Educating Educators

SSNC believes that educating other educators about LGBTQ+ issues and inclusive learning environments is one of the best ways to make schools welcoming for all students. Whether you are an individual educator, a school administrator, or a district superintendent, we'd love to talk with you about how SSNC can help you support K12 students.

Linking You To Resources

SSNC wants to help anyone connected to a K-12 NC school--students, parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, school board members, etc--find the resources or support they need to feel safe or help others feel safe in school.  If we can't help you, we'll find someone who will.   Please reach out, we are happy to help in any way that we can!

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Meet The Board

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The board of Safe Schools NC is a hardworking, dedicated group of individuals who are driven by their own personal stories to make the voices and stories of ALL LGTBQ+ Staff and Students heard and valued.
​Feel free to contact us all at   board@safeschoolsnc.org ​

Board Chair

Holly Jordan   ​

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Holly (she/her) has been a public school teacher for thirteen years, all of them at Hillside High School in Durham, NC, where she teaches International Baccalaureate English and the AVID elective, and advises the Hillside Gender and Sexuality Alliance. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and English at Concordia University Wisconsin and is a National Board Certified Teacher.

As a white, cisgender, able-bodied, middle class woman, Holly came of age in Illinois and Wisconsin with very little understanding of systemic racism or of her own privilege. Her experience teaching the phenomenal students of Hillside High, Durham’s historically Black high school, changed the trajectory of her whole life. Now, she is passionate about social justice both inside and outside of the classroom. In addition to chairing the SSNC Board, she has been active in the NC Moral Monday movement and the Durham Association of Educators.

In her free time, you'll find Holly reading in her hammock, at the thrift store, or obsessing over Janelle Monáe.

Board Vice-Chair

Emily Chavez   ​

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Emily Susanna Chávez (she/her) is    the Director of Equity and Justice at Duke School. Previously she served as the Associate Director in the Center for Multicultural Affairs and as the Outreach Program Coordinator in the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, both at Duke University. Prior to these roles she taught high school social studies and English. Emily holds a B.A. from Swarthmore College, an M.A.T. from Duke University, and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from North Carolina State University.

Secretary

Courtney Parker West

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Courtney Parker West (she/her/hers) is a writer, consultant, and community organizer. She is a first-generation college graduate from The University of Iowa, where she studied Religion Studies, English, Creative Writing, & African American Studies. In 2008, she relocated to North Carolina where she taught middle school language arts for 5 years in Vance County, NC, before joining staff with the Eastern NC regional team of Teach For America as a teacher coach. After 4 years of coaching, she worked as Director, Alumni Impact - Racial Equity & Values-based Leadership for the region. Currently she works for the TFA National team as Managing Director, Leadership Development Strategy. Courtney is a Selah fellow and Leichtag grant recipient through which she does Jews of Color Field-building work.

​​Courtney is most passionate about intersectional anti-racist work, coalition-building, and activism especially as it pertains to communities who have been subjected to multi-generational trauma. She lives with her spouse, a public school leader, in Zebulon, NC.

Treasurer

Stephenie Clark

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Stephenie Clark (she/her) is an Education Consultant with the state. Stephenie earned a B.S. in Business Administration and an MBA from Hampton University in Hampton, VA. She got her start in education teaching fourth grade in a charter school in Durham as a 2012 Teach For America corps member. She is excited to bring her passion for education, equity, and passion for problem solving to the Safe Schools NC Board to help educators across the state create safe learning environments where all students are supported to grow and thrive within their own intersectionality.

She lives in Raleigh with her partner, Carrie, and their fur-babies Jack (dog) and Evie (cat). In her spare time, she enjoys creating art, watching movies, listening to music, and solving the Rubik’s cube. You can connect with Stephenie by following her on Twitter or Instagram @workplacefairy.

Board Member

Michelle Henderson  ​

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Michelle (she, her) is a theatre teacher at Wake Forest Middle School, and has been in education ever since graduating from Meredith College in 2014 (Go ODDS!). She is also Fine Arts Department Head, part of the SIP team, director of all things theatrical, and advises her schools Sexuality and Gender Awareness club (SAGA). 

Growing up in a very small, rural town in North Carolina didn't do much for educating her on the differences of other people and experiences, nor did it incline her towards understanding her own preferences. College in a larger city made all the difference, and she has been a vocal advocate for students and their safety since pursuing education as a career (and life!) choice. Helping students grow within their own intersectionality, and helping them find their voices has been the most rewarding part of being an educator. 

She lives with her partner, also in education as an orchestra teacher in DPS, and one year old in Raleigh, plus their fur-babies. They live close to her family, whom they see A LOT of. When not busy with school things, she enjoys being outside (not in the heat though), watching animated films with the kid (Coco is her current obsession), and reading (trying to get through all 27 of the battle of the books books).

Board Member

Paul "Kofi" Robinson

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Paul "Kofi" Robinson (they/them) is a 2019 Master's of Art's in Teaching candidate at Meredith College. Paul writes, teaches and participates in community organizing within the Triangle-area. As a pre-service teacher, Paul has chosen a K-6 licensure, but feels strongly about the well-being and equity of primary and secondary students.

Paul spends their free time digitally crate-digging for music, inhaling Octavia Butler's fiction, enthusiastically embracing pop culture as an integral part of the quotidian, and reading poetry. June Jordan is their favorite poet.
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Board Member

JP Przewoznik   ​

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JP Przewoznik, MSW(she/her/hers, or anything respectfully), is a trainer, technical assistance provider, practitioner and program evaluator with over 20 years of experience working with and within LGBTQ+ and women’s communities. She is currently the Director of Prevention and Evaluation at the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) where she provides training and technical assistance to rape crisis centers and college campuses working on sexual violence prevention efforts, co-chairs the NC Campus Consortium, and is NC’s technical assistance provider for CDC’s Rape Prevention Education (RPE) Program. JP is on the Board of Directors for Safe Schools NC and is on the National Leadership Team for Force: Upsetting Rape Culture. JP is also the founder of Switchback Consulting, a firm that supports professional and institutional growth in the areas of program design and evaluation, strategic planning, and LGBTQ+-affirming practice. She lives happily in Durham, NC, with wonderful friends, an incredible partner, and many fur babies. In her spare time you can find JP very unironically listening to The Boss’s Born in the USA on vinyl.

Board Member

Alex Barker

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Alex Barker (they/ them) works with NC State University coordinating the 4-H Life Skills program focused on supporting students within Hoke County. Prior to their current role, Alex developed a youth peer support program in West Virginia and focused efforts on LGBTQ youths’ support needs. Alex holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work and has experience working within rural communities and implementing youth and young adult voices. Alex is passionate about creating environments that support youth and young adults in reaching their goals.​

Board Member

Emily Sepulveda

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Emily Sepulveda (she/her) moved to Raleigh from New York City in late 2014 and is currently working within the Wake County Public School System as a Data Manager and provides interpreting services for Spanish-speaking families at a Middle School. Prior to working for WCPSS, she spent 5 years in the non-profit sector providing employment resources for individuals facing challenges through disabilities. Growing up LGBTQ+, she understands the importance of supportive staff members and educators in order to better serve students and their families.

She is passionate about social justice and believes that we must be intentional about creating a safe and inclusive culture in schools and all businesses. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with friends, movie marathons, taking a class at Colors of Yoga, and creating monthly music playlists. ​

Board Member

Dana M. Stachowiak

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Dana M. Stachowiak (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Women’s Studies Program and Resource Center at The University of North Carolina Wilmington. Prior to her tenure at UNCW, she was a classroom teacher and literacy coach at both the elementary and middle schools. Dana researches, writes, and speaks on topics of gender justice, supporting trans students and faculty, and creating equitable curriculum.

​Dana is the founder and curator for Queer[ed] Storyscapes, an ongoing project providing space for LGBTQ people to learn about and share their experiences of being queer in Wilmington, through art and expression. She also serves as the Vice-Chair of the National Council for Teachers of English’s Genders and Sexualities Equity Alliance, an assembly that provides a forum for ongoing and sustained discussion among all individuals who share a professional commitment to LGBTQ students, teachers, issues, and academic materials as they pertain to the teaching of English at all levels of instruction.

Board Member

David Balmer   ​

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David Balmer (he/him) has been in public education for seven years and currently serves as an Instructional Technology Specialist at Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School in Wake County, North Carolina.  David also serves as GSA Advisor at Southeast. David earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Appalachian State University in History, Secondary Education and  a Master of Education in Digital Learning & Teaching from North Carolina State University.
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David strongly believes in the power of the human story and that every student has the right to live out their story on their own terms. His passion is to encourage students to find their place in history and live boldly no matter their sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, race, socioeconomic background, religion or place in life. David also encourages LGBT Educators to live proudly and go where you are celebrated, not just tolerated because you can make the difference in the life of students you may never even know about.

David loves to travel the globe, hang out with friends and family,  watching whatever the new Netflix Original Series is with his partner, Ryan, and being a cat dad to a spoiled rotten cat named Miss Lucy. You can connect with David by following him on twitter @davidlbalmer or by visiting  www.synergyined.com

Board Member

Mecia Torrah Moore

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Mecia Torrah Moore (she/her) is currently in her sixth year in education and second year as a Multi-Classroom Leader in Greensboro, NC. She received her BA in Political Science in 2012 from Johnson C. Smith University and her Masters in Public Administration from George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government in 2014. She is an alumna of the Teach For America Eastern North Carolina 2014 Corps. Mecia has a passion for education reform. She was selected as one of Northampton County's Beginning Teachers of the Year for the 2015-2016 academic year.

In addition to her work inside the classroom, she has recently served as a Project Officer for the Eastern North Carolina STEM program. The program is dedicated to providing enriching summer experiences grounded in STEM and leadership development to high school students living in economically disadvantaged communities in rural North Carolina.

She believes that everyone should be granted an equal opportunity to receive an equitable education. One day she hopes to work as an education consultant focusing on instructional design. ​

Board Member

Kelly J. Barber-Lester

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Kelly J. Barber-Lester, PhD, is a mother, a teacher, and a scholar. She has recently completed her doctorate in Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She grew up in Statesville, NC and is a proud product of North Carolina’s public schools from kindergarten to PhD. Before going to graduate school, Kelly taught upper elementary grades 3-5 in Connecticut and North Carolina. Her experience in the classroom helped her understand more deeply the ways in which our systems of education are inequitable and oppressive. Kelly’s scholarship is focused on the pursuit of educational and social equity. In her dissertation research, she sought to understand the types of experiences that shaped White teachers in coming to think in critically conscious ways about their work and the world.

​Kelly lives in Durham, NC, with her partner, their three awesome kiddos, and their dog, Shamus. In her free time, Kelly likes to be outside (reading, cycling, hiking, swimming) and to go treasure hunting at yard sales and thrift shops. She also loves water slides.

Board Member

Michelle Falter

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Michelle Falter, PhD (she/her/hers) is currently an Assistant Professor of English Education and Literacy in the Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences at North Carolina State University, in Raleigh, NC. Previously, Michelle worked as a middle and high school English teacher both in Wisconsin, and abroad in Germany and the Dominican Republic, and also as a high school instructional coach in Georgia. Her research, teaching, and scholarship demonstrate a deep commitment to diversity and social justice, helping English language arts and literacy educators’ co-construct knowledge with their students using critical, feminist, and dialogical teaching practices.
 
At the heart of her work as a scholar and teacher is advocacy and allyship for and with teachers and students. She works to prepare teachers to be inclusive of all students in their classes and demand equity and justice for the betterment of students. Michelle is currently also a member of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Committee Against Racism and Bias in the Teaching of English and has written numerous published articles about how to include, advocate for, and support LGBTQ content and students in the classroom. In her free time, Michelle loves to spend time with her two kittens, George and Lennie, and read as many Young Adult texts she can get her hands on. You can connect with Michelle on twitter @MFalterPhD.

Board Member

Mary Alicia Lyons

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Mary Alicia Lyons (she, her, hers) has been a North Carolina public school teacher for 27 years. Having come to the Triangle region to attend UNC-Chapel Hill as a Teaching Fellow, where she earned a BA in Elementary Education, a BS in Psychology and an MEd in Reading, she settled down in Durham for the long haul. She is currently an instructional coach at Morris Grove Elementary (Go Geckos!) in Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. She is passionate about all things reading and her new favorite picture books are “Sparkle Boy” and “Pink is for Boys, Blue is for Girls”.

Mary Alicia has long been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She previously served on the Lesbian Health Resource Center’s board and founded Triangle Families, a group for LGBTQ+ families in the Triangle region. When not knee deep in work or advocacy, she enjoys hanging out with her partner and kid, going to movies, reading, playing board games and fostering kittens. Mary Alicia is excited to be a part of the Safe Schools NC board and to have the opportunity to advocate for LBGTQ+ students and educators statewide.
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Board Member

Kristy Lowther

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Kristy Lowther (she/her) currently works at RTI International as the Program Manager for Diversity & Inclusion. She oversees the Employee Resource Group (ERG) Program and is a founding Co-Chair for the Pride (LGBTQ and Allies) ERG. As a member of the LGBTQ community and a mother of two young kids, Kristy is dedicated to creating inclusive schools and promoting equity for all. In addition, Kristy is a strong advocate for women’s sexual empowerment. She holds a Master’s in Social Work and Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Board Member

Stephen Schloss

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Stephen’s (he/him/his) work focuses on empowering students to discover their authentic voice to advocate for themselves. He works in Durham, NC where he taught students with autism, and emotional, behavioral-related disabilities. He is now a district-level Instructional Specialist with the Exceptional Children's Department. Stephen’s experiences as an LGBT student and now professional led him to work as a an advocate for all students who are on our schools’ fringes. Stephen most recently earned a Master of School Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Additionally, he also holds an M.S.Ed. in Special Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. Stephen lives in Durham, NC with his husband, Jamie, and their dog Cleo and cat Riff. In his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with friends, exercising/running, or binge watching reality TV with Jamie.