About Us

Mission Statement

Wake County Public School System will provide a relevant and engaging education and will graduate students who are collaborative, creative, effective communicators and critical thinkers.

Vision Statement

Parkside Elementary will foster a safe, innovative and effective learning environment where students are empowered to collaborate and reach their greatest potential as lifelong learners and global citizens. Parkside Elementary cultivates strong relationships with students and families, honoring our diverse community to ensure social and academic growth that disrupts historical disparities in achievement.

Core Value and Beliefs

We Value:

• Building relationships with each other, including staff, students, families, and the greater community, that respects all people, embraces diversity, and is committed to equity.
• All students are able to see themselves in what they learn through diverse content and resources.
• Empowering students to explore and connect content in innovative ways to become lifelong learners and productive global citizens.
• Engaging students in collaboration and inquiry through meaningful instructional practices, including The Project Approach model, which engages students in collaboration and inquiry to support academic growth and problem solving.
• A culture of teamwork and collaboration by honoring the unique interests, backgrounds and contributions of each member of the Sandpiper community.
• Students and staff show integrity, take ownership of their decisions, learning and teaching; empowering all to take courageous action toward making our community and world a better place.

Learn About Our Diverse Staff

 

Principal - Mr. Hudson

My name is Ted Hudson, and I am proud to serve as the principal of Parkside Elementary School. Public education has always been an important part of my life, and I believe deeply in the power of schools to change lives, build community, and create opportunities for every child.

I grew up in Geneseo, a small town in western New York, and later attended SUNY Geneseo, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. When I moved to North Carolina in 2004, my plan was to follow in my mom’s footsteps and become a special education teacher. As life often does, it took me in a slightly different direction, and I began my career in Wake County Public Schools as a 5th grade teacher at Underwood GT Magnet Elementary School in downtown Raleigh. I later taught 5th grade at Pleasant Union Elementary School, where I continued to grow as a teacher and began to see the impact I could have beyond my own classroom.

While teaching at Pleasant Union, I earned my Master’s degree in School Administration from UNC Chapel Hill. That experience helped shape my passion for school leadership and eventually led me to my first assistant principal position at Sycamore Creek Elementary School. I am now honored to lead the Parkside Elementary community, a school filled with dedicated educators, supportive families, and incredible students.

What I love most about public education is that it brings people together. Every child walks through our doors with a different story, different strengths, and different needs, and it is our responsibility and privilege to help them feel seen, supported, challenged, and loved. That belief guides the work I do each day as a principal.

Outside of school, I am grateful for my family. I have been married to my wife, Abby, for 16 years, and she is also a teacher in WCPSS. We have two children who attend WCPSS schools, so public education is not just my profession; it is part of our family’s life. I am proud to serve this community and proud to be part of a school system committed to helping all students succeed.

 

Assistant Principal - Mrs. Brown

My name is Sonya Brown, and I am blessed to be a wife, a mother of two beautiful children, an educator, and a lifelong learner. Family has always been the center of my life. Growing up on a farm in eastern North Carolina with my 6 brothers and 4 sisters taught me the value of hard work, resilience, faith, and togetherness. Those early experiences shaped who I am today and continue to influence the way I lead, teach, and serve others.

For the past 29 years, I have dedicated my life to education, with the last 6 years serving as an assistant principal. Throughout my career, I have believed deeply in the power of relationships, the importance of empowering teachers, and the responsibility we share in helping every child succeed. My core beliefs center around influencing and inspiring educators to become change agents, building teacher capacity, and improving outcomes for all students.

I strive to lead with passion, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring every child receives a high-quality education. Much like the sandpiper, steady, determined, and always moving forward, I believe students and educators thrive when they are encouraged to embrace challenges, grow through experiences, and recognize their own potential. I champion creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and social-emotional well-being for both students and staff. My goal as an instructional leader is to help nurture resilient, self-motivated learners who see themselves as the architects of their own bright futures.

In addition to my work in K–12 education, I have had the privilege of teaching ABE/GED courses at Wake Technical Community College and Guilford Technical Community College. Supporting adult learners on their educational journeys has been both rewarding and inspiring.

Education has always been a passion of mine, and I firmly believe in being a lifelong learner. In May 2019, I graduated from East Carolina University with a Master’s in School Administration and a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education as well as my Bachelor of Arts in Hearing Impaired/Deaf Education from Lenoir-Rhyne University in 1996. In 2013, I obtained my K–12 Reading Certification and later earned my Master’s as a Reading Specialist. Each step of my educational journey has strengthened my desire to continue learning and growing both personally and professionally.

While education has been my life’s calling, I also have a creative side that brings me great joy. In my next life, or perhaps after retirement, I would love to become a home interior designer or home stager. I truly relish decorating and transforming spaces into warm, welcoming environments that make people feel inspired and at home.

As I continue my journey in education and leadership, I remain committed to serving others, uplifting those around me, and helping every sandpiper in my care find the confidence and courage to soar toward success.