The School of Hope Board Members

Meet The School of Hope Board Members

Amy & Rob Sparks

The School of Hope founders

Ron Liggins

President of the Board

Rhonda Richardson

Vice President of the Board

Kendra Dodson

Board Member

🧩 Ron Liggins was born in Pittsburgh, PA. He is married to Doris Nelson, from Tiptonville, TN. They have two sons and one daughter. Ron completed 30 years of military service and retired from Fayetteville Community College after 21 years. He is currently employed as a Human Resources Manager for All Seasons Heating & Air Conditioning Company. Ron became a Minister in the Springlake Church of Christ in 1979. He teaches Bible at the Helen Street Church of Christ. He is proud to be the President of The School of Hope Board.

🧩 Rhonda has been an educator for over 20 years. She started as a tutor for at-risk children. She developed a passion and belief that all children can learn and be great. So, she entered the lateral entry program to become an special education teacher. Mrs. Richardson taught children with serious emotional disorders in a self-contained environment for Johnston, Duplin and Cumberland County Schools. She also serviced a a special education director for a psychiatric residential facility for children. Currently, Rhonda serves as an exceptional children’s case manager for Cumberland County Schools. Rhonda has a desire to have a positive impact in her community. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., and Helen Street Church of Christ in which she is a coordinator for the Women’s Ministry. Rhonda is also the creator and host of Rhonda’s Red Tent where women meet to edify, teach and learn from each other. Rhonda Richardson has been the wife of her college sweetheart, James Richardson, for the past 24 years. They met as students at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Together, they have raise two young men, James II (22) and Jacob (20).

🧩 Kendra Dodson is the mother of a 3 year old. Currently, she serves as an Early Intervention Service Coordinator for NCDHHS. She brings more than 10 years experience working with children and adults with Special Needs. Recently, served as an Autism Teacher for Cumberland County Schools she is a Veteran of The United States Air Force Reserves. Other positions held are Autism Instructional Assistant, Inclusion Counselor, and Habilitation Technician. Her hobbies include: swimming, exercising, and listening to music.   She is a graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she studied Community and Therapeutic Recreation.

Amy Carpenter

Board Member

Ashlee Russell

Secretary of the Board

🧩 Amy Carpenter was born and raised in Fayetteville, NC. She graduated from Seventy-First High School. She has been married to her husband Andrew for 19 years and has a daughter named Rebecca. Amy graduated from UNC Pembroke with her BS in Education. She has taught elementary school and middle grades English for 21 years to special needs, regular education, and academically gifted children. She has also taught professional development classes on mainstreamed co-teaching for her school district.

🧩 Ashlee Russell is an educator who served 9 years with the Cumberland County School System. She spent 6 years as a classroom teacher and 3 years as an instructional coach. In 2015, Ashlee was named the Cumberland County Schools Teacher of the Year. Currently, she is a stay at home mom of 2 and private tutor. She is passionate about teaching children and helping them succeed. Ashlee is one of Mrs. Amy Sparks’ former students, and has truly enjoyed seeing the School of Hope become a thriving educational environment for children with Autism.

'All things are possible.' - Matthew 19:26