorable
mini-schnauzers, named Holly and Dash. She is on the PTSO of her son’s high school and enjoys golf, yoga, reading, playing cards and going to the beach.
CHEYENNE PENNELL,
instructor
Cheyenne Pennell is an Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
Cheyenne graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Secondary Education, and Youth and Communities. In her undergraduate studies, she specialized in Secondary English Language Arts Pedagogy, as well as in Community Service Based Studies. Following her undergraduate degree, Cheyenne became a certified educator, and possesses a current Master’s Level NCDPI Educator’s License in 9-12 English Education.
Cheyenne also received a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with a concentration in Secondary Education, from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Cheyenne has taught various levels of English Language Arts for over four years. She has also taught Student Government classes. She has worked with children in various literacy programs for over seven years.
Cheyenne is passionate about community service and service learning. In her time as an educator, she has been an advisor for several community-service clubs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her pets, hanging with her closest friends, and going on day trips.
DARIEN COOK,
instructor / CURRICULUM ASSESSMENT COORDINATOR
Darien Cook is an Instructor and Curriculum & Assessment Coordinator at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
They graduated from UNC Charlotte in 2020 with a BA in Special Education with a focus on Adapted Curriculum as well as a minor in psychology. Darien started working with students while in high school while they were a TA in a self-contained 3-5 classroom. Darien has worked with students of all ability levels in grades K-12 in the general education, special education, and self-contained settings.
​
Darien is originally from south Florida and moved to the Charlotte area for college in 2017. Darien played soccer in the NCAA for Hollins University in Virginia for the 2016-17 season.
​
Outside of school, Darien takes their dogs hiking, plays soccer, and likes to read/dissect poetry. Darien also likes to travel to new places both inside and outside of the US. Their favorite place that they have traveled to is the Dominican Republic where they spent a few weeks meeting locals and learning about their culture.
a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood grades K-6.
HEIDI WOLK,
instructor
Heidi Wolk is an Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
​​
Heidi graduated from Bellarmine University with a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education and Learning and Behavior Disorders K-12. She then continued her education at Western Kentucky University earning a Master’s in Education Severe and Profound Disabilities K-12 with a Teacher Leadership endorsement. Heidi possess a current Master’s Level NCDPI Educator’s License in Behaviorally and Emotionally Disabled (K-12), Elementary Education (K-12), Exceptional Children Adapted Curriculum (K-12), Learning Disabled K-12 and Severely/Profound Disabled K-12.
Heidi has taught in a variety of settings in Kentucky and North Carolina the past 14 years ranging from regular education Kindergarten to middle school special education. Her passion is teaching small groups of students with learning differences.
Heidi considers Shalom Park her second home. In addition to CCP, she works at TBE RS and TIRS Hebrew schools on Sundays as the director of Tikvah Charlotte, her husband is the rabbi at Temple Israel and her two daughters attend Charlotte Jewish Day School. She also enjoys riding her bike and spending time with her family.
LORRAINE JOHNSON
instructor
Lorraine Johnson is an Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
​​
Lorraine graduated from Southeastern University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and a Minor in Special Education. She has experience educating students from Pre-K -12th grade, in a Public and Charter school setting. She is also a driven Registered Behavioral Technician (RBT) since 2013.
​
She is originally from Florida and has called Charlotte her home since 2017. She has 8 years of experience in the education field and has become passionate in providing intentional differentiated academic instruction to her students. Lorraine's experience includes 4 years as an Instructional Teacher as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher, as well as 4 years working as an Exceptional Children's Teacher Assistant.
​
Additionally, Lorraine considers herself an eager, kind-hearted, creative, individual. She enjoys spending time with her friends, reading, listening to music, and trying new hobbies.
TAYLOR LANE,
instructor & Administrative assistant
Taylor Lane is an Instructor and Administrative Assistant at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
Born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, Taylor relocated to Charlotte, NC in August 2022. Before her move, she received her Bachelor of Science from the University of North Texas. Taylor plans to pursue a teacher's certification in the near future.
Taylor has 10 years of experience working with children. Her experience includes 2 years as a substitute teacher (for Keller ISD where she worked with grades PreK-3rd, 5th and 6th, as well as Special Education) as well as being employed as a Registered Behavior Technician in autism therapy. Her experience with children also includes volunteering at Cook's Children Hospital, nannying, tutoring, and babysitting.
In addition to her career goals and work, Taylor enjoys spending time with her cat, hiking with her dog, photography, painting, and reading.
VICTORIA ACHRANE,
instructor
Victoria Achrane is an Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
​​
Victoria graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Secondary Education. She received Honors in the English department prior to her graduation. She also received certification to teach in North Carolina. Following her undergraduate degree, Victoria began her Master’s in English Literature with a focus on the Early Modern/ Shakespearean period. She completed her Master’s degree at UNC Charlotte and graduated with honors.
Victoria has taught students from 8th grade through college freshman and volunteered on school improvement projects, graduation, and sporting events throughout her time in public education. She was also the head coach of the Color Guard team.
Victoria is passionate about mental and emotional health. She encourages her students to not just identify how they’re feeling, but also how that feeling makes them react. In her time as an educator, she has developed great relationships with her students and always encourages them to push themselves and strive for success.
​
Outside of teaching, Victoria enjoys spending time with friends and family, gardening in her yard, cooking with her significant other, and spoiling her pets.
JOE HEALY,
ASSISTANT instructor
Joe Healy is an Assistant Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
He is a native Charlottean with a passion for education. Joe is currently working on his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education at Western Governors University. Joe has volunteer experience working with students and children with learning differences. His goal for the school year is to help students get excited and invested in their education.
In his free time, Joe enjoys spending time with his two wonderful children. In fact, he is a big kid himself! He also enjoys watching all sports. He is a Panther and Hornets fan. He is a fan of History and likes to read a lot in that genre.
AUSTIN JAMES,
ASSISTANT instructor
Austin James is an Assistant Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
​​
Austin holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from William Paterson University, which has informed his approach to teaching and understanding diverse learning needs. Austin previously worked at a preschool working primarily in a classroom of students with learning differences. Austin served as an academic counselor and coach at the high school level, helping students navigate their academic and personal challenges. Before transitioning into his role at CCP, Austin subbed at the lower level and worked as an extended day program assistant at Charlotte Latin School.
In addition to his teaching experience, Austin was the Activities Program Director at the local Boys and Girls Club in New Jersey, where he developed and implemented programs for youth in the community. His commitment to education and mentorship is what he's most excited about bringing to CCP.
Aly Parnell,
ASSISTANT instructor
Aly Parnell is an Assistant Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
​​
She has always been dedicated to nurturing young minds. For three years, she worked as a nanny, forming deep connections with the children she cared for. This experience reinforced her belief in the importance of a supportive environment for children's growth.
After moving to Charlotte from New Jersey last year, Aly was excited to join CCP, where she could continue making a positive impact on children's lives. She is a certified Kids Yoga and Mindfulness Instructor and has started her own business to teach children the essential skills of mindful movement and social-emotional learning. Additionally, Aly is an Ayurvedic Health Counselor and is passionate about holistic health.
In her free time, she is likely to be found creating social media content for local businesses or reading about a new topic she's interested in!
Sara ALUMBAUGH,
Assistant instructor
Sara Alumbaugh is an Assistant Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
Sara holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from University of Central Florida. After graduating college, Sara became a Registered Behavior Technician for 3 years before becoming a Special Education Teacher. Sara taught children with Emotional Behavior Disorders, and children with Autism before becoming an Autism Behavior Specialist. She is excited to join CCP and help students learn and grow in their own ways.
Sara and her fiancé just moved to Charlotte from Florida. In her free time Sara enjoys going on hikes, and rock climbing with her fiancé and their Australian Shepherd Winston.
Kierston Wigfall,
Assistant instructor
Kierston Wigfall is an Assistant Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Kierston earned a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science from Saint Augustine's University. With three years of experience teaching Special Education in a middle school setting, her expertise has been enriched through hands-on learning during summer camps.
Outside of work, Kierston enjoys spending quality time with her family and traveling. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology, with aspirations of becoming an Occupational Therapist.
REILLY PARKER WALSH,
JR Assistant instructor
Reilly Parker Walsh is a Junior Assistant Instructor in the Lower Academy at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
Reilly Parker was CCP’s first graduate and is excited to start her career back at the school that gave her so much. Born and raised in Charlotte, RP has always loved school and learning. She had a short move to Vienna, VA but returned to the area in 2020 and that is when she started at CCP.
While in VA, Reilly Parker worked two years at the Fairfax JCC in their preschool program for 18 month olds to 2 year olds. She also currently works at Flour Power, a children’s cooking studio.
Reilly Parker has a special affinity for children as well as dogs. She is a dog walker on the weekends for many local neighbors. When not working one of her many jobs, Reilly Parker enjoys being on the lake with her family, spending time with friends and is a life long Disney fan.
Reilly Parker has always assisted CCP students by instructing them about rules and routines, assisting with technology including vocabulary templates and google classroom, and of course, making everyone feel comfortable and welcome.
RACHEL ABBATIELLO,
THERAPEUTIC GARDENING instructor
Rachel Abbatiello is the Therapeutic Gardening Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
She graduated from Catawba College with a BA in Music Education and a BA in Vocal Performance with a minor is Special Subjects K-12.
After discovering a passion for exceptional children, Rachel made a lateral-entry shift into Special Education straight out of student teaching. She specializes in students with behavioral and emotional disorders and taught elementary school and high school for 8 years in the public school system. She has experience teaching students in resource, co-teaching, and separate settings across content areas and also served as Special Education Lead Teacher for 2 years at the high school level.
Rachel is passionate about making all students feel welcome, included, and cared for. She is a firm believer that while students might not remember everything you teach them, they will always remember the way you made them feel.
When Rachel isn’t teaching at CCP, you can find her running her private voice studio at CAPA School of Music, directing musical theatre workshops, singing with Charlotte Chamber Choir, or performing at Old Courthouse Theatre. She loves taking care of her (many) plants at home, reading, embroidering, traveling, and watching Love Island with her dog Bishop.
TAMYIAH HInes,
assistant instructor
Tamyiah Hines brings her enthusiasm and expertise to Carolina Collaborative Prep as an Assistant Instructor.
Hailing from the vibrant city of Charlotte, North Carolina, Tamyiah has two years of hands-on experience in the classroom and a dedicated focus on Special Education. She is passionate about supporting children's growth and development. Her journey in education is complemented by four years of enriching summers as a Camp Counselor, where she honed her skills in nurturing and guiding young minds.
​
When Tamyiah isn't making learning fun and engaging at school, she loves soaking up quality time with her family. An adventurous spirit, she delights in trying out new cuisines and exploring new destinations. Whether it's discovering the latest foodie trend or wandering through a new city, Tamyiah is always ready for her next adventure!
Sarah conover,
Substitute instructor
Coming soon!
Nicholas bratcher,
Substitute instructor
Coming soon!