Elementary
Our younger students are divided into Primary and Upper Elementary groups. Each classroom has two teachers supporting about a dozen students.
Students receive individualized support in math and language arts, with one-on-one tutoring with our reading specialists as needed. Social studies and science curriculum is designed to stimulate curiosity and deep-dive into learning using a unit study approach.
Social-emotional skills training is incorporated into our curriculum both directly and indirectly. Students can also choose from a variety of art, tech, practical skills, and special interest topics available as electives each semester.
Primary (K-2nd)
The mission of Primary is to set the foundation for a lifetime of learning, compassion, and independence by providing opportunities for academic success and daily joy. The Primary classroom serves children from rising kindergarten through second grade.
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PRIMARY TEACHER (She/Her)
Anna Lee Warasila (Ms. Sila) is from the Chapel Hill/Durham area and graduated from UNC Asheville in 2016 where she earned a degree in Psychology. While attending UNCA, Anna Lee focused on educational psychology, development, and took teacher prep courses where she found her love for teaching students with disabilities. Since graduating, she has attended UNC at Greensboro to study specialized education with a focus on high-incidence disabilities. Anna Lee has been working with students with disabilities in many capacities, but most recently in Durham Public Schools as a resource teacher. She enjoys working with students and families to create a wonderful community in the classroom that lets every child shine bright. She is thrilled to be working in a smaller setting at Hope Creek that provides the opportunity for each child to focus on their strengths and areas of need, safely, confidently, and in their own time. Anna Lee enjoys gardening, cooking, playing with her dog Theo, and traveling.
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PRIMARY TEACHER (she/her)
Marni Wizwer moved to North Carolina in 1995 after graduating from Indiana University. She has worked as a special education teacher for 18 years in the public school system. In 2000, she married Howard. Together they have a daughter Charli (17) and a son, Jeffrey (15). She also has a pug named Potato and a cat named Paz. Marni lives in Durham, North Carolina, but loves to travel and have new adventures. Her favorite place to visit is the beach! In between adventures, she enjoys light hiking (emphasize light), reading, doing puzzles, and spending time with her family. She is very excited to be at Hope Creek Academy teaching your amazing children. She loves seeing the joy in kids’ eyes as they learn about the complex world around them, and looks forward to getting to know your kids this year!
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PRIMARY TEACHER (he/him)
Kendall Isler is a Co-Teacher in Primary and he is from Atlanta, Georgia. Kendall graduated from Lee’s McRae College in May 2017, where he studied Sports Administration while running track. He also played basketball and coached his final year of college as a student assistant. Before joining HCA, Kendall mentored kids with Down Syndrome and was an Account manager for C.B. Southern Group, Inc. This is his third year at HCA and he is extremely enthusiastic for this school year and humbled to be part of the team. During his free time, he enjoys working out, playing basketball, cooking and dancing.
Upper Elementary (3rd-6th)
In Upper Elementary, we discover and remember that we are capable, valuable, and successful. We work together each day to show kindness, confront challenges, accept help from others, and achieve independence through a positive growth mindset.
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UPPER ELEMENTARY TEACHER
LaRhonda Leslie graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 2011 with a B.S. degree. She moved to the RDU area in 2014. She has worked with children from birth through fifth grade for over a decade in various capacities. She has received her master’s degree from NCCU. This is her second year at Hope Creek Academy.
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UPPER ELEMENTARY TEACHER
Linda McDonough graduated from Western Carolina University in 1977 with a BA in English and minors in Reading and Education. She has taught at Waynesville Junior High, Ashe Central High School, and was chair of the English Department at The Patterson School, a private boarding school with a strong Orton-Gillingham program for dyslexics. For many years she worked as a private tutor, teaching reading, writing, and spelling to dyslexic children and teens. A particular interest has been children with autism and dyslexia. From 1992 to 2008, she served as the Director of Christian Education at the Church of the Holy Family (Episcopal). She is the founder of the Augustine Literacy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded at Holy Family to serve low-income children with reading difficulties. She still serves as a tutor trainer and board member. For this work she was awarded the June Lyday Orton Award for service to dyslexics by the NC International Dyslexia Association branch. She has been a foster parent and transracial adoption trainer, and she presently works as a volunteer mental health advocate and is on the board for Josh’s Hope. Formerly director of HCA, Linda now works with high school students in language arts and history and primary children in math. This is her thirteenth year at HCA.
