National Board Certified

National Board Certified Teachers @ East Garner

Tracey Leon, a Wilson native and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, began teaching through the Teach For America program. With a strong commitment to making a difference in public education, Ms. Leon began her career at an impoverished elementary school in New Orleans, LA where she remained for seven years. After relocating and getting married, she taught middle school math for four years in the greater Houston, TX area. Most recently, Ms. Leon taught in Johnston County (NC) before joining the East Garner Math Department in 2005. Outside of school, Ms. Leon serves as an officer in her church, and in her spare time, she enjoys movies, sports, puzzles, and being with her family.

Lynn Flood is a native of Garner and spent several years in middle school at East Garner. She was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow at UNC-Chapel Hill and has been an educator for eight years. Mrs. Flood taught at various schools in Wake County and served as a curriculum specialist for Middle School English Language Arts at Central Office for two years. She was recognized as a semi-finalist for Teacher of the Year in 2002 in addition to receiving an educator's award from the Cary Chamber of Commerce and earning her National Board Certification that same year. Mrs. Flood is married and has a young daughter, Kathryn. In her spare time, Mrs. Flood enjoys participating in an international Bible study and teaching Sunday school at Highland Baptist Church.

Duane Hedley is a resident of Garner. He coordinates special academic programs including the Toshiba Competition Entry, Junior Solar Sprint Team, and the NCDOT Bridge Competition Team. Mr. Hedley has eight years of teaching experience which includes four years with National Board Certification. At East Garner, he has served as Chair of the Science Department and as an Athletic Trainer. He is a graduate of Buffalo State College and is also a United States Navy Veteran. In his spare time, Mr. Hedley has contracted work and taught others to sail through his sailing school. In addition to being an American Sailing Association certified instructor and accomplished singer, he enjoys spending time with his wife, who is a mathematics teacher at Garner Senior High School, and their children.

Carla Gray Hoffman has been an educator in Wake County for nineteen years. She has taught in the classroom at Ligon Middle School and West Lake Middle School. She served as Special Populations Coordinator at Southeast Raleigh High School before becoming an Assistant Principal at East Garner Magnet Middle School. Mrs. Hoffman earned National Board Certification in 1999 in the area of Adolescent Generalist. She states that "going through the national board process was an excellent opportunity to reflect on and renew my teaching. Realizing the techniques used for good teaching has been helpful as an administrator in that I can share these techniques with other teachers!" Carla, her husband Bobby, and chocolate lab Billy Ray live in Clayton.

Melissa Hockaday is originally from West Virginia and has taught in Wake County for 8 years. She previously taught at F.J. Carnage GT Magnet Middle School. Mrs. Hockaday has a Bachelor of Science degree in Education - Social Studies 6-8, 9-12 from Concord College, Athens, WV, and a Masters in Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction – Secondary Social Studies from North Carolina State University. She earned her National Board Certification in 2005. She has written curriculum and the 7th grade pacing guide for Wake County Public Schools as well as facilitated workshops for both WCPSS and the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Lola the cat and Coco the dog allow her to live with them in Raleigh, with her husband, Marvin and 2 sons. She also has a stepdaughter and stepson. In her spare time, Mrs. Hockaday likes to read, sing in the choir at the Capital City Church of God, and travel.