Click here to email Lynsey

Lynsey Plume  •  Executive Director
I've lived my life as an educator. I received a BS in Elementary Education K-6, a MS in Reading K-12 and a graduate degree in Administration. My entire career has been in education. I began as an elementary teacher in a small private school, a reading teacher, and then for 20 years as a principal in suburban, rural, and metropolitan school districts.

After years in administration, I found that I missed being in the classroom and decided to return to where I started, but in a warmer environment. I found Tiller School to be a close match to the private school where I first found my passion for teaching. Tiller is so much like that private school, I feel like I’ve returned home. I came to Tiller as a 1st and 2nd grade teacher in 2003 and taught for the next four years. In the summer of 2007, I was given the opportunity to become the school’s Director. Although this was never my plan, it has been a most fulfilling and exciting time, helping the school, hand in hand with its highly qualified staff, supportive Board of Directors, parents and wonderful students. My first Tiller School class will graduate as 5th graders this year, so it is a special time for me to be here as their Director as they move on to the bigger world of middle school.

Tiller School is growing and we expect to complete our doubling process over the next three years, with two classes of each grade from K through 5. Part of this growth plan is improving the campus facilities by building a new classroom building and administration building, set to open during the 2008-09 school year.

Being part of this growth is invigorating and challenging, but cannot be done alone. This is the essence of Tiller, no one person makes this school the wonderful place that it is. Everyone: students, parents, staff, the board and the community all help to make Tiller a special place for children to learn, grow and develop. Tiller is a safe, risk free environment where students can use their talents, develop themselves as individuals, learn social skills, and become intrinsically motivated to be high achievers.

Click here to email Annie

Annie Burbridge  •  Kindergarten Teacher
I have been teaching school since 1987. I have taught Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade, combinations of the aforementioned grades, and Sixth Grade. I am licensed to teach K-6 Elementary School and 6-9 Middle School Language Arts and Social Studies. I have been involved with Tiller School since its inception in 1993 and have been a full time teacher at Tiller for 10 years.

Over the years I have seen curriculum changes, educational reform, the rise in standardized testing, more educational reform, and more curriculum changes. Yet one factor remains constant, and that is: children are individuals who develop on their own schedule. This is my responsibility, to guide that development in a positive direction at a pace suitable for that child. I believe that in order for children to learn they must construct their own meaning and understanding of concepts. Like losing teeth or potty training, this happens when the individual child is ready. It cannot be forced, but can be facilitated through activities and experiences designed to assist that development. Tiller School provides the opportunity for me to teach, and children to learn, in this manner.

Click here to email Theresa

Theresa Baughman  •  Kindergarten Assistant
For the past 8 years I’ve worked at the Tiller School. I’m currently an assistant teacher in Kindergarten, but have worked as an assistant in every grade level and previously ran the After School program. After graduating from college I worked at a school on an Indian reservation as a one-on-one aid for special needs children. I really enjoyed my job and was ecstatic to receive a job at Tiller running the After School program in March, 2000. The Tiller community is my extended family.

Click here to email Jane

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Jane Moore •  Kindergarten Assistant

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Ada Nunn  •  First Grade Teacher
I am from Kinston, North Carolina. I attended NC Wesleyan College and graduated from Atlantic Christian College with a BS in Elementary Education. Prior to moving to this area almost three years ago, my husband and I lived in Kinston where I had taught third grade for 13 years in the Greene County Schools and second grade for 14 years at Arendell Parrott Academy. We have two children – a daughter, Jennifer, and a son, Stephen, who have graduated from college and are married. We are also the proud grandparents of a grandson, Anderson Stephen (Anders), who was born July 31, 2007. Some of my many interests include reading, boating, games and puzzles and visiting with our family.

Teaching first grade here at Tiller is one of the most rewarding experiences of my teaching career. Watching these children develop reading skills, explore numbers and concepts in math, develop writing skills and learn new things in science and social studies every day is a joy. They are so interested and enthusiastic about almost everything we do. The Responsive Classroom social curriculum provides a guide for the children to live by and also helps them to feel that they are a special part of our school community.

Click here to email Katherine

Katherine Sasser  •  First Grade Teacher
This is my first year teaching, and I am loving every minute! I grew up in Goldsboro an attended East Carolina University in Greenville to pursue a degree in Elementary Education. After graduation in May of 2007, I relocated to Emerald Isle, which has always been a dream of mine. I love being on the water, whether it’s in a boat or simply relaxing on the beach. I also enjoy reading, painting, spending time with friends, family and my dogs, Buffy and Zeus!

"Everyone at Tiller is so helpful and supportive of one another. It feels like a big family!"

Click here to email Dawn

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Dawn Chadwick  •  First Grade Assistant

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Charlotte Austin  •  Second Grade Teacher
I was born and raised in Beaufort. I received my Masters in Education from ECU. I earned my National Board Certification in 2000. I have taught 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade throughout my career. I have loved every single year and every single grade level. My first year as a part of the Tiller Community has been amazing. The staff, students and parents all work together to provide a warm and safe environment for learning where everyone feels valued and respected. Children attending Tiller learn to not only respect others but to respect themselves. Everyone is greeted with a smile and problems are worked out together. The children learn to be responsible for their actions. This builds self respect and character.

When I interviewed at Tiller I was intrigued by the Responsive Classroom approach and the conviction of the staff that children learn best by discovery. With small class sizes comes the ability to allow children hands on experiences and the time to develop higher level thinking skills. Learning becomes an intrinsic reward. I am proud to be a part of such an outstanding community of learners.

Click here to email Libbie

Libbie Harr  •  Second Grade Teacher
Tiller has been my home for four terrific years. Here, I have taught fabulous fifth graders and wonderful first graders. At the present I am enjoying the super second grade. Teaching has been my career of choice for many years. I have a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. Besides teaching in my beloved North Carolina, I have also taught in Maryland and Florida.

"What a difference Tiller School makes! In such a caring and thoughtful school, I find myself looking forward to each and every day. My students are so exciting and happy. The parents are kind and generous with their time, talents, and donations. Before I came to Tiller, I had never experienced such day to day joy. Thank you, Tiller School!"

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Nancy Whipple  •  Second Grade Assistant

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Katie Mettin  •  Second Grade Assistant

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Kitty Davis  •  Second / Third Grade Combination Teacher
After teaching for 18 years in grades K-3 and 5 years in EC, I moved to North Carolina from cold New Hampshire 2 years ago. I have my original bachelor’s degree in sociology, which I used for a couple of years before raising a family to school age. This was when I rekindled my desire to teach and returned to college to get my second bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Thirty years after receiving my first degree I obtained my master’s degree in administration. I will probably never use that degree as I love the classroom too much to ever leave it? This is my second, wonderful year at Tiller.

"I was very lucky to find Tiller School when I moved to North Carolina. The other schools where I nearly went to teach were large, very impersonal schools. Tiller, with its size, has a wonderful environment for children to learn and grow socially. In two years I have learned each and every child’s name, although I may get a little mixed up once in awhile. If it takes a village to raise a child, Tiller is that village."

Click here to email Mary Beth

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Mary Beth Congemi  •  Fourth Grade Teacher

Click here to email Donna

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Donna Owens  •  Fifth Grade Teacher

Click here to email Rebecca

Rebecca Pumfrey  •  EC Teacher

Click here to email April

April Chadwick  •  EC Assistant

Click here to email Debbie H.

Debbie Henderson  •  Art & PE Teacher
I’ve been the Art teacher at Tiller School since 1996. In more recent years, I’ve also been the P.E. teacher. My husband, two children, and I moved here in 1995 from Pensacola, Florida where I taught at a Montessori school. Our children are grown now. Our daughter, Megan attends UNC Chapel Hill and our son, Josh works locally. My husband, Freeman, works at Cherry Point. I thoroughly enjoy my job at Tiller and the interactions my position allows with every child, every day. As long as Tiller continues its uniqueness and its focus on the arts and a social curriculum I’d like to think I’ll be here for a very long time.

Click here to email Debbie N.

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Debbie Nowak  •  After School Teacher

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Karen Povey  •  EC & Testing Coordinator

Click here to email Jennifer

Jennifer Lewis  •  Executive Assistant
In 2003, when my twin sons started Kindergarten at Tiller, I became involved with the school as a parent-volunteer for Ms. Debbie Henderson the Art Teacher and a substitute teacher for the school. At the end of that school year I was offered an assistant position working with Ms. Donna Owens, who was teaching 3rd grade at the time. During the summer of 2004 I also assisted with the Summer Camp program. The following school year I returned to work with Ms. Donna and in November was offered the position of Office Manager/Executive Assistant under Ms. Jean Kruft the school Director.

I enjoy spending time with my husband, of over 13 years, and my twin boys who are now 9 years old and in the 4th grade. We live locally in Beaufort along with our two cats and dog. I am enjoying Tiller as a parent as well as an employee. I have never worked in a place like Tiller before it is my home away from home.

Click here to email Michael

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Michael Pruden  •  Custodian