Leadership

Board of Trustees

As an independent school, The Raleigh School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. A board of trustees governs the school. The board is elected at the annual meeting in April and meets monthly. The board is responsible for the management of the property, affairs, and business of the school as well as strategic planning and policy making. The trustees are responsible for policy decisions that ensure the long-term viability and stability of the school. Each spring an annual meeting of the membership is held to conduct business. The board of trustees is elected, the budget is approved and tuition and fees are set for the following school year. Other decisions may be presented for membership discussion and decision. Occasionally special meetings are called at other times during the year.

Administration

The Raleigh School is steered by an administrative leadership team that is responsible for the programs, personnel and day-to-day running of the school. The leadership team includes the head of school, elementary director, preschool director, administrative assistants, business, development, and admissions associates.

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Harriet Lasher, Head of School

Harriet earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Connecticut College. She is certified in kindergarten through eighth grade as well as in administration. She received a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from North Carolina State University. She taught public elementary school in Yonkers, New York. A Raleigh School parent since 1976, Harriet served on the board of trustees as membership chair and board chair. Harriet served as director of The Raleigh School from 1982 until 2002 at which time she became Head of School.

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Elizabeth Gilleland, Preschool Director

Elizabeth graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Furman University in South Carolina, and a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining The Raleigh School faculty, Elizabeth had nine years experience as a preschool director. Her teaching experience included five years working as a preschool and elementary school teacher in Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Georgia as well as teaching college level psychology at North Carolina State University, Meredith College, and Duke Talent Identification Program. She is a Raleigh School parent and joined our staff in 1997.

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Mary Golden, Elementary School Director

Mary earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education and Elementary Education from Keene State College in Keene, New Hampshire. She completed the Master’s Level Certificate Program for Emotional Handicaps at the University of New Hampshire where she also studied School Administration. Mary worked in special education and regular class settings in New Hampshire for eight years. She taught sixth grade at The Duke School for two years, and was a special education teacher at Martin Middle School. Mary is a former Raleigh School parent and joined our staff in June 2003.

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Karen Green, Development Associate

Karen graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Marshall University in West Virginia. Her previous work experience includes special events manager, grant writing, and volunteer coordinator for the National MS Society. As a former Raleigh School parent, Karen served on the board of trustees. She joined our staff in July 2006.

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Ling Kartawira, Bookkeeper

Ling earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Trisakti University in Jakarta, Indonesia. She earned a Masters in Accounting from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Ling’s work experience includes auditor for Arthur Anderson, accounting technician for North Carolina State University, and accounting clerk for the Autism Society of North Carolina. Ling is a Raleigh School parent, and joined our staff in June 2005.

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Irene Milewski, Administrative Assistant

Irene studied Business Administration at High Point University in Winston-Salem. Prior to joining The Raleigh School faculty, Irene spent 14 years as executive assistant to the CEOs of Hospice Savannah and Hospice and Palliative Care Center in Winston-Salem. Irene joined The Raleigh School staff in 2007.

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Sharon Mitchell, Admissions Associate

Sharon attended North Carolina State University and Robert Morris College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she studied accounting. Her previous experience includes eight years as office manager for a local radio broadcasting company and seven years in the commercial lending division of Pittsburgh National Bank in Pennsylvania. She is a former Raleigh School parent and served on the board of trustees for four years. Sharon joined The Raleigh School staff in July 2000.

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Charlene Sports, Data Entry Associate

Charlene earned an Associate in Applied Science in Information Systems-Network Administration and Support at Durham Technical Community College. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Previous work experience includes network operations systems engineer at Cato Research Ltd. and analyst programmer and network administration at Duke University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Charlene is a Raleigh School parent and joined our staff in July 2008.

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Norma Stewart, Administrative Assistant

Norma graduated from WC-UNC - Greensboro’s Commercial School. She and her husband owned and operated a consulting engineering firm in Jacksonville, North Carolina for thirty years. Norma is a former Raleigh School grandparent and joined our staff in January 1997.