Co-President

Having been part of the Voyager family since 2020, I have had the privilege of witnessing our educators' incredible dedication and talent, the vibrant spirit of our students, and the unwavering support of our parent community. As a mother of a 6th and 4th grader, I understand firsthand the joys and challenges of navigating the educational journey alongside our children.

I have been actively involved in various school activities, from hospitality luncheons, room parent, field trips, STEM day, field day, Spring Fling, and Fall Festival. I am eager to collaborate with fellow parents, teachers, and students to foster a supportive and enriching learning environment.

Currently, I am a stay-at-home mom with a part-time job as the Operations Manager at Craft & Drafts. I have honed my organizational skills and leadership abilities while managing daily operations and fostering positive relationships with customers and staff. This experience has given me valuable insights into effective team dynamics, resource management, and community engagement, which I am eager to share with the PTSO.

Co-President

We have been part of the Voyager Family since our daughter started Kindergarten in 2018. Our daughter is now in 7th, and our son is in 5th.

Throughout the years, I have been a room parent, helped with lunch coverage for our teachers, helped with teacher luncheons/breakfast, collected teacher gifts, field trips, and volunteered my time to any of the teachers who needed it. 

As the Co-President, I will work hard alongside our amazing PTSO team so that we can help our Voyager family continue to thrive!

deanna garland

VP of Communications, Secretary

Our family is fairly new to the Voyager family. My husband and I have a 3rd grader who started in kindergarten and a 6th grader who started last year. I joined the PTSO last year and volunteered whenever I got the chance. I have been a room parent, and I used to substitute often at Voyager. I began working as a Teacher Assistant for 2nd and 3rd grade, and I am currently a TA in Kindergarten. 

I really enjoy the family involvement of Voyager and connecting with the different families and staff members. Open communication between parents and staff is vital in maintaining a positive learning environment for everyone. I truly feel that Voyager does a great job in this area. I look forward to being a part of connecting and supporting our administration, staff, and families.

Co-VP of Viking Traditions 

My family and I have been Durham residents since 2019 and a Voyager family since 2023. My oldest daughter (Isabella Rose) is attending 3rd grade at Voyager and loves all things unicorns, rainbows, and numbers. My youngest is 4-year-old Lorenzo who's our dinosaur and book lover. During our time off you can find us either hiking a new trail, watching a soccer match, or road-tripping to our next adventure in a new state/city. 

I've had the pleasure of assisting our amazing Viking teachers and staff as co-room parent, chaperoning school trips, and now as co-VP of Viking Traditions to help keep our community engaged and connected!

I work full time as a licensed sales insurance agent mostly from home which allows me to be very involved with my daughter's school. I previously served on the PTA board as a Member-at-large at Sandy Ridge Elementary School where I led the Crayons-2-Calculators events, helped organize year-round events like the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, the Fun Run fundraiser, and translated flyers for our Latinx community.

I love bringing people together and couldn't be more excited for our Viking journey ahead!

Co-VP of Viking Traditions 

Amy is a parent to 2 current Voyager Academy high schoolers, Kai (Junior) and Miles (Freshman), as well as Voyager graduate, Mia (Class of 2024). Amy joins the Voyager PTSO Board after 14 years of volunteering in DPS and local charter schools. She has volunteered in classrooms and libraries, spent years as a class/grade parent, ran book fairs spearheaded school fundraisers, planned social events and spirit nights, delivered meals during Covid lockdown, and ran a local Girls on the Run program. Amy's involvement with Viking Traditions began with volunteering for high school luncheons and grade-specific committees. 

Kristy dunham

Co-Teacher Liaison

My name is Kristy Dunham. I have lived in Durham for 18 years. I have two boys who attend Voyager. Tanner (15) who is in 9th grade and Ian (12 )who is in 7th. I have worked in the education field for over 20 years. Seventeen of those years were with preschoolers the last four have been here at Voyager working as a 2nd grade teaching assistant and starting this year as an EC teaching assistant. I was teaching assistant of the year for the 22/23 school year and could not have been more honored. I love working with students and seeing the growth they make and how hard they work day in and day out.

Crissy WIlson

Co-Teacher Liaison

I have been a parent at Voyager for over 10 years.  The first five years I spent being a room parent and volunteering my time while finding ways to help around the school. It was then that I became eager to do more, so I became a full-time employee. I  currently work as the EC Teacher Assistant in the Elementary School and was awarded the TA of the Year in 2021.  I believe that you are happier when you have a purpose and passion in life. I strive to always bring a strong positive attitude, good communication to all teachers, parents and students.

As a member of the Voyager community, I have found that over communicating & providing a clear vision enhances success.  I would love to find ways to best support staff, administration, and Voyager families in my position.

Co-Apparel Liaison

Our family is in our second year at Voyager and we fell in love with the school and the Viking community immediately! My husband and I have a son in first grade and a younger daughter who will join him in a couple of years!  Since day 1 I have been as involved as I can be as a full-time working mom. I served as room parent last year, volunteered for field trips and special school events and I am currently serving as room parent again this school year! 

On the PTSO board, I am serving as Co-Apparel Liaison with Tiffany and we couldn’t be more excited to work together! I enjoy working with my fellow board members and Viking families on creating fun new designs to represent our wonderful academy! It has been enjoyable to meet other families within our Viking community and have been very happy with the level of involvement and dedication with our students. I have also always dreamed of being a PTSO mom because I always wanted to be involved in my children’s academic careers!

I have 8+ years of experience in large meeting and event planning as well as project management and coordination. I currently work from home and have a lot of flexibility with my schedule, which allows me to volunteer and be a part of the PTSO! Our family lives in Northern Durham and loves the Carolina Tarheels! We enjoy watching college and professional baseball, basketball, and football but our favorite is watching our son be an avid ball player! I am looking forward to working with the new PTSO board as well as the school to continue to make Voyager amazing!

tiffany ward 

Co-Apparel Liaison

Our family has been at Voyager Academy for one year.  We have a first grader this year and a preschooler who will be attending next year for Kindergarten.  Over the last year, I have worked at the ES to provide lunch coverage, help with Teacher Luncheons, chaperone Field Trips, and this year serving as the Room Parent for First Grade.   Being at the school for only one year I am impressed with the level of involvement from families within our schools.  I believe this community has a lot of potential and I look forward to working with others to reach those goals.  I work in Sales and have been with the company for 13 years. I am an avid sports fan and enjoy getting together with friends and family.  My husband and I have been married for 11 years and live in South Durham with our two girls and one spoiled dog!