Our instructors bring over 30 years of experience to the classroom. They are dedicated to providing quality instruction to help you achieve your best score on your next test.
English Instructors
Ray Leach - Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction
Dr. Leach is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte and received his doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in 2021. Originally from Gastonia, NC, he is always excited about returning to his alma mater, CPCC ('07). Dr. Leach also has a Master of Arts in Teaching Middle Grades English ('18) and a Bachelor's degree in English ('08), both from UNC-Charlotte. In addition to working in the central office of a local school district, he also volunteers with two education-centric academic journals both as an article reviewer and a member of an editorial board. As a test-taker, Dr. Leach scored in the top 2% of all writers across the world on the GRE test. As a former middle grades teacher, Dr. Leach has a passion for teaching English and ensuring students are prepared for the world outside of academia. In addition to teaching at CPCC, Dr. Leach has served as an SAT proctor since 2018. He is not only one of our instructors but also our Collegiate Test Prep Program Facilitator.
Susie Porter - B.S. Business Administration and Master of Health Administration
Ms. Porter is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, with a B.S. Business Administration, and also earned an M.H.A. from Duke University. After spending 15 years in the healthcare administration industry, Susie decided to make a career change enabling her to manage parental responsibilities. Obtaining her NC teacher license in 2010, she began to teach high school students in Pinehurst, NC. During the summers, she worked part-time with The Princeton Review as an SAT instructor. In 2016, Susie moved to Charlotte, NC and now teaches at South Mecklenburg High School in a specialized role as an ACT Prep instructor. As part of the curriculum, in addition to focused and in-depth ACT content, she helps guide students to complete essential college preparatory planning components: Essays, Resume, Selection Criteria, Teacher Recommendation.
Catherine Poynter - Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Education
Ms. Poynter, a native of Winston-Salem, attended Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Her passion for English literature and psychology led her to double-major in both disciplines, earning her Bachelor's degree in 1992. After beginning her family, Ms. Poynter discovered a joy for teaching and embarked on a fifteen-year career in education. She holds a teaching certificate in Secondary Education from Western Carolina University and has taught secondary English courses in diverse populations from urban public schools to a gold medal, nationally-ranked charter school. Additionally, Ms. Poynter has five years of experience teaching in the Middle Years International Baccalaureate Programme and received her Master's in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Gratz College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ms. Poynter also has administered the SAT for over eight years, with additional experience administering the Pre-SAT, ACT and PLAN tests. She enjoys teaching subject-related critical thinking skills and strategies to her students. For her, there is nothing more rewarding than witnessing students' mastery of test-taking strategies so that their talents and expertise can shine.
Carrie Roth - Bachelor's Degree in Literature
Ms. Roth attended UNC Asheville as a NC Teaching Fellow. She graduated with a BA in literature and a teaching licensure for grades 6-12. Although licensed to teach middle school, all her experience thus far has been at the high school level. She's taught in both public and charter school settings and has taught English I, II, and III, as well as an elective speech and debate course. Recently, Ms. Roth left the classroom to explore a corporate career, but was not ready to let go of teaching altogether. She enjoys language and literature, but loves working with young people. As an educator, creating genuine and meaningful connections with her students is of the utmost importance to her, helping them take the next step in their journey.
Dr. Leach is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte and received his doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction in 2021. Originally from Gastonia, NC, he is always excited about returning to his alma mater, CPCC ('07). Dr. Leach also has a Master of Arts in Teaching Middle Grades English ('18) and a Bachelor's degree in English ('08), both from UNC-Charlotte. In addition to working in the central office of a local school district, he also volunteers with two education-centric academic journals both as an article reviewer and a member of an editorial board. As a test-taker, Dr. Leach scored in the top 2% of all writers across the world on the GRE test. As a former middle grades teacher, Dr. Leach has a passion for teaching English and ensuring students are prepared for the world outside of academia. In addition to teaching at CPCC, Dr. Leach has served as an SAT proctor since 2018. He is not only one of our instructors but also our Collegiate Test Prep Program Facilitator.
Susie Porter - B.S. Business Administration and Master of Health Administration
Ms. Porter is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, with a B.S. Business Administration, and also earned an M.H.A. from Duke University. After spending 15 years in the healthcare administration industry, Susie decided to make a career change enabling her to manage parental responsibilities. Obtaining her NC teacher license in 2010, she began to teach high school students in Pinehurst, NC. During the summers, she worked part-time with The Princeton Review as an SAT instructor. In 2016, Susie moved to Charlotte, NC and now teaches at South Mecklenburg High School in a specialized role as an ACT Prep instructor. As part of the curriculum, in addition to focused and in-depth ACT content, she helps guide students to complete essential college preparatory planning components: Essays, Resume, Selection Criteria, Teacher Recommendation.
Catherine Poynter - Bachelor's Degree in Secondary English Education
Ms. Poynter, a native of Winston-Salem, attended Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. Her passion for English literature and psychology led her to double-major in both disciplines, earning her Bachelor's degree in 1992. After beginning her family, Ms. Poynter discovered a joy for teaching and embarked on a fifteen-year career in education. She holds a teaching certificate in Secondary Education from Western Carolina University and has taught secondary English courses in diverse populations from urban public schools to a gold medal, nationally-ranked charter school. Additionally, Ms. Poynter has five years of experience teaching in the Middle Years International Baccalaureate Programme and received her Master's in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from Gratz College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ms. Poynter also has administered the SAT for over eight years, with additional experience administering the Pre-SAT, ACT and PLAN tests. She enjoys teaching subject-related critical thinking skills and strategies to her students. For her, there is nothing more rewarding than witnessing students' mastery of test-taking strategies so that their talents and expertise can shine.
Carrie Roth - Bachelor's Degree in Literature
Ms. Roth attended UNC Asheville as a NC Teaching Fellow. She graduated with a BA in literature and a teaching licensure for grades 6-12. Although licensed to teach middle school, all her experience thus far has been at the high school level. She's taught in both public and charter school settings and has taught English I, II, and III, as well as an elective speech and debate course. Recently, Ms. Roth left the classroom to explore a corporate career, but was not ready to let go of teaching altogether. She enjoys language and literature, but loves working with young people. As an educator, creating genuine and meaningful connections with her students is of the utmost importance to her, helping them take the next step in their journey.
math instructors
Mark Brown - Master's Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision
Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Mr. Brown received his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Rutgers University and his Master's degree in Educational Administration & Supervision from Montclair State University. In his almost 30-year career as an educator for the Newark Public Schools, he was a high school mathematics teacher and taught classes from Pre-Algebra to Pre-Calculus (including SAT Prep). He was also an elementary and high school assistant principal for 15 years where, among other duties, he supervised the mathematics, science, and guidance departments. Most recently, he taught middle school mathematics (Algebra I/Algebra I Honors) at a Christian school and home-schooled his youngest daughter for 8th grade. In addition, Mr. Brown is a self-employed income tax preparer and regularly tutors students in middle and high school mathematics. In his spare time, Mr. Brown enjoys spending time with his family, reading self-help books, and enjoying the outdoors. He looks forward to continuing working with Central Piedmont's Collegiate Test Prep Program to help students advance their education and fulfill their dreams.
Sarah Jackson - Master's Degree of Teaching, Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics
Ms. Jackson's passion for teaching began when she was little, pretending to be a teacher with all of the neighborhood kids. In high school, she took a teacher cadet course where she was able to shadow her favorite middle school teacher. She graduated with her B.S. in Mathematics and M.T. in Secondary Ed from the University of South Carolina. She then moved to Dallas, TX where she taught 9th grade math to predominately English Language Learners. Ms. Jackson later moved to Charlotte, NC where she taught three years at Vance High School. Go Cougars! She looks forward to continuing her teaching career helping students be successful with Collegiate Test Prep!
Michelle Johncock - Master's Degree in Mathematics, Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics Education
Ms. Johncock's math teaching career began 25 years ago after she graduated from American University in Washington, DC with her B.S. in Mathematics Education. Since then she's taught at several independent schools in Washington, DC, Annapolis, MD and here in Charlotte. She was a 2007-2008 Fulbright Teacher's Exchange Award recipient and taught eighth & ninth grade math for one year in Sterkspruit, South Africa, while completing her MA in mathematics education from George Washington University. She has taught mathematics at every grade level from fifth through twelfth grade but finds working with her own first and fourth grade kids the toughest teaching yet. She relaxes (recovers?) with Taekwondo, pickleball, and binge watching Supernatural. She's super excited to be working with Central Piedmont's Collegiate Test Prep and can't wait to share her enthusiasm for mathematics.
Susie Porter - B.S. Business Administration and Master of Health Administration
Ms. Porter is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, with a B.S. Business Administration, and also earned an M.H.A. from Duke University. After spending 15 years in the healthcare administration industry, Susie decided to make a career change enabling her to manage parental responsibilities. Obtaining her NC teacher license in 2010, she began to teach high school students in Pinehurst, NC. During the summers, she worked part-time with The Princeton Review as an SAT instructor. I n 2016, Susie moved to Charlotte, NC and now teaches at South Mecklenburg High School in a specialized role as an ACT Prep instructor. As part of the curriculum, in addition to focused and in-depth ACT content, she helps guide students to complete essential college preparatory planning components: Essays, Resume, Selection Criteria, Teacher Recommendation.
Sarah Hartman - Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Ms. Hartman graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education. Ms. Hartman has been an educator since January of 2018 and enjoys teaching Algebra 1, Geometry, Math 1, Math 3, and Math 4. In her free time, she enjoys running and hiking, especially in the mountains of North Carolina! Ms. Hartman has a passion for teaching and looks forward to working with students to further their careers, in whatever way they choose!
Born and raised in Newark, New Jersey, Mr. Brown received his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Rutgers University and his Master's degree in Educational Administration & Supervision from Montclair State University. In his almost 30-year career as an educator for the Newark Public Schools, he was a high school mathematics teacher and taught classes from Pre-Algebra to Pre-Calculus (including SAT Prep). He was also an elementary and high school assistant principal for 15 years where, among other duties, he supervised the mathematics, science, and guidance departments. Most recently, he taught middle school mathematics (Algebra I/Algebra I Honors) at a Christian school and home-schooled his youngest daughter for 8th grade. In addition, Mr. Brown is a self-employed income tax preparer and regularly tutors students in middle and high school mathematics. In his spare time, Mr. Brown enjoys spending time with his family, reading self-help books, and enjoying the outdoors. He looks forward to continuing working with Central Piedmont's Collegiate Test Prep Program to help students advance their education and fulfill their dreams.
Sarah Jackson - Master's Degree of Teaching, Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics
Ms. Jackson's passion for teaching began when she was little, pretending to be a teacher with all of the neighborhood kids. In high school, she took a teacher cadet course where she was able to shadow her favorite middle school teacher. She graduated with her B.S. in Mathematics and M.T. in Secondary Ed from the University of South Carolina. She then moved to Dallas, TX where she taught 9th grade math to predominately English Language Learners. Ms. Jackson later moved to Charlotte, NC where she taught three years at Vance High School. Go Cougars! She looks forward to continuing her teaching career helping students be successful with Collegiate Test Prep!
Michelle Johncock - Master's Degree in Mathematics, Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics Education
Ms. Johncock's math teaching career began 25 years ago after she graduated from American University in Washington, DC with her B.S. in Mathematics Education. Since then she's taught at several independent schools in Washington, DC, Annapolis, MD and here in Charlotte. She was a 2007-2008 Fulbright Teacher's Exchange Award recipient and taught eighth & ninth grade math for one year in Sterkspruit, South Africa, while completing her MA in mathematics education from George Washington University. She has taught mathematics at every grade level from fifth through twelfth grade but finds working with her own first and fourth grade kids the toughest teaching yet. She relaxes (recovers?) with Taekwondo, pickleball, and binge watching Supernatural. She's super excited to be working with Central Piedmont's Collegiate Test Prep and can't wait to share her enthusiasm for mathematics.
Susie Porter - B.S. Business Administration and Master of Health Administration
Ms. Porter is a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, with a B.S. Business Administration, and also earned an M.H.A. from Duke University. After spending 15 years in the healthcare administration industry, Susie decided to make a career change enabling her to manage parental responsibilities. Obtaining her NC teacher license in 2010, she began to teach high school students in Pinehurst, NC. During the summers, she worked part-time with The Princeton Review as an SAT instructor. I n 2016, Susie moved to Charlotte, NC and now teaches at South Mecklenburg High School in a specialized role as an ACT Prep instructor. As part of the curriculum, in addition to focused and in-depth ACT content, she helps guide students to complete essential college preparatory planning components: Essays, Resume, Selection Criteria, Teacher Recommendation.
Sarah Hartman - Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education
Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Ms. Hartman graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Mathematics Education. Ms. Hartman has been an educator since January of 2018 and enjoys teaching Algebra 1, Geometry, Math 1, Math 3, and Math 4. In her free time, she enjoys running and hiking, especially in the mountains of North Carolina! Ms. Hartman has a passion for teaching and looks forward to working with students to further their careers, in whatever way they choose!
Science instructors
Dr. Pat Alfarone - Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr. Alfarone has a MA in Education with a focus in the sciences. He currently teaches anatomy and physiology on the community college level and biomedical studies on the high school level. He is currently working on completing National Board certification. Prior to his educational career, Dr. Alfarone worked independently as a Chiropractic physician since 1994.
Manal Guirguis - Master's Degree in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology
Ms. Guirguis is originally from Alexandria, Egypt. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy and a Master's Degree of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology and has more than 25 years of teaching experience. Ms. Guirguis has been teaching at Central Piedmont for 11 years. She is a creative crafter and artist who loves music, reading, walking, traveling, and cooking.
Melissa Holland - Master's Degree in Secondary Science Education, Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Bachelor's Degree in Zoology
Ms. Holland has taught high school science in North and South Carolina for twenty years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from NC State University, a Masters in Secondary Science Education from Coastal Carolina University, and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Coastal Carolina University. She currently teaches for Gaston County Schools. She looks forward to helping students succeed with Collegiate Test Prep!
Dr. Alfarone has a MA in Education with a focus in the sciences. He currently teaches anatomy and physiology on the community college level and biomedical studies on the high school level. He is currently working on completing National Board certification. Prior to his educational career, Dr. Alfarone worked independently as a Chiropractic physician since 1994.
Manal Guirguis - Master's Degree in Biological Sciences and Biotechnology
Ms. Guirguis is originally from Alexandria, Egypt. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy and a Master's Degree of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology and has more than 25 years of teaching experience. Ms. Guirguis has been teaching at Central Piedmont for 11 years. She is a creative crafter and artist who loves music, reading, walking, traveling, and cooking.
Melissa Holland - Master's Degree in Secondary Science Education, Master's Degree in Educational Leadership, Bachelor's Degree in Zoology
Ms. Holland has taught high school science in North and South Carolina for twenty years. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from NC State University, a Masters in Secondary Science Education from Coastal Carolina University, and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Coastal Carolina University. She currently teaches for Gaston County Schools. She looks forward to helping students succeed with Collegiate Test Prep!