Faculty Bios
Please scroll through this alphabetical listing for information on each of our faculty and staff members. You may also click on the appropriate letter to move quickly to that section of the list (if a letter does not link, then there are no last names with that letter).
Ms. Gail Albert, Preschool Teacher
Ms. Albert earned a B.S. degree in Human Behavior and Development from Drexel University. She joined High Meadows in 2008.
Ms. Karen Allen, Physical Education Teacher for K-8th grades, Rooster
Ms. Allen earned a B.S. in Recreation from the University of West Georgia and a Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University. She joined High Meadows in 1995.
Ms. Sue Amacker, School Counselor
Ms. Amacker earned a B.A. in Elementary Education and Certification in Early Childhood from the University of Central Florida. She received a M.A. in Professional Counseling and is licensed in the State of Georgia. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Positive Discipline Trainer candidate. Ms. Amacker is currently working toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist. She joined High Meadows in 1993.
Ms. Lisa Backalenick, Librarian
Ms. Backalenick earned a B.A. in Music at Colgate University and a M.S. in Early Childhood Education at State University of New York. She obtained her teaching credential from San Francisco State University. She has taken graduate course work in Reading at Georgia State University, and is currently enrolled in Georgia State’s Library Media Technology program. She joined High Meadows in 2005.
Ms. Lisa Baumohl, Preschool Spanish Teacher
Ms. Baumohl earned a B.S. in Inclusive Education with a minor in Spanish from Syracuse University and a Master of Education in Counseling from Western Maryland College. She joined High Meadows in 2011.
Ms. Debby Beacham, Primary Teacher
Ms. Beacham earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Indiana University and a M.S. in special education from Georgia State University. She joined High Meadows in 2006.
Ms. Nancy Bingham, Elementary Teacher
Ms. Bingham earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Radford College in Virginia. She joined High Meadows in 1991.
Ms. Sarah Bobbitt, Primary Teacher
Ms. Bobbitt earned a B.S. in Education from West Georgia College. She joined High Meadows in 2006.
Ms. Maura Brand, Middle Years Math Teacher
Ms. Brand earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Robert Morris University, an M.B.A. from Syracuse University, and Post-Baccalaureate Certification in Education from North Georgia College and University. She joined High Meadows in 2004.
Mr. Chad Brinker, Associate Director of Camp/After-School Enrichment Program
Mr. Brinker earned a B.S. in Business Administration and a minor in Economics from the University of Florida. He joined High Meadows in 2004.
Ms. Susan Brown, Animal Care Specialist and Front Office Assistant
Ms. Brown earned an Associate’s degree in Business Administration. She joined High Meadows in 1992.
Ms. Kathleen Bryant, Director of Development
Ms. Bryant earned a B.S. in Psychology from UCLA and a M.S. in Public and Urban Affairs from Georgia State University. She joined High Meadows in 2010.
Ms. Sue Buffum, Elementary Teacher
Ms. Buffum earned a B.S. in Education from Keene State College (a part of the University of New Hampshire). She joined High Meadows in 2008.
Ms. Faith Burke, Elementary Teacher
Ms. Burke earned a B.A. and a M.Ed. in Elementary Education from the University of Florida. Faith joined High Meadows in 1992.
Ms. Deanna Bussard, Preschool Physical Education & Nature Teacher & Stay `n Play and Rooster
Ms. Bussard earned a B.A. from the University of Florida. She joined High Meadows in 1989.
Ms. Ashleigh May Byrne, Preschool Teacher
Ms. Byrnes earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from Mercer University. She joined High Meadows in 2010.
Ms. Susan Chalek, Primary Teacher
Ms. Chalek earned an Associate’s degree and Bachelor‘s degree in Early Childhood Education from Brenau University. She joined High Meadows in 1993.
Ms. Kacie Darden, Middle Years Math and Science Teacher
Ms. Darden earned a Bachelor’s degree in Ecology and a Master's degree in Conservation Ecology and Sustainable Development from the University of Georgia. She joined High Meadows in 2009.
Mr. Julio De Aracama, Middle Years Math and Science Teacher
Mr. De Aracama earned a B.S. from the Universidad Nacional del Sur Bahia Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina. He received a M.S. from Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. He joined High Meadows in 2003.
Mr. Gary Denning, Elementary Teacher
Mr. Denning earned his M.A.T. from Emory University Grad School of Arts & Sciences. He graduated with an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University. He also holds a B.A. in Political Sciences from Duke University. He joined High Meadows in 2007.
Mr. John Dovic, Director of Camp/After-School Enrichment Program
Mr. Dovic earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Dallas and has over 20 years of experience with outdoor education and camp. He joined High Meadows in 1999.
Ms. Susan Ehtesham-Zadeh, Middle Years English Teacher
Ms. Ehtesham-Zadeh earned a B.A. in Philosophy from Stanford University. She’s working towards her M.A.T. She joined High Meadows in 2003.
Ms. Miriam Ekhaus, Primary Teacher
Miriam Ekhaus earn a B.S. in Elementary Education from Indiana University and a Master’s degree in Reading Intervention Early Literacy from Georgia State University. She joined High Meadows School in 2010.
Ms. Jessicca Elliott, Elementary Teacher
Ms. Elliott earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Auburn University. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Instructional Technology at the University of West Georgia. She joined High Meadows in 2010.
Mr. David Engbritson, Middle Years Math & Science Teacher
Mr. Engbritson earned a M.A. at California State University in Sacramento, CA. He joined High Meadows in 1994.
Ms. Nancy Faux, Director of Finance and Operations
Ms. Faux earned a B.S. in Business Administration in Accounting from Bucknell University and an M.B.A. in Finance from New York University. She joined High Meadows in 2011.
Ms. Robbie Fritsch, Preschool Stay `n Play
Ms. Fritsch studied at Indiana University. She joined High Meadows in 1999.
Mr. Neil Gibson, Maintenance Supervisor
Mr. Gibson attended the Hackley School in New York. He joined High Meadows in 1995.
Ms. Michelle Griffin, Environmental Science Teacher
Ms. Griffin earned a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy with a minor in Environmental Education from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Oglethorpe University. She joined the staff in 2009.
Ms. Christina Hagan, Middle Years Teacher
Ms. Hagan earned her B.A degree in History and Religion from Emory University and her Master of Education degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Ms. Jennifer Hannah, Elementary Teacher
Ms. Hannah earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Berry College and a Master of Education in Reading from Mercer University. She joined High Meadows in 2007.
Mr. Ben Hendry, Elementary Teacher
Mr. Hendry earned a B.A. in History from Georgia State, and a M.S. in Public Policy from Georgia Tech. He joined High Meadows in 2008.
Ms. Carolyn Higgins, Bus Driver
Carolyn is licensed to drive the High Meadows School bus daily and for school field trips. She joined High Meadows in 2004.
Ms. Kate Hudson, Resource Teacher
Ms. Hudson earned a B.A. from Bowdoin College and a M.Ed. in Special Education from Georgia State University. She joined High Meadows in 1997.
Ms. Jean Hunter, Elementary Teacher
Ms. Hunter earned a B.A. from Duke University in Psychology. She has a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from West Georgia. She joined High Meadows in 1979.
Ms. Andrea Ianzito, Primary Teacher
Ms. Ianzito received a B.S. at Bentley College and a M.A. in Elementary Education from the University of Rochester, New York. She joined High Meadows in 2006.
Mr. Brian Ivey, Elementary Teacher
Mr. Ivey earned a B.S. in Education from Kennesaw State University. He joined High Meadows in 2001.
Ms. Megan Johnston, Elementary Teacher
Ms. Johnston earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Penn State University and a Masters degree from Georgia State. She joined High Meadows in 2005.
Ms. Annalysa Kimball, Drama Teacher
Ms. Kimball earned a B.A. from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s in Art Education from Florida State University. She joined High Meadows in 2006.
Mr. Christopher Korb, Middle Years Spanish and English Teacher
Mr. Korb has a B.S. in Spanish and in English Literature from Berry College. He joined High Meadows in 2007.
Ms. Shannon Lindsay, Drama Teacher
Ms. Linday has a B.F.A. in Theatre Arts from Niagara University. She joined High Meadows in 2011.
Ms. Jennifer Lott, Director of Extended Care & Preschool Nature Teacher
Ms. Lott has over 20 years experience working with children in both camp and school environments. She has a national Administrator’s Credential. She joined High Meadows in 1982.
Ms. Anne Lovatt, Middle Years Social Studies Teacher
Ms. Lovatt has a B.A. in History/Art History from Emory University and a M.A. in Art History from the Courtauld Institute at the University of London. She joined High Meadows in 2007.
Ms. Adrienne MacDonald, School Nurse
Ms. MacDonald is a Registered Nurse and studied at N. Ireland School of Nursing in Belfast. She joined High Meadows in 2001.
Ms. Jenni Mallory, Preschool Teacher
Ms. Mallory earned her B.S. degree in Environmental Health from the University of Georgia and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Mercer University. She joined High Meadows in 2011.
Ms. Brenda Major, Art Education Teacher
Ms. Major earned a B.A. from Georgia State University. She joined High Meadows in 2001.
Ms. Jane McCabe, Preschool Teacher
Ms. McCabe holds a B.S. in Special Education from the University of Georgia. She joined High Meadows in 1995.
Ms. Kate McElvaney, Director of Educational Advancement
Ms. McElvaney earned a B.A. in Education from the University of Hawaii. She is currently working towards her Masters in Educational Leadership. She joined High Meadows in 2005.
Mr. Keith McGee, Director of Operations
Mr. McGee has over 10 years of experience in various aspects of facility management, maintenance and construction. He joined High Meadows in 2008.
Ms. Debbie Mumah, Primary Teacher
Ms. Mumah earned a B.A. degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia. She has a Georgia certificate in Early Childhood Education. She joined High Meadows in 1986.
Ms. Jane Murphy, Executive Assistant to Head of School
Ms. Murphy earned a B.S. degree in Secondary Education with a minor in Business from the University of Toledo. She joined High Meadows in 2008.
Ms. Laura Nicholson, Director of Admission
Ms. Nicholson earned a B.A. degree in Communication from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA. She joined High Meadows in 2011.
Ms. Dona Nimer, Resource Teacher
Ms. Nimer earned a B.A. degree in Early Childhood Education and Development from Connecticut College. She is trained in multi-sensory instruction and the principals of Orton-Gillingham. She joined High Meadows in 2010.
Mr. Mitchell Novy, Instructional Technology Teacher
Mr. Novy has a B.A. in Telecommunications with an emphasis in production, video and audio editing from Ball State University. He joined High Meadows in 2010.
Ms. Kim Platnick, Library Media Specialist
Ms. Platnick earned a Bachelor’s degree in Biology at Agnes Scott College and certification in Gifted Education at the University of Georgia. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Instructional Technology with School Library Media Certification at the University of Georgia. She joined the staff in 2009.
Ms. Holly Portis, Elementary Teacher
Ms. Portis holds a B.S. in Education and a M.Ed. from Valdosta State University. She joined High Meadows in 2001.
Mr. Norris Price, Human Resources Coordinator and Registrar
Mr. Price earned his B.B.A. in Managerial Sciences from Georgia State University. He joined High Meadows in 2007.
Ms. Amanda Ray, Preschool Teacher
Ms. Ray received a B.S. in Education from the University of Georgia. She joined High Meadows in 1998.
Mr. Michael A. Rhodes, Director of Technology
Mr. Rhodes earned a B.B.A. from the University of Georgia and a M.A.T. in Mathematics from Georgia State. He joined High Meadows in 1999.
Ms. Leslie Ritten, Elementary Teacher
Ms. Ritten earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Southern Methodist University, and a M.S. in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Bank Street College of Education. She joined High Meadows in 2008.
Ms. Vivien Rosa, Middle Years Spanish Teacher
Ms. Rosa earned her earned her B.A degree in Spanish Latin American Studies from Columbia University and her M.A. degree in Spanish Language and Literature from Middlebury College. She joined High Meadows in 2011.
Ms. Grace Shickler, Preschool - 3rd Grade Principal
Ms. Shickler earned a B.A. in Communications from Fordham University, and a M.A. in Early Childhood Education from City College of New York. She joined High Meadows in 2004.
Ms. Vanda Spinola, Middle Years Spanish Teacher
Ms. Spinola earned a B.A. in Public Relations/Mass Communication from the University of South Florida and a M.A. in Community Counseling from the University of Cincinnati. She joined High Meadows in 2003.
Ms. Allison Stanley, Resource Teacher
Ms. Stanley earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from N.Y. State University College at Oneonta and a Master’s degree in Education Administration from Grand Canyon College in Arizona. She is certified in GA to teach early childhood PS-8, special education and reading. She has over 100 hours of Orton-Gillingham training and has worked in the area of literacy support for over ten years. She joined High Meadows in 2009.
Ms. Liz Thompson, Primary Teacher
Ms. Thompson earned a B.A. in Elementary Education from Florida State University. She has an Early Childhood Certification from Nova University. She joined High Meadows in 2007.
Mr. Jay Underwood, Head of School
Mr. Underwood earned a B.A. in English from Guilford College and a M.Ed. in Educational Administration and Supervision from Rutgers University. He joined High Meadows in 2010.
Ms. Anne Verville, Accounting Coordinator
Ms. Verville earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a B.B.A. in Accounting, both from Georgia State University. She joined High Meadows in 2009.
Ms. Lisa Williams, Preschool Teacher
Ms. Williams earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Valdosta State University and a M. Ed. in Early Childhood Education from UGA. She joined High Meadows in 2008.
Ms. Lynn Williams, Art Education Teacher
Ms. Williams earned a B.S. from the University of Maryland and holds a teaching certification for K-12 in Art Education. She joined High Meadows in 2004.
Ms. Paula Williams, Music Director
Ms. Williams earned a Bachelor of Music from Georgia State University. She has completed all levels of Orff certification in elementary music education. She joined High Meadows in 2005.
Mr. Isaac Wolf, Middle Years Teacher and Debate Coach
Mr. Wolf earned a B.A. in History and a M.A. in Education, both from Emory University. He joined High Meadows in 2006.
Ms. Pat Wolf, 4th - 8th Grade Principal
Ms. Wolf earned a B.A. and a M.A.T. from Emory University. She completed here Educational Leadership certification at the University of Georgia. She joined High Meadows in 1987.
Mr. Patrick Wright, Assistant Music Director
Mr. Wright earned a Bachelor of Music from Georgia State University. He joined High Meadows in 2008.
Ms. Carol Zboreak, Resource Teacher
Ms. Zboreak earned a B.S. in Child Development from Northern Illinois University and a Masters in Special Education from National College of Education in Evanston, IL. She joined High Meadows in 1988.
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High Meadows School - 1055 Willeo Road, Roswell, GA 30075