Office of Early Learning (OEL)

Young children in class

Early Learning Vision

OEL will Collaborate, Advocate, and Support in order to provide an equitable and responsive system of support to ensure North Carolina's children and families are successful contributors in school and life. 

Early Learning Mission

The mission of OEL is to support educators, children, and families through collaboration and advocacy in order to positively impact educational outcomes. 

 

Contact Us

Tab/Accordion Item

REGION NAME EMAIL ADDRESS PHONE #
Northeast Melissa Strickland melissa.strickland@dpi.nc.gov 252-578-9452
Northeast Thomas (Tad) Merritt thomas.merritt@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2867
Southeast Leslie Simmons leslie.simmons@dpi.nc.gov 910-228-6420
Southeast Candace Heath candace.heath@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2865
North Central Holly Lee holly.lee@dpi.nc.gov 919-810-7036
North Central Jenni Wilkinson jenni.wilkinson@dpi.nc.gov 919-696-5501
Sandhills Donna Albaugh donna.albaugh@dpi.nc.gov 910-476-7218
Sandhills      
Piedmont-Triad Cameron Ammann cameron.ammann@dpi.nc.gov 704-562-5481
Piedmont-Triad Mary Derfel mary.derfel@dpi.nc.gov 336-255-4761
Southwest Sarah Morrison sarah.morrison@dpi.nc.gov 704-473-1737
Southwest Angela Preston angela.preston@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2869
Northwest Jessica Fitzgerald jessica.fitzgerald@dpi.nc.gov 828-514-9248
Northwest Cynthia Barber cynthia.barber@dpi.nc.gov  336-406-0847
Western Carrie Bruns carrie.allen@dpi.nc.gov 828-713-2064
Western Kelly Pratt kelly.pratt@dpi.nc.gov 828-699-7083

 

TITLE NAME EMAIL ADDRESS PHONE #
Office of Early Learning Director Amy Rhyne amy.rhyne@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2744
Section Chief RtA/Early Literacy Tonia Parrish tonia.parrish@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2864
OEL & RtA Project Coordinator Dan Tetreault dan.tetreault@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2749
RtA Implementation Coordinator Kelley Bendheim kelley.bendheim@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2866
NC Head Start Collaboration Director Macy Jones macy.jones@dpi.nc.gov 919-795-9473
Preschool EC 619 Co-Coordinator Keashia Walker keashia.walker@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2602
Preschool EC 619 Co-Coordinator Dawn Meskil dawn.meskil@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2642
Title 1 Preschool Consultant Jody Koon jody.koon@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2748
Administrative Assistant Mary Hutchings mary.hutchings@dpi.nc.gov 984-236-2743