Mrs. Heather Raines, Office Manager

heather.raines@tillerycharteracademy.org

Heather Raines joined Tillery Charter Academy in August 2023. Before joining the staff at Tillery Charter Academy Heather was employed by First Bank in Biscoe North Carolina  2000 to 2014. She left her job there to help her husband with their Chipping and Logging Company. Heather owned and operated her store, The Woodpecker, in Ellerbe. After welcoming her third child, she closed the store in 2020 to become a stay-at-home mom. In 2022,  Heather became a full-time sub for Richmond County Schools.

Heather lives in Ellerbe with her husband and three children. She enjoys spending her free time on the lake.

Ms. Pauline Jackson, Guidance Counselor

pauline.jackson@tillerycharteracademy.org

Pauline Jackson joined the Tillery Charter Staff in September 2021. Before joining Tillery Charter Academy, she dedicated 26 years to Timber Ridge Treatment Center, a residential campus for treating teenage boys between the ages of 10 and 17.

Certifications include QMHP, NCI, and being an instructor in First Aid and CPR. With experience in the facilitation of group psychoeducation and staff training, accepting the school counselor position at Tillery is an ideal fit.

A native of Ireland, Ms. Jackson attended Athlone Institute of Technology and received a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Development and Behavior. After graduating and working in various child-centered jobs in Ireland. Then immigrated to the United States in 1990 and began working in a Montessori School in South Carolina, then accepted a position at Camp Eckerd in Candor, North Carolina, for five years.

Ms. Jackson is the mother of two children, a boy named Reth and a daughter named McKenzie, both of adult age. Interests include hiking, gardening, reading, and participating in community events like food pantry and church. She also helps with any support to improve our community.

Ms. Elise Smith, Dean of Students

elise.smith@tillerycharteracademy.org

Elise Smith joined Tillery Charter Academy in 2021. She is originally from Gastonia, North Carolina and is a current resident of Stanly County. Ms. Smith graduated from Catawba College in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. She began working with Asheboro City Schools as a job coach in the Occupational Course of Studies department. After being encouraged by a fellow co-worker, she pursued courses at the University of Phoenix for her lateral entry teaching credentials. Ms. Smith worked with Montgomery County Schools as a special education teacher for 10 years. During her time with Montgomery County Schools she completed her Masters in School Administration through the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. She performed her principal internship with the Sandhills Regional Education Consortium Principal Development Program and states she has been blessed with all the opportunities and experiences that have been given to her. Ms. Smith believes her teaching career has been a rewarding experience and is looking forward to learning more ways to become an effective educator for the future.
Ms. Smith believes that education is essential and powerful for living and that as educators we not only teach but learn from our students in the process.
Ms. Smith enjoys reading, movies, cooking and spending time with her family. She is excited for the upcoming school year!

Ms. Katie Lee, Media Specialist

katie.lee@tillerycharteracademy.org

Mrs. Katie Lee Joined Tillery Charter Academy as their Part time Library Media Assistant in January of 2025. She is in the process of acquiring her Library/Information Technology associate’s degree at Central Carolina Community College in Sanford. Mrs. Lee is married and currently resides in Seagrove North Carolina with her husband and her son. When she is not reading to kids at school, she enjoys going antiquing and spending time with her family.