About OASIS
Our Passionate Staff
The staff of OASIS NC has knowledge, experience, and is unparalleled in its enthusiasm for teaching the whole child. They understand the key to learning is forming a relationship of trust, honest communication, and mutual respect. Teachers get to know each student personally and are able to capture their interest with engaging, student led, creative lessons, while administrators continually develop and adjust programs to challenge students academically and socially. OASIS NC believes that administrators, teachers, and students are all equal and support each other unconditionally.
Essentials Communication Classes: Ms. Sidney and Ms. Judi
Middle School Classes: Ms. Elizabeth and Ms. Kari
High School Classes: Ms. Maggie and Mr. Trevor
Admin Team: Ms. Erika and Ms. Angela
Pups: Archer and Boone
Executive Director/Co-Founder
Erika Merriman, M.Ed
Executive Director/Co-Founder
Erika Merriman, M.Ed
Erika is a certified Exceptional Student Educator in North Carolina. She graduated from the University of Miami (FL) in 2004 with Bachelors of Science Degree in Exceptional Student Education and Psychology, with an additional ESOL endorsement. In 2005, she received a Masters of Education Degree in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Texas. After starting her teaching career in Texas as a math resource teacher, Erika moved over to North Carolina for her dream job in the Intensive Social-Communication Support program. This role confirmed her love of teaching social-communication skills and led to her co-founding OASIS NC in 2011. Since then, Erika was nominated as one of WILMA’s 2017 “Women to Watch”, graduated from the Wilma Leadership Institute in September 2018, received a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from eCornell and the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, and became a certified Health Coach. Outside of OASIS, Erika enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, taking yoga classes, and advocating for kids, animals, and the planet!
Program Coordinator/Co-Founder
Kim Reinhardt
Kim began working as a special educator teaching students with learning disabilities in North Carolina’s public schools from 1989. In 1995, she began teaching children with autism and discovered a passion for teaching social, communication, and life skills. Along the way, Kim found time to get her R.N. degree from Cape Fear Community College and more recently, became certified in Plant-Based Nutrition through eCornell and the T.Colin Campbell Center for Plant-Based Nutrition. After co-founding OASIS NC in 2012, Kim retired from the public schools where she currently combines her passion for special education and health and wellness programming. Beyond the classroom walls, Kim is also dedicated to animal welfare and spends much of her free time caring for rescued farmed animals at a local sanctuary or visiting with her family in Raleigh.
Director of Development and Operations/ Head of School
Angela Pollock
Director of Development and Operations/ Head of School
Angela Pollock
Angela graduated from UNC Wilmington with a Bachelor’s in Adapted Special Education. After teaching Functional Academics in the public school system for a few years, she returned to UNCW Wilmington and earned her Master’s in Public Administration. Angela has been at OASIS NC since 2017 and is now the Head of School for SEA Academy and works alongside the amazing team of teachers, staff, and administrators! Outside of work, Angela was a founding member of the Cape Fear Enrichment Program until 2022, and she was also the founder of the “I Am Beautiful Fashion Show”, an event that highlighted the confidence and beauty of individuals with disabilities, that ran from 2013-2019. Angela now volunteers with Blueberry Lane Farm Animal Sanctuary, loves to spend time with her dogs and loved ones, creating, painting, and enjoying life!