Aaron Sebens, Director & Teacher

Throughout his 17 years of teaching Aaron has taught every grade, in three countries, and loves creatively engaging students in the world around them whether that be making their classroom solar powered, or hatching, raising, and training homing pigeons to deliver messages from their home to their school. In founding Holler Creek School he seeks to create a learning community that challenges every student to engage in their learning with a deep connection to where they are. Since moving to Cana with his family more than 30 years ago, Aaron has been deeply connected to the mountains here and is always drawn to stop and pay attention to what can be learned from the trees, creeks, and rocks. His teaching projects have been recognized by President Obama and numerous national publications, and he has guest lectured and presented throughout the country about project based learning, place based learning, and promoting equity in the classroom. Aaron loves helping students find their voice through writing and helping them become creators of art and ideas, rather than just consumers. Aaron has a BA in History and Education from the College of William and Mary, a Master's Degree in Special Education from Simmons College, and is a certified Environmental Educator. Aaron has volunteered as a mentor with Partners for Youth and has served on advisory boards for the National Park Trust and the Durham Colored Library. Aaron loves playing many different genres of music, exploring places around the world, and spends many days with his wife and two children, hiking up mountains and jumping the waves of the ocean.

Melanie Schrage, Director, Teacher, & Board Secretary

Melanie connects her 15 years of professional work with child development and education with her love of all things outdoors as she is founding Holler Creek School. She believes that all learners benefit from small classes, strong communities, and meaningful, shared experiences. Melanie has a BA in Linguistics with a minor in Psychology from the College of William and Mary, an M.Ed. in Special Education from Simmons College, and an M.S. in Communication Disorders from UNC-Chapel Hill. As a classroom teacher, she has enjoyed developing and implementing her own curriculum to nurture academic, social, and emotional growth of children with diverse learning needs, backgrounds and personalities at many schools. As a certified speech-language pathologist, she worked in Early Intervention and later returned to the school setting. She specializes in literacy, language, child development, communication, and nature education. Melanie has been visiting Aaron's family's land (the site of HCS) since 2001, and feels drawn to be there, embrace mountain life, and contribute what she can to the community. Melanie loves hiking, camping, writing, making art, baking pies, traveling, and reading to her two children, who will also attend HCS. Melanie is excited to immerse herself in the place-based philosophy Holler Creek, and will prioritize knowing each of her students as individuals in order to help them grow into their best selves and create positive relationships.

Raenel Duncan-Edmonds, President

Raenel brings more than 20 years of teaching experiences from inner city public schools, literacy and academic coaching experiences from Durham Public Schools, and management experiences from the casino and hotel industry. Raenel received her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers College, Rutgers University, and later earned her K-8 teaching license. Throughout her career in education, she has facilitated training and professional development, chaired literacy teams, mentored new teachers and students, hosted student teachers, and participated on various committees and boards. Raenel completed literacy training at Lesley University and earned a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Phoenix. In 2013, she completed all required coursework for a doctorate in educational leadership. Raenel is passionate about education and is committed to students meeting their academic potentials in a safe and fun learning environment. Much of her work and research has been grounded in the belief that all children deserve a quality education. On a personal note, Raenel married her high school sweetheart, Jesse, and they have a daughter who graduated from Mercer University and a son who graduated from NC State University.

Ryan Nilsen, Treasurer

Ryan Nilsen is excited to serve on Holler Creek's Board of Directors as the Treasurer and to support the school's mission of place-based and ecological education through ensuring the school remains fiscally sound. He currently works in experiential education and community engagement at UNC-Chapel Hill, where he advises several undergraduate and graduate student fellowships and scholarships. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a double major in English and international studies and a minor in mathematics before completing a Master of Theological Studies degree at Duke University. He also completed a graduate certificate in nonprofit leadership through the UNC School of Social Work. He is an adjunct instructor and teaches in the Department of Public Policy and the School of Education at UNC-CH. Ryan, his partner, and their daughter keep chickens and love to hike on the Eno River in Durham as much as possible.

Anna Morrison

Anna is a first grade teacher leader at Central Park School for Children in Durham, NC. This is where she met the Sebens family. North Carolina has always been home to Anna, and she always knew she wanted to be an educator. She infuses her teaching with social justice, learning outside, garden-based learning, place-based education, farm-based learning, and mindfulness. Anna enjoys cooking with her students, and she cares a lot about anti-racist education. She is a trained mindfulness teacher through Mindful Schools. Anna is also a National Geographic Certified Educator. She is a wife and mother to four children. She enjoys spending time in her garden, walking her dogs, cooking vegan food, reading, visiting the lake and beach as well as hiking.

Natalie Dunn

Natalie is a native North Carolinian and attended UNC-Chapel Hill for undergraduate degrees in Early childhood Education and History.  She taught elementary school for 7 years before returning for her MS in Counselor Education and Special Education at NC State University.  Natalie practiced as a school counselor and learning specialist in both public and private schools for 9 years and just recently retired from education to pursue her passion for woodworking and refinishing antique furniture.  When not in the woodshop, Natalie enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 teenage children, playing and watching a variety of sports, and gardening.