EDUCARE Staff
Kellye Hales
EDUCARE Director & Lead Teacher
My name is Kellye Hales. I am a native of Bladen County and a certified 24-year veteran teacher. I have a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Biology. I started my teaching career at Elizabethtown Middle School in 2001 teaching sixth grade and taught there for 6 years. I then moved to Elizabethtown Primary School and taught third grade for 2 years before transferring to Columbus Charter School for the next eleven years. When Emereau was established, I decided to come back home and teach fourth and fifth grades. I have taught all grades from third through eighth. My number one priority is to ensure all students' needs are met and they can be successful.
Kellye can be reached at 910-322-7616 or by email at dreamworkseducare@gmail.com.
Ashley Smith
EDUCARE Teacher Assistant
My name is Ashley Smith. I began working with the children of Bladen County over 12 years ago, later expanding to Cumberland County. My passion is sharing the Word with children. I also love exploring the world of Science and Social Studies with children.
Ashley can be reached by email at dweducare@outlook.com
Shay Johnson
Afterschool Tutor
My name is Donita Johnson; I am a native of Elizabethtown, North Carolina. I attended school in the Bladen County Public School System. I obtained my master’s degree in criminal justice from Capella University in 2019. I also obtained a master’s degree in elementary education from UNCP in 2021. I’m a third-grade teacher and have been teaching for 6 years. My job is to build a curriculum that will encourage and grow my students academically, socially, and emotionally. My passion is helping and training families of children with disabilities. I am the mother of two beautiful children. I believe that we all have something in us that someone else needs to see in order to get to the path in which God predesignated them to be. Showing others to Christ by the life we live before them is always the greatest testimony. I strive each day to show myself to others as Christ sees me, not always being perfect but showing that if Christ did it for me, he can do it for you; this is my testimony. For through Grace, I am able to declare to all His liberty. I Love the Lord who first loved me. I pray that God bless and keep each of you.
Karen Barbour
EDUCARE Afterschool