Williams Elementary has several new teachers
W.D. Williams Elementary in Swannanoa welcomes seven new teachers to the 2017- 2018 school year.
Jose Ruiz-Herrera Hernandez of Cadiz, Spain is teaching in the dual language program at W.D. Williams. He will teach a third-grade class of Spanish/English instruction. Herrera has master's degrees in Hispanic studies and school counseling as well as teaching. He has also lived in Portugal, Lithuania and Russia.
Second-grade teacher Consuelo Garzon is also teaching in the dual language program. She has been teaching for 17 years and has a degree in modern languages (Spanish, French and English) as well as education. Garzon is from Colombia, South America. She is married with a four-year-old son.
Laura Morris is also teaching second grade at Williams this year. She has a master’s degree in teaching and has taught for seven years in Asheville City Schools. She is married and an avid trail runner and mountain biker. Morris is from Huntersville.
An Asheville native, Pamela Hart has a degree in mass communication from UNC Asheville. This is her third year in education in Title 1 and as an assistant. Hart also enjoys art, music, hiking and camping. She will be working in third grade this year.
New Title 1 teacher Jennifer Greene is from Black Mountain, where she taught kindergarten for 13 years. She has a master’s degree in special education from Western Carolina University. Greene is married with two boys, ages 6 and 1.
Mercedes Gonzalez is a first-year teacher from Jamestown, N.Y. She holds a master’s degree in early childhood education from Mercy College in New York City. She has previously worked as the lead teacher in the YMCA after-school program as well as interim positions. She is married with a two-year-old daughter.
Sarah Torry has spent the last 13 years teaching in McDowell County as a first-grade teacher. She is from Connecticut and earned her elementary education degree at the University of Vermont. She is married with two children and lives in Black Mountain.