Atlas International School in Raleigh

Emily Winslow - Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Winslow has a B.A. in Education and a Master's in Educational Media. She has been teaching at the elementary level for over twelve years, with a focus in kindergarten through second grade. She taught at a school in Winston-Salem, NC, using the Core Knowledge curriculum and at an International Baccalaureate (IB) school in Cary. She is an energetic and caring teacher who believes first and foremost that learning should be enjoyable! She has two little girls who attend Atlas.

Julie Reed - First-Grade Teacher

Mrs. Reed graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a B.A. in Elementary Education. After graduation, she accepted a teaching position at H.B. Sugg Elementary, where she worked for two years before moving to Raleigh. Since arriving in the Triangle area, she has worked as the first-grade teacher for Atlas.

Ann Lally - Second-Grade Teacher

Mrs. Lally graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. She later earned a certification in reading (grades K-6) and a certification in history (grades 4-8). After working many years as a classroom teacher at all elementary and middle school levels, Ann took on the challenge of homeschooling her own children from pre-K through tenth grade. Her sixteen plus years of successful experience has made her one of the "go-to" homeschooling experts in the area. Recently she set up a preschool program at a parochial maximum challenge school where she also taught pre-K and grades 1 through 4. Ann's youngest son is enrolled in the Atlas elementary program.

Marketa Smith - Third-Grade Teacher

Mrs. Smith has a B.A. in Education and has ten years teaching experience in elementary schools. Her experience in Wake County includes teaching at a Charter School using the Core Knowledge curriculum, as well as at a School of Excellence. Mrs. Smith has a sincere love of learning and cares deeply for her students. As an educator, her goal is to impact and inspire. One of Mrs. Smith's college professors wrote of her: "Marketa is the best student I have taught in my 33 years of teaching." Mrs. Smith has a son in the Atlas elementary program.

Jackie Avallone - Director and Middle School Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher

Ms. Avallone has a B.A. in English from Florida State University and a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from George Mason University, where she earned a "Master's Program Student of the Year" award. She has been involved in education for over 15 years, including several positions abroad. Her most recent experience prior to working at Atlas was in Central Asia where she taught grades four through seven using an American-based curriculum. Mrs. Avallone believes educating students means not only fostering intellectual growth, but nurturing the critical-thinking and social-action skills necessary for children to become thriving world citizens. Ms. Avallone's son is enrolled in the Atlas elementary program.

Leah Rechetnikova - Middle School Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher

Mrs. Rechetnikova teaches 4th-grade and 6th-grade language arts and social studies. She is a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher from Ohio where she earned a Master of Education degree from the University of Toledo. While attending UT, she consistently received distinguished ratings from fieldwork supervisors and an academic scholarship based on her grades and demonstrated passion for education. Prior to teaching at Atlas, she worked as a full-time tutor for Durham Public Schools where she led literacy and mathematics enrichment classes and conducted learning centers for students at various grade levels. She brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to our school.

Kim Krause - Middle School Mathematics and Science Teacher

Mrs. Krause graduated from Central Michigan University with a B.S. degree in Earth Science and Geography and a double minor in Geology and Biology. She has experience as an education specialist at the Woldumar Nature Center and as a summer camp director, where she discovered her passion for working with children of all ages. Prior to joining the staff at Atlas, Mrs. Krause taught middle school math and science in Granville County and middle school science in Wake County. A love of the outdoors, music, and cooking keep Mrs. Krause and her family busy.

Jennell DeFrancis - Middle School Mathematics and Science Teacher

Mrs. DeFrancis graduated from Plattsburgh State University of New York with a B.S. in Elementary Education. Teaching is her passion, and she has been educating children for over thirteen years. Before coming to Atlas, she taught for ten years at Farmington Woods, an International Baccalaureate (IB) elementary school in Cary. She spent nine of those years in the classroom and one year as an Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) reading teacher. Mrs. DeFrancis believes in educating children to be active, independent lifelong learners. Her youngest son attends the Atlas preschool.

Spanish Immersion Team:
Clara Martinez, Miriam Warner, and Vanessa Crespo

The teachers who comprise our Spanish immersion team are sweet, gentle and absolutely love children. They work under the guidance of Mrs. Howdeshell teaching the preschoolers through immersion, using songs, finger plays, art, and centers. For beginning Spanish students at the elementary and middle school level, learning includes fun, hands-on, out-of-seat games, songs, and art projects. Advanced learners focus on grammar, translation, and vocabulary building through entertaining, hands-on activities.

French Immersion Team:
Nathalie Grandsire, Alexandra Tutwiler, and Anissa Belalia

Our French immersion team is a group of loving, caring teachers with many years' experience working with young children. They work under the guidance of Mrs. Howdeshell teaching the preschoolers through immersion, using songs, finger plays, art, and centers. For beginning French students at the elementary and middle school level, learning includes fun, hands-on, out-of-seat games, songs, and art projects. Advanced learners focus on grammar, translation, and vocabulary building through entertaining, hands-on activities.

Jean Bynum - Violin Teacher

Mrs. Bynum concentrated in violin performance and earned a B.M. from UNC Chapel Hill followed by an M.M. from UNC Greensboro. While living in Newport News, VA, and in different locations throughout North Carolina, Mrs. Bynum has taught violin lessons to students of all ages and abilities. She has worked in public and private school settings and teaches private violin lessons as well. Her soft-spoken manner puts students at ease and creates a relaxed learning atmosphere. Her talent has earned her seats with the Tar River Orchestra in Rocky Mount and the Durham Symphony. She currently plays with the Raleigh Symphony.

Lauren Robbins-Pollack - Piano Teacher

Mrs. Robbins-Pollack studied music and music education at the University of Michigan, graduating with a Bachelor of Music degree with teacher certification. She continued her music studies at the University of Arizona, earning a M.M. degree in flute performance. In addition to teaching piano, Mrs. Robbins-Pollack teaches flute and has taught elementary music in Wake County. Through age-appropriate music and activities, students at Atlas will learn music-reading skills, fundamentals of rhythm and pitch, and the joy of making music on the piano.

6-to-1 Student-to-Teacher ratio