Mrs. Paladino has been in education for 15 years.  In UCPS she has served as a third grade teacher, fourth grade teacher, co-teacher, and Instructional Content Facilitator.  She is also a National Trainer for Time To Teach.  Currently she serves as a Health Sciences Academy Teacher and Curriculum Writer for Walter Bickett Elementary.  She is passionate about health and humanity and is working to provide students classes where they expand their curiosities and discover possible career paths along the way.  Her favorite aspect of this program is having daily opportunities to foster a growth mindset, understand the neuroscience behind our mindset, and witnessing the self-satisfaction the students experience as well as the excitement they have in driving their own learning.

Michelle Hage has worked in the healthcare industry as a medical sonographer for over 25 years. She has worked in hospitals, physician offices and most recently, the Emergency Department at Atrium Health in Waxhaw. Ms. Hage, who is employed by Atrium Health, currently serves as an academy liaison between Atrium Health and the Health Sciences Academy. She collaborates with elementary administrators and teachers to foster interest in healthcare careers by providing unique learning experiences to students. For the 2020-2021 school year, elementary students are learning about neuroscience and nutrition. They are discovering how the brain connects with the rest of the body and how nutrition plays an important role in leading a healthy lifestyle.