The Wonder Team

Schara Brooks

With 11 years of teaching experience both inside and outside the classroom, Schara is a passionate and patient STEM instructor who knows how to make learning approachable, fun, and most importantly, successful. Whether it's algebra or anatomy, calculus or chemistry, Schara is here to guide students through each concept with clarity and enthusiasm.

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Before joining our team, Schara honed her skills as an instructional designer through Teach for America and a project-based charter school in Durham. She holds a Master’s in Education, a Data Science certification from MIT, and an AIG certificate from Duke, making her a true curriculum powerhouse.

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Her teaching style is all about personalization, tailoring lessons to each student’s needs, using real-world examples, and providing positive, encouraging feedback. She believes every student can succeed with the right support and works hard to turn frustration into confidence, one equation at a time. Ready to see math from a whole new angle? 

Sara Adams

With over a decade of experience in education, wellness, and the arts, Sara is a dynamic and deeply dedicated educator who brings creativity, compassion, and leadership to everything she does. Whether she's designing hands-on middle school classes, directing student theater productions, or building wellness programs that support the whole child, Sara helps students thrive—emotionally, physically, and creatively.

Before returning to Wonder, Sara led student wellness at a private IB middle and high school, where she co-developed a program to support students’ physical, emotional, and academic needs, while integrating adaptive coping skills into their daily routines. 

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Sara’s background includes extensive experience in visual art, theater, and tech, as well as leadership roles in finance, operations, and admissions at independent schools and nonprofits. She’s directed countless student productions and is known for her ability to mentor kids with empathy, humor, and high expectations.

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Her teaching style centers on connection—she’s often described as both a “child whisperer” and a parent’s best friend. She believes that every student deserves to feel seen, supported, and inspired to take creative risks.

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Somehow, amidst it all, she’s also managed our school’s move to North Carolina and coached our National Beta team to a national championship in Florida. There’s no one quite like her—and we’re thrilled she’s back at Wonder.

Audrea Phillips

Audrea Phillips joined Wonder after 29 years of elementary and middle school in South Carolina, including seven years as a state literacy coach for the Department of Education. She is certified in Early Childhood through Middle School Literacy, is National Board Certified in Early/Middle Childhood Literacy, and holds a Masters Degree in Education. Her passion is developing children's ability to think strategically as they read and write a wide variety of texts and helping them use reading and writing as tools to understand the world around them. 

AMber Young

Amber brings a passion for inquiry-driven education and a deep background in literacy and interdisciplinary teaching to Wonder Learning Center. Her approach is rooted in curiosity, critical thinking, and meaningful connections—reflecting Wonder’s commitment to student-centered learning.

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Before joining Wonder, Amber taught 8th grade Humanities at Central Park Charter, where she developed integrated units combining World History, Literature, and Cultural Studies. Her classrooms emphasized project-based learning, primary source analysis, and collaborative inquiry—an environment where gifted and exceptional learners thrived through depth, challenge, and student choice.

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Earlier in her career, Amber served as a Reading Interventionist in Durham Public Schools. There, she led school-wide literacy initiatives, supported instructional coaching, and delivered targeted reading interventions. She is skilled in differentiating for a wide range of learners, including students with IEPs and those needing enrichment and acceleration.

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Amber holds a Master’s in Human Resource Development from Clemson University, a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from Columbia College, and a Bachelor’s in Political Science from Winthrop University. At Wonder, she is dedicated to cultivating a nurturing, intellectually rich environment where every learner—especially those ready for deeper exploration—can grow, lead, and thrive.

Pip

Pip is a six-year old Golden Retriever, bred specifically to work with autistic children​.

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With a nose for knowing just when help is needed and a heart full of unconditional love, Pip enjoys snuggles, read alouds, and thinks he’s a lap cat!

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