Upper Learning Faculty & Staff
Dr. Allen Barksdale
Titles:
Social Studies Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, Warren Wilson College
Master of Arts in History, Appalachian State University
Ph.D. in American Culture Studies, Bowling Green State University
Master of Arts in History, Appalachian State University
Ph.D. in American Culture Studies, Bowling Green State University
Departments:
Upper Learning
Denny Beatty
Titles:
Kinetic Wellness Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science, Therapeutic Recreation, Georgia State University
Departments:
Upper Learning, Athletics
Scottie Belfi
Titles:
French Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies, Political Science, and French, The University of Richmond
Master of Education in Secondary Education, concentration in French, Vanderbilt & Belmont Universities
Master of Education in Secondary Education, concentration in French, Vanderbilt & Belmont Universities
Departments:
Upper Learning
Sarah Benedict
Titles:
English Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, English, Elon University
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing, Rutgers University
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing, Rutgers University
Departments:
Upper Learning, 2018-19 New Staff
Peggy Benkeser
Titles:
Director of the Arts
Degrees:
Bachelor of Music, University of Illinois
Master of Music, Georgia State University
Master of Music, Georgia State University
Departments:
Upper Learning, Administrative, Fine Arts
Kerren Berz
Titles:
Strings Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science, University of Tennessee
Master of Music, Florida State University
Boston University
Master of Music, Florida State University
Boston University
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning, Fine Arts
Sam Biglari
Titles:
Social Studies Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, University of Virginia
Master of Arts Degree, Georgia State University
Master of Arts Degree, Georgia State University
Departments:
Upper Learning
Anne Broderick
Titles:
English Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, English, Notre Dame
Master of Education, Teaching and Learning, DePaul University
Master of Education, Teaching and Learning, DePaul University
Departments:
Upper Learning
Silvette Bullard
Titles:
Guidance Counselor
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, English Literature, DePauw University
Master of Science, Counseling and Counselor Education, Indiana University
Education Specialist, School Counseling, University of Georgia
Master of Science, Counseling and Counselor Education, Indiana University
Education Specialist, School Counseling, University of Georgia
Departments:
Upper Learning, 2018-19 New Staff
Edward Clark
Titles:
Physics Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Furman University
Master of Science, Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Master of Education, Science Education (Physics), University of Alabama at Birmingham
Master of Science, Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Master of Education, Science Education (Physics), University of Alabama at Birmingham
Departments:
Upper Learning
Megan Cramer
Titles:
Drama Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Theater, Wake Forest University
Departments:
Upper Learning, Fine Arts
Sally Cramer
Titles:
Dance Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, Florida State University
Departments:
Upper Learning, Fine Arts
Katie Crowell
Titles:
English Teacher
Degrees:
Master of Arts, Teaching: Secondary English Education, University of Georgia
Departments:
Upper Learning, 2018-19 New Staff
Chris Curtis
Titles:
Economics & World History Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science, Social Studies Education, Pennsylvania State University
Departments:
Upper Learning
Theresa Dames
Titles:
Chemistry Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Departments:
Upper Learning, 2018-19 New Staff
Alexander Diaz-Williamson
Titles:
Social Studies Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, Pomona College
Master of Arts, Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley
Master of Arts, Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley
Departments:
Upper Learning
Ayesha Fakhrid-Deen
Titles:
Mathematics Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Clark Atlanta University
Master of Science in Mathematics, Clark Atlanta University
Master of Science in Mathematics, Clark Atlanta University
Departments:
Upper Learning
Dr. Sue Feig
Titles:
Coordinator of Learning Services (Grades 5-12)
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Clark University
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Emory University
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Emory University
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Emory University
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Emory University
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning, Learning Services
Stephen Fleming-Cooper
Titles:
Mathematics Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, Oglethorpe University
Departments:
Upper Learning
Ann Fountain
Titles:
Associate Director of College Counseling, English Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, Sarah Lawrence College
Departments:
Upper Learning, College Counseling
Gareth Griffith
Titles:
Principal
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in English and French, Wake Forest University
Master of Arts in Art History, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Master of Science in Exercise & Sports Science - Biomechanics, University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Master of Arts in Art History, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Master of Science in Exercise & Sports Science - Biomechanics, University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Departments:
Upper Learning
Mary Stuart Hall
Titles:
Art Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Art, The University of the South
Master of Education in Art Education, University of Georgia
Master of Education in Art Education, University of Georgia
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning, Fine Arts
Sally Harvey
Titles:
Science Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science, Secondary Science Eduation, University of Alabama
Master of Arts, Secondary Science Education, University of Alabama
Master of Arts, Secondary Science Education, University of Alabama
Departments:
Upper Learning, 2018-19 New Staff
Dr. Lauren Holt
Titles:
English Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in English, Hendrix College
Master of Arts in English, University of Tennessee
Ph.D. in English, Emory University
Master of Arts in English, University of Tennessee
Ph.D. in English, Emory University
Departments:
Upper Learning
Dr. Lynda Jenkins
Titles:
Science Teacher
Degrees:
Ph.D. in Science Education, University of Georgia
Departments:
Upper Learning
MariaPaola Jimenez
Titles:
Technology Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design, Universidad de Los Andes
Departments:
Upper Learning
Ayisha Karim
Titles:
Mathematics Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Asian & African Languages and Literature, Duke University
Mathematics Teachers College, Columbia University
Private School Leadership, Klingenstein Center
Mathematics Teachers College, Columbia University
Private School Leadership, Klingenstein Center
Departments:
Upper Learning
Elissa Marele
Titles:
Theatre Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Theater Education, University of South Florida
Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Arts, Nova Southern University
Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Arts, Nova Southern University
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning, Fine Arts
Jeanne Martinez
Titles:
Registrar & Administrative Assistant
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science
Departments:
Upper Learning, Administrative
Jesus Martinez-Saldana
Titles:
Spanish Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in English as a Foreign Language, University of Havana
Master of Arts in Spanish Language and Culture, University of Salamanca
Master of Arts in Spanish Language and Culture, University of Salamanca
Departments:
Upper Learning
Brian Mitchell
Titles:
General Music & Guitar Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Ochestral Instrument Performance, Georgia State University
Master of Arts in Music, Georgia State University
Master of Arts in Music, Georgia State University
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning, Fine Arts
Becki Oeswein
Titles:
Mathematics Teacher
Degrees:
Masters of Engineering, Computer Engineering and Computer Science, University of Louisville
Bachelor of Science, Engineering Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Louisville
Bachelor of Science, Engineering Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Louisville
Departments:
Upper Learning
Cecilia Pagani
Titles:
Spanish Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, Modern Languages, University of Florence, Italy
Master of Arts, Linguistics, University of Florence, Italy
Master of Arts, Linguistics, University of Florence, Italy
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning
Nabila Peterson
Titles:
French Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, English, Stendhal University
Master of Arts, Teaching French as a Foreign Language & PGCE, Lancaster University, England
Master of Arts, Teaching French as a Foreign Language & PGCE, Lancaster University, England
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning
Tori Powers
Titles:
Mathematics Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, Mathematics, Religion Studies, Lehigh University
Master of Arts, Teaching Secondary Mathematics, Agnes Scott College
Master of Arts, Teaching Secondary Mathematics, Agnes Scott College
Departments:
Upper Learning
Danielle Reed
Titles:
English Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, English Education, Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Master of Education, English, Kennesaw State University
Master of Education, English, Kennesaw State University
Departments:
Upper Learning, 2018-19 New Staff
Amy Robinson
Titles:
English Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, History, Pomona College
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing, The New School
Master of Fine Arts, Creative Writing, The New School
Departments:
Upper Learning, 2018-19 New Staff
Dr. Lore Ruttan
Titles:
Art Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, Biology, University of Chicago
Master of Science, Ecology, University of Minnesota
Doctor of Philosophy, Ecology, University of California, Davis
Master of Science, Ecology, University of Minnesota
Doctor of Philosophy, Ecology, University of California, Davis
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning, Fine Arts
Elizabeth Sanders
Titles:
Science Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Biology, Yale University
Master of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies, Northeastern Illinois University
Master of Arts in Geography and Environmental Studies, Northeastern Illinois University
Departments:
Upper Learning
Daniel Solammon
Titles:
Band Director
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning, Fine Arts, 2018-19 New Staff
Stephanie Strickland
Titles:
Learning Support Teacher
Departments:
Upper Learning, Learning Services
Dr. Matt Vieron
Titles:
Latin Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies, Millsaps College—Jackson, MS
Master of Arts in Ancient Greek & Latin, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Ph.D. in Ancient Greek & Latin, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Master of Arts in Ancient Greek & Latin, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Ph.D. in Ancient Greek & Latin, University of Wisconsin, Madison
Departments:
Upper Learning
Tara Vito
Titles:
Lead Librarian
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Rhode Island College
Master of Library and Information Science, University of Rhode Island
Master of Library and Information Science, University of Rhode Island
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning, Library
Liz Whalen
Titles:
Theatre Tech Teacher
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, Theatre, St. Mary's of Notre Dame
Master of Fine Arts, Technical Theatre Production, University of Alabama
Master of Fine Arts, Technical Theatre Production, University of Alabama
Departments:
Upper Learning, Middle Learning, Fine Arts, 2018-19 New Staff
Beth Wilson
Titles:
Assistant Principal
Degrees:
Bachelor of Arts, English, Davidson College
Master of Arts, English, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Doctor of Philosophy (ABD), English Rhetoric & Composition, Old Dominion University
Master of Arts, English, University of Tennessee Chattanooga
Doctor of Philosophy (ABD), English Rhetoric & Composition, Old Dominion University
Departments:
Upper Learning, 2018-19 New Staff
Bob Zapotocky
Titles:
Director of College Counseling
Degrees:
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Gettysburg College
Departments:
Upper Learning, College Counseling