About the Chief of Operations 

Brooke graduated from Meredith College in May 2002 with a B.S. in Child Development and a minor in Music. She began her teaching career in the fall of 2002 at Carver Elementary in Mount Olive, NC, as a More at Four Pre-K teacher. Working as a lateral entry teacher, she earned her Birth-Kindergarten teaching license in 2003. That same year, Brooke was honored with the Outstanding Young Educator Award from the Mount Olive Chamber of Commerce.

In April 2007, Brooke was offered the position of Master Preschool Teacher at the East Carolina University Child Development Lab, where she taught from August through December 2007. While at ECU, she was invited to return to Goldsboro to develop a new child care center designed to serve children of all abilities. Brooke earned her M.Ed. in Early Intervention and Family Support from UNC-Chapel Hill in December 2007 and immediately began the development of the new child care center and preschool that would become Creative Academy.

Throughout her career, Brooke has been deeply involved in early childhood professional development, inclusion, and advocacy. She has served as a trainer for the Lenoir and Wayne County Partnerships for Children Annual Child Care Convention, a member of the Wayne County Inclusion Initiative, a panel member for the Birth-Kindergarten Praxis exam, and a member of the NC Developmental Day Programs and Services Advisory Committee, the North Carolina Association of Developmental Day Directors (NCADD), and the Local Interagency Coordinating Council.

From 2019 to 2022, Brooke served as a Developmental Therapist with Simmons Early Intervention. She currently serves as an adjunct instructor in the Early Childhood Department within the School of Education at the University of Mount Olive. She also serves as a mentor/evaluator with the Early Educator Support, Licensure and Professional Development Unit (EESLPD) within the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE).

Brooke had the honor of serving as a member of the North Carolina Child Care Commission from 2016 to 2019. She was reappointed to the Commission in July 2024 and continues to serve as an active member.

Brooke served as Director of Creative Academy from its inception until July 1, 2020, when she transitioned into her current role as Chief Operating Officer of the Child Development Division. Through her years of leadership, teaching, advocacy, and professional service, Brooke continues to be a passionate advocate for high-quality early childhood education and inclusive learning opportunities for all children.