With over 20 years of experience in K-12 education, Christie brings an unwavering passion for teaching, learning, and community outreach to the Department. As Director of Education, she is dedicated to advancing the Department's "Learning Happens Here" initiative, while enhancing and showcasing the diverse and extensive educational opportunities provided across the Department’s 100+ locations and programs. Her work includes designing and implementing cross-departmental professional development programs and teacher fellowships, supporting outreach to underserved populations, designing curriculum, and fostering a collaborative network among the Department’s education staff to support and affirm our state's teachers and students.
Before joining the Department, Christie served as the Director of Carolina K-12 at UNC-Chapel Hill for twelve years, where she designed and implemented high-quality professional development programs, crafted acclaimed standards-aligned curriculum, and fostered a collaborative network of support for teachers across the state. Her selection as an Education Policy Fellow with the NC Public School Forum in 2018 and her recognition as the 2020 recipient of the Bryan Public Service Award underscore her commitment to advancing public education, innovative learning approaches, and culturally responsive teaching. Before joining Carolina K-12, Christie taught North Carolina History in Durham Public Schools and served as the assistant director of an arts-based educational nonprofit in East Harlem’s PS38. She is a graduate of Virginia Tech University.
Born and raised in Randolph County, NC, Christie is a proud product of North Carolina’s public schools. Despite a few years living outside the state, she developed an early love of North Carolina from her formative teachers and her North Carolina-born parents and grandparents, whether through stories shared around her grandparents’ kitchen table, and memorable class field trips to places like the NC Zoo and Town Creek. Today, she lives in Pittsboro with her husband, son, and mischievous rescue beagle.