Faculty and Staff Transitions 2023-2024

List of 5 items.

• ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF

  Meredith Burris ’68, who retired from Trinity in May 2022 after spending 34 of her 45 year-career in education here, will return as a Part-Time Receptionist, alternating Fridays with Stacey Goss. Joanna Rios-Vargas will manage the reception desk on Mondays - Thursdays. During Meredith’s tenure at Trinity, she spent 10 years as a Media Specialist after teaching Kindergarten, Fourth, and Fifth Grade. Meredith, who attended Trinity for Kindergarten, is currently a volunteer at the Smyrna library and with the American Red Cross and has a Bachelor of Science in Theater Education with a minor in speech from Emerson College in Boston, a Master of Education with a concentration in middle grades from Brenau College, and a Media Specialist certification from the University of West Georgia.

  
  

  Koby Collins, who most recently served as a Third Grade Associate Teacher, will transition to the Education Technology team as our Helpdesk Technician on June 12. Prior to joining Trinity in November 2020 as a Long-Term Substitute Teacher, he served as a private tutor for nearly 13 years; taught ESL/TESOL at schools in Beijing, China; and been an associate teacher at The Westminster Schools. Koby has a Bachelor of Elementary Education from Western Governors University.

  
  

  Kari-Ann Dunkley-Burr began serving as Trinity’s Director of Human Resources on May 17. For the past eight years, Kari-Ann has worked in Human Resources, gaining experience in end-to-end HR functions that include talent cycle management, people development, and culture building. She came to us from Preferred Apartment Communities, where she worked her way from Human Resources Generalist to Interim Director of Human Resources and previously served as Human Resources Coordinator at Global Construction Enterprises in Kissimmee, Florida, and Human Resource Lead/Customer Experience Manager at Banana Republic in Miami. Kari-Ann spent the first half of her career in the education field, teaching English to middle and high school students in Atlanta as well as in the United Arab Emirates. Certified as a Professional in Human Resources, she has an Undergraduate Certificate in Human Resources Management from Ashworth College in Peachtree Corners, Georgia; a Master of Secondary Education from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona; and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Florida International University.

  
  

  Jeff Wright began serving as Trinity’s Campus Security Manager on June 5. Jeff, who has four decades of law enforcement and security experience, comes to us from Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, where he was the assistant director of security for five years. He previously served as the director of security for Waffle House and the senior forensic examiner and director of mobile forensics at The Norcross Group. Prior to that, Jeff was assigned to the FBI in Atlanta, where he was a cyber unit task force agent with top security clearance. He also spent 20 years with the Fulton County Police Department, working his way from patrolman to major case detective. Jeff is certified in the Reid Technique of Interviewing and Interrogation and has undergone specialized FBI training classes in computer crimes, hostage negotiations, and homicide. He has a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University.

• EARLY AND UPPER ELEMENTARY DIVISIONS

  Joel Atchison will join Team Trinity as a Media Specialist. Joel comes to us from Pace Academy, where he managed the Sixth Grade “mini library” and taught Sixth Grade English. Prior to that, he spent four years as an assistant principal at Murdock Elementary School in Marietta, seven years as a Sixth and Seventh Grade English teacher and English/Language Arts department lead at Simpson Middle School in Marietta, and two years as a preschool assistant teacher and program specialist at Sprayberry Academy in Marietta. Joel earned his Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership, Master of Education in Instructional Technology, and Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education from Kennesaw State University.

  
  

  Jayna Cook will join us as our Literacy Instructional Specialist, a new role at Trinity. Jayna comes to us from Amplify, where she served as an instructional coach and educational consultant, and the public charter school Dekalb Agriculture Technology & Environment, where she served as a literacy specialist. With 18 years in education, Jayna has also been a literacy coach at Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary School in Saint Paul, Minnesota, as well as a First Grade teacher at Detroit Innovation Academy, the Ellen Thompson campus of University Preparatory Academy Elementary in Detroit, and Mt. View Elementary School in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition, she taught Second Grade at A.Z. Kelley Elementary School in Nashville. Jayna has a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and a Master of Art in Teaching from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Tennessee State University.

• EARLY ELEMENTARY DIVISION

  Jessi Books will join Team Trinity as a Pre-K Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Jaclyn Connell and Associate Teacher SatyaGrace Kaskade. She most recently served as an English tutor and a content marketing specialist. Prior to that, she held numerous marketing internships. Jessi has a Bachelor of Arts in International Comparative Studies from Duke University.
  
  Holly Brookshire will move into a Kindergarten Senior Associate Teacher role and work alongside Lead Teachers Jessica Lyles, Shaun McCarthy, April Patton, and Marley West. Since joining the Trinity community in 2018, Holly has been a Pre-K and Early Learners Associate Teacher as well as an Extended Programs and Summer Camp Teacher. With nearly 20 years’ teaching experience, Holly previously served as a lead toddler teacher at the Westminster Nursery; a Pre-K cubby camp counselor and Wildcat camp counselor for Kindergarten through Second-Grade students at The Westminster Schools; a lead toddler teacher at The Suzuki School in Atlanta; a toddler teacher at Saint John’s Child Care Center in Sandy Springs, Georgia; a teacher assistant at Mason Early Childhood Center in Mason, Ohio; a Pre-K co-lead teacher at The Goddard School in Mason, Ohio; and a teacher assistant at Stepping Stones For Children in Berea, Kentucky. A certified Infant-Toddler Montessori Teacher with the American Montessori Society, Holly has a Bachelor of Arts in Health Science from Eastern Kentucky University.

  
  

  Jaclyn Connell will join Team Trinity as a Pre-K Lead Teacher and work alongside Associate Teachers Jessi Books and SatyaGrace Kaskade. Jaclyn comes to us from The Preschool at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church, where she was the Pre-K Stem Innovation lead teacher. No stranger to independent schools, she began her career as a First Grade assistant teacher at Woodward Academy North in Johns Creek, followed by two years as a Kindergarten teacher at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, where she was the team lead in Orton-Gillingham phonics. Jaclyn then taught First Grade at Heards Ferry Elementary School in Sandy Springs, where she was once again a team lead in Orton-Gillingham phonics instruction as well as Lucy Calkins Reading and Writing workshops. Jaclyn has a Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education from Oglethorpe University and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science from the University of Arizona.

  
  

  Abbey Hardman will join the Trinity faculty as a Kindergarten Lead Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Kate Burton and Senior Associate Teacher Laurice Drews. She comes to us from Sarah Smith Elementary in Atlanta, where she was a First Grade teacher. Prior to that, Abbey taught Kindergarten and Second Grade in the Henry County School System and was a First Grade student-teacher and lead teacher assistant at Berry College Elementary and Middle School in Rome, Georgia. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Berry College and is working toward her Master of Education in Elementary Literacy with Reading Endorsement from Georgia State University.

  
  

  Cathryn Lager, a Trinity parent who has served as a Substitute Teacher since 2020, will join Team Trinity as an Early Learners Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Pam Lauer and Associate Teacher Revathi Arasavelli. Prior to working in education, Cathryn spent several years in the corporate world. Over an 11-year period, she worked her way from account manager to senior director at TrialGraphix, then served as a service line enablement and account manager at EY in Atlanta for six years. Cathryn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Florida State University.
  
  Christina Lindsay will join Team Trinity as a Pre-K Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Kaitlin Snodgrass and Associate Teacher Stephanie Mosac. Christina comes to us from The Mount Vernon School, where she was a member of the Extended Play preschool faculty. She previously worked overseas as a substitute teacher and special education paraprofessional at Ryukyu Middle School on the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan; as a Kindergarten paraprofessional at Landstuhl Elementary School in Landstuhl, Germany; and as a Kindergarten paraprofessional at Yokota West Elementary School, an education and training specialist at the Yume Child Development Center, and a PSCD (Preschool Children with Disabilities) paraprofessional at Joan K. Mendel Elementary School - all on the Yokota Air Base in Japan. Christina has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Phoenix and is working towards her Master of Education in Elementary Education.
  
  Charlotte Maguire will return to Team Trinity as an Early Learners Associate Teacher after a one-year hiatus. She will once again work alongside Lead Teacher Robin Martin and Associate Teacher Kimberly Marchant. Charlotte previously spent nine years as an Early Learners Associate Teacher at Trinity after working as a substitute teacher here for five years. Prior to teaching, she spent time as a trade show coordinator and an assistant visual arts/public relations coordinator. A parent to three Trinity graduates, Charlotte has held numerous volunteer positions at the School, including Room Parent, Grade Level Representative, and Spotlight on Art Market Area Chair. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Vanderbilt University.
  
  Kimberly Marchant, who joined Team Trinity as an Early Learners Associate Teacher in 2013, will move into an Early Learners Lead Teacher position and work alongside Associate Teachers Sophia Aarons and June Zellers. Kimberly has also worked in Trinity’s Extended Programs for the last 10 years, initially supervising Early Elementary Division students as a Core teacher, then creating and leading STEAM activities for Early Learners, Pre-K, and Kindergarten students as a Specials teacher for the last seven years. Before coming to Trinity, she was a substitute teacher at Mount Vernon Presbyterian School and Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School. Kimberly’s passion for educating young children began at the age of 10, when she was introduced to the Los Niños Primero Summer Educational Program at Mount Vernon Presbyterian Church. She served 14 summers in the program, 10 as a volunteer and four as a teacher to a class of five-year-olds. Kimberly has a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Auburn University.
  
  Hannah Claire Morris will join Team Trinity as an Early Learners Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Robin Martin and Associate Teacher Charlotte Maguire. Hannah Claire comes to us from Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia, where she was a substitute teacher for three-year-olds through Fifth Grade and where she completed her Pre-K and Kindergarten teacher candidacy internship. She has also served as an assistant teacher at preschools in Mississippi. Hannah Claire has a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science with a concentration in Child Development from Mississippi State University.
  
  Alyssa Scarboro will join Team Trinity as a Pre-K Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Leah Lenhardt and Associate Teacher Anne Jones. Alyssa comes to us from Proud Moments ABA in Atlanta, where she served as an autism spectrum disorder behavior therapist. Prior to that, she was an associate recruiter at NextWave Resources in Boynton Beach, Florida, and an admissions counselor at Keiser University in West Palm Beach, Florida. Alyssa has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia College & State University.

  
  

  Kaitlin Snodgrass, who joined Team Trinity last year as an Early Learners Associate Teacher, will move into a Pre-K Lead Teacher position and work alongside Associate Teachers Tertia Bonner and Stephanie Mosac. Kaitlin previously worked at St. Martin’s Episcopal School for several years as a Second Grade lead teacher and a First and Second Grade assistant teacher. She has a Master of Arts in Teaching from Mercer University and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations from Auburn University.

• EXTENDED PROGRAMS

  Jasmine Mitchell joined Team Trinity in late April as an Extended Programs Lead Teacher. A native of Douglasville, Georgia, Jasmine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Georgia State University. While in college, she served as a nanny in the Metro Atlanta Area and realized how much she enjoyed working with children and helping with their growth and development. Before coming to Trinity, Jasmine was a lead teacher and team leader at an early learning facility in Kennesaw for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years. Additionally, she has experience in customer service from her previous roles as a receptionist and hostess.

• UPPER ELEMENTARY DIVISION

  Julia Alexander, who joined Trinity as a Fourth Grade Associate Teacher in 2020, will move to the Third Grade as an Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Devora Gutman. Before coming to Trinity, Julia gained student teaching experience in grades Pre-K–Sixth. She has a Bachelor of Science in Education from The University of Alabama and double majored in Elementary Education and Early Childhood.

  
  

  Kayla Betz will join Team Trinity as a Second Grade Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Katherine Goldberg. Kayla comes to us from Pace Academy, where she was a First Grade teacher. She started her career in education as a preschool teacher at International Preschools in Atlanta, then worked her way from general education paraprofessional to First Grade lead teacher at Chestnut Elementary School in Dunwoody, where she also worked in the after-school program. Kayla has a Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary Education from Mercer University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Georgia State University.

  
  

  Thomas Cheese, who joined Team Trinity full time as a Fifth Grade Associate Teacher in 2022 has accepted the new role of Upper Elementary Division Counselor. Thomas previously taught Third Grade at Albany Community Charter School in Albany, New York, and held social work internships at Encompass Health in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Project Family in Athens, Georgia. Thomas has a Master of Social Work from University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Dartmouth College.

  
  

  Taylor Davidson will join Team Trinity as a Second Grade Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Emily Pritchard. A recent graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with a Bachelor of Fine Art in Studio Art, Taylor most recently served as a Third Grade long-term substitute teacher at The Schenck School. She has student teaching experience at Montevideo Middle School and Westwood Elementary School, both in Virginia, and has also served as the art director and head camp counselor at Camp Live Oak in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

  
  

  Emily Davis will join Team Trinity as the Upper Elementary Art Teacher. Emily comes to us from The Paideia School, where she spent seven years teaching Third and Fourth Grade; led a variety of after-school classes, including knitting and origami; and served two summers as a camp counselor and aftercare coordinator. During the summer of 2022, she was the STEAM and art specialist at In the City Camps in Atlanta, where her work included planning and implementing STEAM programming for Kindergarten–Fifth Graders and a middle school fiber arts curriculum. In addition, she previously served as a social skills facilitator; a D.I.R. professional who used Dr. Stanley Greenspan’s Floortime model to work one-on-one with children of all ages and levels of development to improve their social interactions, development, and emotional language; a lead counselor at Blowing Rock Parks and Recreation Summer Camp in Boone, North Carolina; and a Kindergarten English teacher, English language reading and oral skills teacher, and magic teacher and performer in Beijing, China. Emily has a Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies from Appalachian State University and will receive her Master of Arts in Art and Design with a concentration in Art Education from Kennesaw State University this summer.

  
  

  Ashante Gilstrap will join Team Trinity as a Fourth Grade Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Brian Toth. Ashante began her teaching career as an early Pre-K teacher at Brookside Academy in Alpharetta, then spent five years as an educational instructor with the Dekalb County School District. She then joined The Suzuki School, where she spent three years as a lead Montessori teacher, four years as the associate director of admissions, and three years as the associate director. Ashante has a Master of Science in Education in Elementary Education from Cambridge College as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Art Therapy and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, both from Converse College.

  
  

  Devora Gutman will join team Trinity as a Third Grade Lead Teacher and work alongside Associate Teacher Julia Alexander. Devora comes to us from Katz Hillel Day School in Boca Raton, Florida, where she served as a Third-Grade lead teacher for three years and a Third-Grade associate teacher for six. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Central Florida.

  
  

  Reeves Holden, who joined Trinity in 2021 as a Second Grade Associate Teacher, will move into a Third Grade Associate Teacher position and work alongside Lead Teacher Matt Scott. Prior to joining the Trinity team, Reeves was an online learning proctor and substitute teacher at The Schenck School and gained student teaching experience in grades Pre-K–Sixth. A certified Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator, Reeves has a Master of Education in Special Education with a focus on dyslexia from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Science in Early/Elementary Special Education from Auburn University.
  
  Courtney Clack Nguyen will join Team Trinity as a Second Grade Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Claire Snyder. For the last four years, Courtney has been a First Grade teacher at The Academy of Scholars in Decatur. Prior to that, she worked at Cotton Indian Elementary School in Stockbridge for three years, first as a Third Grade teacher, then as a Second Grade teacher. Courtney holds a gifted endorsement as well as a Master of Education and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from University of West Georgia.

  
  

  Emily Pritchard, who joined the Trinity team as a Second Grade Associate Teacher in 2020, will move into a Second Grade Lead Teacher role and work alongside Associate Teacher Taylor Davidson. Emily previously served as an assistant preschool teacher at The Early Learning Center in Auburn, Alabama, and has additional experience working with children as an intern with Rocky Mountain Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado; a volunteer with The Atlanta Children’s Shelter’s nursery and preschool; and a competitive gymnastics coach at the Gym at Peachtree Presbyterian Church. At a young age, Emily founded Camp Dragonfly, a neighborhood camp for children ages 3–8, and spent eight years running it. A Woodward Academy graduate, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies with a concentration in Middle Childhood and Adolescence from Auburn University.
  
  Alyssa Rooks joins Team Trinity as a Fourth Grade Associate Teacher and works alongside Lead Teacher Hunter Branch. Alyssa comes to us from The Westminster Schools, where she most recently served as a Third-Grade lead teacher; the Lower School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion coordinator; and a JV girls basketball coach. In addition, she spent six years there as a Pre-First lead teacher, during which she was the 2019 recipient of the O. Wayne Rollins Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, and prior to that was a learning support specialist for grades K-5 at Bay Ridge Preparatory School in Brooklyn, New York. Orton-Gillingham Certified, Alyssa has a Master of Arts in Education in Early Childhood Education from Lesley University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Spelman College.

  
  

  Carlos Taylor, who has been subbing at Trinity since October 2022, will join Team Trinity full time as a Fifth Grade Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teachers Bridget Billups and Michaela Davida. A graduate of Alabama State University with a Bachelor of Science in English Education, Carlos previously served as an English educator with Teach for America. Certified as a Professional Scrum Master, he has worked as an assistant closing officer at Ganek Real Estate and a project coordinator at My Beloved Home.
  
  Mary Teske, who served as a substitute teacher at Trinity from January 2023 until the end of the school year and from 2015 to 2018, will join our faculty full time as a Fourth Grade Associate Teacher and work alongside Lead Teacher Marcia Twiggs. She previously served as the assistant athletic coach at Atlanta Girls' School; spent 12 years as a certified cycling instructor and group fitness trainer; and worked in Atlanta's corporate world, including time as a supervisor/team trainer and patient care coordinator with SCP Health, program manager/team trainer with Premedex, and sales specialist with Peloton Interactive. Mary has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from State University of New York at Buffalo.
  
  Marcia Twiggs, who joined Team Trinity as a Fourth Grade Associate Teacher in the fall of 2022, is moving to a Fourth Grade Lead Teacher position and will work alongside Associate Teacher Mary Teske. Starting her 25th year as an elementary classroom teacher, Marcia previously worked at Sarah Smith Elementary in Atlanta, where she received a Teacher of the Year award, immediately prior to coming to Trinity. She has also taught at schools in Memphis, Tennessee, and served as a team leader. Marcia earned an Education Specialist in Curriculum and Supervision as well as a Master of Education from Union University and a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from The University of Tennessee. She is also a proud parent to Trinity Fourth-Grade student McKinley.