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My name is Lori Smith, and this is my sixth year at New Dimensions Charter School. I have been teaching students with special needs in the classroom for the past seventeen years and have loved every minute of it! I am very excited to be the EC Coordinator here at New Dimensions for the 2024-2025 School Year.
I was raised in the mid-west and fell in love with teaching students who have special needs at a very young age. I started as a teacher's assistant at age nineteen and knew that this was a passion that I wanted to pursue. I worked my way through college while working full-time as an EC Teacher's Assistant and raising a family of three. I started my first teaching position at a small high school in rural Missouri in 2006, and worked there for 7 years.
In 2013, I moved to North Carolina and continued teaching EC classes at the elementary level for several years before I moved to Morganton in 2019. At that time, I was blessed to secure a teaching position at New Dimensions and have been here ever since. I love the students, families, and staff that make this school feel like home!
I have several hobbies that help make Morganton the perfect place to be. I love anything outdoors, including: waterfall hikes, camping, fishing, traveling, photography/videography and anything related to the history of the Appalachian Mountains. School breaks are a great time to spend traveling and visiting my children, grandchildren, extended family, and my friends.
I am looking forward to this school year as I continue to work with the students and families that I love so dearly, while carrying out this new role as EC Coordinator.
Hello! My name is Taylor McKee and I serve as the Middle School Exceptional Children’s Resource Teacher! I received both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Lenoir-Rhyne University, and this will be my 5th year at New Dimensions! My husband, our children, and I reside in Morganton, where we spend most of our time outside and traveling! I am passionate about creative learning accommodations and looking forward to another year at the BEST school!
Hello! My name is Ms. Chue. I graduated from Appalachian State University in 2016 with a degree in Elementary Education. I have been teaching for 5 years, and have loved every minute of it! I am excited to be a part of NDS! In my free time I love shopping, snuggles with my pups, and paddle boarding.
My name is Kristan Buchanan and I am currently in my seventh year of teaching. I served one of those years as a Behavior Specialist for Hickory City Schools. Prior to becoming a Behavior Specialist, I spent four years at Freedom High School in the Extend 1 classroom and one year at Mountain View Elementary School in the K-2 Self-Contained Classroom. I graduated from Western Carolina University where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education. I have a passion for working with students with a disability and I am blessed to continue pursuing my passion teaching at New Dimensions!
Kelly O'Toole, EC Self Contained Teacher
828.437.5753
828.437.2980 (Fax)
Info coming soon
Related Services Contacts:
Julia Johnson, Occupational Therapist
julia.johnson@ndschool.org
828.437.5753
828.437.5753 (FAX)
Julie has been a pediatric specialist in Occupational Therapy for over 30 years with an additional Master's Degree in Health Sciences/Neuroscience emphasis. She is a Kentucky native and completed graduate work in Indianapolis, but has made North Carolina her home for more than 25 years with her husband and two children . She has worked in a variety of hospital, school-based, outpatient/clinical, and residential facilities with experiences in orthopedics, neuro, developmental disabilities, and mental health services. It is her passion to help students with special needs participate successfully in their educational programs and use their personal strengths to help them succeed. She has worked in two countries, on two continents, multiple states, and many different school districts, but she loves it here at NDS!
Amber Hamby, Guidance Counselor
ahamby@ndschool.org
Devin Guidner, Guidance Counselor
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