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‣Bachelor of Arts - English as a Second Language K-12 - Metropolitana University (Caracas, Venezuela) ‣Bachelor of Arts - Spanish Education (K-12) - Gardner-Webb University (Boiling Springs, NC) ‣Legal Interpreter: Spanish to English ‣PRES Teacher of the Year 2017-2018
Mrs. Aristela Torres - Multilingual Learners Teacher, Department Chair
My name is Aristela Torres, and I am the K-2 ML teacher here at Pleasant Ridge. I have been working in education for 30 years. I joined Gaston County Schools seven years ago and have been teaching multilingual learners at PRES since 2016. I am a firm believer that all students can learn; we just have to tap into their passions to light up their interest in learning in ways that will become lifelong experiences.
I am originally from Venezuela and have been living in North Carolina since 1993. I am married to my husband, Jose, and we have a 27-year-old son, Daniel. Outside of work, I love dancing, urban bike riding, kayaking, hiking, painting, and remodeling.
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B.S. Speech Language Pathology w/minor in Early Childhood Education - City University of New York, Herbert H. Lehman College
Ms. Marva Anglin - Multilingual Learners Teacher
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Ms. Emily Cianciotta
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Ms. Kassandra Davidson
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B.S. Psychology - Florida State University
Ms. Susan Durko - Exceptional Children Teacher
I am a military child, and I was born in Alaska at Elmendorf Air Force Base. I am the first girl, but the fifth child. I lived in Montgomery, AL in my elementary years and Panama City, FL until November 2018, when Hurricane Michael destroyed Panama City. My husband and I moved to North Carolina and love it!
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Mrs. Sylvia Davis-Floyd - EC Teacher Assistant
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Ms. Christy Miranda - Exceptional Children Teacher
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Ms. Celestine Rhyne
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Mrs. Shannon Agee
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B.A. - Eastern Michigan University M.A. - Eastern Michigan University Certificate of Clinical Competence - American Speech Language Association
Mrs. Diane McCormick - Speech Pathologist
I have worked in all settings as a Speech Language Pathologist, and specialized in Traumatic Brain Injuries for 16 years. Also, I hold an elementary teaching certificate for K-6 and taught regular education for several years. I am originally from Michigan. I lived in Italy for a year before relocating to North Carolina. I taught second grade regular education at Gaston Christian schools for two years. I’ve been working for Gaston County Schools since 2005. I’ve been at Pleasant Ridge for approximately eight years. It is my favorite place to work.
I have seven children and 11 grandchildren. I enjoy exercise, Bible study, teaching Bible study, gardening, swimming, hiking, baking, cooking, eating healthy, and seeing my children and grandchildren and spending time with them as much as possible.
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