About the Team

Dr. Thomas R. Feller Jr., PCC, IAC-CC

Director of School Innovation & Transformation

Over the course of a multifaceted career in education, Dr. Thomas Feller, Jr., has come to believe that the best way to positively improve student learning is to support the growth of leaders in classrooms and schools. In support of that vision, he has created multiple programs to support the development and growth of leaders across Pitt County Schools, and this work has been recognized by those both inside and outside the school system.  He is the author or co-author of numerous articles in professional journals and federal grants, a presenter or co-presenter at both state and national conferences, and a recipient of a 2023 UNC-Chapel Hill School of Education Alumni Achievement Award. 

Dr. Feller holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Palm Beach Atlantic College, a master’s degree in school administration from East Carolina University, and a doctoral degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  In addition to his academic degrees, he holds certifications from multiple organizations as both a coach and mentor trainer.

Dr. Feller has been happily married to his wife Melissa since 2002, and together they have four beautiful daughters (three at home and one in heaven).  When not working he enjoys spending time with his family playing games, hiking, playing with their dog, riding his bike, reading, and (when time and money permit) skiing. 

You can see Dr. Feller’s LinkedIn profile by clicking here.

Lauren Bowers, ACC

Professional Learning Coordinator

Having grown up in a family full of educators, Lauren Bowers always knew that her future career would be in education. In high school, a Teaching Fellows Scholarship to East Carolina University solidified her plan to become a teacher. Lauren graduated in 2003 from ECU and began teaching middle school in Wilson County. It wasn’t long before Lauren longed to teach in her hometown of Greenville, and she luckily got a job teaching at C.M. Eppes Middle School. CME afforded her the opportunity to work with many excellent educators and take on a variety of leadership roles. After 9.5 years in classroom, Lauren decided to further her opportunities and attend Graduate School at ECU for School Administration. As a NC Principal Fellows, Lauren was able to complete a full-time Assistant Principal internship at Bethel Elementary School. After graduation, Lauren got a job as the Assistant Principal at Lakeforest Elementary School. For the past two years, Lauren has worked diligently with the staff, students, and parents of Lakeforest to create a positive and effective learning environment for all stakeholders. In her newest role, Lauren will serve Pitt County Schools as the Teacher Leadership Coordinator.

Elizabeth Myers, ACC

Career Pathway Specialist

Elizabeth Myers graduated as an NC Teaching Fellow from UNC-Asheville in 1999 and taught middle school in Buncombe County from 2000-2004. After teaching a year in Japan, she and her husband moved back home to Greenville, NC in 2006, and she has been employed with Pitt County Schools ever since. Elizabeth taught 6-8 ELA and Social Studies at both Ayden Middle and Wellcome Middle and was the Instructional Coach at Ayden Middle School from 2014-2017. Elizabeth was a member of the Teacher Leader Cohort from 2011-2013. She is a trainer for Thinking Maps, Write from the Beginning, and Learning Focused, and is proud to have been Slide Certified at the Ron Clark Academy! When not at work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with her husband, Jason, and two daughters, Lucy and Ellie.

Elizabeth Simmons

Career Pathway Specialist

Elizabeth Simmons has been a part of the North Carolina educational system for 18 years. She graduated from the University of NC at Wilmington with a M.A.Ed. (2009) and B.A. (2004) degree in Elementary Education, with a minor in Psychology. Her teaching career began in Onslow County, where she taught elementary school for 10 years. She continued teaching elementary school after moving to Pitt County in 2013. Since relocating, Elizabeth has held Advanced Teaching Roles in Pitt County, serving as a Facilitating and Collaborating Teacher. Her passion for science led to collaborative opportunities with Lead Science Teachers in Pitt County.  She also worked with the PCS STEM Coordinator as a part of the SSEC Strategic Planning Committee, with the goal to positively impact science and STEM instruction in the county.  Elizabeth believes that every teacher has a unique purpose that can be realized and obtained through a supportive educational system.

Shani Smith-Ampley

Career Pathway Specialist

Shani Smith-Ampley, proud New Yorker, graduated from East Carolina University in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in Communication Arts and Art Education. Shani completed the National Board Certification process in 2008 and renewed in 2017 in Art Education. She taught Visual Arts to 6-8th grade students for 19 years at C.M. Eppes Middle School in Greenville, North Carolina. Working at C.M.E granted her the opportunity to serve in various leadership roles including as a School Improvement Team member, Restorative Discipline Co-Coordinator and Elective Team Chair. Shani’s true passion for working with teachers began in 2018 when she stepped into the collaborative role as Facilitating Teacher focused on the problems surrounding transitioning middle school students to high school and Equity through Culturally Responsive Teaching.  Shani is super excited to start this next chapter in her career as a Career Pathway Specialist who supports Pitt County School’s teacher leaders and adult learners.