About Ms. Lauri

Ms. Lauri has been in education for 21 years in many different capacities. She started her career in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools as a classroom teacher, then moved to Union County schools in 2008. Ms. Lauri completed her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, then completed her Masters in Curriculum and Instruction with a Reading emphasis through Grand Canyon University. In 2013, Ms. Lauri decided to continue her education and graduated with an Administrative license from Wingate University. 

Ms. Lauri was a part of the Wingate Elementary family for 14 years. She worked as an assistant principal, classroom teacher, curriculum coach, and instructional content facilitator. Ms. Lauri looks forward to bringing her knowledge of curriculum and instruction to continue to grow learners and leaders at Poplin Elementary. She is eager to begin building strong relationships with students, staff, and parents and is grateful to be a part of the Poplin community. 

 Ms. Lauri resides in Indian Trail with her twin boys, who are students of Union County Public Schools. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, popcorn-movie nights, and playing sports outside with her boys and their Great Dane, Harley. 

Degrees and Certifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education
• Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction
• Master's Degree in Administration

Contact Ms. Lauri

• Email: shanda.lauri@ucps.k12.nc.us

About Mr. Watts

Mr. Randal Watts came to Poplin from New Town Elementary where he worked in several roles. He started his career in education at Sun Valley High School as a science teacher for ten years. He later worked as an administrator for a Small learning Community grant for years. The grant position was created to help transition and support ninth-graders from middle to high school by developing academic support for students and teachers as well as creating extra-curricular opportunities for the students. Upon conclusion of the grant, Mr. Watts became an assistant principal of instruction for Sun Valley for seven years. 

His educational background includes an Associates Arts degree from Brevard College, an undergraduate degree in Biology Secondary Education from Appalachian State and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Winthrop University.

Mr. Watts is a life-long resident of Union County and product of Union County Public Schools. He is the father of two young children, a set of twin girls Miranda and Marissa.

Contact Mr. Watts

• Email: randal.watts@ucps.k12.nc.us