Instructors
Listed below are biographies for instructors of the Community Programs courses.
SUZANNE BALLANTYNE has a B.A. in psychology from Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and experience in vipassana meditation, yoga, educational practices, art and writing. Ballantyne believes strongly in our own ability to reflect, focus and take steps to create the future we want with peace and wellbeing. She is developing “simple practice”—a training and coaching business dedicated to healthy growth for individuals and small organizations. www.simplepractice.net
EILEEN BATSON has a B.S. in liberal arts from the University of Florida. She has been in marketing and PR for more than 20 years. Active on a variety of social media sites, she consults with individuals and businesses regarding social networking and blogging. www.batsongroupmarketingandpr.blogspot.com
HEATHER C. BREWER is a licensed clinical social worker and has a master's degree in exercise physiology. She has 16 years of experience in addressing health and mental health issues. Brewer specializes in the relationship between emotional and physical health and often integrates exercise into her counseling sessions. www.humanserviceassociates.com
KELLY COBB has an undergraduate degree in business from Meredith College and a master's degree in community education from Appalachian State University. She has over 25 years experience in real estate. She received the "Women in Business Award" from the Triangle Business Journal in 2006. www.relo-expert.com
ROBIN COLBY has a Ph.D. from Duke University and is head of the English department at Meredith College. Colby specializes in ninteenth-century British liberature.
MEGAN CUTTER graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College with a B.A. in English/creative writing in 1998. She is a local freelance writer with published works in the The News and Observer (North Raleigh News), Natural Awakenings as well as included works in A Taste of Taffy: Samplings From the Triangle Area Freelancers. www.cuttersword.com
DONNA RHODES DARNELL has a B.A. in art from Meredith College and a master’s in art history from UNC-Chapel Hill. She has taught both studio art and advanced placement art history at Ravenscroft School and art history at St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School in Alexandria, VA. Darnell has been a docent at NCMA for a total of 13 years and is a past president of the docent organization.
LAWANA HARRIS is a nationally accredited personal fitness trainer and group fitness instructor. She is committed to igniting a passion for an active lifestyle in everyone she meets.
DON KING has a B.A. in business administration from Campbell University. He has been a free lance calligrapher and lettering artist for more than 27 years and has been tutoring and teaching for more than 20 years. www.dkingstudio.com
LINDA L. JONES earned a B.S. in elementary education at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a M.Ed. and Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She has taught students of all grade levels in the public schools and has taught undergraduate and master's level methodology courses for teachers at Campbell University, Methodist College and Meredith College.
MARC LARIN has a B.S. in electrical engineering from Corcordia University, Montreal, Canada. He is owner of Cardinal Cabling Systems, LLC and has more than 30 years of development, management and applied technical experience in the security, telecommunications and manufacturing industries.
SHARON McCORMICK is an expert career & HR consultant with 15+ years of experience, and creating career security is her specialty. She is a Master Career Counselor (MCC), one of the highest achievements in the field of accredited career counseling, as 1 of 4 in the State of North Carolina. Sharon is a National Board Certified Career Counselor (NCCC); a National Board Certified Counselor (NCC) and a National Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW). In private practice as a Career Counselor, she bridges the gap between candidates and companies by expertly quantifying a job candidate’s value and speaking to true HR / Hiring Manager needs. www.careertreasure.com
JOHN ORR, a professor at Duke, has led meditation retreats globally and workshops in stress management in the Research Triangle Park. He was ordained a Buddhist Monk while living in Thailand and India for eight years. www.newhopesangha.org.
ALICE OSBORN has an M.A. in English from NC State. She is a poet, essayist, creative writing instructor, and is the author of Right Lane Ends (Catawba, 2006). She is a former English teacher at Raleigh Charter High School and a freelance editor. www.aliceosborn.com
KATIE PAGE, professional organizing consultant, helps Minding Your Matters® clients achieve their organizational goals in home or small business settings. She earned a B. A. in speech communication from Meredith College. Katie is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), serves as Community Relations Director of the North Carolina Chapter of NAPO, and has received the Certificate of Study in Chronic Disorganization from the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization (NSGCD). (www.mindingyourmatters.com)
MARY-MOORE M. RITCHIE has earned an A.A.S. degree from Sullins College. She owned Court Reporting Services, Inc. for 37 years. She is currently a Certified Counselor with the Service Corps of Retired Executives.
PEGGIE M. SIMPSON has an MBA from Pfeiffer University. She has been a consultant, motivational speaker and an entrepreneur for 18 years. She is also a certified mediator with the NC Industrial Commission & Superior Court and a USPS Certified REDRESS Mediator.www.franklinconsultingco.com
CHIP SLADE is an AWSDA certified rape prevention instructor and the regional representative for the American Women’s Self Defense Association. He is certified through the Modern Warrior Defensive Tactics Institute as a confined area safety tactics instructor and is the head of the Bushido Judo School’s women’s self-defense program. Though he has a background in a variety of martial arts, his rape prevention classes are not martial arts based. (www.bjswomensselfdefense.community.officelive.com)
CLYDE SMITH is certified in the Universal Tao System under Master Mantak Chia. He brings a background in dance, tai chi and yoga to his teaching practice. www.netweed.com/dancingtao
SUSIE WILDE has an M.Ed. from Tulane University and has reviewed children’s books for Learning Magazine. She currently writes a monthly column for The News and Observer. She has taught writing and reading in classrooms for 13 years. She is a reading-writing advocate. www.ignitingwriting.com
SCOTT WRAY is the aquatic director and assistant professor in the Health, Exercise, and Sports Science Department at Meredith College. He has been teaching water safety, swimming lessons, and lifeguarding classes for over 20 years.
