Our Staff
Elizabeth Levene
919-763-3061 ext. 700
Why I work at Helps Education Fund:
I was drawn to Helps Education Fund’s mission of bridging research to practice with an educational equity lens.
John Begeny, Ph.D.
Why I started Helps Education Fund:
Educational inequities are far too prevalent around the world. Such inequities hinder individual and community empowerment and opportunities, and they foster systems of oppression and poverty.
Renaé Powell
919-763-3061 ext. 701
Why I work at Helps Education Fund:
Both my parents are teachers, so the value and importance of education has been instilled in me from an early age. Unfortunately, there is inequity in education. I know from personal experience that access to resources, or the lack thereof, has a huge impact on options available to you. I want to ensure that students have access to the resources and opportunities that will allow them to improve their lives.
Lauren Joyce, Ph.D.
Why I work at Helps Education Fund:
I joined Helps Education Fund to support the organization’s mission of providing free/low-cost research-based literacy resources to students and educators. I want to be a part of an organization that creates positive, meaningful change and work collaboratively with educators and other organizations to create opportunities for students to become successful readers.
Kim Perkins
704-478-6056 ext. 705
Why I work at Helps Education Fund:
My time spent helping women who were survivors of human trafficking, and learning about the circumstances that led them to their current situations, reinforced my belief that education is the key to escaping the cycle of poverty that many disadvantaged communities fall victim to. At that point I realized I wanted to be proactive, rather than reactive, in fighting the problems Charlotte faces. I am so proud to be part of a team that not only works towards educational equity but also shows results in improving childhood literacy and is helping to break the cycle of poverty.
Shelleah Jackson
704-478-6056 ext. 706
Why I work at Helps Education Fund:
Helps Education Fund is an organization genuinely working towards closing the inequity gaps in education while sticking true to its values—day in and day out.
Stephanie White
919-763-3061 ext. 703
Why I work at Helps Education Fund:
I can improve communities through volunteer engagement and helping kids be better readers.
Janice Pidgeon
919-763-3061 ext. 702
Why I work at Helps Education Fund:
I work for Helps Education Fund because I have experienced, through teaching and coaching, the HELPS programs’ success with helping young readers. I believe in its mission of educational equity. I have spent my career helping students from rural impoverished areas succeed, and Helps Education Fund provides a means to do so that’s researched based, effective, and free/low cost. I’m excited to be a part of this dynamic organization.
Charlotte Implementation Coaches & Site Coordinators
From left to right:
Katherine Kitchen, katherine@helpseducationfund.org;
Kristal Valcin, kristal@helpseducationfund.org;
Melissa Walker, melissa@helpseducationfund.org;
Jasmine Fuentes, jasmine@helpseducationfund.org;
Halo Paul (Lead Implementation Coach/Site Coordinator), halo@helpseducationfund.org