(704) 621-8482
OUR LEADERSHIP
Michelle Spaulding, executive Director
This is Michelle Spaulding's 5th 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.
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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.
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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.
Frederic policastro (Mr. P), instructor
Frederic Policastro (Mr. P) is an Instructor in the Lower Academy at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
Mr. P received a Dual Masters in Special and General Education at Long Island University and a Bachelor of Arts in English at Stony Brook University. While teaching in New York, Frederic received training in Orton-Gillingham and Reading Recovery, both reading intervention programs.
His passion to work with special needs students stems from his own struggles, as a child, with visual-motor coordination and hearing impairments. His personal experiences have molded his teaching philosophy of, any child can learn, as long as they are given the proper tools, the lesson is enjoyable and is being taught in a stress free environment. Mr. P likes to achieve this by including the students' interests and life situations within his lessons.
Mr. P. moved to North Carolina with his family in 2010. He has written four books which accommodate K-2 students in reading fluency as well as comparing and contrasting skills. In addition to writing, Mr. P also enjoys car shows and movies. ​
Annie Braunstein,
instructor
Annie Braunstein is an Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
Annie is a passionate and dedicated educator with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from McGill University. Originally from New York, she accepted a Math and Science teaching position in Boynton Beach, Florida. She taught for three years and gained meaningful experience supporting students with learning differences in my classroom. Annie is excited to continue growing in the field of special education through a cross-curricular teaching role at CCP.
This summer, Annie relocated to Charlotte with her fiancée. They enjoy discovering all that Charlotte has to offer!
stephanie rindner,
Cross Program
instructor
Stephanie Rindner is a Cross Program Instructor at Carolina Collaborative Prep.
Stephanie began her career working for a large retailer as a technical designer. After years in the corporate world, she decided to go back to school and get a dual masters degree in elementary/special education. She got a job working for District 75, a division of the New York City DOE that specializes in severe special needs. She worked as a lead teacher in a self-contained classroom with a 6:1:1 ratio.
Stephanie relocated to Charlotte with her family several years ago and is thrilled to be back in the classroom. Outside of school you can find her playing tennis, skiing and spending time with her family.
Sarah conover,
substitute instructor
My name is Sarah Conover, and I’m excited to be returning as a substitute teacher this year.
I bring over 10 years of classroom experience as both a Special Education Teacher—supporting students from preschool through middle school—and as a General Education Teacher in Charlotte, where I taught 2nd and 4th grade. I hold a Master’s of Special Education as well as a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis, and have also worked in therapeutic settings supporting children and young adults with behavioral needs.
I’m truly passionate about creating supportive, engaging environments for all learners. I look forward to a great year and hope to have the chance to introduce myself in person soon!
Stefani Jerina,
substitite instructor
Coming soon...
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.
Rebecca fitzgerald,
Coming soon...