Faculty & Staff
STEM Leaders Thrive
at Research Triangle High School
Ellen Apple
Ellen Apple
I am from a family of teachers; mostly in the areas of Special Ed and Science, and I have been teaching Literacy and Language Arts for 9 years, having taken time to also pursue interests in Real Estate and HR. I went to UGA and majored in Psychology and English Education. I live in Durham with my two teenagers, husband, 2 dogs and backyard chickens. I am a lifelong North Carolinian that has somehow remained relatively unattached to any particular basketball team, but really love the color blue…. I’m very excited to be at RTHS and to be a part of students’ success stories!
Kat Baker
Kat Baker
I graduated from NC State University in 2014 and have been teaching at RTHS ever since. I am a North Carolina Teaching Fellow and a National Board Certified Teacher. I love to learn about other cultures, especially if there is food involved!
Nicole Beatty
Nicole Beatty
I believe in STEM as the future and want to encourage more females to explore science as a career path. Graduating from Univ. of Michigan, I went from entrepreneur to lab technician to teacher of 11 years (7 at Panther Creek HS as a Forensics and Anatomy instructor). My family is split between the US and India. My son chose to teach abroad after seeing the impact it’s had in my life. I still meet for coffee with former students that now have families of their own!
Chris Bush
Chris Bush
I’ve lived in NC for about 5 years with my wife and our dogs, and now my mother-in-law. We moved here from Hawaii where I tutored and taught at the High School and College levels. I have a degree in Music (saxophone) and have taken many post-graduate Math classes because I love Math too!
Steve Butera
Steve Butera
I am a graduate of the College of William and Mary, where I earned a BS, magna cum laude, in Mathematics. A native of New Jersey, I have been living and teaching in North Carolina since 2007, teaching mathematics, science, computer science, and robotics at both the secondary and middle school levels. Outside of the classroom, I have worked as an outdoor educator and environmental program coordinator, leading mountain biking and camping trips and facilitating school-wide composting and gardening programs. Here at RTHS, I teach AP Computer Science, Engineering, Multivariable Caculus, and hosts the Girls Who Code club.
Kristen Cook
Kristen Cook
I am a former EC (Special Education) teacher turned School Counselor. Throughout my career in education I have worked in both charter and traditional high schools.
McKenna Crockett
McKenna Crockett
My name is McKenna Crockett. This is my third year teaching and my first at Research Triangle High! In 2019 I received my Bachelors degree from NCCU in Political Science, and then I received my MAT from NC State (GO WOLFPACK) in 2021. I enjoy traveling to new and old places (particularly Graceland in Memphis, TN 🙂) with family and friends, vacationing in the mountains, and spending time with my parents! I fell in love with history when I was in high school, and my goal for the students is to become passionate about our nation’s history and to become involved as civic engagers! They are going to do wonderful things and help shape the future of our country!
Alex Drake
Alex Drake
I came to RTHS as one of the school’s original faculty members in 2012, teaching history and serving as the Athletic Director and President of the Central Tar Heel Conference. Immediately prior to coming to RTHS, I was a graduate assistant for compliance in the Auburn Tigers Athletic Department. I began my teaching career at Robinson High School in Concord, N.C., where I taught social studies from 2005 to 2010.
Leatha Fields-Carey
Leatha Fields-Carey
I am a member of the first group of North Carolina Teaching Fellows, earning a B.S. in English/Secondary Education from Appalachian State University and graduated summa cum laude from Campbell University with an M.Ed in English/ Secondary Education. A National Board Certified teacher in English Language Arts, I previously taught with Johnston County Schools for twenty years, serving as English department chair, Peer Coaching coordinator, mentor coordinator, School Improvement Team chair, SACS accreditation team chair, and testing coordinator. I was a semifinalist for Johnston County’s Teacher of the Year in 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2009. In addition to high school teaching, I also trained lateral entry teachers through East Carolina University’s Project ACT program and have taught part-time at Campbell University.
Eric Genesky
Eric Genesky
Since I began teaching in 2008, I have taught various core and Advanced Placement courses at the high school level. Thanks to a teaching fellowship at NCSU, I had the opportunity to teach Freshman Composition, which helps me to see how students’ experience in high school informs their post-secondary education.
Alan Goldstein
Alan Goldstein
I spent over twenty years working at PepsiCo World Headquarters as a senior systems design and implementation manager. After extensive international work and travel, I retired and relocated with my wife and son to North Carolina, where I took the opportunity to pursue my love of teaching. I have volunteered extensively, working as a tutor and math specialist in Wake County and as Director of Education at Kramden Institute.
Akiba Griffin
Akiba Griffin
Proud Principal of RTHS. Native New Yorker who loves to shop and travel. I enjoy Karaoke and Concerts and all New York Sports Teams. I love working in education because it allows me to have stake in building tomorrow’s leaders
Sue Hess
Sue Hess
I earned a BA in Spanish with a concentration in Latin American Studies and an M.Ed. in K-12 Foreign Language Education from the University of Florida. I began my career at Newberry High School in Florida teaching Spanish and French and coaching girls’ basketball. After moving to Raleigh, I joined the faculty at Carroll Middle School. In addition to teaching foreign language I have been a fitness instructor and has worked as a college student adviser.
Victoria Howard
Victoria Howard
My name is Vicki Howard and I just arrived from southern California. I love to paddle board, workout, and hike when the weather permits. I have taught PE for many years and really look forward to getting to know the students at RTHS. I am excited to bring my experience and passion for health and fitness to our students. It is a pleasure to be a part of the community.
Shelley Jones
Shelley Jones
I have been working with Exceptional Children for more than 20 years. I’ve created and opened two successful schools in New England, worked in residential, day, Montessori, and public school environments.
Stacey Kaufman
Stacey Kaufman
After receiving a BS in Physics and an MS in Secondary Science Education from UT (Go VOLS!), I moved to NC to begin my teaching career. I became a Raptor in 2015, when RTHS had its first senior class. Since then, I have enjoyed building the physics and forensics programs. As a mom of three teenagers, I don’t have much free time, but when I do, I enjoy taking trips to the mountains, exploring antique stores, and photographing weddings and events. I absolutely love RTHS, and I can’t imagine teaching anywhere else!
Alder Keene
Alder Keene
After graduating from Maryland Institute College of Art with my Masters of Art in Teaching I started my art teaching career as a painter and community artist in Baltimore. Since then I moved to North Carolina (over a decade ago) and have been a visual arts educator for elementary through highschool students. In addition to teaching, I am a practicing artist and love to travel with friends. I’m excited to be back for another year at RTHS
Cornelius Klein-Gloria
Cornelius Klein-Gloria
Born and raised in NYC and ended up in the south in 2010. I started working at Duke as the support lead of a proprietary psychiatric assessment tool for child and adolescents. Since then I have been at many big firms in the area such as NetFriends, NC Mutual Life, and COCG before finding my calling in education at The Exploris School and now Research Triangle High School. I have over 15 years of technical support experience and am one of those millennials without a college degree. I am happily married with two kids.
Danielle LaTour
Danielle LaTour
Hi everyone! A little about me is that I am a military brat and lived in over 20 different states. My side hobbies are nature photography, creating new desserts and reading murder mysteries. I look forward to meet everyone and being a part of the team.
Susie Lee
Susie Lee
I’m teaching Math Boost. I found my enjoyment in working with the high school age group when I was volunteering as a youth leader at church. So, I was grateful when I was given an opportunity to work at RTHS when my son enrolled as a freshman (the class of 2022). I received a BA from Ewha Womans University in Korea and an MA from Biola University in SoCal. Since I’m a native speaker of Korean, I’m happy to help whoever is interested in the language and culture.
Anne Luker
Anne Luker
My career began teaching adapted curriculum in a private non-profit setting for 4 years. I moved on to Cabarrus County and found my home there for 25 years. My family and I moved here in August of 2022 and I taught for a year prior to coming to RTHS. I love it here and am so excited to be part of the RTHS family. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education for Belmont Abbey College, and a Master’s Degree in Special Education from The University Of North Carolina at Charlotte. When I am not teaching, you may find me spending time with my husband, children and puppies or cheering on my UNC Tarheels.
Tanisha Mills-Silver
Tanisha Mills-Silver
tmills-silver@rthighschool.org
Originally from Halifax County, N.C., I attended UNC-Greensboro for my undergraduate and graduate studies. I have been a school counselor for 6 years and have experience in K-8, comprehensive high schools, and now charter school systems. I enjoy traveling, spending time with my family and friends, and gardening. I am excited to continue to build a community with my Raptors!
Neal Myers-Perry
Neal Myers-Perry
Hello! I grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Since earning my history degree from UNC-Asheville, my career as a K-12 educator has taken me from Asheville City Schools to Sogang University in rural South Korea, then to Central Park School for Children in Durham, NC. After taking a brief detour into the wild world of tech startups, I had the good fortune to arrive at Research Triangle High School in 2022. I enjoy cultivating a discussion-centered classroom environment, challenging students to make deep connections between historical and current events, and exploring new ideas through project-based learning. I’m honored to be part of such a talented team of educators and such a welcoming community.
Shana Nix
Shana Nix
I taught in Cabarrus County for a couple of years. I taught World, American I, and American II, but most of my time was spend dedicated to Civics and Economics. I have taken students abroad to Europe, and would love to do that again.
Neil Oatsvall
Neil Oatsvall
Neil Oatsvall hails from the Triangle and is glad to be back home after over a decade landlocked in the middle of the country. He did his undergraduate work at the University of North Carolina in Asian Studies (Japanese language) and history, and is therefore an unrepentant Tar Heel of the worst sort. He received his masters in history from North Carolina State and his doctorate in history from the University of Kansas. He has published in various outlets, including Agricultural History, Environment and History, Gastronomica: The Journal of Critical Food Studies, and The Journal of Military History. His book, Atomic Environments: Nuclear Technologies, the Natural World, and Policymaking, 1945-1960, was published with the University of Alabama Press.
Sarah Overman
Sarah Overman
Originally from Eastern N.C, I attended UNC Chapel Hill as a Teaching Fellow and English major. I worked in selective college admissions for ten years prior to becoming the Director of College & Career Advising at RTHS. I am passionate about helping students navigate the complexities of college admissions and figuring out what life holds for them post-high school. I love to read, travel, watch college basketball, and spend time with my family.
Walter Price
Walter Price
I have been teaching for 25 years and I hope to continue teaching many more years because the students are just fantastic and they keep me young and motivated. I am originally from Siler City, NC, went to college at Syracuse University, B.S. degree in Computer Engineering and later an M.S. in Secondary Education. Teaching history is such a joy.
Barksdale Pullen
Barksdale Pullen
I studied and began my teaching career in Jacksonville, FL and recently moved up to Durham. I enjoy listening to music, going to concerts, and exploring new places in my free time. I have taught various math courses and AP Psychology. I am incredibly excited to join the RTHS team and be here investing in our Raptors!
Christian Rainey
Christian Rainey
- Majored in communication
- From New Orleans
- Love playing soccer and watching sports
Jayshree Sadhwani
Jayshree Sadhwani
I have been teaching Spanish for over 12 years in diverse classroom settings ages K-12. I have contributed to developing curricula and procedures for assessment of Foreign Languages, namely Spanish and French in private schools. I have had experience in teaching Spanish to adults in professional fields and helped in translating technical documents.
Thomas Slusser
Thomas Slusser
I enjoy science because I am curious about how things work! As a cleverly disguised 5-year old, my favorite words are “how” and “why”. I earned a B.Sc. in geology from Western Carolina University. My wife would not let me work with volcanoes, so I earned a M.Sc. in environmental geology from Wright State University. I worked for 20 years in various environmental science jobs in the public and private sectors before trying my hand at formal education in 2021. Initially it was scary and very challenging, and the rewards have been greater than I hoped for. I am blessed and grateful to be part of the RTHS community, and I really enjoy sharing the joys and wonders of the natural world with the emerging leaders of our future!
Angelina Soulasinh
Angelina Soulasinh
I’m a recent graduate from Campbell University and I earned my degree in Sports Communication with a Sport Business minor! One interesting fact is that I got to travel to Los Angeles this past February to work at Super Bowl LVI with the official Super Bowl host Committee! My hobbies include cooking, baking, and singing!
Jessica Stokes
Jessica Stokes
After receiving my undergraduate degree with a masters in English and a minor in Creative Writing, I stuck around UNC at Chapel Hill and tacked on an MAT degree. Then, I spent my first four years of teaching at Southeast Raleigh High School with the New Tech Program. Then, for a brief change, I hopped over to Heritage High School for a year. Then, finally, I found my home here at RTHS, where I am now celebrating my 10th year of teaching!
Ani Tshantshapanyan
Ani Tshantshapanyan
atshantshapanyan@rthighschool.org
I have extensive experience in teaching and research and I hold a PhD in physics and mathematics. In addition to teaching calculus at RTHS, I conduct theoretical condensed matter physics research and consult on secondary mathematics curriculum development. I was awarded the American Physical Society’s Blewett Fellowship for Women in Physics two years in a row. I am trilingual and have professional education in classical vocal and piano performance.
Emily Wise
Emily Wise
I took a blind leap into pursuing English in undergraduate at College of Charleston, but threw myself in once I saw how much I loved it. I kept going with a MA in Literary Studies from University of Amsterdam and another in Teaching English from Duke. One of the things I enjoy most as a teacher is seeing students find a spark for English and inspiration in high school like I found later. I’ve been known to hook students into a poetry unit with pure enthusiasm. Outside of school I’m a mom, a poet, a quilter, and a runner. If you bring donuts, I will appear.
Angela Witherspoon
Angela Witherspoon
I have been teaching for over 30 years. Recently retired, I returned to the classroom because of my love for the profession. I have taught from the foothills to the coast of North Carolina, middle school to post-secondary, and every year has been a learning experience. Not sure how many more years I will stay, but I plan on enjoying them all.