FACULTY NEWS

from Spring Magazine 2022

by Wesleyan School

WE’VE GOT SCHOOL SPIRIT YES, WE DO!

WE LOVE OUR FACULTY

YEARS of SERVICE

2022

For the 7th consecutive year, the Atlanta Journal Constitution named Wesleyan a top work place in Atlanta.

5 YEARS

KRISTINE HALL, MITZI RITCHIE, ISIAH HILL, SEAN NESTOR, MARIA ACEVEDO-GARCIA, ORLENA ENCINAS, BRAD MEYER, JOHNNY TURNER, JENNIFER PINKETT SMITH, INDYASIA FOWLER, WHITNEY MARTINEZ, ACACIA KELLY, PAIGE GLASS (NOT PICTURED: CARLOS GUERRERO)

10 YEARS

JULIETTE BALL, DEAN JACKSON, LEE RIDER, CHIP MYRICK, GUILLERMO VALLEJO, MEGAN RAPPE, CAREY MORGAN, EMILY ZAVITZ, HEATHER NIEMANN, DEBORAH BROWN, BRIAN MORGAN (NOT PICTURED: RYAN HODGES)

15 YEARS

CHAD MCDANIEL, CHRIS YODER, DIANE ORR, MEAGAN BROOKER, KNOXIE ROCHE, JUDY HUGHES, ELIZABETH ABLES, SUZANNE RAGAINS

20 YEARS

ALFREDO PIEDRA, CHRIS CLEVELAND, RICH BILLING, MEG FOSTER

in memoriam

25 YEARS

MATT CREW, LACY GILBERT, KEN CONNOR, RAMONA BLANKENSHIP, BILLY COXHEAD

CAROLYN CHAPMAN, FORMER HEAD LIBRARIAN 1945 – 2022

Carolyn Chapman first joined Wesleyan School in 2002, and she served the school faithfully until her retirement in 2013. Known for her love of books and sense of humor, conversations with Carolyn always involved a lot of laughter.

In addition to her love of books, Carolyn loved to play bridge. Not only did she teach faculty and staff on the finer points of playing bridge, but she led a high school bridge club for students. She can be credited for many students and employees alike loving the game. After Carolyn retired, she founded the Woman Outside of Wesleyan book club, otherwise known as WOW, for current and retired faculty and staff.

We are thankful for the many ways Carolyn used her gifts to glorify God and to impact the lives of students and colleagues.

BECKY KIMSEY

LOWER SCHOOL NURSE AND HEALTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT CHAIR

2013 - 2022

Becky Kimsey, beloved lower school nurse, anchored the Wesleyan nursing team for nine years, including two years spent navigating a global pandemic. Known for her warm smile and abundant supply of peppermints and ice packs, Kimsey served our students with gentle encouragement.

“Whether handling an in-the-moment crisis or guiding us through two years of COVID protocols, Nurse Kimsey’s compassion and clear-headed thinking were invaluable,” shares Dr. Jason Erb, lower school principal. “She is a team player who advocated consistently for children’s health. She will be sorely missed.”

Kimsey coupled her commitment to advocacy with a passion for teaching. “I love having an impact on students and their families as I help them learn to navigate through their health issues and educate them concerning their health and well-being,” explains Kimsey. “I love encouraging them to take care of the body God has given them and live healthy lifestyles.”

As Kimsey moves into the next chapter in her life, she will spend more time with her family, including nine grandchildren, enjoy relaxing in the north Georgia mountains, and serve in a church ministry that supports women who have lost their husbands.

TERRI MCCARREN

MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER

2000 - 2022

Since 2000, Terri McCarren has been a steady force on the middle school faculty. Her first classroom was a modular education unit where Yancey Gymnasium now stands, and her deep institutional knowledge helped guide fifth graders as they transition from lower school to middle school.

“Terri McCarren balances discipline and grace beautifully as she knows when to be tough and when to show a little extra TLC to her sweet fifth graders!” shares Joseph Antonio, middle school principal.

Known for creating colorful decorations and accompanying her presentations with a ukulele, McCarren finds deep joy in connecting with students and their families. “I have loved watching students develop socially and mature in their Christian walk throughout their years at Wesleyan,” says McCarren. “It is always a joy to see former students and find out about their lives after graduating from Wesleyan.”

In her next chapter, McCarren looks forward to spending more time with family and friends and dedicating more time to domestic and international travel.

DR. PAT MCCOY

MIDDLE SCHOOL MODERN AND CLASSICAL LANGUAGES TEACHER

2000 - 2022

“Dr. Pat McCoy might just hold the title as the smartest teacher on the faculty, the most efficient grader, and the earliest person to arrive on campus,” says Joseph Antonio, middle school principal, in praise of McCoy, middle school modern and classical languages teacher.

McCoy’s first classroom at Wesleyan was a shared modular education unit. She has taught all three languages offered at Wesleyan, and she has taught every level from fifth grade through Advanced Placement for seniors. Even with a very busy teaching assignment, McCoy never once complained, and she held her students to a similarly high standard.

“While she comes across as a strict disciplinarian,” explains Antonio, “her ‘hidden personality’ is shown best by her snack stash in her classroom for students after school, passing out cookies to each of her homeroom students on exam day, and giving out candy to the entire middle school after her chapel devotion and calling it a ‘taste of God’s goodness.’”

As McCoy moves on to taste God’s goodness in a new way, she looks forward to getting to know new people and continuing to reflect on why Wesleyan was her base for so long. She may even rejoin the CIA – her rumored place of previous employment.

SYLVIA PRYOR

ADMISSIONS COORDINATOR

1996 - 2022

Sylvia Pryor joined the Wesleyan team before Wesleyan even landed in Peachtree Corners, and she has watched the incredible growth of this campus. “It has been such a miracle to watch the campus grow from the first building, Marchman Gymnasium, to the 11 buildings that we currently have,” recalls Pryor. “We had approximately 350 students when we moved here in 1996 with limited faculty and staff. Look how far we have come!”

Pryor’s passion for Wesleyan allowed her to compassionately shepherd prospective families through the admissions process. “Many times these families are very anxious, and I try to be a calming presence. I share with them that God has his hand in the process, and everything happens for a reason,” reflects Pryor. In addition to supporting prospective families, Pryor is a hardworking team player. “If you need anything any time, go to Sylvia Pryor,” says Mari Beth King, director of admissions. “She is loyal, honest, organized, methodical, and she deeply loves Wesleyan School.”

Because of this love, Pryor is quick to explain that she hopes to still be around campus from time to time, and she is also excited for a slower pace, spending time with her family, working in her yard, and going to the beach.