R2 Littles Team

Melissa Kramer is a Technology and Learning Coach at Lake Carolina Elementary Lower Campus in Richland School District Two. Melissa is certified in Early Childhood Education with a Masters in Technology in Education. She works with Preschool - 2 grade teachers to incorporate technology into classrooms. She has enjoyed being a TLC the past five years because of the direct contact with students and teachers. She loves watching the excitement as students and teachers gain more knowledge and confidence with various tech tools. Melissa has presented at both state and national conferences including SC Midlands Summit and ISTE in 2017 and 2018, she is also an Innovations Ambassador in Richland School District Two.

Denise Duke is currently the Technology and Learning Coach at Forest Lake Elementary in Richland School District Two. Denise has been an educator for 28 years and has worked to increase both students’ and teachers’ knowledge of technology in the classroom. She is on the R2 Innovation STEM U Team, Richland 2 Innovation Ambassador, a member of the Space Educator Expedition Crew out of Houston, Texas, and a member of the NASA eClips Advisory Board. Denise has presented at several national conferences including the NSTA, Magnet Schools of America, ISTE STEM Playground, Space Exploration Educator Conference, Midlands Summit, and various other state and district conferences.

Dana DuPre is in her second year Technology and Learning Coach in Richland Two. Prior to this, she taught in grades 3 and 4 for 10 years. During her time in the classroom, she became increasingly passionate about the use of technology to bring her instruction to the next level. This passion lead her to pursue a technology coaching position. She has enjoyed working with both teachers and kids to spread that love and excitement of learning using technology. Besides her love of technology and teaching, Dana is a wife, a mother of 2 humans (& multiple animals), a crafter, a creator, and a believer in being just a little “extra.”

Kasandra Haskins is the youngest member of her coaching cohort. She is in her second year as a Technology and Learning Coach in Richland School District Two. Prior to becoming a TLC she taught second grade for five years at an urban Title1 Elementary School, taught third grade for one year at another school within the same district, and acted as a coordinator and lead teacher for an after-school program for homeless and at-risk students in grades K-2. Her experience and passion for primary education has given her a unique understanding of what little learners need, the greatness that they are capable of, as well as a realistic approach for the teacher.

Nikki Goode is the Technology and Learning Coach at Langford Elementary in Richland School District Two where she is currently in her 18th year of public education. She was an early childhood classroom teacher for twelve years before stepping into the Coaching role. During her years in the classroom, Nikki was amazed and inspired by the creativity and risk-taking personalities of her Littles. Her passion is discovering new ways to incorporate technology in students' learning and guiding teachers to integrate technology in their instruction. Nikki has presented at several national and state level conferences including ISTE, ISTE Edtech Coach’s Webinar Series, SC EdTech, SC Assistive Technology Conference, Midlands Summit, and Newberry College’s RETAIN Tech Conference.

Tia Meekins has been an educator in Richland School District Two for 28 years. She taught fourth and fifth grade for fifteen years. It was during this time that she was selected to teach in the “Classroom of the Future”, the district’s first 1:1 demonstration site for technology integration. Her determination to exceed district expectations as well as prepare her students for the 21st century led her to pursue a Master’s Degree in Technology Education. Currently, she is in her thirteenth year as a Technology and Learning Coach where she has the opportunity to coach teachers and impact all K-5 learners. Tia has presented at state and national conferences including ISTE and Midlands Summit.