Skip To Main Content

Logo Image

Logo Title

Meet the Teachers

Pre-K: Elizabeth Rodden

Beth Rodden

Hi, I'm Mrs. Beth and welcome to Pre-K! I am originally from Hudson, NC and have lived in the high country since 2005, when I came to attend Appalachian State. I have a Bachelors in Physical Education and a Masters in Birth-Kindergarten Education. I love teaching Pre-k because it is a crucial time for learning and development in young children. I find it a joy to witness them grow and learn. In my free time I love spending time with my family. My husband and I have 1 son, Levi, who attends Bethel as well. We love traveling, hiking, and attending concerts and sporting events (especially App State). Levi and I are excited to be a part of the Bethel Community.

Kindergarten Teacher: Jamie Oxentine

Jamie Oxentine

My name is Ms. O and I was honored to have joined the Bethel family in 2024-2025. And I am excited to now be the Kindergarten teacher at our sweet school. If we have not officially met, please introduce yourself sometime.  I am doing my best to learn all the new faces and families. On a personal note, I grew up in the foothills of NC and come from a family of educators. I have a younger brother whose profession is in public service and a sister-in-love who is also a dedicated educator. I have two beautiful nieces who are aspiring medical professionals. I always wanted to follow in my parent's footsteps by becoming an educator and feel as though I am living my dream. My mother who is in her late 80's continues to be an inspiration to me both in my faith and in my professional career. I received my AA Degree from Western Piedmont Community College and earned my BS in Communication Disorders, K-6 Elementary Education, as well as my MA degree in Instructional Technology - Computers K-12 from Appalachian State University.  I have been an educator for over 25 years, the majority of which have been spent serving in Watauga County.  For a brief time, I had the unique privilege and honor to serve and teach abroad at the International Christian School of Budapest, Hungary from 2001-2005.  I look forward to teaching our precious kindergartners and serving our wonderful community at Bethel School.

1st grade: pam west

Pam West

Welcome to 1st grade! I am super excited to be teaching 1st grade! I have been teaching at Bethel Elementary since 2015 and I love being a part of the Bethel community. First grade is such a fun year with so many exciting learning opportunities and adventures. I am committed to creating a classroom environment where all students are valued, trusted, and an integral part of our family of learners. We are honored to have Mrs. Amber Blair as a TA in our classroom. We truly love our students!

I completed my Education degree at Appalachian State University. I also have a BS degree in Housing & Interiors from Appalachian State. I reside in Boone with my husband and our 3 dogs - a Siberian husky, chocolate Lab, and Boxer/Pyranees mix. We enjoy taking our dogs to play frisbee at the lake, swimming, tennis, spending time outside, and college football games. We have 3 children. Corey graduated from NCSU and is working in NYC. Zachary is getting his MBA and playing football at ETSU. Laurel is attending UNCW. Therefore, I am often traveling on the weekends to spend time with my children.

2nd grade: olivia emmert

OliviaEmmert

I am from Greensboro, North Carolina and I graduated with my bachelor's in Elementary Education. This is my first year teaching and I am so excited to be at Bethel! In my free time I enjoy hiking, snowboarding, and spending time with friends and family. 2nd grade always has had a special place in my heart.

3rd Grade Teacher: Dylaney Ferguson 

4th grade: robin gardener

 

Hi, I'm Mrs. Gardner. I have been teaching for 20 years, and 5 of those years have been here at Bethel. I was born and raised in Indiana. My husband is the director of the Marching Mountaineers at Appalachian State University. That is what brought us here to North Carolina. I have 3 children -- a junior, a sophomore, and a 6th grader. We have a cute little Sheltie named Wolfgang. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, traveling, playing board games, and watching old movies. 

5th Grade: Joanne Ferhadi

Joanne Ferhadi

 

6th grade: maura miller

Maura Miller

 

middle school language arts & social studies: netta sue hill

Netta Sue Hill

 

middle school science & Math: Cheyenne ross

Cheyenne Ross

Hello, this is my first year at Bethel (2024-25), but it feels very close to home as I grew up in a very small town in Illinois before coming to NC. I originally moved here for App State where I studied Middle Grades Education with a Dual Concentration in Math and Science. While at App, I met my now husband. We decided to stay in Watauga and kickstart our careers! 

aig specialist: 

band/orchestra: Marc lumley

Marc Lumley

Howdy, I'm Mr. Lumley and my wife and I are from Boerne, Texas which is another "sleepy little town down around San Antone". We have two sons, both musicians. They are married to our wonderful daughters-in-law and we have two grandchildren. When I was in 3rd grade I decided to be a French Horn player. After many years of lessons and tens of thousands of hours of practice my dream became reality winning my first job with the USAF Band. After the AF Band I played with orchestras in Idaho, California, Mexico and Texas. I attended The University of Texas but joined the Air Force before graduating. I returned to college and graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio. I discovered teaching, especially middle school, was what God made me for. Before coming to North Carolina I enjoyed 17 years of Sweepstakes Bands at Harlandale HS, Omar Bradley MS, KIPP and Church Hill MS and 24 years of placing over 700 students in District and Region Band including 74 in the Texas All-State Band. In 2021 The Foundation For Music Education named me the recipient of the Foundation Award for French Horn.

As a performer you can hear me on YouTube with Tejano superstar, the late Selina Quintinilla, on her video "No Me Queda Mas",  with Horns United on "The Great Waldo Pepper March" and with the San Diego Hornswoggle on "Independence Day". 

I have played with Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Bob Hope, Vicki Carr, Arturo Sandoval, Gordon Goodwin, Wayne Bergeron, Joshua Bell and the incomparable pianist Van Cliburn. 

What I'm proudest of in all of that is what and who my students have become. Strong men and women with excellent moral and work ethics that contribute positively to our society and culture. I like to think that I teach life through music.

choral music: terry lyon

Terry Lyon

I am Terry Lyon. I have a musical theatre and dance background with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelor Degree in Fine Arts from Appalachian State University. I live music and have played piano since the age of 8! I also play the concertina and banjo and I love teaching music and singing and i love telling stories through the arts. I love to draw in my spare time and I enjoy biking and hiking.

cte: chelsie eldreth

Hi! Welcome to the Career and Technical Education page for Bethel and Valle Crucis Schools.  My name is Chelsie Eldreth and I have been teaching CTE in Watauga County for about 10 years, all 10 have been at Valle Crucis School and the last 7 years, I have been at Bethel as well.  I teach at Valle Crucis every morning and Bethel every afternoon. I am married to my husband Jason and I have 2 children, Kylie and Easton.  I graduated from Appalachian State University with an undergraduate degree in Advertising and Marketing, and a Masters Certificate in Middle and Secondary Education: Curriculum and Instruction. 

We are very blessed to have a great CTE program in Watauga County and your students will have the opportunity to take CTE each year of middle school. As your student transitions to high school, we have a wide variety of CTE class options and pathways!  In middle school we teach: Exploring Technology (6th), Intro to Business and Leadership (7th) and Career Exploration (8th).  I also love helping assist my students as they transition to high school and complete high school registration information.  Please feel free to email me anytime you have any questions or concerns and I look forward to teaching your children! 

exceptional children: ren nolte

Ren Nolte

 

 

Media Specialist - anne sukow

My name is Anne Sukow, and I have taught at Bethel School since 2001!  I love it here!  I have taught 3rd -6th grades here, but I have taught 5th grade since 2009.  

I was born and raised in Watauga County. My husband, Patrick, and I have married since 2005.  We have two sons Brodie and Cullen.  We live in Valle Crucis, and have a dog, Hotch.  We enjoy being outside, going to the beach and spending time together.

physical education: Hope Mough

HopeMough

Hello! I am Hope Mough I teach physical education at Bethel. I graduated from Appalachian State University with a health and physical education degree. I began my teaching career here at Bethel and have thoroughly enjoyed it. I grew up in Boone and wanted to teach in Watauga County. I am married to my wonderful husband, Titus, and we have a son named Asa.

math specialist: jamie ward

Jamie Ward

Welcome to Bethel Elementary School. My name is Jamie Ward and I currently serve as the grade 4th - 8th math intervention specialist at Bethel School and have held this position since 2016.  My teaching career began at North Davie Junior High in Davie County after graduating from ASU in 1986. After that year I moved back to Boone to marry the love of my life, Kevin Ward. I taught math and science from 1987 - 2015 at Hardin Park Elementary in grades 6th - 8th.   My husband, Kevin and I have triplet daughters who were born in 2001.  Sydney and Laramie graduated from ASU in May of 2023 and Elizabeth will begin NC State Veterinary School in August of 2024. I enjoy spending time outside on our hobby farm with a barn full of animals or flower and vegetable gardening. I am looking forward to working with your children this year.  

reading specialist: mckinley kunz

McKinley Kunz

I have the privilege of serving as Bethel's Literacy Specialist. I plan and facilitate literacy interventions for students individually and in small groups, and support teachers as they plan instruction and interventions. 


Degrees and Certifications
BS Elementary Education - Appalachian State University
MA Reading Education (K-12)- Appalachian State University

National Board Certified Teacher (Literacy: Reading-Language Arts) 

school counselor: mckenzie gheesling

McKenzie Gheesling

I am originally from Winston-Salem, North Carolina and I received my Masters in Education (School Counseling) from North Carolina State University. This is my fourth year as the School Counselor, and I absolutely love this school and community!In my spare time, I love spending time with my husband and our daughter, working at summer camps, and exploring the beautiful High Country. I am honored to be your school counselor here at Bethel and look forward to serving you all! 

School nurse: Allison margerison

Allison Margerison

Hello, I'm Allison Margerison (aka Nurse Allison) and I am so grateful and thankful to be the school nurse for Bethel School. I have a BA in psychology and a BSN in nursing from UNC-Chapel Hill. My previous nursing experience was working on a cardiac step-down unit at Mission Hospital in Asheville and also many years in community mental health nursing. My husband and I have two children, ages 11 and 14. I am an Ashe County native, but we have been living in Boone for about 10 years now. 

I consider it an honor to work with your children. I will do my best to communicate with you when they are seen in my office and I always welcome any communication from parents. In addition to attending to health room visits, I teach HOSA and Safe Sitters as middle school exploratory classes. 

school social worker: megan langdon

Megan Langdon