OUR TEAM

Doctoral Candidate, Educational Leadership, UNC Greensboro
M.A. Counseling/Certification of Specialization School Counseling, UNC Charlotte
Specialist Degree, School Psychology, Winthrop University
B.A. Political Science, UNC Charlotte

Holly brings over sixteen years of professional educator experience in both independent and public schools. Prior to joining Woodlawn School in 2015, she worked in Iredell-Statesville and Charlotte Mecklenburg School systems for nine years as a high school and middle school professional counselor, as well as serving as a district-level school psychologist, working with students and families from preschool through twelfth grade. During her tenure at Woodlawn School, Holly has served in unique and various capacities over the past seven years: as K-12 School Psychologist and Counselor, LS/MS Life Skills and US Seminar Teacher, Head of Lower and Middle School, and as the Associate Head of School. She was also part of the inaugural class of the NCAIS Emerging Leaders Institute (2019 - 2020) and the SAIS New and Aspiring Heads Institute. As a life-long learner, educational researcher and believer in sound evidence-based practices, Holly seeks to bring out the best in those around her and inspires others to discover their passions and blaze their own trails at Woodlawn and beyond.

Holly holds a B.A. degree in Political Science and a M.A. degree in School Counseling from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, and a Specialist Degree in School Psychology S.S.P. from Winthrop University. She is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP). Holly and her husband Eric live in Davidson with their three sons: Gavin ‘29, Aiden ‘31, and Holden ‘35. Together they enjoy spending time at the beach, exploring nature, sports, and traveling with their golden retriever, Bailey.

MBA, University of Wisconsin - Whitewater
B.S., Finance and Managerial Accounting, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
Licensed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in the states of North Carolina and Wisconsin
Certified as a Chartered Global Management Accountant (GCMA)

From Price Waterhouse to S.C. Johnson to solopreneur, Sharon Gostomski knows her numbers. An MBA graduate from the University of Wisconsin, a certified CPA, and CGMA, Sharon has honed her craft over the years by managing various corporate departments, directing talent management, and leading financial initiatives across global departments. During her time at S.C. Johnson, she was the recipient of many officer awards for contributions to the success of acquisition integrations, strategic reorganizations. tax and treasury projects.

In 2014, Sharon decided to leave the corporate world behind and started her own company working with clients in real estate investing, commercial development, investments, estate and life planning, and portfolio asset management.

We're thrilled that Sharon's interest in "working in a culture that believes in the power of young people to make a difference in the world" is what led her to Woodlawn.

B.A. Elementary and Early Childhood Education, Clemson University

Kari's long-standing career in education first began in 1998. Over the years, Kari’s professional experience has included serving as Grade Level Head, Drama and Cheerleading Coach, and leader of the School Improvement Council. Since 2018, Kari has served as the Director of Admissions and Marketing for Woodlawn School.

In her new role, Kari brings her vast knowledge and background in education, financial management, and marketing to her new role at Woodlawn. Kari’s ability to build empathetic, meaningful, and longstanding relationships with Woodlawn families and the community is a natural fit for cultivating a culture of excellence on campus and beyond.

Kari currently resides in Huntersville, with her son Cole, Class of ‘30.

M.A. Counseling, University of Memphis
B.A. Psychology, Southern Methodist University

Meet Jennifer Moore, Woodlawn's Director of Enrollment Management. With a B.A. in Psychology, and an M.A. in Counseling, Jennifer's experience in education spans over 20 years, with the last seven years serving as Director of Admissions and Financial Support for a regional private school. She is a passionate educator and team member and excels at meeting the needs of both students and their families. Jennifer prides herself on being a trusted source for current and prospective families making challenging educational decisions.

Seana brings more than 18 years of experience in strategic marketing and communications to her role at Woodlawn; providing brand experiences for industry leaders in SAAS, DEI, health and wellness, NGOs, and more. Her love for the art of storytelling and for Woodlawn blend seamlessly after seeing firsthand, with her daughter Mila, the tremendous impact a supportive and challenging curriculum can have on students.

B.S. Elementary Education, Indiana University
National Board-Certified Teacher

Joining us in 2014, Katie received her B.S. in Elementary Education from Indiana University and is a National Board-Certified Teacher. She has developed curriculum and collaborated with other teachers at the local and national levels through fellowships with Charlotte Teacher’s Institute and the Yale National Institute. Katie is passionate about environmental sustainability and resides in Mooresville with her husband, and their two children, son Thomas, and daughter Grace.

M.A.T. Fairleigh Dickinson University
B.A. Speech Pathology & Audiology, Rutgers University

Shannon joined Woodlawn in 2018. She earned a B.A. in Speech Pathology & Audiology from Rutgers University, and a Master of the Arts in Teaching degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She has dual certifications in Elementary Education (K - 8) and Special Education. Over the course of her extensive teaching career, Shannon has taught a variety of grade levels ranging from PK through fifth grade in both public and private school settings. Some highlights of her career include coaching several FIRST LEGO League Robotics teams, producing performances for a drama club consisting of 125 students, and serving as an elected official as a School Board Trustee. As the 4th and 5th grade LA/SS teacher, Shannon enjoys facilitating her students as they explore stories, novels and historical events. She is passionate about Woodlawn’s Project Based Curriculum and takes joy in supporting her students as they make new discoveries surrounding a theme or topic. She resides in Davidson with her husband, Tom,and her two children Owen, class of 2020 and Olivia, class of 2022

Ph.D. English, City University of New York
M.A. Humanities, University of Chicago
B.A. English & B.A. Spanish, University of Virginia

Dr. Gale earned a B.A. in English and Spanish from the University of Virginia, an M.A. in Humanities from the University of Chicago, then earned her Ph.D. in English from the City University of New York Graduate Center. She began her career as a high school English and Spanish teacher in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she fell in love with teaching. Since that time, she directed a family literacy program for Spanish-speaking families in Chicago, taught middle school at the Catherine Cook School in Chicago, and, most recently, spent nine years as a college English professor at Queens College (CUNY) and Clemson University. Dr. Gale was thrilled to join the faculty at Woodlawn in 2018. As a passionate lifelong learner, Dr. Gale aims to nourish that tendency in her students as they follow the paths of their own ideas. She is an avid runner and dessert-eater. She resides in Davidson with her husband and three children.

B.A. Spanish & B.S. Business Administration, Convers College

Known at Woodlawn as Profe, Hahna earned a B.A. in Spanish and a B.S. in Business Administration from Convers College. She is a member of the Phi Sigma Iota International Foreign Language Honors Society. Hahna spent her 11th grade year as a Rotary Club International foreign exchange student in Quito, Ecuador and played Division II NCAA Volleyball at Converse College. Before coming to Woodlawn in 2013, Hahna was a deputy sheriff in New Hanover County. She now resides in Statesville with her husband, children, and their two dogs.

B.A. English, Wake Forest University

Katie has over 22 years of experience in higher education admissions & enrollment management, program policy organization, and academic advising. Before joining the Woodlawn community in 2018, she worked for several colleges throughout the country -- Wake Forest University, The University of Texas at Austin, Saint Louis University, Loyola University Chicago, DePauw University, and Salem College, where she led the Office of Admission as Assistant Vice President for Enrollment. An advocate for student voice and choice, Katie is dedicated to helping students find their purpose and realize their potential, to develop the confidence and skills necessary to meet the complexities of an evolving future.

M.A., Miami University, Ohio
B.S. Mathematics, Ohio Northern University

Dan Priest brings over thirty-three years of experience in college athletics to Woodlawn. For the past twenty-four years he has served as head basketball coach at Ohio Dominican University, Hendrix College, and Kenyon College. His committee memberships are extensive as well: Kenyon College Anti-Racism, Coaching staff for the Jay Bilas Basketball Camp, and NABC Congress and Executive Committee of National Division 3 All-Star game.

In 2013, Coach Priest was named NCAC Coach of the Year. During his tenure at Kenyon College, he had 14 players named to All-NCAC teams.

As a player, Dan was a three-year letterman at Ohio Northern University and helped lead the Polar Bears to the NCAA Tournament in 1988.

B.S in Political Science, University of Florida
M.Ed in Student Development, University of Florida
M.A (Candidate) in Mental Health Counseling, Liberty University
Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist

Meghan spent the last 6 years in varying roles within education, counseling, and advising. Working within collegiate roles at the University of Florida, Georgia Southwestern State, and Austin Peay State University, Meghan provided mental health and learning strategy advising, student academic advising, career counseling, and emergency triage counseling services. Most recently, Meghan worked in the public k-12 sector as a classroom teacher and mental health advisor. Within her role as a mental health advisor, she educated fellow teachers, worked on executive functioning with students, and provided 1-on-1 and group sessions.

Meghan found her passion in counseling students through the varied life transitions and experiences that define the youth and adolescent developmental stages. Her counseling approach is focused on authentic relationship building, focusing on the individual characteristics that make each student who they are. Through an empathetic heart and evaluative lens, Meghan provides a caring and supportive environment that provides students with solutions to work towards growth while maintaining a trusting and supportive rapport. 

When not at work, you can find Meghan with her partner, Nate, hanging out on the lake with their two golden retrievers, curled up with a good book, or baking/cooking something new.

B.S. in Biology, East Stroudsburg University - East Stroudsburg, PA
Mercy School of Nursing - CMC, Charlotte, NC

Ann Marie began her time at Woodlawn as a parent in ’12 and joined the staff as Woodlawn’s first school nurse in ’15. Prior to working at Woodlawn, Ann Marie worked for over 11 years as a labor and delivery nurse at Atrium Health in Pineville and then at Novant Medical Center Huntersville. When she is not patching up scraped knees or handing out ice packs, Ann Marie enjoys reading, cooking, and traveling. Ann Marie and her husband reside in Huntersville with their daughter, Analiese '25, and their 2 cats Baxter and Chewie.

The first voice many hear, Marissa has been with Woodlawn School since 2019. She started her career working with The Walt Disney Company including a tenure abroad in Japan. After returning to the states Marissa worked and volunteered in the non-profit sector until moving to North Carolina in 2016. Marissa and her husband Ric have three grown children RJ, Katerina, and Mason. Outside of school you can find her enjoying time with friends and family, boating on Lake Norman or out to eat (since she is a foodie)! Marissa also loves to travel but Lake Norman is her favorite community and forever home.