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2022-23 PTO Board Members

Principal: Jaime Tecza

Greetings J.V. Washam Family and visitors. Welcome to the 2022-2023 school year!! My name is Jaime Tecza, pronounced "Teska," and I am the proud principal of J.V. Washam Elementary. A little bit about myself, the 22-23 school year will be my 6th year at Washam and 9th as a principal with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In 2000, I moved from Erie, PA to begin my teaching career at Blythe Elementary. I was a fourth and fifth grade teacher for 7 years before earning a fellowship called the North Carolina Principal Fellowship award. This allowed me to go back to school fulltime to learn how to be a school administrator. During my final year of earning my administrative degree, I worked at Bradley Middle as the 6th grade administrator/Principal Intern from 2007-2008. Upon graduating from UNC Charlotte with my Masters of School Administration, I was hired as the Dean of Students at Davidson IB Middle School and served in that position from 2008-2010. I then moved to Cabarrus County where I worked for four years as both the Assistant Principal and Assistant Principal of Instruction at Boger Elementary and Irvin Elementary, respectively. My last role was at University Park Creative Arts where I served as the proud principal for 3 years. I am lucky husband of Cathy, who is a Talent Development Teacher in CMS, and the proud father of Emmie (13) Nicole (10), Ben (6) and fur baby, Ripley (1). Needless to say, most of my free time is spent with my kids and I wouldn't have it any other way. When I can find the time, I love to golf, hike, and watch any Pittsburgh sports. I look forward to working with you all to continue making J.V. Washam Elementary a top school in North Carolina.
Please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Co-President: Erin Houser

Erin has a daughter in the 5th grade at J.V. Washam, and a son in 7th grade at Bailey Middle School. This is her seventh year serving on the the PTO board. She has been heavily involved at J.V. Washam, serving as Room Parent, Chair of Book Room and the Media Center and Co-Chair of Friday Folders. She has also served on the SLT over the last four years. Erin attended The University of North Carolina at Charlotte where she received her Bachelors Degree in Nursing. She works in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care and Open Heart Recovery at Atrium Health Cabarrus. Erin is excited about continuing to serve on the PTO board. She is proud to be a part of this amazing school and its community.

Co-President: Kasey Tanner

Kasey has twins, a son and a daughter in the fourth grade at JV Washam. She is a Lake Norman native, raised in Denver, NC. She received a Bachelor's degree from Appalachian State University and a Master's degree from UNCC. Kasey worked as a teacher for Lincoln County schools for 11 years before quitting to be a stay at home mom. She is very excited about continuing to serve on the PTO Board and is looking forward to another great year at J.V. Washam.

Co-VP of Fundraising: Emily Bixler

My name is Emily Bixler, I have a son in the 5th grade and a daughter in 2nd grade. I am originally from Chicago but grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida. I attended Florida Atlantic University before moving to North Carolina in 2001 . My husband and I landed in the Cornelius area , before moving to the Davidson/Concord area in 2017. My son attended Odell Primary where I volunteered for holiday parties and helped in the classrooms when needed. We moved back to Cornelius last September and have really enjoyed our time at JV Washam! I am really looking forward to serving on the PTO this year!

Co-VP of Fundraising: Kori Garrison

Kori has two daughters, a fourth and first grader at J.V. Washam. This will be her second year serving on the PTO Board. In previous years she was Co-Chair of Terrific Kids, Fall Festival and a room parent at J.V. Washam. Kori attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, New Jersey, where she studied psychology. She moved from New Jersey to North Carolina with her now husband 15 years ago and settled down in the Lake Norman area. Kori has over 15 years of experience working in the insurance world. She is currently working full time at a startup company called Independent Property Casualty Group. She is excited to serve another year as Co-VP of Fundraising and continuing to volunteer at J.V. Washam.

Co-VP of Volunteers: Deedra Grandelli

Deedra has a son who will be in first grade this year and a daughter who will be a future Hawk. She is originally from the Philadelphia area but moved down to North Carolina last year with her husband and children. (She still misses the cold though). She graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelors of Art and went on to University of the Arts to earn a degree in photography. She currently works as a family and wedding photographer.

This is her first year serving on the PTO Board and is truly excited to be a part of the community.

Co-VP of Volunteers: Melissa McLeod

Melissa has a son who is starting 6th grade at Bailey and a daughter who is going to be a 3rd grader at Washam. She has lived in the Lake Norman area for the past 17 years, moving to the area after receiving her Bachelors at East Carolina University. Melissa grew up in Pennsylvania and Connecticut but North Carolina is where she calls home. She spent several years in sales before deciding to be a stay at home mom shortly after her daughter was born. Melissa has been on several committees and a room parent every year her children have been at Washam, this is her first year on the board. She is looking forward to another great year at Washam!

Co-VP of Communications: Jen Hendrickson

Jen has two children at J.V. Washam, a daughter in 5th grade and a daughter in 2nd Grade. This is her 3rd year serving on the PTO Board, and has previously enjoyed volunteering her time in many Washam activities including Book Fair, Field Day, Friday Folders and Holiday Shop. Jen is a Midwest girl, born in Indiana and a graduate from Purdue University. She is a stay at home mom and very excited to continue to serve on the J.V. Washam PTO Board.

Co-VP of Communications: Adriane Ovcharenko

Adriane has two sons; one a second grader at Washam, and the other a four year old future Hawk! Adriane was born and raised in Florida. She attended Florida State University and received her Juris Doctorate at Stetson University College of Law. Adriane left her legal career in Florida and has been a stay at home mom since moving to North Carolina. She is very excited about joining the PTO this year and looking forward to being a part of J.V. Washam’s continued success!

Secretary: Eileen Starman

Eileen has 2 sons, a 7th grader at Bailey Middle and a 4th grader at J.V. Washam. This is her second year on the PTO board, but has been involved at Washam, serving as Room Parent and chair for the PTO bulletin Board. Eileen grew up in the mountains of North Carolina and has been in the Lake Norman area for the last 17 years. Eileen graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information System. Eileen currently has over 30 years of experience working in the Medical Billing/Insurance field and has been a Special Project Liaison at AmeriSource Bergen for the last 19 years.

Treasurer: Christy Clarke

Christy’s son, Finn is a second grader at JV Washam. She also has a three year old, Charlotte, and one year old, Reid. She is originally from the St Louis area but has lived in the Charlotte area for over ten years. She graduated with her Bachelors of Science in Finance and Banking from the University of Missouri and went on to earn her Masters of Science in Accountancy from Gardner-Webb University. She currently works as a CPA in public accounting at a local firm.

This will be her second year serving on the PTO Board.

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