H.O.K.E. ACADEMY
Helping Our Kids Exceed
Meet Our Staff
Administration
Head Director
Ms. Kasia Carr
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Ms. Kasia Carr brings over 15 years of experience in education, with a journey that began in defense contracting in the Washington, D.C. metro area. Her passion for nurturing young minds led her to early childhood education, where she served as a Pre-K Teacher then Teacher Assistant in public schools while earning her degree in Elementary Education from Western Governors University.
Recognizing the growing need for personalized learning and smaller classroom environments, especially during the rise of online education and increased IEP support, Ms. Kasia became deeply committed to creating meaningful educational experiences for students and their families. She is a proud mother of four, with three children in college and one in middle school, and actively supports academic advancement through programs like the Career and College Promise at Sandhills Community College and Fayetteville Technical Community College, through which she has been instrumental in seeing several students gain acceptance into four-year universities across the country.
Beyond the classroom, she is an author, wellness and fitness coach, and entrepreneur who embraces a plant-based lifestyle. Her holistic approach to education and well-being inspires both students and families to thrive.
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Assistant Director
Mr. Victor Vercher
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Mr. Victor Vercher serves as the Assistant Director of Schools at H.O.K.E. Academy, bringing in over 12 years of proven leadership experience from a distinguished military career. With a strong foundation in organizational management and a deep commitment to academic excellence, Victor plays a vital role in supporting the school’s mission to cultivate an environment where every student can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Currently pursuing a Doctoral in Education, Mr. Vercher holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and dual master’s degrees in business administration and health care administration. This diverse academic background equips him with a unique perspective on leadership, strategic planning, and operational excellence in the education sector.
A proud parent of two sons, one a current student at H.O.K.E. Academy and the other just beginning his educational journey, Mr. Vercher is deeply invested in the school's success and its community. Guided by a lifelong passion for education, he is dedicated to empowering teachers, inspiring students, and fostering a culture of integrity, innovation, and lifelong learning.
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Director of Communications
Mrs. Anayah Machine
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Mrs. Anayah Machine is an experienced communications professional with a strong foundation in journalism and education. She is currently pursuing a Master of Communications and holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a concentration in Journalism. Mrs. Machine has spent several years crafting compelling narratives, shaping organizational messaging to build meaningful community connections, and educating scholars to embrace their creativity.
Before transitioning into communications leadership, Machine worked as an educator, where she honed her ability to convey complex ideas clearly and inspire engagement through storytelling and visual communication. In addition, she encourages her students to embrace their inner creativity in everything that they do.
As a lifelong learner, Mrs. Machine enjoys exploring new communication tools, digital media strategies, and creative ways to elevate brand presence. She is passionate about bridging the gap in education, community, and innovation through effective storytelling and strategic communication.
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Staff​
Ms. Jada Ousley
Middle/Upper School Teacher
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Ms. Jada Ousley serves as the English, Mathematics, and Apparel instructor for both middle and high school students at H.O.K.E. Academy, where she contributes meaningfully to the academic and creative development of learners across multiple disciplines. As the eldest of three siblings and a first-generation immigrant from Italy, she brings to her professional role a deeply rooted sense of responsibility, perseverance, and multicultural awareness that informs her instructional approach and classroom culture.
Ms. Ousley is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in English General Education at Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC). Her academic training, combined with her practical teaching experience, reflects a commitment to fostering literacy, critical thinking, and student confidence. She is known for adopting a collaborative, student-centered pedagogy, working alongside learners to support their academic growth while equipping them with the skills necessary to navigate future educational and life challenges. Her instructional style is further distinguished by an appropriate use of humor and lighthearted engagement, which she employs strategically to cultivate a positive and motivating learning environment.
Beyond her core academic responsibilities, Ms. Ousley also shares her artistic expertise as the school’s apparel teacher, where she integrates creativity, design thinking, and hands-on learning into the curriculum. Outside the classroom, she enjoys designing and constructing costumes, reading literature, and engaging in intellectually stimulating puzzles. Ms. Ousley’s interdisciplinary skill set, creative passion, and authentic rapport with students make her a highly valued and respected member of the H.O.K.E. Academy educational community.
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Mr. Gary Smith
Director of S.T.E.M.
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Mr. Gary Smith is the President & CEO of SmithHiTek Society Corporation, an emerging small and minority-owned technology firm headquartered in Fort Washington, Maryland. The company specializes in technical and educational services, providing technical support to government agencies, including NASA and NOAA. In September 2022, Mr. Smith expanded his educational mission by opening the Unimaginable Heights Learning Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina — a licensed daycare offering STEM-based education for children ages six weeks to twelve years. A proud Fayetteville native, Mr. Smith graduated from Reid Ross Senior High School in 1977, earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University in 1982, and a Master of Arts in Administrative Management from Bowie State University in 1999.
Mr. Smith’s distinguished career includes over three decades of service in aerospace and technology. He served as the Lead Software Systems Engineer and Manager for NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) — one of the most advanced observatories ever built — where he oversaw all onboard software systems. His leadership and expertise were vital in ensuring software compliance with NASA’s mission-critical standards, supporting international collaborations, and advancing the telescope’s ability to study the universe from its earliest light to the evolution of our solar system. Mr. Smith also held key leadership positions at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, including Branch Chief for the Software and Ground Systems Assurance Branch and Associate Branch Head for the Software Systems Engineering Branch.
Before his tenure at NASA, Mr. Smith held engineering and leadership roles with major defense and aerospace organizations such as Litton Advanced Systems/Northrop Grumman, Hughes STX/Raytheon, Sperry/Unisys Defense Systems, and the Naval Surface Weapons Center. His work contributed to the development of cutting-edge technologies supporting programs such as the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), Earth Observing 1 (EO-1), Boeing X-37, and the Hubble Space Telescope. Mr. Smith’s lifelong commitment to innovation, education, and community advancement continues to inspire future generations of engineers, technologists, and young scholars across North Carolina and beyond.
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Ms. Mikaylah Chisholm
Support Specialist
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Ms. Chisholm is a Licensed Social Worker who serves H.O.K.E. Academy as the school guidance counselor, where she provides comprehensive academic, social, and emotional support to students. Known for her compassionate presence and student-centered approach, she is committed to fostering an inclusive environment in which every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed. Her work reflects a deep understanding of child development and the critical role that emotional well-being plays in academic achievement.
Ms. Chisholm earned her Bachelor of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where she cultivated a strong professional foundation and discovered her enduring passion for advocacy, relationship-building, and service. Her academic preparation emphasized ethical practice, empathy, and collaborative problem-solving, all of which continue to guide her work in educational settings.
Prior to her role at H.O.K.E. Academy, Ms. Chisholm gained professional experience as a Care Manager, supporting children and families by connecting them with essential resources, strengthening coping strategies, and navigating complex life challenges. These experiences reinforced the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, resilience, and consistent encouragement. Ms. Chisholm is deeply dedicated to helping students recognize their strengths, develop confidence, and acquire the skills necessary to overcome obstacles. Her overarching goal is to ensure that every child understands they are capable, cared for, and never alone in their journey toward personal and academic growth.
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Ms. Omari Salone
Teacher Assistant
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Ms. Salone is a distinguished alumna of Carr Preparatory Academy, where she demonstrated early academic promise and a strong commitment to educational excellence. During her junior and senior years of high school, she successfully completed the Career and College Promise Program at Sandhills Community College, an academically rigorous dual-enrollment initiative that enabled her to earn college-level coursework while completing secondary education. This experience provided her with a solid foundation in postsecondary study, sharpened her scholarly discipline, and affirmed her dedication to lifelong learning.
She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where her studies emphasize pedagogical theory, instructional best practices, and the developmental needs of diverse learners. Ms. Salone’s academic trajectory reflects a sustained commitment to preparing for effective, inclusive, and student-centered teaching. Her educational background positions her as a motivated emerging professional who brings both academic rigor and practical experience to her work in educational settings.
