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Amana Academy's Faculty
Consistent with the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) regulations as they
apply to charter schools, Amana Academy has actively sought the most
highly qualified staff possible. All Amana faculty and staff have been
rigorously screened on the basis of their academic credentials,
relevant experience, validated evidence of student achievement and
recommendations from previous employers, parents and the community.
As even the youngest of children can aspire and exemplify Amana
principles, so too will they react to examples that are inconsistent
with these values. Amana Academy educates by example. As such, Amana
Academy staff must exemplify the qualities we strive to guide our
students towards. In the words of our partner ELOB, we are not
passengers but a "crew". Therefore, ideas and actions of all staff
affect the course to which we steer ourselves. As we truly are
"charting new waters" with our unique emphasis on high academic
achievement, communication excellence, Arabic, ethical character and
stewardship, we strive to attract and retain individuals who show
enthusiasm for and commitment to these areas.
2010/2011 Staff List
Executive Director: Mr. Ehab Jaleel
Director of Curriculum and Instruction: Ms. Jelena Naim
Director of Student Services: Ms. Mary LoCurto
Instructional Guide: Mr. Jean-Jacques Credi
Receptionist/Clinician: Ms. Ruksana Shibly
Data Specialist: Ms. Sherryl Hale
Business Manager: Ms. Sumayya Allen
Technology Specialist: Mr. Zsolt Szabo
Kindergarten Teachers: Ms. Svetlana Savova, with parapro Ms. Theresa Ardolino; Ms. Katie Morris, with parapro Ms. Ghada Mohamed, Ms. Natasha Pittman, with parapro Ms. Laurie Guthrie, and Ms. Patrice Combs, with parapro Ms. Sumya Tariq
1st grade teachers: Ms. Angelique Barnett, Ms. Azusa Callaway, and Ms. Kimberly Ragghianti
2nd grade teachers: Ms. Priya Raina, Ms. Lori Casal, Ms. Sarah Passoff, and Ms. Kristina Holmes
3rd grade teachers: Ms. Kristen McNeil, Ms. Natasha Springer, and Ms. Leena Farooqui
4th grade teachers: Ms. Merry Herdt, Ms. Sarah Turnbull, and TBA
5th grade teachers: Ms. Michelle Valerius, Ms. Julie Reid, and Ms. Valerie Curry
6th grade Humanities: Mr. Peter Epstein
6th grade Math/Science: Ms. Monica Kuhlman
7th grade Humanities: Ms. Stephanie Kumpf
7th grade Math/Science: Ms. Hiba Bawji
8th grade Humanities: Ms. Rochelle Wilson
8th grade Math/Science: Ms. Cherisse Campbell
Arabic teachers: Ms. Eman Maamoun, Ms. Hana Arslan, Ms. Djaouida Bensaadoun, and Ms. Basma Elashker
PE/Health teachers: Mr. Ivan Tcherepov, and Ms. Maria Vaughan
Art teacher: Mr. Lakeem Winborne
Media Center Specialist: Ms. Melissa Singh
Enviromental Education/Outward Bound teacher: Brooke Heimerl
TAG teachers: Ms. Mary Jo Malowney and Ms. Karen Lowe
Early Intervention Program teachers: Ms. Roxana Vera (reading) and Mr. Isa Sanchez (math)
Special Education teachers: Ms. Shonda McField (IST) and Ms. Ghada Swadek
ESOL teacher: Ms. Karen Helz
Speech therapist: Ms. Tangelia Williams
School Social Worker: Ms. Jennifer Bui
Amana Academy's Faculty Biographies
Amana Academy Administrators
Ehab Jaleel
 Executive Director
ejaleel@amanaacademy.org
A resident of Roswell, Ehab is married with three daughters who attend Amana. He received degrees in Applied Psychology and Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech; and prior to coming to Amana he was a Senior Marketing Manager at the Coca-Cola Company. He has 17 years of professional experience in marketing, project & people management while at Coca-Cola and General Electric. Ehab has been active in the community and has served on non-profit boards for over 10 years. He has passion for the charter school paradigm of “autonomy with accountability”, and for innovative hands-on educational approaches that extend beyond the four walls of a classroom. Along with his wife Lara Alexander, he facilitated the evolution of Amana Academy from concept through implementation; and he served as Amana’s Founding Board Chairman (2003-2006), and served on numerous school crews. Along the way, Ehab has cherished Amana's motto of "We are Crew, not Passengers".
Jelena Naim
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
email: jnaim@amanaacademy.org
Since 1983 Jelena has held various positions of increasing
responsibility devoted to teaching English and English as a Second
Language. She has taught at the University of Illinois at
Urbana-Champaign, at the American Cultural Center in Alexandria Egypt,
at the Oxford County Language Office in Oxford England, and most
recently as a Lecturer in the Department of Applied Linguistics &
ESL at Georgia State University.
In addition to her classroom teaching experience at Lilburn
Middle School in Lilburn, Georgia, Jelena has conducted teacher
training programs for international middle and high school teachers and
developed curricular materials at Georgia State University. At GSU, she
also coordinated learning labs and student activities for the
Department of Applied Linguistics, where she served as chairs of the
Lecturer Search Committee and Student Evaluation.
Jelena has a Bachelor's Degree in French with a minor in
History from the University of Illinois at Chicago; she completed here
Master's Degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has studied abroad in
France and Spain, and she is certified in Middle School teaching from
Mercer University Graduate School of Education.
Jelena was one of a dozen core team
volunteers who developed the Amana Academy concept and saw it through
to State approval. She served on the Education and Human Resources
committees and as Secretary on Amana's Founding Board. Her
contributions have been significant, and combined with her educational
experience she is especially qualified to be Amana's Instructional
Guide.
Jelena joined Amana Academy in 2005.
Mary LoCurto
Director of Student Services
email: mlocurto@amanaacademy.org
Mary LoCurto joined Amana in 2006 as a middle school math teacher. Mrs. LoCurto earned her Master's in Education at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) and her Bachelors in Marketing at the University of Bridgeport. This is Mrs. LoCurto's 14th year in education. She began her career in Waterbury, Connecticut where she taught 6, 7, 8 math and science. She taught grades 3, 4, 5, and 6 in Gates Mills, Ohio, for nine years. Mrs. LoCurto was born in Boston, Massachusetts and currently lives in Cumming, Georgia. She and husband Len have 2 daughters attending college here in Georgia.
Jean-Jacques Credi
Instructional Guide
email: jcredi@amanaacademy.org
Jean-Jacques Credi joined Amana in 2006. He graduated from the University of Rochester with a BA in Psychology and earned his teaching license and Master's Degree at Indiana University. He has taught 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades and worked in multi-age settings with K-6 graders and Middle School-aged teenagers. Mr. Credi also serves as a Facilitator with the School Reform Initiative, an organization devoted to promoting high academic achievement and equitable student outcomes through collaboration and professional inquiry.
Sumayya Allen
Business Manager
email: sallen@amanaacademy.org
Sumayya Allen has been working at Amana since 2005. She is passionate specifically about Amana's Environmental and Civic Stewardship principle. Sumayya has worked at further developing this principle by working with students in the Gardening Club in 2005, O Ambassadors Club in 2007, and with staff on the ECrew. Sumayya has made it a priority to implement environmentally-friendly practices such as Integrated Pest Management, Green-Certified cleaning products, and Green Purchasing Guidelines as part of Amana's day-to-day business operations. She currently holds an Associates of Science in Agriculture and a Certified Bookkeeper designation.
Sherryl Hale
Data Specialist
email: shale@amanaacademy.org
Sherryl has worked in a similar school data specialist position in Cobb County, and brings an enthusiasm for organization and order that is hard to resist! Sherry joined Amana Academy in 2009.
Ruksana Shibly
Clinic Nurse and Front Desk Assistant
email: rshibly@amanaacademy.org
Ruksana Shibly joined Amana in 2009. Prior to working at Amana, she worked at Edward Hospital, Naperville, IL as a Clinical Assistant in the Radiology Department.
Zsolt Szabo
Technology Specialist
email: zscabo@amanaacademy.org
Zsolt Scabo joined Amana in 2010.
Amana Academy Teachers and Support Staff
Hana Arslan
Arabic Teacher
email: harslan@amanaacademy.org
Mrs. Hana Arslan has been with Amana since its opening in 2005. She helped develop the Arabic curriculum, created Arabic materials, and interactive, hands-on activities that target the diversity of students' needs and levels at Amana. Mrs. Hana has a BA in Early Childhood Education and a certification in Elementary Education from the American University of Beirut. She has 6 years of teaching French. Her BA and teaching certification were recognized by the Professional Standards Commission in GA after courses in Education at Perimeter College. She has a Montessori certification in primary level from the International Montessori society in Maryland. She successfully completed the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Writing and Speaking Proficiency Tests in Arabic. She participated and presented "Arabic at Amana" in National conferences and workshops. This Summer Hana had the chance to attend Concordia Language Village in Bemidji,and was awarded a certificate for a successful completion of Startalk Arabic Teachers Designing Pathway to proficiency Grades K-16.
Theresa Ardolino
Kindergarten Teaching Paraprofessional
email: tardolino@amanaacademy.org
Theresa Ardolino joined Amana in 2006.
Angelique Barnett
1st Grade Teacher
email: abarnett@amanaacademy.org
Angelique Barnett has been at Amana Academy since 2007. Prior to working at Amana she worked as an assistant Montessori teacher at Crabapple Montessori School. Ms. Barnett has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and worked as a logistician and industrial engineer for several years before beginning her teaching career.
Hiba Bawji
7 Grade Math and Science Teacher
email: hbawji@amanaacademy.org
This is Ms. Bawji's second year at Amana. She taught 7th and 8th grade Math last year and this year she will be teaching 7th grade Math and Science. Ms. Bawji has a Bachelors Degree in Analytical Chemistry as a major and a minor in Applied Mathematics from Beirut University in Lebanon. She worked as a private tutor for four years helping students in math, physics, chemistry and biology K6-K10. She has also worked as a volunteer in teaching Arabic as a Second language at a non-profit organization in Atlanta. Mrs. Hiba Bawji is a Middle School Certified Math and Science Teacher in the State of Georgia. She has completed a program for Teachers' Preparation and Certification at Georgia State University. She completed her Practicum and Student Teaching at Sandy Spring's Middle School in 2008-2009 where she had a rich in-class everyday experience in the 7th and 8th grade Math and Science classes. Mrs. Bawji earned her Master Degree in Arts of Education - Middle School Math and Science in 2009 from Georgia State University. Ms. Bawji is a resident of Alpharetta, and a mother of three children; Rhonda (an Amana 2nd grader), Dina and Fawzi.
Djaouida Bensaadoun
Arabic Teacher
email: dbensaadoun@amanaacademy.org
Mrs. Djaouida is from Algeria. She has a degree in dentistry and worked as a dentist for twelve years in Algeria. Prior to working in Amana she worked as a French teacher. She is certified By the American Council for Teaching Foreign Languages Writing and Speaking Proficiency Tests in French and Arabic. She joined Amana Academy in 2007. She participated and presented in National conferences and workshops organized by the ACTFL. Recently, she attended a seminar organized by Startalk and Concordia language villages in Minnesota, and was awarded a certificate for a successful completion of Startalk Arabic Teachers Designing Pathway to proficiency Grades K-16. She chose to be a teacher because she loves to share her knowledge and enjoys opening up a new world of learning to every one of her students. Mrs. Bensaadoun joined Amana in 2007.
Jennifer Bui
School Social Worker
email: jbui@amanaacademy.org
Mrs. Bui brings to Amana many years of experience as a school social worker. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from the University of South Florida and her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Central Florida. She has worked as a school social worker in multiple elementary and middle school facilities with Fulton County Schools since 2001. Mrs. Bui previously worked as a child advocate with abused and neglected children, a counselor with troubled children and was a program coordinator for an international adoption program for AIDS orphans from South Africa. Mrs. Bui looks forward to working with Amana's diverse and innovative community. Jennifer Bui joined Amana Academy in 2009.
Azusa Callaway
1st Grade Teacher
email: acallaway@amanaacademy.org
Azusa Callaway joined Amana in 2008. She taught K-5 Japanese for 14 years at Mimosa Elementary School in Fulton County. She has a BA in English Literature, an English as a Foreign Language certificate from Doshisha Women's College, Kyoto, Japan, an MEd in Early Childhood Education (ECE) from Berry College, an Educational Specialist degree in ECE from Mercer University, and is completing her Ph.D. in Language and Literacy Education at Georgia State University. She is certified in Georgia in ECE, English Speakers of Other Languages, Japanese, and as a Teacher Support Specialist. She has served numerous times as a curriculum writer and a conference/workshop presenter at the local, state, and national levels in the field of world languages. She is also a published author.
Cherisse Campbell
8th Grade Math/Science Teacher
email: ccampbell@amanaacademy.org
Cherisse Campbell received degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering from Spelman College and Georgia Tech respectively. It was during her six-year career as a chemical engineer that Mrs. Campbell discovered her passion for teaching through community outreach programs. She went on to obtain Masters Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction (Science Education Concentration) and Educational Leadership from the University of Delaware. Mrs. Campbell has taught physical science and chemistry in Delaware and Georgia. She leads a high energy lifestyle and a high energy classroom. Mrs. Campbell joined Amana Academy in 2010.
Lori Casal
2nd Grade Teacher
email: lcasal@amanaacademy.org
Born and raised in New York, Ms. Casal worked as a floral designer for 13 years. At the age of 26, she went to school to become a teacher. Graduating in December 2000 from SUNY Old Westbury College with a Bachelor's in Elementary Education, her first teaching job was in September 2001. During her 5 years at PS 62 in the South Bronx, she taught fourth grade for one year and first grade for four years. Her first grade classes participated in a cross age peer tutoring program with Gomper's HS students for 3 years. As part of the Literacy Team at PS 62, she worked closely with other staff and administration to develop an extensive book/resource room and assist other teachers with the process of guided reading and balanced literacy. Mrs. Casal graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a Master's Degree in Literacy in May 2004. In July of 2006, she and her husband relocated to Georgia with their children. She joined the Amana Community in 2008, was part of the High Academic Achievement Crew and taught Kindergarten. Mrs. Lori Casal will loop up with her class to first grade for 2009-2010.
Patrice Combs
Kindergarten Teacher
email: pcombs@amanaacademy.org
Patrice graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1979. Following graduation, she worked for 5 years as a quality manager for a textile manufacturer. After marrying and staying at home for 10 years raising her three children, she began her teaching career in 1999 while substituting extensively in her children's schools in grades kindergarten through 8th. She brings many years of experience working with children in diverse and multi-cultural schools, as well as in general, inclusive, and special education classrooms. After substituting for 7 years, she pursued fulltime school employment and obtained a job as a kindergarten paraprofessional at Medlock Bridge Elementary in 2006. Reading has always been a passion, so she next worked as a Reading and Literacy Paraprofessional within the same elementary school. In this position she worked with children below grade level and brought them up to grade level proficiency in reading and literacy. Realizing that becoming a fully certified teacher was the next goal, she obtained her Masters of Arts in Education/ Teacher Education in 2009 and is now a Georgia certified teacher for grades Pre-K through 8th. Finally having a classroom to call her own, she was a lead Pre-kindergarten teacher at Windward Child Development Center during the 2009-2010 school year. Patrice was drawn to Amana because of the core-principle of "stewardship" and the employment of the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound (ELOB) school design model. She is excited to be joining the staff at Amana in the position of Kindergarten teacher.
Valerie Curry
5th Grade Teacher
email: vcurry@amanaacademy.org
Valerie Mehlig Curry earned her undergraduate degree from Brown University as a Theatre Arts major and English minor. She also studied for a semester at the National Theatre Institute. In addition, she has toured northeastern elementary schools with the nationally acclaimed Looking Glass Theatre. Mrs. Curry worked as a playwright and actor for a living history troupe, became co-editor/publisher of the nationally distributed Cititartnews, and a journalist for several Rhode Island media outlets. She served as a trainer and writer (and sales rep. and manager) for several world-class technology firms including Bell Labs.
Mrs. Curry attended both Drew University's graduate program in theology and New Jersey City University's graduate program in education. She holds a permanent New Jersey Teaching Certificate in English, grades 6-12 and Georgia certification in Language Arts/English (grades 4-12). She's also completed requirements for certification in Reading and Social Studies (grades 4-8) as well as Early Childhood/Elementary Ed.
Mrs. Curry's personal highlights include being the mother of a sixth-grade son and a grandmother to her adult stepson's three daughters. She is thrilled to serve as a crew member of Amana Academy, preparing our children academically, ethically, and socially for the great challenges and unique opportunities of the 21st century. Mrs. Curry joined Amana in 2010.
Basma Elashker
Arabic Teacher
email: belashker@amanaacademy.org
Basma Elashker teaches Arabic in her third year at Amana Academy. This is her fifth year teaching Arabic. A graduate from Brenau University with a Bachelor's of science degree in Psychology, Ms. Basma best enjoys watching her students learn and grow.
Peter Epstein
6th Grade Humanities Teacher
email: pepstein@amanaacademy.org
Peter Epstein has a BA in Russian Studies and an MAT degree from Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Peter has taught in a variety of different settings in the US and abroad. He is certified in the State of Georgia for middle grades Social Studies, Language Arts, and ESOL (P-12). He has been to many different countries and has a great interest in traveling and exploring the world. Some of his hobbies include swimming, hiking, backpacking, and theatre.
Leena Farooqui
3rd Grade Teacher
email: lfarooqui@amanaacademy.org
Leena Farooqui joined Amana in 2009. She began her teaching career in Canada teaching 2nd Grade, and later moved to Atlanta as a Visiting International Faculty member with Gwinnett County Public Schools. After getting married, Mrs. Farooqui moved to New York City, where she worked in the heart of Spanish Harlem teaching Social Studies to students Pre-K through 5th Grade. Throughout her teaching career, Mrs. Farooqui has been involved in various fundraising and leadership activities. She led the student campaign for the United Way with her class where her 4th Grade students sold handmade bracelets to raise money for earthquake victims. She also formed a global awareness club for 5th Grade students and initiated and organized various multicultural/anti-racism activities for her school. Mrs. Farooqui completed her BA in Psychology and BEd from York University in Toronto, Ontario and her MEd in Educational Research from the University of Calgary in Calgary, Alberta.
Laurie Guthrie
Paraprofessional
email: lguthrie@amanaacademy.org
Laurie joined Amana in 2006.
Brooke Heimerl
Enviromental Education/Outward Bound Teacher
email: bheimerl@amanaacademy.org
Brooke Heimerl, known to most as "Miss H," has been with Amana since its inception. Brooke earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. She then moved to Atlanta to attend Georgia State University's Master's TEEMS teaching program specializing in 4th-8th Math and Science.
In the fall of 2005, Brooke started teaching a self-contained 4th grade class at Amana. She will be teaching those same students as 8th graders this year. Talk about looping, Brooke has instructed those same 4th graders advancing to each level of science; 5th, 6th and 7th. For the 2009-2010 school year Brooke will be teaching 7th Life Science and 8th Physical Science.
Every year Brooke brings her energy and passion to Amana, most notably via her enthusiasm and dedication for the Amana Community at our weekly Community Circles. Brooke has been an integral part of much of the positive growth at Amana. She has served as team leader for middle school for 3 years, as crew leader for community circle for all 4 years, and as one of the student's most dedicated advocates. Brooke believes whole heartedly in the charter and is encouraged that the charter will come to full fruition with the new leadership model.
Any person walking by her always open classroom will see, hear and feel the excitement her students have for learning the ELOB way.
Karen Helz
ESOL Teacher
email: khelz@amanaacademy.org
Mrs. Helz earned her MS in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is certified in elementary education and ESOL in Kansas and Georgia. She has worked in English and in Second Language programs in Thailand, Iran, Qatar, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, both as a teacher and an administrator. Before joining Amana Academy in 2006, she was the coordinator of the ESL program at Sana'a International School, Sana'a, Yemen.
Merry Herdt
4th Grade Teacher
email: mherdt@amanaacademy.org
Merry Herdt joined Amana in the inaugural year 2005. She has taught Reading, Language Arts and Social Studies to students ranging from 3rd grade to 12th grade. At Amana, Mrs. Herdt has served as Grade Level Lead Teacher, Intermediate Elementary Team Leader, Ethical Character Co-Chair and most recently, served on the Excellent Communicators Crew, the Leadership Transition Crew and the Talented and Gifted Eligibility Team. She holds a BS in English Education and several Georgia teaching certificates. Since joining Amana, Merry Herdt has written four exciting Expeditions: "Atlanta: Then and Now (2005-2006)," "WWII's Famous Faces (2006-2007)," "Civil War by the Numbers (2007-2008)" and "Liberty City Expedition (2008-2009)." In her spare time, Merry enjoys reading, sewing, watching baseball and traveling the world. Merry lives in Woodstock with her husband of fifteen years and her two boys, Alex and Springer.
Kristina Holmes
2nd Grade Teacher
email: kholmes@amanaacademy.org
Kristina joined Amana Academy in 2010. Born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, she began her career in education while in high school planning activities for pre-kindergarten students at a child care facility. In 2009, Kristina received a BS from Kennesaw State University in Early Childhood Education. Prior to joining Amana, Kristina worked as a Teaching Assistant with City Schools of Decatur, in an Expeditionary Learning school.
Monica Kuhlman
6th Grade Math/Science Teacher
email: mkuhlman@amanaacademy.org
Monica Kuhlman joined Amana in 2010 as the 6th grade math/science teacher. Monica hails from Dubuque, Iowa, a small Mississippi River town, which she visits frequently. After high school, she attended Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin where she earned her BA is geological science. After graduation Monica moved to Norfolk, Virginia where she earned her MS in geological oceanography from Old Dominion University. After graduating she lived and worked for a time in the Florida Keys, eventually moving to northwest Ohio where she was employed as an environmental products sales consultant. Realizing her passion for education, Monica gained her MA in teaching from Clarke College in Dubuque Iowa and began teaching in 2003. Monica lived in Arkansas for several yeas before moving to the Atlanta area last year. Monica has taught both middle and high school science in several states in subjects ranging from biology to physical science to AP environmental science, but she especially loves middle school science!
In her free time Monica loves to travel, having been to all 50 states with the exception of Hawaii, and especially loves traveling out west where the geology rocks. Monica's summer trips consisted of rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon as well as a week long stay in Costa Rica where she saw monkeys, went zip lining and learned how to boogie board. She also enjoys reading science fiction books and spending time with her husband Steve and two kitty cats, Piglet and Lolly.
Stephanie Kumpf
7th Grade Humanities Teacher
email: skumpf@amanaacademy.org
This is Stephanie Kumpf's second year at Amana. She received her BSED from Kennesaw State. Stephanie has taught in Cobb County, a Montessori school in Marietta, managed a tutoring center for a national company and most recently has owned her own tutoring company that also helped homeschooling families. Stephanie was drawn to Amana because of its community feel and environmental responsibility.
Karen Lowe
Talented and Gifted Consultant
email: klowe@amanaacademy.org
Karen Lowe joins us as a consultant for our TAG program. Her degrees include: AB from Grove City College, Grove City, PA, and MEd from Georgia State University. She also has certification in Gifted Services and Leadership and Instructional Supervision. She has taught Kindergarten through high school and gifted certification classes for teachers, was assistant coordinator of Gifted Services in Fulton County, and is a member, past president and convention presenter of the state and national organizations for Gifted Children. She is very pleased to have this opportunity to collaborate with gifted students and teachers in developing the TAG program at Amana.
Eman Maamoun
Arabic Teacher
email: emaamoun@amanaacademy.org
Mrs. Maamoun joined Amana in 2007 and has been a teacher
since 1988 in the United Arab Emirates teaching ESL and serving as a
media specialist. She served as a consultant for Amana while
developing the charter, specifically working with the Arabic
component. Most recently she has been working as a volunteer in
various educational institutions in the area of media. She is
certified in the state of Georgia as a librarian, to teach ESOL, and as
proficient in Arabic. She has a BA in English Literature and an
MA in Information and Library Services.
Mary Jo Malowney
Talented and Gifted Consultant
email: mmalowney@amanaacademy.org
Mary Jo Malowney joined Amana Academy in 2009. She has a Bachelors and Masters degree from the Ohio State University, and Gifted Certification from the University of Georgia. Most recently she taught Talented and Gifted students at Summit Hill Elementary School in Fulton County. She has over 25 years of teaching experience. She has presented at conferences at the state and international levels and was honored in 2008 as the GAGC Gifted Teacher of the Year for the State of Georgia.
Shonda McField
Student Support Teacher
email: smcfield@amanaacademy.org
Ms. McField is originally from New Orleans and came on board at Amana in 2008. She relocated to Georgia in 2001. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Dillard University. She also holds a Master's Degree in Social Work. Ms. McField is currently continuing her education and will be receiving a 2nd Master's Degree in Education. She enjoys writing poetry and reading books.
Kristen McNeil
3nd Grade Teacher
email: kmcneil@amanaacademy.org
Kristen McNeil joined Amana Academy in 2009. She obtained her undergraduate degree in English from Spelman College. Upon graduation from Spelman, she attended Emory University where she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree. She is currently certified kindergarten to fifth grade and middle grades Language Arts / Social Science. Ms. McNeil is looking forward to her second year at Amana.
Ghada Mohamed
Kindergarten Paraprofessional
email: gmohamed@amanaacademy.org
Ghada Mohamed joined Amana in 2008.
Katie Morris
Kindergarten Teacher
email: kmorris@amanaacademy.org
Katie Morris joined Amana in 2010 as a Kindergarten teacher. She is passionate about teaching and excited about Expeditionary Learning. She holds a BS in psychology and social work from the University of Georgia and earned her Master's Degree in Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She has experience teaching Kindergarten and First grade in the Chicago public school system and at a start-up charter school in Atlanta. She is Georgia certified in grades PK-8.
Natasha Pittman
Kindergarten Teacher
email: npittman@amanaacademy.org
Mrs. Pittman joined Amana's staff in 2010. Before joining Amana, Mrs. Pittman spent 9 years in the Christian education sector in curriculum sales and curriculum development. In 2008, she entered the public school sector, joining the highly coveted Teach for America program. While with Teach for America, she spent two years as a lead Kindergarten teacher, helping to bridge educational gaps among some of the most challenging student populations in Atlanta. During her time with Teach for America, she also earned her teaching credentials in Early Childhood Education with the State of Georgia. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Howard University and Masters in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Columbia University. As a former substitute teacher for grades K-8 at Amana, and proud parent of four children (two of which currently attend Amana), Mrs. Pittman is excited about the opportunity to help build Amana's next generation of leaders!
Priya Raina
2nd Grade Teacher
email: praina@amanaacademy.org
Priya Raina joined Amana in 2009. She is from Cleveland, Ohio. She holds a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University and a BA in English from Case Western Reserve University. She obtained an ESOL and Reading Endorsement while working in Marietta City Schools. Priya has 5 years professional experience at the elementary level. Priya is interested in Amana because of the unique curriculum it offers the students. Priya and her husband live in Midtown.
Julie Reid
5th Grade Teacher
email: jreid@amanaacademy.org
Julie Reid joined Amana Academy in 2010. Mrs. Reid is an Atlanta native and resides in Lawrenceville. She graduated in March 2010 summa cum laude from Walden University with a Masters degree in Education. Her concentrations were in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Prior to this recent achievement Mrs. Reid graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelors of Science in Education. Mrs. Reid comes to Amana with more than five years of experience as an educator. She is looking forward to a productive and exciting first year at Amana.
Isa Sanchez
Early Intervention Program Teacher
email: isanchez@amanaacademy.org
Isa Sanchez joined Amana in 2010. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Mr. Sanchez earned his BS in Mathematics from Georgia State University with a concentration in Managerial Science from the Robinson School of Business. It was through teaching moments at home with his own "Amana" children that set sail his desire to make a difference. But it was through a volunteer teaching experience at an Adult Learning Center in Charlottesville, Virginia that anchored his purpose - to become a teacher. Isa enjoys whole body health and fitness, organic foods, and writing and performing at poetry venues.
Natasha Springer
3rd Grade Teacher
email: nspringer@amanaacademy.org
Natasha Springer joined Amana in 2007. Mrs. Springer previously taught 2nd grade at Woodland Elementary Charter School in Fulton County. She has been a teacher for 15 years. She is certified in the states of Georgia and Louisiana for K-5th grades and ESOL. Throughout her career she has served as coordinator and chairperson for various committees and teams. She has a BA in Education and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Springer is looking forward to another great year at Amana.
Sarah Passoff
2nd Grade Teacher
email: spassoff@amanaacademy.org
Sarah Passoff joined Amana in 2009 after completing her EECE certification at Kennesaw State University. She has been involved in some facet of education as both a parent and educator for the past 15 years since majoring in Special Education at the University of South Florida. Over the past five years, she has worked part time in 2nd and 3rd grade for Fulton County Schools and at High Meadows IB School where she taught pre-kindergarten. Ms. Passoff has been involved in several projects that encourage young children to be civically and socially proactive.
Kimberly Ragghianti
1st Grade Teacher
kragghianti@amanaacademy.org
Kimberly Ragghianti is excited to join Amana Academy this year. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a minor in Dance from Kennesaw State University. She earned a Global Engagement Certification while student teaching second grade abroad in Belize at Hummingbird Academy and volunteering within the community. Kimberly has been active in education and the arts teaching students of all ages academics, creative writing, higher level thinking skills, visual arts, theater, and dance. Outside of school she enjoys reading novels, spending time with family, and walking in the park with her two rescued mutts.
Svetlana Savova
Kindergarten Teacher
email: ssavova@amanaacademy.org
Svetlana Savova joined Amana in 2009. Prior to Amana, Ms. Savova had 5 years of teaching experience. She has been a pre-kindergarten teacher at Sundance Academy in Alpharetta. She has a BA and a MA in Engineering, Physics, and Teaching from Sofia University. She is certified in the state of Georgia for preK-8th grades.
Melissa Singh
Library Specialist
email: msingh@amanaacademy.org
Melissa Singh joined Amana when the school opened in 2005. She holds a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science as well as a BA in Elementary Education and Psychology. Melissa has extensive experience in establishing and developing school libraries that reflect and support students and staff. She oversees Amana's media center for students as well as Amana's professional library for teachers. In addition she teaches a library curriculum during scheduled library classes as well as collaborates with teachers to support research and learning.
Ghada Swadek
Student Support Teacher
email: gswadek@amanaacademy.org
Ms. Ghada Swadek received a BA degree in Speech and Hearing Science with a minor in Psychology from the George Washington University. She completed a Master's in Education from Georgia State University. Ms. Swadek started teaching in 2001. Ms. Swadek is interested in education development in third world countries, human rights issues, and sports. Ms. Swadek joined Amana in 2005.
Sumya Tariq
Kindergarten Paraprofessional
email: stariq@amanaacademy.org
Sumya Tariq joined Amana Academy in 2010. Ms. Tariq received a BS degree in Communications Disorders from Queens College, NY and Associates in Science from Nassau Community College, NY. Ms Tariq has 8 years of working as a paraprofessional in Kansas and New York schools. Ms Tariq is looking forward to starting a great school year at Amana Academy.
Ivan Tcherepov
Physical Education/Health Teacher
email: itcherepov@amanaacademy.org
Coach Ivan joined Amana Academy back in 2005, when the school was initially established. He is proud to be part of Amana's growth and development through the years. Coach Ivan graduated from National Sports Academy in Bulgaria and has more than 10 years of teaching and coaching experience. He is a current 7 time record holder and a champion swimmer from Bulgaria. He also placed ninth in the World Cup of swimming. He is married with a daughter.
Sarah Turnbull
4th Grade Teacher
email: sturnbull@amanaacademy.org
This will be Sarah Turnbull's first year at Amana Academy. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Master's Degree in Middle Level Language Arts and Social Studies Education from Georgia State University. She also has a Reading Endorsement and strives to make reading an important part of her students' lives. She is looking forward to starting a great school year at Amana Academy.
Roxana Vera
Early Intervention Program Teacher
email: rvera@amanaacademy.org
Roxana is from Miami, FL, and has a Master's degree in Education and a BS in Business Management. She has taught several years in a bilingual education format. She is certified in ESOL and Elementary Education, as well as upper grades Business Education. Roxana joined Amana Academy in 2009.
Maria Vaughan
Health/Fitness Teacher
email: mvaughan@amanaacademy.org
Maria has worked at Amana since its inception in 2005. Initially serving in various capacities, such as Community Circle leader, teaching electives, middle school teaching assistant, full time substitute, substitute coordinator and trainer, and on various committees, she began teaching 1st grade in 2006. In 2007, she began teaching Physical Education/Health where she continues to teach while serving in a leadership role serving the special area crew; PE, Health, Arabic, Art, and Media. As Archery Coach she guided Amana to the state tournament in 2009.
Maria was initially attracted to Amana due to her background and experience with Outward Bound/Adventure Curriculum and the opportunity for her children to learn foreign language daily. Maria received her Bachelor's Degree in Health and Recreation after studying at BYU Idaho and University of Utah and is currently certified in both PE/Health and Elementary Education. Later she continued the study of law at Birmingham School of Law. Her background is in adventure curriculum, team building, adaptive recreation/sports and processing skills. She spent a number of years consulting public schools in Utah which to bring attendance, grades and behavior up through teambuilding activities. The State of Utah adopted many of her initiatives. There were only 10 programs in the nation that received a large grant from the federal government in a response to rethink curriculum in America schools. Along with her program, another winner of this grant was the charter of ELOB schools- of which Amana is now a recipient!
After moving to the South, Ms. Vaughan spent several years working in state physical and adult mental hospitals and played a key role in developing the adaptive driving program at Spain Rehabilitation Hospital. Immediately prior to Amana, she spent many years being a full-time mom and currently has two children that attend Amana and a grown married son. She is a native of Arizona (Go Diamond Backs!) and loves all water sports, especially springboard diving.
Michelle Valerius
5th Grade Teacher
email: mvalerius@amanaacademy.org
This will be Mrs. Valerius's second year at Amana Academy. Last year she taught 5th grade and this year she is excited to be teaching 4th grade. This will be her thirteenth year teaching upper elementary after receiving her undergraduate degree in Upstate New York, Mrs. Valerius started her teaching career in California. She graduated from California State University with a Masters in Reading and Language Arts. She then moved overseas to teach in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi for six years. She is looking forward to starting another year at Amana Academy.
Tangelia Williams
Speech Therapist
email: twilliams@amanaacademy.org
Originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, Ms. Williams earned her BA in Speech and Language Development from Georgia State University. She will begin continuing her education in the spring to receive a masters in communication disorders. Prior to joining Amana Academy in 2009, Ms.Williams worked for five years as a behavior specialist for children with autism and as an early interventionist for Babies Can't Wait.
Rochelle Wilson
8th Grade Humanities Teacher
email: rwilson@amanaacademy.org
Rochelle Wilson teaches eighth grade Humanities. She earned her MA in Professional Writing from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia, and her BA in English from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee. Rochelle began her teaching career in 2003 and has taught the subjects of English, French, and Social Studies to grades 7-12 in both public and private schools. She is Georgia certified in Social Studies and English for grades 6-12.
Lakeem Winborne
Art Teacher
email: lwinborne@amanaacademy.org
Lakeem Winborne joined the Amana Academy Community in January of 2008 as a parent. In February of 2008, he joined the staff as an Intervention Specialist working with small groups of students on building academic skills . In the fall of 2008, Lakeem accepted the position of Art teacher at Amana. In this position he has served as a great complement to our Expeditionary Learning instructional model, bringing his years of experience as an EL Art and classroom teacher. Mr. Winborne earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in Art Education in December 1997 He taught every grade level and just about every subject in his teaching career, although; the bulk of his experience is as an Art Teacher. He has taught in central Florida, the Washington, DC metro area, and previously in the Atlanta, GA metro area. Lakeem has a passion for both education and art. He has participated in several art exhibitions, auctions and conferences throughout his career. He also enjoys spending time with his family and friends and activities that promote natural health and a wonderful world.
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