Nicole Gallagher Track 1: I graduated from East Carolina University. I am a huge pirate fan! I having been living in North Carolina for 16 years. I have a 1 year old grey and white kitten. She is super friendly. I am obsessed with Pinterest projects, so don't be surprised if your child comes home with a lot of them! I love the beach, shopping, hanging out with friends, and watching movies. I am so excited to be able to teach your child! Mary Sue Rigano Assistant Track 1 (Gallagher): I have been at OCE for 3 years. I first came aboard the ship as a Teacher Assistant in 1st Grade in 2008. I love working with children and watching their faces light up when they learn new things. Their minds are like sponges at this age and it inspired me to watch them grow. Then in 2010-11, I was the Health Room Assistant. I enjoyed working in the front office and also served as back-up Receptionist. In 2011-12, I was a Teacher Assistant in the Autistic Room. This year I am a Teacher Assistant in First Grade. I am originally from Yonkers, New York. Eighteen years ago we relocated to Cary, NC for my husband's job. Our daughter is a high school senior. We have two family pets, Isabella and Azaela. My husband and I love to play golf. My favorite place to go every year is Kiawah Island. My place to chill is at the beach. My favorite sports teams are the Jets and the Yankees. Christina Winter Track 1: I have taught 1st grade for 17 years and feel so lucky to have a job I love! I moved to Apex from Redondo Beach, CA last summer and my family couldn't be happier. When I am not teaching I enjoy being mommy to my 4 year old daughter, Ella. Our family likes to play on the beach, in the Colorado River or hang out with family and friends. I have met so many nice people here in NC and look forward to a great year with my Shining Stars! Shannon Bell Track 2: I am a Raleigh native and a graduate of Meredith College. I have a younger sister who attends N.C. State. (Go Wolfpack!) I have two rescue dogs. Pansy is a 7 year old beagle-shepherd mix and Copper is a 2 year old lab, greyhound, boxer mix. I love college basketball and football, going to the beach, and roller coasters. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, reading, and Pinterest projects. I taught second grade for a year in Person County and I am very happy to be at OCE! Cari Porterfield, Assistant Track 2 (Bell): Ashley Miller Track 2: I moved to Apex in 1995 from Saugerties, NY. I have a twin sister, Alley, and 3 brothers, Nick, Sean, and Aaron. I am very close with my family and spend a lot of time with them. I have a 4 year old Boxer named Chipper who still acts like a puppy. I am a PIRATE! I love anything and everything ECU. I love camping, going to the beach, and spending as much time as possible outside. I enjoy running, scrap-booking, and DYI Pinterest projects. I also enjoy reading and watching movies. Connie Brown, Assistant Track 2 (Miller): I was born and raised in Illinois (Cicero and Lombard). My family moved to Florida when I was a junior in high school. I earned my teaching degree from Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. I was married in 1980 to my husband, Greg. We ran our own home maintenance and construction business for 17 years on Beech Mountain, NC. We have two sons. We have always had many dogs in our family - Siberian Huskies and German Shepherds. At one point, we had 3 Huskies and 1 German Shepherd. We moved to Boone, NC when our children were in elementary and middle school. We enjoyed camping and hiking as a family. We moved to Holly Springs, NC in 1999. We are currently living in Fuquay-Varina. I began working at Olive Chapel E.S. in 2000 with the AU-II class. I was an assistant in first grade and then moved to kindergarten. I enjoy working with the young students at Olive Chapel. The students, parents, and staff have been like an extended family for me! Jennifer Dunn Track 3: I've been teaching at OCE for 9 years for a total of 16 years in NC. I grew up in a military family and traveled the globe. I graduated from Methodist University in Fayetteville. I have two children ages 7 and 14, and I am happily married to my wonderful husband. Our family likes to fish and go to the beach. I became a teacher to make a difference in a child's life. I enjoy working at OCE! Dunn TBA Assistant: