OUR SUPERCREW

Our SuperCrew
At CORE, our teachers are mentors first, with their primary job being to connect with our students. We are proud of the talented, diverse, creative, dedicated group of people who spend their days with our CORE students. They are very appropriately called the SUPERCREW!

Ms. Jacqueline
Receptionist
Ms. Jacqueline is a native of Germany and has called the United States home for almost seven years. She has a degree in Occupational Therapy and is working towards her Graduate Certificate in Special Education. She has a great deal of experience working with student with a wide range of learning needs, as an assistant teacher, art teacher, tutor, and after-care teacher. Jacqueline enjoys art, music, baking, cooking and using her creativity in many different ways. She loves working at CORE because she enjoys working with a team who shares her passion for children. She also loves that CORE “seeks to teach and encourage a whole community to be their best selves.”

Ms. Joy
Middle School Math , High School - Math, Science
Ms. Joy has been teaching for 24 years and taught in New Jersey for 19 years before moving to Georgia. She graduated form Fairleigh Dickenson University in New Jersey and is certified in Special Education. For the past 5 years, she has been teaching at a private school in Georgia — specifically working with neurodiverse learners of all ages. She has taught every grade and subject, from early intervention through 12th grade. Ms. Joy enjoys supporting her daughter in Ninja Warrior competitions, swimming, going to the dog park, reading and hiking. She believes, “Every student has the right to feel valued as an individual,and every student can be a successful lifelong learner.”

Mr. Andrew
Middle & High School Assistant Teacher, Physical Education
Mr. Andrew is a talented musician and actor who is passionate about music and his many hobbies. He has been a part of several bands, including the Georgia Trio, Graham’s Number, who was featured several times on network television. In addition to his experience as a professional performer, Andrew has experience as a music therapist with people of all ages. He has been mentoring and inspiring CORE students for 4 years and loves sharing his passion for music, cooking, mountain biking and sustainability. He loves working at CORE because he enjoys the mentoring opportunities he gets in his teaching role. Andrew is also the owner of Wazi, CORE’s therapy dog.

Mr. Jason
Elementary, Middle, and High School - Science
Mr. Jason is a graduate of Kennesaw State University, with a degree in Biology Education. He is a certified teacher and has been educating middle and high school students for over a decade. His focus on exceptional students in the classroom has been targeted toward the gifted population, specifically in the areas of Biology and Environmental Science. As an extracurricular coach and organizer, he developed a competitive robotics team using STEM education. His passion for the outdoors and living systems brings Mr. Jason balance, and you’ll find him breathing fresh air whenever possible. Back in early 2000, while working in college, Mr. Jason was an environmental educator with the Chattahoochee Nature Center. Most recently, Mr. has taken a sabbatical from the classroom to prepare and complete a 280-mile whitewater-rafting trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. Mr. Jason is excited about visiting a private, small school community and hopes to share his experiences and enrich the education of the students here at CORE. He believes that the individual attention and small group interaction will allow for creative and powerful connections. Mr. Jason sees CORE’s focus on community service and mental wellbeing as the central ingredients to the overall development of each student.

Ms. Lisa
Instructional Technology Coach, Reading Specialist
Ms. Lisa graduated from Brenau University and is currently pursuing her M.Ed. in Instructional Technology at Kennesaw State University. She worked at the Howard School for 10 years where she also became certified in Orton-Gillingham instruction. She believes that education should be creative, promote self-awareness, build self-esteem and most of all — be FUN! Having a learning difference herself, she understands the importance of differentiating her teaching so that all learners can experience success. In her free time, Lisa enjoys movies, reading, hiking and being with family. Her personal motto is: Always be passionately curious and never stop learning and growing!

Mr. Gabe
8th grade Literature and Social Studies Teacher
Middle & High School Assistant - Philosophy, Drama, Music
After graduating from Grady High School in 2010 where he discovered a passion for performance art, Gabe attended the Savannah College of Art & Design. He attended SCAD for 2 years and then finished his education at Georgia State University, where he graduated with distinction with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and a Minor in Music. His hobbies include betting funny looks from strangers while singing too loudly in the car with the windows down, listening to audio books while on walks with his dog, attempting to watch everything available on Netflix on one sitting and looking for shirts that inevitably end up in the back of his closet. Fun Fact: Ms. Annie taught Gabe when he was in 5th grade! It fills Gabe with honor and pride to call himself part of the CORE community.

Ms. Kady
Middle School Literature, Art, Meditation
Ms. Kady graduated from Emerson College with a degree in acting and minors in Creative Writing and Music History. She is passionate about storytelling in all its many forms — from visual arts to video games. She is a Healer, an herbalist, an artist and an avid reader who believes that education is cultivated through all senses. Connecting with kids emotionally and helping them find their unique inner voice and passion ignites her. When she isn’t teaching at CORE or working with clients in her healing work, she is often going on adventures with her daughter and pup, reading, painting or exploring somewhere in nature. Kady loves that mindfulness is at the heart of CORE. She says, “Mindfulness in the classroom awakens the authentic learning style of each and every child.”

Ms. Katie
High School Literature
Ms. Katie graduated from Kennesaw State with a degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Education. She served as an assistant teacher at CORE for several years, helping out in a variety of different areas and taking on many responsibilities. Katie enjoys using her humor to connect with kids and believes that all kids can be successful despite their previous negative experiences. When she is not teaching, Katie enjoys spending time with her dog, friends and family. She loves discovering new ways to apply her creativity — whether it’s face painting, cooking or adding new décor to her classroom! Katie enjoys working at CORE because “it is truly a family that supports each other to be better all the time.”

Mr. Virgo
High School History
Mr. Virgo has a Master’s Degree in History from Virginia State University and is currently finishing up his Doctorate in History at Emory University. He has taught History courses at the college level and is excited to share his passion for History with students at CORE. When Virgo isn’t trying to unravel mysteries of the past, he is either gardening, playing with his kids or cooking. He believes that learning should be fun, interdisciplinary and accessible to all.

Mr. Josiah
Assistant Teacher
Mr. Josiah attended Reinhardt University, and is also the owner of the basketball training organization, “All Things Basketball Georgia.” He is currently the Head Coach of the 2029 Wood Elite travel basketball team. Josiah has a passion for helping children and for using sports to help kids grow. Josiah has been a basketball referee for four years, and he has coached flag football for the YMCA. When Mr. Josiah isn’t teaching or coaching, he enjoys spending time with his 1-year-old daughter, Layla. He also enjoys listening to country and rap music, and playing video games such as 2K and Madden.

Mr. Todd
Director of Vocational Program & Community Outreach
Mr. Todd has vast experience teaching and working in schools. He has a Psychology degree from Furman University and is also a published author. In addition to teaching and writing, Mr. Todd enjoys creating folk art, running marathons and competing as an amateur boxer. He has developed vocational programs for special education middle and high school students at various schools and was the director of the Career Prep Program at Cumberland Academy in Sandy Springs. Todd is passionate about helping students to identify their strengths and talents, and then using those to develop work and life plans. Before entering the world of education, Mr. Todd worked in the marketing and public relations world and was recognized as one of Georgia Trend magazine’s “Best and Brightest: Top 40 Under 40.” He enjoys sharing his humor, talents and passions with the CORE students.

Ms. Holly
Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher
Holly is very excited about teaching Yoga & Mindfulness to children and adolescents for so many reasons. She believes that planting seeds of positive human development, compassion, empathy, loving kindness, self-awareness, and wellness is more important than ever. She has practiced these principles with her own son since he was in kindergarten and firmly believes this is why he turned out to be such a remarkable human being. He was diagnosed with ADHD/Anxiety and she was determined to find natural and alternative solutions to help him on his journey. Yoga and Mindfulness have played a significant role in his healing and personal growth journey. Holly is certified and registered through The Yoga Alliance, RYT200, YogaEd Teen Yoga in Education, Mindful Schools, JMT Life Coaching & Leadership Development, and has a B.S. in Psychology from Union University. She has been teaching in a school setting for two years and has been coaching for 6+ years through a private practice. She is honored to share these gifts at CORE Community School and with as many children and teens as she can, to make a positive impact and to cause a profound ripple effect, making the world a better place, one young soul at a time.

Ms. Brandi
Counselor
Ms. Brandi graduated from the University of West Georgia with a BA in Psychology before moving on and obtaining her Master’s degree at Argosy University in Community Counseling. She enjoys making connections with students and parents, believing that positive relationships have the power, and are the key to spark great learning experiences and adventures. Transitioning to CORE after spending the last 10 years in a private school dedicated to amazing neurodiverse learners as a social-emotional counselor and college counselor, Brandi values working from a humanistic, strengths-based and solutions focused perspective. She appreciates learning about each individual student’s strengths and cultivating a safe space to support them in the areas they continue to grow. When not working at CORE, she is also a Licensed Professional Counselor that works in private practice providing individual therapy services to children, teens, and adults, and when time allows, post-secondary advising. In her free time, she enjoys being outdoors in nature, reading, spending time with her dogs and husband, going to concerts, and being creative.

Ms. Abby
Elementary, Middle School, and High School Math
Ms. Abby has been teaching Elementary since graduating from Kennesaw State University in 2009 with her degree in Education. She is also certified to teach Special Education and has a passion for helping neurodivergent students. She believes that all students have the ability to learn and grow, and that it is the teacher's job to guide them on their path to reaching their greatest potential. Most of Ms. Abby's teaching experience has been working in small private schools. Most recently, she taught 2nd through 6th grade at Foundations for the Future in Kennesaw. She loved teaching at Foundations, where students were encouraged to learn through play and real world, project-based, learning opportunities. She was drawn to CORE because of their similar educational philosophy, as well as the support they provide their students, families, and educators. She is happy to have found such a wonderful opportunity closer to home, so that she can spend more time with her family, which includes her husband, Nathan, her children, Natalie and Nolan, her bearded dragon (Spike), and her lovely Labrador Retriever (Daisy).

Mr. Avery
Middle School Science and High School Math
Mr. Avery graduated from the University of South Carolina with two degrees in Philosophy and Classical Studies, and minors in Math and Physics. He previously taught Environmental Education at Georgia’s Rock Eagle 4-H Center, where he gained experience teaching subjects like Native American and Pioneer History, Team Building, and Lake Ecology. He is especially interested in archeoastronomy, survival skills, and gardening. He is eager to find creative ways to serve students at CORE and help them to know their many strengths. When he’s not teaching, Mr. Avery enjoys reading, spending time in nature, and visiting his family in South Carolina.

Ms. Katelyn
Counselor
Mrs. Katelyn has been a Certified School Social Worker for four years. She has six years of experience working with children ages 5-18 in the community, public school, and non-profit setting. She received both her Bachelor and Master of Social Work from Florida State University. She recently moved to Marietta from Tampa, FL with her husband, cat, and dog. In her free time, she loves sitting outside while reading a good book and drinking local coffee. Her favorite part of CORE is the emphasis of social-emotional well being. She is looking forward to collaborating with staff that share similar ideals and practices. Mrs. Katelyn is also looking forward to making meaningful connections with students and helping them however she can.

Mr. Pablo
Spanish Teacher, High School Assistant
Pablo is originally from the south of Spain. He graduated from Reinhardt University with a degree Psychology, where he also was a star on their soccer team. Before joining the CORE Community, he worked with children at Goshen Valley Boys Ranch. Mr. Pablo will be starting his Masters of Arts in Psychology this year, and plans to continue his work with children upon his return to Spain in September. When he is not art CORE or playing soccer, he enjoys fishing, trips with Mr. Todd, and watching sports.