Future Leader
April Dunovant
Name: April Dunovant
Chapter: Beta Delta
Region: VII
DKG Member: 4 years
Educational Background: April graduated in 2011 with an undergraduate degree in secondary history education from North Carolina A&T University. She received a graduate degree in 2016 from North Carolina A&T University. April has also received special training with the Canvas Online Learning Platform.
Bio: April has been the social studies teacher for twelve years at the Middle College of UNC-G for the Guilford County Schools. She has been the Student Council advisor. April has been teaching African American History for six years for the North Carolina Virtual Public Schools. Currently April is the co-president of Beta Delta Chapter. For the past two years she has been the editor of their chapter newsletter. April is also on the Archives Committee. In the spring of 2022 April attended the Asheville NCDKG Convention and won the Rising Star Award for Region VII. She has won Teacher of the Year for the Middle College of Guilford County for the 2016-2017 school year and for the 2021-2022 school year. In the spring of 2022 April was selected as one of the Top Ten Guilford County School Teachers. For the past five years April has been one of the group leaders for Education First Tours. This is a global traveling organization which has focused on student travel to Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rico, and Panama.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “Anything that is helping education, I want to be a part of. Education has helped me grow and experience new things. I want to be a part of an organization that supports teachers and children.”
Chapter: Beta Delta
Region: VII
DKG Member: 4 years
Educational Background: April graduated in 2011 with an undergraduate degree in secondary history education from North Carolina A&T University. She received a graduate degree in 2016 from North Carolina A&T University. April has also received special training with the Canvas Online Learning Platform.
Bio: April has been the social studies teacher for twelve years at the Middle College of UNC-G for the Guilford County Schools. She has been the Student Council advisor. April has been teaching African American History for six years for the North Carolina Virtual Public Schools. Currently April is the co-president of Beta Delta Chapter. For the past two years she has been the editor of their chapter newsletter. April is also on the Archives Committee. In the spring of 2022 April attended the Asheville NCDKG Convention and won the Rising Star Award for Region VII. She has won Teacher of the Year for the Middle College of Guilford County for the 2016-2017 school year and for the 2021-2022 school year. In the spring of 2022 April was selected as one of the Top Ten Guilford County School Teachers. For the past five years April has been one of the group leaders for Education First Tours. This is a global traveling organization which has focused on student travel to Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Costa Rico, and Panama.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “Anything that is helping education, I want to be a part of. Education has helped me grow and experience new things. I want to be a part of an organization that supports teachers and children.”
Archive-Future Leader
Tracey Reason
Name: Tracey Reason
Chapter: Beta Upsilon
Region: I
DKG Member: 4 years
Tracey Reason continues to increase her leadership opportunities and contributions within our chapter. She began her membership by being part of a team, working to encourage beginning teachers in Martin County. For the past three years, she has served as our Education Law & Policy chairman; being very prompt in providing information through the Chit Chat, the chapter newsletter, and meetings. She currently serves as the 2nd vice president. Last year, she was awarded a NC DKG Education Foundation grant for funds for her classroom. She eagerly participants in face-to-face and virtual meetings and activities, including a presentation on grant writing, and two virtual activities to strengthen membership involvement for our Beta Upsilon Chapter.
Tracey was instrumental in developing the “Essentials for Education” community service project for our chapter. She commented that many children lack personal hygiene items, especially girls, in our schools. As a result, she is a co-chair for this program in our chapter and collects items from our members and oversees the deliveries of these items to school counselors.
Educational Background: Tracey attended Barton College from Fall 1990-Spring 1994 and received a BS in Elementary Education with a concentration in math (certified K-6).
In the early 2000s, she participated in the NC-PIMS program and taught
science professional development workshops to elementary teachers in Martin County Schools. In 2020, she presented professional development workshops on expository writing to the staff at her school. The program was called: “Write From the Beginning...and Beyond: Expository.” She has served as a mentor teacher in the past and currently. She has had numerous interns from ECU, Martin Community College, and Riverside High School working in her classroom. She also had a clinical teacher from ECU to work with her in her classroom.
Bio: Tracey received the Rising Star Award for 2022. As Second Vice President, she chaired the Education Law and Policy Committee and the Essentials for Education Committee. She is involved as children's church coordinator, Christian Education Department board member, and choir member at Bethany Pentecostal Holiness Church. She is past president of Riverside High School Band Boosters. She is a parent representative on the School Improvement Team at Riverside High School.
During the past eleven years, you could find her helping backstage or performing with the Martin Community Players after a day of teaching. She is also a board member of the Martin Community Players. She and her husband have organized seven different trips with students and parents, mostly abroad trips. She works with the Martin County Student Exchange Program as a sponsor to Germany and serves as one of the coordinators of the program.
She demonstrates leadership skills through her involvement in our chapter and her involvement in education.
One of the major leadership strengths that she has is her willingness to step forward and take on leadership responsibilities.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “Through Delta Kappa Gamma, I feel motivated to further promote educational excellence and the empowerment of women educators in my community and throughout the world.”
Michelle Taylor Benigno
Name: Michelle Taylor Benigno
Chapter: Alpha Phi
Region: XI
DKG Member: 11 years
Education and Profession
2010
National Board Recertification Adolescent and Young Adult Science/Biology
2004 – 2006
Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
M.A. Educational Media/Instructional Technology- Graduated Summa cum Laude
2001
National Board Certification Adolescent and Young Adult Science/Biology
1991 – 1995
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC B.S. Science Education and B.S. Biological Sciences
Minor Botany- Graduated Magna cum Laude
1989 – 1991
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
About: Michelle Benigno is a natural leader. The joy she brings though her uplifting remarks, brings light into each member’s life. Her advice is always sound. She is most definitely solution-oriented.
Leadership and Community Service: Chapter President, State Scholarship Committee Chair, Director of the Mountain Office of The Science House of NCSU, Former Curriculum Director, Former Instructional Coach, STEM Specialist
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “NCDKG lured me in with the amazing women like Teresa Cowan and Bonnie Golden. How could I not want to grow professionally and personally with the support of other amazing women with a passion for education?”
Name: Michelle Taylor Benigno
Chapter: Alpha Phi
Region: XI
DKG Member: 11 years
Education and Profession
2010
National Board Recertification Adolescent and Young Adult Science/Biology
2004 – 2006
Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
M.A. Educational Media/Instructional Technology- Graduated Summa cum Laude
2001
National Board Certification Adolescent and Young Adult Science/Biology
1991 – 1995
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC B.S. Science Education and B.S. Biological Sciences
Minor Botany- Graduated Magna cum Laude
1989 – 1991
North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics
About: Michelle Benigno is a natural leader. The joy she brings though her uplifting remarks, brings light into each member’s life. Her advice is always sound. She is most definitely solution-oriented.
Leadership and Community Service: Chapter President, State Scholarship Committee Chair, Director of the Mountain Office of The Science House of NCSU, Former Curriculum Director, Former Instructional Coach, STEM Specialist
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “NCDKG lured me in with the amazing women like Teresa Cowan and Bonnie Golden. How could I not want to grow professionally and personally with the support of other amazing women with a passion for education?”
Wendy Bryant Motley
Name: Wendy Bryant Motley
Chapter: Delta Rho
Region: VI
DKG Member: 9 years
Education and Profession
B. A. Arts Education Averett University, Danville, Virginia;
M. Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, Averett University, Danville, Virginia;
M. Ed. School Administration Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations, UNC Greensboro;
National Board Certification (2013-2023) (early childhood –middle school)
Honors Wendy has received in education include NC Arts Educator Visual Arts Educator of the Year, Broadway Teacher of the Year, Lee County Teacher of the Year, and West Lee Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Leadership and Community Service: Wendy has been a member of Delta Rho for 9 years. She has served as chapter President and is currently serving as chair of the Beginning Teacher Support Committee. In 2018, Wendy was chosen as the NC DKG Rising Star recipient and received the NC DKG Master’s Scholarship. She has served on the State Scholarship Committee and is currently serving on the Membership Committee. Her DKG photograph and poem were accepted into the DKG Fine Arts Gallery in 2020. Wendy initiated the Art Ambassador Program in Lee County. She collaborated with Downtown Sanford, Inc. to assist in planning and implementing “Arts in the Alley.” Wendy is a graduate of Leadership Sanford, a program sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, Sanford, NC.
Quote why she accepted membership in DKG: I am humbled and honored that you are nominating me for this honor. I needed a professional community of like-minded educators. What I did not know is that my membership included a sisterhood that far exceeded my expectations.
Rhonda Wooten
Name: Rhonda Wooten
Chapter: Upsilon
Region: IV
DKG Member: 4 years
About: Rhonda is a US Marine Corps wife and was a US Army Reservist for 12 years herself. Rhonda is current Co-President, Membership/Nomination Chair, Committee Member for Grant-in-Aid Committee for Upsilon Chapter. She is President of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc and Mu Lambda–Zeta Chapter; a member of Little Zion AME Zion Church where she serves on the Women’s Day Committee and the Friends and Family Committee. Rhonda has a BA in Communication and English, MA in English, and EdD in Education. While working on her EdD, her sister was deployed to Afghanistan and Rhonda took the responsibility of caring for her sister’s two children as well as her own two children. She helped set up a fundraiser for our chapter that was profitable for us. She created accounts for every member of Upsilon and then helped them sign into their accounts. Rhonda showed them how to invite friends and family to participate. She stepped up in March and agreed to be a Co-President of our chapter when our 1st Vice President was hesitant to take on the role of President. Rhonda is a real “go-getter” and is such a positive asset to Upsilon.
Dr. Rachel Clarke
Name: Dr. Rachel Clarke
Chapter: Alpha Zeta
Region: VIII
DKG Member: 9 years
Educational Background: Bachelor of Music Education at Winthrop College, 1992, Master of Music Education at Winthrop University, 1994 and Doctor of Education at Gardner-Webb University, 2009
About: Rachel joined Alpha Zeta Chapter nine years ago and has served as chair of several committees including EEC, Educational Law and Policy, and Scholarship. She has served as Vice-President and was recently installed as President of Alpha Zeta and attended her first NC DKG convention this year. On the education front, she has many notches to add to her belt as she was elected state president of NCPAPA (North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principals Association in 2019 and served as NC’s representative to NAESP (National Association of Elementary School Principals) for three years advocating for educational issues with elected congressmen in Washington, DC each year. She was selected as one of 11 educators nationwide to participate in the 2013-14 Brazil Educational Seminar Program sponsored by the US Department of State. As a part of this program, she taught workshops in Alagoas, Brasilia and Porto Velho. While principal at Kensington Elementary, the school was one of 18 schools nationwide to be recognized as a “21st Century Learning Exemplar School”. Rachel currently serves as a board member for “Children Connecting the World”, a non-profit committed to create positive relationships and diversity unification through cultural education.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “DKG’s mission of “promoting professional and personal growth of women educators and excellence in education” spoke to me. As educators, we are continually learning and wanting to build networks of colleagues to learn with and from. For me, our chapter of DKG is a nurturing and welcoming chapter, filled with opportunities to learn and share. The ladies of my chapter are dedicated to this vision, and we all work collaboratively together to help each other grow and to support others in education.”
Tiffany Long
Name: Tiffany Long
Chapter: Gamma Eta
Region: III
DKG Member: 5 years
Educational Background: Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada - BA in English
D'Youville College, Buffalo, New York - MA in Education
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina- MA in Administration
About: Tiffany began her career in administration this year by serving as an assistant principal at Smithfield Selma High School. She enjoys working with students to promote their academic success. Last year she was an intern at Neuse River Middle School where she learned how to navigate middle school in a pandemic and support teachers with online learning/teaching. Two years ago, she left the classroom after acceptance into NC Principal Fellows Cohort 26 to help serve students. Previously she taught English at Broughton High School for 5 years.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: Tiffany accepted membership into DKG to give back to her community. She believes in the mission and vision of DKG and wants to support teachers. As a service leader, she tries to be compassionate and have high expectations for all students.
Name: Tiffany Long
Chapter: Gamma Eta
Region: III
DKG Member: 5 years
Educational Background: Wilfrid Laurier University, Ontario, Canada - BA in English
D'Youville College, Buffalo, New York - MA in Education
North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina- MA in Administration
About: Tiffany began her career in administration this year by serving as an assistant principal at Smithfield Selma High School. She enjoys working with students to promote their academic success. Last year she was an intern at Neuse River Middle School where she learned how to navigate middle school in a pandemic and support teachers with online learning/teaching. Two years ago, she left the classroom after acceptance into NC Principal Fellows Cohort 26 to help serve students. Previously she taught English at Broughton High School for 5 years.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: Tiffany accepted membership into DKG to give back to her community. She believes in the mission and vision of DKG and wants to support teachers. As a service leader, she tries to be compassionate and have high expectations for all students.
Mandy Taylor
Name: Mandy Taylor
Chapter: Gamma Delta
Region: IX
DKG Member: 6 years
About: Dr. Mandy Taylor, a member for six years is the current President of Gamma Delta Chapter. Mandy currently is the Senior Content Specialist at NCCAT. She has presented for NC DKG, Western RESA, State and National Conferences and Conventions. She serves on the NC DKG committee for Education Law and Policy. Mandy is also a contributing author to several articles published in Science Education.
Chapter: Gamma Delta
Region: IX
DKG Member: 6 years
About: Dr. Mandy Taylor, a member for six years is the current President of Gamma Delta Chapter. Mandy currently is the Senior Content Specialist at NCCAT. She has presented for NC DKG, Western RESA, State and National Conferences and Conventions. She serves on the NC DKG committee for Education Law and Policy. Mandy is also a contributing author to several articles published in Science Education.
Robin Laws
Name: Robin Laws
Chapter: Beta Kappa
Region: V
DKG Member: 2 years
Educational Background: Robin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education at Greensboro College.
About: Robin has been a very active member of Beta Kappa Chapter. She has only been a member for two years; however she is serving as a committee member and committee chairman. When there was a need in her chapter, Robin graciously accepted the role of chapter treasurer, even though she had been a member for only one year. She has a genuine interest in learning more about the Society and serving NC DKG beyond the chapter level. Robin wants to work on state-level committees and eventually in advanced leadership positions. She is known for always taking the initiative to help others. Robin attends chapter and state events. She lends her expertise in event planning and fundraising to bring new ideas to the chapter. Robin wants these chapter events to build a stronger connection with the community, especially local schools.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: Robin accepted the invitation to join NC DKG because it is an opportunity to give back to women educators and support them worldwide. She appreciates the opportunity to be a part of an organization that contributes to the growth and development of women educators.
Chapter: Beta Kappa
Region: V
DKG Member: 2 years
Educational Background: Robin earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education at Greensboro College.
About: Robin has been a very active member of Beta Kappa Chapter. She has only been a member for two years; however she is serving as a committee member and committee chairman. When there was a need in her chapter, Robin graciously accepted the role of chapter treasurer, even though she had been a member for only one year. She has a genuine interest in learning more about the Society and serving NC DKG beyond the chapter level. Robin wants to work on state-level committees and eventually in advanced leadership positions. She is known for always taking the initiative to help others. Robin attends chapter and state events. She lends her expertise in event planning and fundraising to bring new ideas to the chapter. Robin wants these chapter events to build a stronger connection with the community, especially local schools.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: Robin accepted the invitation to join NC DKG because it is an opportunity to give back to women educators and support them worldwide. She appreciates the opportunity to be a part of an organization that contributes to the growth and development of women educators.
June Merrill
Name: June H. Merrill
Chapter: Gamma Zeta
Region: II
DKG Member: 3 years
Educational Background: East Carolina University, B.S. in English (1963); East Carolina University, M.A. in English (1972)
About: Retired from teaching, June has plunged headfirst into DKG and embraced its purposes. In her short tenure with the organization, she has become actively involved and does whatever needs to be done, whether it be large or small – including filling in for the secretary by taking the minutes. She is the chapter’s newsletter editor and enjoys writing and editing newspaper article for the chapter along with the newsletter.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “I saw DKG as an opportunity to be part of a diverse sisterhood where I could connect with active educators as well as retired. I wanted to make some new friends that would mean something to me as I journey into my later years.”
Chapter: Gamma Zeta
Region: II
DKG Member: 3 years
Educational Background: East Carolina University, B.S. in English (1963); East Carolina University, M.A. in English (1972)
About: Retired from teaching, June has plunged headfirst into DKG and embraced its purposes. In her short tenure with the organization, she has become actively involved and does whatever needs to be done, whether it be large or small – including filling in for the secretary by taking the minutes. She is the chapter’s newsletter editor and enjoys writing and editing newspaper article for the chapter along with the newsletter.
Why she accepted membership into DKG: “I saw DKG as an opportunity to be part of a diverse sisterhood where I could connect with active educators as well as retired. I wanted to make some new friends that would mean something to me as I journey into my later years.”
Dee Snyder
Name: Dee Snyder
Chapter: Nu
Region: X
DKG Member: 11 years
Educational Background: UNC-Greensboro-BS- Home Economics; Appalachian State University-School Administration
Bio: Dee Snyder became a member of Nu Chapter-NC DKG in 2010. She immediately became involved in chapter activities. She has served on committees and is currently the Nu Chapter President. As a classroom teacher, Dee received her National Board Certification. Dee has attended conventions and has served as presenter, facilitated breakout sessions and participated as a convention volunteer. Dee is a positive, caring individual who has encouraged nurturing sisterhood in Nu Chapter. She was recently selected to serve on the NC DKG Educational Law and Policy Committee.
Chapter: Nu
Region: X
DKG Member: 11 years
Educational Background: UNC-Greensboro-BS- Home Economics; Appalachian State University-School Administration
Bio: Dee Snyder became a member of Nu Chapter-NC DKG in 2010. She immediately became involved in chapter activities. She has served on committees and is currently the Nu Chapter President. As a classroom teacher, Dee received her National Board Certification. Dee has attended conventions and has served as presenter, facilitated breakout sessions and participated as a convention volunteer. Dee is a positive, caring individual who has encouraged nurturing sisterhood in Nu Chapter. She was recently selected to serve on the NC DKG Educational Law and Policy Committee.
