Meet Ms. Mady!

I am Emily Mady, the music teacher at Blackburn. I received my bachelor's degree in music education from Wingate University where I sang opera and studied piano. I live with my cat Muffin and enjoy reading, dancing, and being outside.

About music instruction:

CCS music teachers provide quality music education to elementary students in a variety of ways. We work together in a Professional Learning Community to share ideas and methodology to enhance what we teach our students. Several of our educators are certified in Orff and/or Kodaly which are significant approaches to teaching music to young learners.

Throughout our elementary schools, you will find educators teaching a standards-based curriculum utilizing songs, folk dances, movement, chants/speaking, technology, and a variety of instruments including percussion, guitars, ukuleles, and recorders. If chosen, some students will have an opportunity to participate in an annual Catawba All-County Chorus music experience.

Meet Mrs. Ayotte!

Hey ya'll! I am Meleah Ayotte and I am the theatre teacher at Blackburn. I have been teaching since 2014. I was born, raised, and I still live in Newton, North Carolina. As a child, I went to Blackburn Elementary School. I then went on to both Jacob's Fork Middle School and Fred T. Foard High School. I graduated in the spring of 2010 from Foard. I then attended college at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where I got my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theatre education (K-12) in 2014. In my free time, I love to spend time with my family, watch television, play with my puppies, and snuggle with my sweet baby Theo!

About drama instruction:

Drama class puts students front and center as they explore four key areas that will help them on the stage - and in life. Acting enhances communication skills by teaching students how to articulate ideas verbally, through facial expressions, via body language and through creative script writing. Everyone needs to learn how to be a better critic - and students strengthen their analysis skills by watching and reading diverse performances from around the world. There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes of a performance, and our students get to understand the aesthetics behind creating props, sets and costumes. The theatre has its own culture; there’s etiquette involved in watching a live performance, and as students come together as an ensemble to create a class or school performance. 

Meet Coach Robinson!

Hey Blackburn, My name is Rai Robinson and I am the Physical Education Teacher. I graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne University and recently started graduate school at Appalachian State University for School Leadership. I have two girls, Sage (3) and Willow (5mo), being their dad is my favorite thing. In our free time, we love taking walks outside, frequent trips to get ice cream, and supporting our Lenoir-Rhyne Bears.

About PE instruction:

Getting active is an important part of leading a healthy life. Our physical education programs are taught by highly qualified health and PE teachers who have a passion for what they do. Our standards-based curriculum is designed to develop fundamental motor skills, fitness, sportsmanship, team building, social and emotional skills - all while having fun and reinforcing behaviors necessary for a healthy lifestyle. 

Meet Mrs. Wyant!

Hi! My name is Rebecca Wyant and I am the Media Coordinator at Blackburn. I have been an educator for 22 years. I love working in the media center and helping students find books they love. We also do fun STEM activities, which I've been missing lately! I am married to Eddy and we have two sons, Reece and Tucker, who attend Blackburn. I love to read, travel, swim, listen to music, and hang out with my family and friends.