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New Additions
July 27, 2014 |
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Dear Wesley families,
In just over one week, we will be welcoming our students back to school following a summer of fun and frolic. While I am hopeful that you have had an enjoyable and restful vacation, it is now time to get back to work.
Over the past couple of weeks, our wonderful team of professionals have been preparing themselves – organizing classrooms, thinking through logistical challenges, goal setting, collaborating, and team building. We have been working on a plan to execute the school’s new mission and vision while thinking more deeply about our practice as professionals. Needless to say, we are excited about the promise that the upcoming year holds.
As you are aware, we will also be welcoming several new staff members to the WIA family. Over the course of this year, you will certainly have an opportunity to become more familiar with them, but allow me to present them to you now by way of biographic introduction.
Enjoy.
WIA 2014 New Hires
All School, Technology
Mr. Hassan Kariem. Mr. Kariem is a graduate of Georgia Southern University holding a bachelor's degree in Information Technology. He recently relocated to Atlanta from Tarzana, California to assume his new role as the technology instructor at Wesley. Mr. Kariem, who is also currently completing his master’s degree in Instructional Technology, has significant experience working with children and enjoys including personal and professional experiences in his instruction to provide a platform of innovation. Mr. Kariem’s seven years as a technology instructor has provided him with a unique understanding of a child's perspective of technology, allowing him to better support children as they learn how to develop technology literacy skills which will prepare them for the globally dynamic job market of the future. His professional experience as a video game design instructor with the American School of Bombay in Mumbai has also informed his personal insights into several new technological principles.
All School, Director of Culture and Discipline
Dr. Alastair Pullen. Dr. Pullen is a valued commodity, coming to Wesley after having taught English and Special Education at The New Schools at Carver. Additionally, Dr. Pullen is an honors graduate of Colby College, holding degrees in Gender Studies, Anthropology and African-American Studies. Dr. Pullen also holds a Master’s Degree from Harvard University and a Ph.D. from Emory University. He is the proud father of 3 children - a 3 year-old daughter and 1 year-old twins. Dr. Pullen is married and lives in North Decatur.
MYP, Chinese Instructor
Ms. Jiani Liao. Ms. Liao joins the WIA team after having spent the past two years at Gwinnett County’s Peachtree Ridge High School. While there, Ms. Liao taught Advanced Placement Chinese, Chinese II, and Chinese IV. Ms. Liao earned her bachelor’s degree in English at a top university in China, and she received her graduate degree in World Language Education from the University of Georgia. Ms. Liao loves traveling and hiking and also enjoys talking with people and experiencing different cultures.
Remember, middle school students will also be taking elective course offerings under our Accelerated Program of Study (APOS). Courses with an asterisk are new.
8th Grade Physical; A.P.O.S. *Immunology
Ms. Brittney Cousin. Ms. Cousin graduated from the University of West Alabama with a degree in Chemistry and an emphasis in medical ethics. She comes to Wesley following her work experience at The Galloway School where she taught science and coached girls basketball and volleyball. Prior to entering the teaching profession, Ms. Cousin worked for 3 years at a New Jersey based multi-national manufacturing company where she specialized in hazard communications and regulatory compliance.
8th Grade Individuals and Societies; A.P.O.S. *Art History
Ms. Rachel Schwartz. Ms. Schwartz is originally from New Jersey but has lived in Atlanta for the past ten years. She graduated from one of the oldest and most established IB programs in the United States at St. Petersburg High School in Florida, and received her IB diploma in 1999. Ms. Schwartz attended the University of Michigan where she graduated cum laude in 2003 with a double major in history and art history. After several years of grant writing and fundraising in the non-profit sector, she attended graduate school at Emory University and received a Master of Arts in Teaching with an emphasis in Social Studies in 2010. Ms. Schwartz has worked at Atlanta’s Weber School for the past 5 years and now comes to Wesley with experience having taught a broad spectrum of courses in social studies including Advanced Placement, Honors, US, World, European, and creative elective courses combining art, politics, memory, and thematic history. Ms. Schwartz is also a proud mother and wife and lives nearby.
8th Grade Language A; A.P.O.S. *Speech and Debate
Mr. Carlos Torres. Until recently, Mr. Torres was practicing law in the state of Georgia. Having been reared in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was a three-time medalist and state champion in wrestling as well as a state medalist in math, Mr. Torres is also a 2007 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where attended on wrestling scholarship. After college, Mr. Torres worked a variety of jobs, including operations management on an organic farm in California and serving a year with AmeriCorps administering a 250+ volunteer/employee tutoring program. Following those experiences, Mr. Torres attended the University of Michigan Law School on academic scholarship. While there, he worked with the Mississippi Center for Justice, the Georgia Capital Defender's Office, the University of Michigan Hospital Legal Services Office, and the Family Law Project. Mr. Torres also participated in the Refugee Law Moot Court and was on the team that won the Navy JAG National Moot Court Competition. After graduation, he practiced in civil litigation in Atlanta, specializing in medical malpractice and prisoner litigation. Mr. Torres is currently pursuing alternative certification through Teach for America and aims to provide rigorous and challenging intellectual learning experiences for students.
7th Grade Individuals and Societies; A.P.O.S. *Economic Literacy
Mr. Eric Schirmer. Mr. Schirmer arrives at Wesley following a non-traditional journey into the classroom which will provide his students with the life skills and perspectives to help bring the realm of humanities into the present-day classroom. After completing his graduate school practicum at WIA last spring, Mr. Schirmer now joins the 7th grade team. Raised in Illinois, Mr. Schirmer holds a master’s degree in Education from Georgia State University as well as a master’s in Sports Management from Northern Illinois University. His interests are sports and documentaries. Mr. Schirmer lives with his wife and two sons in Mableton.
7th Grade Life Science; A.P.O.S. Pre-Biology Lab
Ms. Sherika Ray. Ms. Ray recently graduated from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in Middle Level Education. Although this will be Ms. Ray’s first formal year as a classroom teacher, she previously student taught at Wesley for one year with the 6th grade team. She is excited and anxious for all the new challenges this experience will bring. In her spare time, Ms. Ray enjoys almost all outdoors sporting activities and spending time with friends and family.
7th Grade Math; A.P.O.S. Accelerated Math
Ms. Kirby Rogers. Ms. Rogers earned her undergraduate degree in mathematics from Agnes Scott College and her master’s degree in Teaching at Belmont University. She has experience as a pre-service teacher in Metro Nashville Public Schools and was recognized as Intern of the Year for 2013-2014. Ms. Rogers has taught classes and tutored math students from Kindergarten through college, but her favorite age group and curriculum has always been seventh grade. Ms. Rogers grew up in Roswell, Georgia and now lives in Midtown where she can frequently be spotted drinking coffee or walking her dog Linus.
7th Grade Language and A.P.O.S. Novel Study
Ms. Emma Oliver. Ms. Oliver earned a bachelor’s degree in Language Arts Education at Ohio University. Ms. Oliver recently taught high school English and Special Education for two years at Carver School of Technology. Her licensure is in Language Arts for grades 7-12. Ms. Oliver has also enjoyed diverse experiences teaching English in rural, urban, and suburban schools as well as internationally in South Africa and Costa Rica. Besides teaching, she enjoys playing the violin, cooking, and being outdoors.
5th Grade Girls
Ms. Lauren Hunt. Ms. Hunt is a native of Detroit, Michigan and arrived at Wesley to begin her teaching career via a non-traditional route. She is a graduate of Oglethorpe University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Rhetoric Studies.
5th Grade Boys
Ms. Adrianna Clark. Ms. Clark is a fifteen-year veteran of Atlanta Public Schools. Born in Oxford, Mississippi, she has lived in in several cities throughout the United States as well as having spent time in Asia due to a military upbringing. A graduate of Spelman College, Ms. Clark holds a Bachelors of Arts in Childhood Development. She is also an accomplished photographer and has been featured in several art shows in the Atlanta area. Ms. Clark has a six-year-old son and they live in Inman Park with their French Bulldog Lucky.
5th Grade Boys
Mr. David L. Mitchem. Mr. Mitchem is extremely excited and honored to begin his teaching career here at Wesley International Academy. Throughout his professional career, he has worked in various arenas including the non-profit sector and legal field, and is now pursuing his passion in education. He also has previous experience working with elementary students in Southwest Atlanta. A proud New Jersey native, Mr. Mitchem is a graduate of Hampton University and will begin graduate study in Early Childhood Education at Georgia State University this coming fall.
4th Grade Girls
Mrs. Andrea Holloway. Ms. Holloway joins the Wesley team with 7 years of the teaching experience, having previously taught in South Fulton County at Palmetto Elementary School. While at Palmetto Elementary, Mrs. Holloway taught third, fourth and fifth grade. During her time there, she served in many teacher leadership roles and had the honor of being selected as the 2013-2014 Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Holloway is a graduate of the State University of West Georgia and holds a master’s degree from Georgia State University in Reading, Language and Literacy. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, tennis, and hikes with her family. She lives in Grant Park with her husband and their baby girl.
3rd Grade Girls
Mrs. Jennifer Brooksher. Mrs. Brooksher recently returned to the United States after spending four years teaching abroad. Most recently, she taught at an International Baccalaureate School in Suzhou, China. During her time in Suzhou, Mrs. Brooksher completed several IB trainings and workshops including “Making the PYP Happen” and “IB Teaching, Learning, and Assessment”. Prior to teaching in China, Mrs. Brooksher taught PYP in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for two years. In addition to her international teaching experience, she has also taught high school Biology and worked as the Center Director for the Huntington Learning Center in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Mrs. Brooksher is a graduate of Florida Atlantic University with a B.S. in Elementary Education including an ESOL endorsement. Over the past several years, she has had the opportunity to travel to many countries and embrace numerous cultures and traditions.
PYP, 3rd Grade Girls
Ms. Arria Simpson. Ms. Simpson is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and a proud graduate of Georgia Southern University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a minor in International Studies. She recently taught
4th grade language arts, social studies, and math. While in school, Ms. Simpson participated in a competitive international studies program and taught in Sheffield, England. During the program, Ms. Simpson became intimately familiar with European practices in education while also exploring European cultures and traditions. She hopes to leverage her international experience in her work at Wesley.
1st Grade Boys
Ms. Bianca Medina. Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, she moved to Atlanta in 2007 where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Child Development from Spelman College in 2011. While at Spelman, she spent numerous years working for the Children’s Defense Fund, serving as a Servant Leader Intern for children aged 5-8. Immediately after graduation, Ms. Medina spent a year teaching English in Shenzhen, China, where she taught conversational English. During her time there, Ms. Medina was devoted to finding ways to better improve the English curriculum for Chinese learners. After returning to the United States, Ms. Medina managed one of the top after-school enrichment programs in the nation at Kumon Learning Center.
Kindergarten Girls
Ms. Tilifayea Griffin. Ms. Griffin is an Atlanta native. She is a 2009 Gates Millennium Scholarship recipient and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Clark Atlanta University with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Media Arts. During her time at Clark Atlanta, she worked as an Urban College Marketing Representative with Sony Music Entertainment and volunteered as a Corps Member with Jumpstart of AmeriCorps at Dean Rusk Head Start Academy. She has taught in the Georgia Pre-K program at a private learning center in Downtown Atlanta to a diverse group of students including English Language Learners. Ms. Griffin is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at Georgia State University. In her free time she likes to volunteer at local agencies and spend time with her young son.
PYP, Kindergarten Girls
Ms. Briyyah McClain. Ms. McClain was born in New Jersey and moved to Atlanta at an early age. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Spelman College and went on to pursue graduate studies at Teacher’s College at Columbia University, receiving a degree in Early Childhood Special Education. At Columbia, Ms. McClain developed a passion for special education and providing all students with the skills to reach their highest potential. Upon completing her graduate work, Ms. McClain taught English at an elementary school in Shenzhen, China which allowed her to travel to several other Asian countries and gain new personal and cultural perspectives.
Paraprofessional
Ms. Tricia Locke. Ms. Locke is a graduate of the University of Windsor holding a degree in Sociology. Ms. Locke also has a Master’s degree in education. After completing her formal studies, she later became an Assessment Counselor for persons in challenged social conditions throughout the city of Atlanta. Ms. Locke went on to work in the private sector in 2005 and was quickly promoted to the role of supervisor and assistant Office Manager where she coached and hired a staff off 22 persons. In her spare time, Ms. Locke volunteers with many local community projects such as Habitat for Humanity Neighborhood Works and Junior Achievement.
PYP Academy Director
Ms. Anita Lawrence. As one of our newest team members, Mrs. Lawrence brings over 10 years of experience to Wesley - having previously served as Atlanta Public Schools’ World Languages Coordinator prior to interim leadership roles at two area international schools - North Atlanta HS and the Globe Academy. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Mrs. Lawrence is a graduate of Brandeis University and holds a Master’s degree from Simmons College in Urban Elementary education. She speaks fluent Spanish and is an avid cook and fitness enthusiast. Mrs. Lawrence is the mother of two children, one of whom will be attending Wesley in the fall. She and her husband live in South Fulton County.
Business Manager
Earl King. Mr. King is a native of Detroit, Michigan but has lived in the Atlanta area for 23 years. He attended Florida A&M University and received his undergraduate B.S. degree in Actuarial Science. He has a Finance, HR and Operations background and has worked with some of The Fortune 500s best companies during his professional career (Tuner Broadcasting Systems, Inc., Home Depot, Countrywide, and Chase Bank). Mr. King also served as the Business/HR Manager and School Nutrition Director at Atlanta Preparatory Academy from 2010-2013 where he became intimately familiar with the charter school industry and he has formed relationships with APS, GDOE and Georgia Charter School Association personnel over the last 4 years. In addition to his charter school, Operations, HR and Finance experience, he has also managed his own income tax preparation practice over the last 17 years and worked for H&R Block for 5 years prior to opening his own business. He is the proud father of two boys and has been married to his wife for 18 years.
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