16 minute read
Welcome Trinity’s newest team members
By Nicole Fash, Director of Marketing and Communications
Join us in welcoming our newest faculty and staff members to the Trinity School community. Please enjoy learning more about these passionate and creative individuals.
Val Boone joins Team Trinity as a Media Specialist for the Early Elementary Division and works alongside Meredith Burris and Julie Griffi th. A state-certifi ed librarian, Val was a media specialist at The Academy of Scholars in Decatur prior to coming to Trinity. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History with a minor in Geography from Kennesaw State University and is on track to fi nish a Master of Information with a concentration in School Librarianship from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey, in December.
We asked Val, why did you want to
work at Trinity? Her response: “The values and mission of Trinity really speak to me. I love that we focus on building character and leadership in our kids. I really look forward to integrating the play-based learning into my own lessons. Trinity values make school an exciting place to look forward to for kids and teachers!” Kyra Campbell joins us as a Third Grade Associate Teacher and works alongside Lead Teacher Matt Scott. Kyra has student teaching experience in Third Grade and previously served as a lead after-school teacher at Kid’s World Learning Center in Statesboro, Georgia. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Georgia Southern University.
We asked Kyra, why did you want
to work in education? Her response: “I really enjoy working with kids and helping them learn new things. I enjoy the excitement they experience when students feel their success.” Sarah Cascone, who has been an Extended Programs and substitute teacher at Trinity since February, now serves in the newly created Substitute Teacher and Field Trip Coordinator position. Prior to joining the Trinity team, Sarah was a public relations coordinator at Atlanta-based M-Squared Public Relations, a personal stylist at Fab’rik, and a front offi ce administrator at the Athens YMCA. She earned a master’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Georgia and a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations from the University of Mississippi.
We asked Sarah, why did you want to
work at Trinity? Her response: “I’ve known that Trinity is a special place for a while—three of my cousins attended Trinity and my aunt is a substitute teacher—but once I actually stepped on campus as a potential new hire, I immediately saw that the faculty and staff who work at Trinity School love where they work and are proud to be a part of this community. Experiencing that made me excited at the thought of working with such a special group of people who care deeply about every aspect of the child and his or her development. Here at Trinity, the faculty and staff really do strive to cherish childhood, and I could sense that in the fi rst few minutes I was on campus.”
Litzy Delgado joins Trinity as a part-time Extended Programs Teacher. Currently a senior participating in the International Baccalaureate program at North Atlanta High School, she served as the high school’s Junior Reserve Offi cer Training Corps (ROTC) Battalion personnel offi cer (S-1) for a year and most recently worked as a team member at Chick-fi l-A. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Litzy is passionate about helping others and has volunteered at the Children’s Hospital of Atlanta and Best Friend Animal Society.
We asked Litzy, why did you want to
work at Trinity? Her response: “I want to be a pediatrician and working at Trinity is a great way to get to know more about kids and connect with them.” Robyn Denson, a Certifi ed Public Accountant and Certifi ed Fraud Examiner, joins the business offi ce as Controller. With 15 years of accounting experience within non-profi t organizations, she was an accounting manager at Georgia Aquarium prior to working at Trinity. She has also previously served as an audit manager at Warren Averett, where she led several seminars for the company’s annual Accounting Forum for Educational Institutions and Nonprofi ts. She has also served as an accountant at Georgia Museums/ Anverse and a staff accountant at Jones and Kolb. She spent the fi rst seven years of her career as the offi ce manager for Dr. Russell Anderson. Robyn has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Kennesaw State University.
We asked Robyn, what are your
passions outside the offi ce? Her response: “I’m an avid gardener, a fairly new development over the last couple of years, and I love my two dogs, Lugnut and Ladybug. My husband and I ride motorcycles, and we love to travel, including a trip this summer to South Dakota, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. Our favorite journey so far was to Japan during cherry blossom season.” Laurice Drews joins Team Trinity as a Kindergarten Associate Teacher and works alongside Lead Teachers Andrea Barnett, Julia Lee, Mary Jacob Harris, and Brooke Kelly. She recently served as the co-director of Buford Presbyterian Weekday School and previously taught Kindergarten at Sugar Hill Elementary School and First Grade at West Jackson Primary School in Braselton, Georgia. She and her husband, Rod, have three daughters: a First and a Fourth Grader at Trinity and a Sixth Grader at Pace Academy. Laurice has a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Brenau University.
We asked Laurice, why did you want
to work at Trinity? Her response: “I wanted to work at Trinity School because it is a magical place that focuses on childhood. I love that children are allowed to be who they are and that mistakes as well as achievements are celebrated. I feel that the faculty and staff will push me to be the best educator that I can be. Plus, it seems like a super fun place to learn and grow!”
Reeves Holden joins Trinity as a Second Grade Associate Teacher and works alongside Lead Teacher Rachel Walker ’06. Prior to joining the Trinity team, Reeves was an online learning proctor and substitute teacher at The Schenck School and has student teaching experience in grades Pre-K–Sixth. A certifi ed Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator, Reeves has a Bachelor of Science in Early/ Elementary Special Education from Auburn University and is on track to fi nish her Master of Education in Special Education with a focus on dyslexia from the University of Georgia in December.
We asked Reeves, what is your
teaching philosophy? Reeves’s response: “My teaching philosophy is very simple: I want students to feel confi dent in the information they learn and how to apply it.” Frances Holmes joins us as a Fifth Grade Associate Teacher and works alongside Lead Teachers Bridget Billups and Michaela Davida. Prior to joining the Trinity team, Frances was a substitute teacher at Atlanta Jewish Academy. Her background includes stints as a river guide and educator at Altamaha Riverkeeper and a lead camp counselor and kayaking and paddle board instructor and guide at Nature Adventure Outfi tters. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Art History from Savannah College of Art and Design as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Georgia. Frances attended Trinity for Pre-K and Kindergarten before her family moved to New York, where she attended The Nightingale Bamford School. After her family moved back to Atlanta, Frances graduated from The Lovett School and is also an alum of the National Outdoor Leadership School after spending a semester exploring the Amazon Basin in Brazil.
We asked Frances, why did you want
to work at Trinity? Her response: “Trinity feels like coming home! As a former Trinity student, I know how special and magical Trinity School truly is. I want to be a part of the narrative and help to shape young minds in a challenging world.” Annie Jacobs joins us as a Third Grade Associate Teacher and works alongside Lead Teacher Caroline Dwight. Annie has student teaching experience in Kindergarten as well as Second, Third, and Fifth Grades. Over the past decade, she has babysat and served as a nanny for several families. Annie has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an ESOL Endorsement from Georgia Southern University.
We asked Annie, why did you want
to work in education? Her response: “As someone with a mom as a teacher, I have always been immersed in the ‘teaching world.’ I have always had a love for children, and as I grew older the love for children transformed into wanting to make a diff erence in their lives. I am so grateful for my education and can name every elementary teacher I ever had. I hope to pay it forward and have an impact in my future students’ lives. I can’t imagine having any other career!”
Jennifer Jones joins Trinity as a Fourth Grade Associate Teacher and works alongside Lead Teacher Jen Overly. For seven years, she was a teacher assistant at Woodward Academy after serving as a substitute teacher for two years. Prior to her experience in education, Jennifer was a pharmaceutical sales representative for Pfi zer in Atlanta as well as a vice president at Nations Bank (now Bank of America), where she worked within the treasury management, change management, and marketing departments. She has a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Clark Atlanta University and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Ohio University.
We asked Jennifer, what is your
educational philosophy? Her response: “My teaching philosophy is comprised of getting to know and connecting with students; providing a nurturing, inclusive, interactive, and inspiring environment; encouraging students to be the best they can be by keeping the bar raised high; instilling a love of learning in each student; and helping students build a solid academic foundation for future success.” Janet Juarez joins the Trinity team as a part-time Extended Programs Teacher. A graduate of North Atlanta High School, she has worked in customer service over the last few years as a hostess at La Parilla, cashier at Chick-fi l-A, and merchandise associate at TJ Maxx. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Janet has started her second year at North Georgia University, where she is studying criminal justice.
We asked Janet, why did you want to
work at Trinity? Her response: “My friend Briselda, who works in EP, told me about this job. When I came for my interview, I could tell this is a good place, a happy environment. I feel so welcomed and appreciated, and my co-workers are really understanding and supportive. The kids make my day; I love working here and don’t want to leave.” Jessica Lyles joins us as an Early Learners Associate Teacher and works alongside Lead Teacher Pam Lauer and Associate Teacher Samantha Osby. For the last six years, Jessica was a lead teacher for three-year-old students at the Westminster Nursery. She also previously served as a lead preschool teacher at the Washington Street Child Development Center as well as Peachtree Road Lutheran Preschool for several years. At the beginning of her career, she was a clinical assistant in a psychological assessment offi ce and held counseling internships at Laurel Heights Hospital and Hope Counseling Center, both in Atlanta. Jessica, who has led professional development workshops on socialemotional milestones and red fl ags as well as social-emotional learning in the classroom, earned a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling: Child and Adolescent Counseling from Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. A program representative with Georgia Researchers of Educational Psychology, Jessica is currently working toward her Master of Education in Applied Cognition and Development from the University of Georgia.
We asked Jessica, what is your
teaching philosophy? Her response: “I believe each child should be given genuine guidance and encouragement to think curiously, creatively, compassionately, critically, and collaboratively. In the words of Ms. Frizzle [the main protagonist of The Magic School Bus series], ‘Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!’”
Kenneth Rosander joins the
Trinity team as our new Extended Programs Curriculum Associate. He most recently served as the experience development manager at Kefi in Atlanta. Prior to that, Kenneth was the Kids Club coordinator at the Country Club of Landfall in Wilmington, North Carolina, for several years; a behavior interventionist/para-educator for New Hanover County Schools in North Carolina; and an activity director at Camp Royall for the Autism Society of North Carolina. He has led professional development on the fundamentals of working with children on the autism spectrum and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theater and Performance from the University of North Carolina Asheville.
We asked Kenneth, why did you want
to work at Trinity? His response: “Trinity’s commitment to approaching education through passion, play, and exploration is exactly the foundation I’ve used for the experiences, activities, and events I’ve created over the past 15 years of working with children.” Melissa Vargas joins the Trinity team as a part-time Extended Programs Teacher. A graduate of Campbell High School in Smyrna, she has worked in customer service over the last few years as a hostess and a receptionist. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Melissa plans to begin college next semester.
We asked Melissa, why did you want
to work at Trinity? Her response: “I really enjoy being around little kids, getting to know their interests, and seeing them grow into becoming their own person. I have three younger siblings, and as I watched them grow, I helped guide them, which is what I want to do here.”
Jamesia “Jamie” Webster
joins us as a Second Grade Associate Teacher and works alongside Lead Teacher Ellen Marbut. With more than a decade of experience in education, Jamie was the secretary/ clerk at Barksdale Elementary in Conyers, Georgia, prior to joining the Trinity team. She has also served as a paraprofessional at Barksdale, a lead teacher at The Goddard School Buckhead, and a long-term substitute teacher and summer camp coach at The Children’s School. Her passion for dance and education led Jamie to begin her own dance company, Entertain Me! Dance, and to teach dance at I Love Dance Atlanta. Jamie has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
We asked Jamie, what is your
educational philosophy? Her response: “I believe that teaching is a gift that can be used to educate, empower, and help children discover their gifts and talents. To be an eff ective teacher, one must have a love, passion, and commitment for children and a desire to see them succeed. I always desire to provide a safe, loving, and creative atmosphere that allows kids to feel free to share their thoughts. Alongside setting high expectations and goals for students, I equip them with what they need to achieve a lifelong passion for learning.”