Quintin Mangano

Quintin will be working in Northeast NC in Bertie County, Hyde County, Northampton County, and Washington County!

Here is what he has to say:

I was born in Silver Creek, New York, a small town south of Buffalo on Lake Erie. Growing up in a large family of educators, athletes, musicians, and tradesmen, I was influenced by them all during childhood. My love for sports began early, and I was fortunate to learn from a variety of coaches and family members. I also developed a deep appreciation for nature, spending time tapping trees to make syrup, gardening, swimming in the lake, exploring woods and creeks and camping and hiking. 

With both parents as educators, I saw firsthand the rewards and challenges of working in schools, but I didn’t think it was for me. After high school, I earned a Biology degree from SUNY Potsdam and played four years of college basketball. After college, I moved to New Jersey, where I ironically found myself teaching at an inner-city alternative school in Trenton. This was an eye-opening experience and solidified my passion for working with children. In 1997, I relocated to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where I taught at William R. Davie Middle School. Over the next five years, I earned my teaching license through the lateral entry program and a Master's degree in School Administration. I then began my administration career in Nash County, became an elementary school Principal in 2006, and served in that role for 19 years in four schools before retiring in 2025.

Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed both the joys and challenges students face. I’ve always sought to support those with the greatest needs and have grown to understand the impact trauma can have on children and adults. In my final years as a principal, I worked with the Center for Resilience and Learning, and I am thrilled to have now joined their team.

I look forward to continuing to support students, teachers, and families, sharing my experiences, and learning from the talented educators I’ll work alongside at the NC Center for Resilience and Learning and within the school communities I will serve.

MKayla Nelson

Mkayla will be working in Western NC in Avery County, Mitchell County, and Yancey County!

Here is what she has to say:

Hi, I am MKayla! I joined the NC Public School Forum and the Center for Resilience and Learning in July as the Western North Carolina Program Manager, serving Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties. Before joining the forum, I worked in school systems, residential foster care settings, and outpatient services as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing trauma therapy to children and adolescents. I joined R&L because of its mission and vision for the state of NC schools, and its impact on educators and students. When I'm not working, you can usually find me reading a good book, spending some time at the gym, hiking with my 9-year-old husky, or traveling with my family.

Victor Jones

Victor is joining us as a part-time contractor to serve Beaufort County!

Here is what he has to say:

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Addictions Specialist (LCAS), Senior Certified Resilience Educator of Reconnect for Resilience™, and Neuro-Somatic Intelligence Coach. Victor has designed, co-designed, and supervised programs to assist people suffering from traumatic experiences, chemical dependence, intimate partner violence, and anger management. 

Victor has a passion for community-centered resilience education and practice.  He is a native of Raleigh, NC, and lives in Rocky Mount with his wife and two children. Victor loves history, art, nature, and intentionally reclaiming the wisdom that makes all humans remarkable.  Victor brings both clinical depth and educational versatility to support the academic and emotional well-being of students and adults impacted by trauma. 

“A healthy workplace benefits emotional and community wellbeing.  I’ve known Eulanda Thorne for many years, and I’ve seen the joy she has about Resilience and Learning. Emotional well-being – check.  I’m particularly drawn to R&L’s whole-school implementation model and systems-change approach to creating trauma-informed schools. These are goals that align seamlessly with my own advocacy and educational work. Community wellbeing - Check.

I’ve only just joined the wonderful team of R&L. The commitment to creating healthier, safer spaces is not just the job, it’s the R&L way of living.

Back-to-School Toolkit From the Center for Whole-Child Education

Relationships fuel learning. When young people feel seen, safe, and supported, they can truly thrive. That’s why this year, the focus is on doubling down on what matters most: helping educators create learning environments where strong, authentic relationships can take root—starting on day one.

Because when relationships lead the way, it becomes possible to design for thriving—cultivating spaces where each learner grows not just academically, but socially, emotionally, and holistically. For support in bringing this vision to life, the Back-to-School Toolkit below offers helpful resources.

Want your school to begin the journey to becoming trauma-informed?