The Hughes Crew

My name is Julie Hughes, and I am thrilled to be a 1st grade teacher at Oakview Elementary! I grew up in Massachusetts, and moved to North Carolina in 1996 to begin my teaching career. I have earned a B.A. from Wellesley College (Psychology, Education, Teaching Certification), a Masters from Harvard Graduate School of Education (Teaching & Learning), and National Board Certification. I have taught 1st grade for 15 years in WCPSS at Timber Drive Elementary, Banks Road Elementary, Hortons Creek Elementary, and now Oakview Elementary. I also served as a coordinating teacher in the Elementary Math Department for almost two years. In addition to classroom responsibilities, I have presented and facilitated Math training programs at the county, state, and national levels, have served as a mentor to beginning teachers, and have worked as a cooperating teacher for Meredith College teacher certification candidates.

My husband, Kevin, and I have three wonderful children. Braden is 9 years old (4th grade), Ciaran is 8 years old (3rd grade), and Caitlin is 7 years old (2nd grade). We also have a 5-year old cockapoo named Marley, and our newest addition is our "quarantine puppy", a 1-year old sproodle named Fionn. I had the pleasure of staying home with my children until Caitlin started Kindergarten. After observing and volunteering in their Montessori pre-school and elementary classrooms during those years, I developed a passion for the Montessori philosophy, and I completed a Fundamentals of Montessori course through the Center for Guided Montessori Studies to expand my knowledge. Now, I love finding ways to incorporate Montessori principles into my teaching.

I love tennis, Jazzercise, and reading. I love to travel, and I spend a few weeks each summer with my family on Cape Cod. I obtained Irish citizenship in 2006, and I look forward to returning to Ireland with my children some day, so they can gain a deeper understanding of their Irish heritage.

I am looking forward to getting to know my little owls and their families...we are going to have an OWLSOME year together!