Banoak Elementary School

Banoak Elementary School Banoak Elementary School is a rural elementary school in the Catawba County Schools System in North

🎉 Welcoming New(er) Faces 🎉Lewis Halstead, CustodianMr. Halstead joined our team last spring, so we wanted to take this ...
08/23/2026

🎉 Welcoming New(er) Faces 🎉

Lewis Halstead, Custodian

Mr. Halstead joined our team last spring, so we wanted to take this opportunity at the beginning of the new school year to officially introduce him!

I'm Lewis Halstead. I joined the Army at 17 and retired at 38, attaining the rank of Sergeant First Class. Afterwards, I got my Class A CDL and drove a truck with Sysco and Harris Teeter for the next 20 years, retiring again. I am married with two sons and a granddaughter.

Welcome to Banoak, Mr. Halstead! 💛🖤

🎉 Welcoming New Faces 🎉Tina Butler, Teacher AssistantHi! My name is Tina Butler. I have been married to my husband Rober...
08/22/2026

🎉 Welcoming New Faces 🎉

Tina Butler, Teacher Assistant

Hi! My name is Tina Butler. I have been married to my husband Robert (Bobby) for 32 years. We have three adult children.

I have driven a school bus for 14 years, and I was a substitute teacher for 2 1/2 years. My husband and I also drove tractor trailers cross country for four years. I love hot air balloons, diamond art, and reading.

Welcome to Banoak, Mrs. Butler! 💛🖤

🎉 Familiar Faces in New Places 🎉Tiffany Guthrie, ReceptionistTiffany Guthrie has been a Banoak mom, PTO member, and volu...
08/21/2026

🎉 Familiar Faces in New Places 🎉

Tiffany Guthrie, Receptionist

Tiffany Guthrie has been a Banoak mom, PTO member, and volunteer for several years, and now we are excited to announce that she is joining our staff as our part-time receptionist!

Hi! I'm Tiffany Guthrie, and I'll be joining Banoak Elementary as the receptionist.

A little about me: I have been married to my husband Alex for almost 16 years now, and we have two beautiful girls, Olivia (14) and Oaklyn (9). l love spending time with my family, our animals and reading a good book.

For the past 14 years, I've devoted my time to raising and caring for my family as a stay-at-home mom. However, when my youngest started school, I had the opportunity to join Banoak's PTO. Volunteering gave me an even greater appreciation for this school and inspired me to become more involved.

I'm excited for this new adventure and becoming a Banoak Charger!

Welcome back to Banoak, Mrs. Guthrie! 💛🖤

🎉 Familiar Faces in New Places 🎉Amy Hunsucker, EC Communications TeacherMy name is Amy Hunsucker. After seven years as a...
08/20/2026

🎉 Familiar Faces in New Places 🎉

Amy Hunsucker, EC Communications Teacher

My name is Amy Hunsucker. After seven years as an EC Teaching Assistant, I’m excited to step into a new role as an EC Communications Teacher! While this is a new position for me, I’m not new to Banoak. I had the privilege of getting to know many of our students, families, and staff last year, which makes this transition even more special.

I’m originally from Georgia, but North Carolina has been home for the past 15 years. Outside of school, my husband and I love to travel. While at home, our fur-babies keep us on our toes. I’m excited for this next chapter and grateful to continue growing in the school community I already know and love.

We are excited to have Amy Hunsucker continue in our EC department in her new role as the teacher in our new EC Communications classroom!

Welcome back to Banoak, Mrs. Hunsucker! 💛🖤

🎉 Welcoming New Faces 🎉Carrigan Hull, Speech-Language PathologistHi! My name is Carrigan Hull and I am the new Speech-La...
08/19/2026

🎉 Welcoming New Faces 🎉

Carrigan Hull, Speech-Language Pathologist

Hi! My name is Carrigan Hull and I am the new Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), and I have the incredible privilege of working with students right here at the school that I once called home. Coming back to my home school as a school-based SLP is such a full-circle experience. I have so many wonderful memories from being a student here, and it is incredibly special to now walk these same halls in a different role—helping students find their voices, build confidence, and reach their communication goals.

I graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a Master’s of Science in Speech-Language Pathologist from Appalachian State University.

I am passionate about speech and language therapy and prioritize building meaningful relationships with students, creating supportive and engaging therapy sessions and ensuring students feel safe, have fun, and make meaningful progress.

The best part of my job is watching a student accomplish something they once thought was too difficult. Whether it is saying a new sound, using a new language skill, participating in a conversation, or simply gaining the confidence to speak up—I love celebrating those moments with my students.

I feel so lucky to be back where my own story began, now helping students write their own.

Fun fact: I am getting married this December to Samuel Hoyle!

Welcome to back to Banoak, Ms. Hull! 💛🖤

🎉 Familiar Faces in New Places 🎉Scottie Kerns, EC TAYou may recognize Mrs. Kerns as a Banoak parent, volunteer, and subs...
08/18/2026

🎉 Familiar Faces in New Places 🎉

Scottie Kerns, EC TA

You may recognize Mrs. Kerns as a Banoak parent, volunteer, and substitutue teacher, but she is joining our staff full time this year as a teacher assistant!

My name is Scottie Kerns, and I am thrilled to share that I will be joining the Banoak staff as the Teacher Assistant for the new EC Communication classroom. While this will be my first year in this role, I bring with me 13 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. On a personal note, I am happily married to Weston Kerns, and we are blessed with two wonderful children, Blaze and Avery. Family time and outdoor activities are what I cherish the most. I am looking forward to embarking on this new journey at Banoak!

Welcome to Banoak, Mrs. Kerns!

🏫 Join Us Thursday, August 20, for our 2026 Open House! 🏫The first day of the 2026-2027 school year is just one week awa...
08/17/2026

🏫 Join Us Thursday, August 20, for our 2026 Open House! 🏫

The first day of the 2026-2027 school year is just one week away! We can't wait to welcome back all of our Chargers! Please make plans to join us this Thursday evening for our annual Open House. Families have two sessions to choose from:

Session 1: 4:00 PM
Session 2: 5:00 PM

Doors will open at 3:15. Come early to either session to get information about bus routes, Quest before and after school care, PTO, Hart Square's after school Junior Appalachian Musicians Program (JAM), and Scouts.

We look forward to seeing all of our Banoak families on Thursday evening! 💛🖤

🎒 Looking for supply lists? Check the attached images or head to https://canva.link/bessupplylists2627 for supply lists by grade level!

🎉 Welcoming New Faces 🎉Eliana Hernandez, ESLI’m Eliana Hernandez, Banoak’s new ESL teacher. I began my teaching career i...
08/17/2026

🎉 Welcoming New Faces 🎉

Eliana Hernandez, ESL

I’m Eliana Hernandez, Banoak’s new ESL teacher. I began my teaching career in Florida, where I taught kindergarten, second, and fourth grade. About 15 years ago, my family and I moved to Hickory, where I began my wonderful journey as an ESL teacher. I have truly loved working with multilingual learners and their families over the years, and I’m looking forward to getting to know the students, families, and staff at Banoak. I’m so happy to be part of the Banoak community!

Welcome to Banoak, Mrs. Hernandez! 💛🖤

07/27/2026

🦎 Calling all curious kids:
Creek exploration, salamanders, and plenty of discoveries await! 🔍

Grab your sense of adventure and join a park ranger this Wednesday at Bakers Mountain Park! We'll head into the creek to discover what lives beneath the surface of our local streams.

It's a great way to spend a summer afternoon exploring nature!

There’s more summer learning fun to be had at the Southwest Branch this week! Head over to the Dino Craft Lab tomorrow, ...
07/15/2026

There’s more summer learning fun to be had at the Southwest Branch this week! Head over to the Dino Craft Lab tomorrow, July 16, at 3:00 PM!

Mark your calendars for next week’s event as well—you won’t want to miss Dino Bites & Tasty Delights on Thursday, July 23rd, at 3:00 PM!

Address

7651 W NC 10 Highway
Vale, NC
28168

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm

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