Georgia Teacher Certification: English 6-12, Gifted Endorsement In-Field
EDUCATION:
Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary English - MERCER UNIVERSITY, ATLANTA
Bachelor of Arts in English - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
Bachelor or Arts in Journalism - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA
"My experience working and volunteering with children began at an early age but grew into a passion while I attended the University of Georgia. As a college student, I helped lead a team that volunteered with middle school students both in and out of their school. After graduating from college, I volunteered again with middle school students as a "small group leader." In my first job at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, I worked with children of all ages, backgrounds, and physical and mental abilities. The most satisfying element of that job was the opportunity I had to work with teenage patients and volunteers through the VolunTEEN program which I coordinated and managed. However, during those first years post-college, I realized that I had a strong desire to teach, so with the support of my husband, I went back to school to work towards my Master's in Education. I began teaching while working on my Master's and have grown to love the education field more than I ever thought possible.
After having taught for a handful of years in the public school system, I was excited to join the William & Reed family after its first year as an ELA teacher; and after six years of teaching here, I am honored to now be the Director of College Counseling. My passion ultimately lies in helping students, and this new role allows me to develop curriculum using Naviance software that will help guide ALL W&R students through the process of determining WHO they are, HOW they learn, and WHAT their post-high-school plans may be. I am so excited to work closely with the Juniors and Seniors through the ever-changing testing and college application processes. While the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly changed the landscape of college admissions, I look forward to navigating these unchartered waters with the students and parents. I continue to be awed and inspired by the mission and vision of William & Reed in creating an educational environment for students of so many talents and abilities to grow and become life-long learners. Being able to work with students in a smaller setting and getting to really know them--their strengths, challenges, fears, and dreams--is just one of the many reasons why I love William & Reed Academy.
I grew up in Marietta, and have lived in Alpharetta and Milton with my husband since we married. We hope and plan to continue to raise our children, Hudson and Harper, here, surrounded by family in this wonderful community. We love being together--hanging out in downtown Alpharetta, Avalon, at swim meets, baseball & football games, and dance recitals, or just sitting around our firepit and playing outside in our backyard. I love making time to read frivolously, exercise with friends, and attend concerts at Verizon Amphitheater."
EDUCATION EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHTS:
William & Reed Academy
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Director of College Counseling
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6th grade Language Arts
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9 - 11th grade Honors and College Prep Literature & Composition
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AP English Literature & Composition
Johns Creek High School
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10th grade Honors Literature & Composition
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Talented and Gifted Teacher (TAG)
Duluth High School
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9th grade Honors and College Prep Language Arts
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9th grade College Prep Humanities Collaborative
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10th grade College Prep and Honors World Literature
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10th grade Lead Teacher
RELATED EXPERIENCE & ACCOLADES:
William & Reed Academy – Student Council Sponsor; Fulton County – Teacher of the Year Finalist (Johns Creek High School), Art Club Sponsor, Junior Council Co-Sponsor, Student Council Sponsor, School Governance Council Teacher Representative, Gifted Certification Endorsement; Gwinnett County - Teacher or the Year Nominee, Wildcat (Culture) Committee, Habitudes® Advisement Committee, Freshman Mentor Program Teacher, Attended Ron Clark Academy Teacher Training, Summer Literacy Program, Head Cheerleading Coach, Assistant Competition Cheerleading Coach; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Volunteer Coordinator; Community Outreach Sponsor.