Jill Dejak, M.Ed., Associate/AOGPE – Principal and Reading Specialist
Jill graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Special Education. She completed her Master’s in reading education from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke in 2003. She opened a reading clinic specific to children with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities in 2004. She is level certified in Wilson Reading Systems, a multi-sensory reading program for children with dyslexia and has recently completed her Certified Level certification in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. In 2009, she and her husband founded Longleaf Academy. In addition to her responsibilities as the head of schools, Jill also supervises and coordinates the reading therapy program at Longleaf Academy.
Feel free to contact Jill via email at jdejak@longleafacademy.com.
Jennifer Watson – Director of Students
Jennifer has been working with children and adolescents with dyslexia since 2004 and has personal experience with language-based learning disabilities. As a founding teacher associate of Longleaf Academy, Jennifer has a vast background in education, ranging from pre-school to high school. She is level certified in Wilson Reading Systems, and is extensively trained in both the basic and morphemic (advanced) levels in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. In addition to teaching advanced language classes, comprehension, and art education, Jennifer also coordinates and supervises the school’s literature program.
Nancy Nuckols – Teacher Associate and Reading Tutor
Mrs. Nuckols graduated from Ferrum College in Virginia in 1982 with an Associate’s degree in music and a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Psychological Studies in Child Development. In 1988, she became a certified Montessori educator. After directing a preschool program for more than 15 years, Nancy received her Associate Level certification in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. In addition to being a founding teacher associate, Nancy supervises language clinical classes and Summer Academy.
Theresa Beauchamp – Teacher Associate and Reading Tutor
Theresa received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Social Work in 1993 and is working toward her Master’s degree in Special Education. Mrs. Beauchamp has also completed her Associate Level training in Orton-Gillingham Approach. Theresa teaches basic level language classes and comprehension and is a content area coordinator.
Janet Hopson - Teacher Associate and Reading Tutor
Janet is a graduate of Barton College in Wilson, NC. She has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Music Education and a Master’s of Divinity in music from Southeastern Baptist Seminary. Ms. Hopson is NC certified in math, social studies and science. She is completing her Associate level certification in the Orton-Gillingham Approach. Janet coordinates the history program in addition to teaching basic level language classes, math and music.
Lesley McKay – Reading Tutor and Teaching Assistant
Lesley has 15 years’ experience in working with children with language-based learning disabilities. She holds certification and training in The Augustine Project, a Wilson Reading program and has recently completed her training in the Orton-Gillingham Approach.
Sarah Casey - Teacher Associate and Reading Tutor
Sarah is a graduate from Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Philosophy and double minors in Spanish and Communications. She received Orton- Gillingham Training in 2012. Sarah teaches Language Arts and Math levels 1-3, and Science and History to levels 1-4. She is currently pursuing her Associate Level Orton Gillingham Certification, as well as certification Science. She takes a hand – on approach teaching children and thoroughly enjoys watching the children be up to their elbows in messy curiosity in Science.
Robin Stouffer – Math Teacher
Robin is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in Accounting. Robin has multi-sensory math training and focuses on the student’s present level of performance. Robin currently teaches pre-algebra and algebra to seventh and eighth grade students. She is a wife and mother of two children.
Heather Lycans - Math Teacher
Heather is a graduate of Averett University with a degree in Elementary Education and holds a North Carolina professional teaching licensure. She taught full time kindergarten and third grade for 11 years before having her daughter, Lucy. Since then, she has been working part time at Longleaf in the math department. Heather provides each of her students with individualized instruction, in conjunction with the Saxon Math program.
Candy Newhouse – Administrative Assistant
Candy is a graduate from Georgia College & State University with a Bachelor's of Arts in Information Systems & Communications. She has successfully managed a restaurant for an Atlanta based chain where she was assigned to train new management staff. After marriage to a wonderful military man and starting a family, she opened a DOD licensed developmental home based childcare business. Candy has been working with children since 2002. After military retirement to North Carolina, she has worked as a teacher assistant at 2 local Christian pre-schools. She has a child with Asperger’s Syndrome that attends Longleaf Academy.
