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!
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!
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Ms. Jodi
Elementary - Language Arts & Math | Middle School - Math Ms. Jodi has been teaching for over 15 years and has extensive experience differentiating to meet the needs of all learners. She is a certified teacher with a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Mathematics. She has taught in both public and private schools, and is a certified Orton-Gillingham reading instructor. In her free time, Jodi enjoys spending time with her family, especially her two daughters, Jolene and Jaycee. She also enjoys camping, being creative, and live music. Jodi believes in the CORE mission and is excited to be part of a growing school. She say, “Every child learns differently, and therefore it is my job to teach them differently.” |
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Ms. Melanie
Elementary - Art |Middle School Assistant - Yoga Ms. Melanie was born in Georgia, raised in Colombia, and is bilingual. In 2008, she traveled to Argentina to study visual arts and returned to Georgia in 2010 to study English at Kennesaw State University. She has an Associate’s Degree in Massage Therapy and is also a practicing yoga teacher. She enjoys practicing yoga in the community, hiking, creating art, gardening and spending time with her family — especially her daughter, Amelia. Melanie loves to bring a fresh and uplifting approach to her teaching. By sharing her experiences with a high vibrancy, she hopes to inspire her CORE students to explore their creativity, potential and identities. |
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Ms. Jacqueline
Elementary & Middle School - Science & Social Studies 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.” |
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Ms. Joy
Middle School - Math & Science, High School - Lit and Math 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.” |
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Ms. Lynn
Middle School - Language Arts & Social Studies Ms. Lynn has a Master’s in Education from the University of South Alabama and has been teaching for 25 years. In addition to her varied classroom experience, she has been a reading specialist, after-school director, and curriculum trainer. In her free time, Lynn enjoys spending time at the beach, golfing, hiking, creating art and jewelry, and cooking. She loves that CORE is truly a school that puts children first. She said, “I love the emphasis that CORE places on giving back to the community and the way the children are learning and living out this virtue.” |
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Mr. Andrew
Middle & High School Assistant Teacher - Music Resident Nutritionist 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. |
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Mr. Jason
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. |
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Ms. Lisa
Middle School - Social Studies Instructional Technology Coach Ms. Lisa graduated from Benau 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! |
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Mr. Gabe
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. |
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Ms. Kady
8th & 9th Grade - 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.” |
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Ms. Katie
8th & 9th Grade - 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 fiancé, 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.” |
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Mr. Morgan
High School - Math & World Literature Mr. Morgan graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a degree in Literature, Media and Communication. He has taught Performing Arts as a camp counselor at High Meadows School for many years. In addition to math and literature, he also enjoys sharing his love of performance and self-expression with all CORE students. When not teaching, he enjoys reading, writing and spending time with his cat. Morgan believes in teaching students to always be their best selves in and out of the classroom. He days, “The best thing that any person can be is themselves.” |
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Mr. Virgo
High School World History, U.S. History & American Government 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. |
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Ms. Taylor
Spanish Ms. Taylor is a graduate of the University of North Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree, a major in Political Science and minor in Sociology. During her time in college, she participated in various clubs, including the Black Student Union and the Gay Straight Alliance. She served on the Executive Cabinet for the Black Student Union from 2019-20, with a primary goal of promoting black student involvement and ideas on campus. She conducted research that she presented at Emory University in 2020, focused on the disproportionate conviction of specific, non-violent charges between white and black citizens in the state of Georgia and the United States. Ms. Taylor also served as the Vice President for a non-profit organization, Kibble2Care, to assist Georgia families with animal welfare education and resources to reduce owner surrenders and, ultimately, reduce the number of animals euthanized in Georgia each year. When she is not at CORE, she is actively involved in fitness, hiking, social justice issues, and enjoys spending time with her two rescue dogs. Ms. Taylor looks forward to increasing her involvement in the Cherokee County community, as she is a new resident, and also recently married! |
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Mr. Blaine
High School - Coordinator, Physical Education Mr. Blaine is a graduate of Reinhardt University where he played basketball. He has worked with children in numerous settings outside the classroom — including tutoring, coaching and serving as the Director of the YMCA Summer Camp, which is where Annie and Dymond discovered him. Anyone who spends time around Blaine recognizes the power of his calm demeanor and his passion for what he does. Blaine has been the coarch of the CORE Cobras basketball team for the past 4 years and led the Cobras to their first winning season last year. In his free time, he enjoys watching and playing sports and spending time with his family and his dog. Blaine’s favorite thing about working at CORE is, “the opportunity to better myself and others on a daily basis.” |
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Mr. Josiah
Physical Education, 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. |
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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. |
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Mr. Joe
Director of Counseling, Yoga Mr. Joe, M.S., LPC, is a Counselor who provides support to CORE students and families. He has served children and families for 28 years in his own private counseling practice. He has also written multiple books, and is a well-known professional speaker and consultant. Mr. Joe was selected to present at the upcoming TEDx event coming to Woodstock in November, where he will be speaking about the “Art and Science of Loving Yourself.” Mr. Joe is also a Certified Yoga Instructor who really enjoys sharing his passion for yoga with the CORE community. Joe loves that he feels he can truly be and express his authentic self at CORE, and is excited to be in an environment that views education as a holistic process that goes way beyond academics. |
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Ms. Jennifer
Counseling Ms. Jennifer graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education and a minor in Dance Therapy. She also earned a Master’s degree in counseling from Troy State University. She has an extensive background in teaching and counseling. She taught special education students in grades K-6 and taught preschool music for seven years. She has also educated and counseled patients at an inpatient addiction center. While teaching, she enjoyed collaborating with music therapists and feels passionate that there is a place for the arts in teaching and counseling. One of her favorite quotes is, “Your mind is your instrument - learn to play it well.” Jennifer aspires to effectively utilize an interdisciplinary approach to help students feel confident and successful in the process of reaching their academic and personal goals. She loves CORE, because the school provides a community where all students can learn and become their best selves. Jennifer and her family have settled in Georgia after 15 years as an Air Force family. She enjoys spending time with her three children and stays busy attending their various sporting events and musical performances. |
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Ms. Tuscany
Assistant Teacher/Counseling Assistant Mrs. Tuscany was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, and moved to Georgia 5 years ago. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology, from Kennesaw State University. She plans to pursue a Master’s degree in counseling and to become a licensed therapist, working with children and adults. She loves practicing yoga, meditation, hiking with her 2 dogs and husband, traveling, live music, being near the ocean, and being with friends and family. She and her husband welcomed their first child, Jax, to the world this past spring! Mrs. Tuscany loves learning about Psychology, people, and all things mental health. She hopes to make a difference in people’s lives by sharing her experiences and being a positive role model to the community. She wants people to feel seen and understood, and believe everyone has the potential to heal. |