Online High School Teachers and Academic Advisors

Kristen Allen, Teacher

• M.S., Education, California State University, Fullerton
• B.A., English, California State University Long Beach
• State of California Educator Certificate, English (6-12)

Gloria Ananing, Academic Advisor

• M.S., Pre-Clinical Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine
• B.S., Mathematics, Mercer University

Gloria is currently studying for the MCAT in hopes to attend medical school in the near future. She aims to positively impact the community's health by becoming a general surgeon.

Marta Anderton, Lead English Teacher

• M.A., English, Arizona State University
• M.A., Education, Whittier College
• B.S., Science, Middle Tennessee State University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, English (6-12)

Marta has taught English for more than 11 years at the middle, high school and college levels in both traditional and online environments. Marta has earned her English teaching credential in three states and two countries, resulting in many diverse educational adventures. She enjoys discovering and implementing innovative practices that help students achieve.

Wesley Avritt, Academic Advisor

• BS, Economics, Georgia State University

Wesley studied Economics, Accounting, and German Language, applying his skills in study abroad programs in Frankfurt, Germany during the summers. After graduating, he worked as a private tutor for MBA students that did not have business backgrounds, and is currently studying to attend Georgia Tech for his MBA with a specialization in Finance.

Lillian Byrd Austin, Teacher

• Ed.S., Curriculum and Instruction, Lincoln Memorial University
• M.Ed., English Education, Georgia State University
• B.A., English, Emory University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, English (6-12)

Lillian has received Gifted and Reading endorsements through the Atlanta Public Schools in Atlanta, Georgia. Lillian's 10 years of professional and academic experience span elementary, middle and high school level instruction in English, reading and math in both traditional and online environments. She has instituted strategies to help online students feel comfortable with demonstrating knowledge and seeking assistance as they need it.

Christina Baker, Teacher

• M.A., California State University
• State of California Educator Certificate, English (6–12)

Christina has been an educator, tutor and a writer for more than ten years. She has experience teaching grades K-12 with an emphasis in the language arts for 7-12: reading, writing, English fundamentals, literature, and rhetoric.

Victoria Barbour, Teacher

• B.S., Mathematical Science, Clemson University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Mathematics (6-12)

Victoria has more than six years of experience in the teaching field. Her diverse academic roles and innovative teaching experiences have been both online and in the classroom. She has experience teaching high school and middle school mathematics in Georgia.

Sherri Billings, Teacher

• M.A.T., Mathematics, Kennesaw State University
• B.S., Mathematics, Kennesaw State University
• B.S., Computer Science, Kennesaw State University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Mathematics (6-12)
• State of New Hampshire Educator Certificate, Mathematics (6-12)

Sherri currently holds certificates to teach secondary mathematics in two states. For the past eight years, Sherri has taught secondary mathematics courses in various academic settings, including private school classrooms and online, through the university level. She has also applied her knowledge of database software and systems to market research projects for large corporate clients.

Nadia Blake, Teacher

• M.E., McGill University
• M.B.A., York University (Canada)
• B.E., McGill University
• State of Florida Educator Certificate, Math (6-12)

Nadia's professional background includes more than 20 years of experience in the engineering and business industries along with several years of experience in the field of education as both a high school teacher and college adjunct faculty.

Megan Bowen, Principal

• M.S. Educational Leadership and Administration, Capella University
• B.S., Secondary English Education, Miami University
• B.A., English Literature, Miami University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, English (6–12)

Before joining us in 2002, Megan taught in both public and private school classrooms as well as alternative education programs. She believes in diverse educational programs and experiences to assist each student in successfully completing high school and achieving academic goals.

Brittani Braswell, Academic Advisor

• B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies (English concentration), Liberty University

Brittani has been a higher learning professional for over five years and she is an expert in higher learning branding. She has worked as an academic adviser, college registrar assistant, college program assistant and most recently communications coordinator for the University of Georgia. Also, Brittani was responsible for all aspects of social media at The Georgia Institute of Technology School of Economics. Currently, Brittani is planning to earn a master’s in the field of Higher Education Administration. She is a multi-faceted educator and is a great asset to our school.

Rhonda Brookshire, Teacher

• Ed.S., Mathematics Education, University of Georgia
• M.S.Ed., Mathematics Education, Georgia State University
• B.S.Ed., Mathematics Education, University of Georgia
• State of Georgia - Secondary Mathematics Education (7–12)

Rhonda has more than 15 years of classroom experience teaching math in both traditional and online settings. She has been awarded STAR teacher for two years and received Atlanta Toyota's Most Inspiring Teacher award in 2003. Rhonda believes that all students are capable of learning but not all students learn in a traditional school setting.

Bryan Carver, Manager, Instructional Design

• B.S., Education, Secondary Science, University of Georgia
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Science (6-12)

Bryan has more than 15 years of teaching experience in both traditional and online schools with subjects including biology, chemistry, computers, health, marine science, earth science and physical science. He has been nominated twice as a Who's Who Among Teachers.

Monica Cates, Lead Mathematics Teacher

• M.Ed., Georgia State University
• M.S., Teacher Leadership, Walden University
• B.S., Mathematics, Southern Polytechnic State University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate – T-5, Mathematics (6–12)

Monica is currently working toward a doctorate in Teaching and Learning at Georgia State University. She has 10 years of mathematics' instruction. She has taught Mathematics III: Advanced Algebra/Statistics, Mathematics I: Algebra/Geometry/Data Analysis, Algebra I, Geometry, Mathematics Navigator, Mathematics I Support, Mathematics III Support, Coordinate Algebra and Mathematics IV: Pre-Calculus- Trigonometry/Statistics.

Ron Conner, Academic Advisor

• B.B.A., Management, Prairie View A&M University

Ron has a background of more than 15 years in corporate training. His background gives him the winning edge in providing excellent customer service. He is currently assisting students in English and Accounting.

Charles (Chuck) Cook, Teacher

• B.S., Business Administration, Barry University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate Spanish (6-12)
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate ESOL (K-12)

Charles has more than 30 years of experience as a professional educator in the U.S. and abroad. Fluent in Spanish, he has taught in public and private schools as an ESL/bilingual transition teacher for grades K through 12, and also taught at the university and post-graduate levels.

Chuck Corvin, Teacher

• M.Ed., Education, Tusculum College
• B.S., Math, Lee University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Math (6-12)

Chuck has more than 15 years of experience in the teaching field. He was also a youth pastor for eight years. His diverse academic roles and innovative teaching/mentoring experiences have been both online and in the traditional classroom. He has a broad range of experience teaching high school mathematics in Tennessee and Georgia.

Kenya Cross, Academic Advisor

• M.S., Education, Media, Design and Technology, Full Sail University
• B.A., English, University of Massachusetts

Kenya recently began working at Ashworth College from a sixteen year history of traditionally teaching elementary, middle, high school and postgraduates in Massachusetts and Georgia public and private schools, respectively. She is currently pursuing dreams of becoming a film director while eagerly helping Ashworth students.

Roger Dunnick, Teacher

• Ed.D., Leadership, Liberty University
• M.Ed., Administration and Supervision, Liberty University
• B.A., Social Sciences, Emory and Henry College
• State of Virginia Educator Certificate, History and Social Science

Roger has over twenty years of combined professional experience as an educator in secondary Social Studies and as a high school administrator. His experience as a Social Studies teacher includes both traditional and online delivery methods. Roger particularly enjoys engaging students and finding unique ways to assist each individual student that he teaches.

Lauren Finnegan, Teacher

• M.A., English, Villanova University
• M.Ed., Administration and Supervision, Liberty University
• B.A., English, Pennsylvania State University
• State of Pennsylvania Educator Certificate, English and Social Studies (7-12)

Lauren has over 10 years of professional experience in education, working in a variety of settings, including online, private and public schools. In the past few years, in addition to her full-time job as an educator, Lauren has worked as a therapist and evaluator in public mental health as part of her doctoral education to become a psychologist.

Salvatore Giordano, Teacher

• B.A., International Affairs, George Washington University
• State of Maryland Educator Certificate, Social Studies (7-12)

Salvatore received his Advanced Professional Secondary Education Teaching Certificate with social studies endorsement through the Maryland State Department of Education and the Vermont Agency of Education. His 17 years of professional and academic experience have been on the high school level in Social Studies in both traditional and online environments. Salvatore has instituted strategies to help online students feel comfortable with demonstrating knowledge and seeking assistance as they need it, has implemented and created synchronous and asynchronous essential skills sessions, and has continued to make himself a resource to his students.

William Glover, Acadmic Advisor

• B.A., Business Administration and Management, Johnson C. Smith University

William has over four years’ experience as a business consultant and a top tier account manager. During his tenure as a Knight Fellow, William was an advocate for urban development with a focus on the revitalization of local communities. He also served as a data analyst for grant proposals for numerous projects in his community. William has spoken in Washington, DC for various conferences including the NLC Board of Directors meeting on urban policy and development. Currently, he is pursuing a Master’s of Science in Information Technology. He is passionate about bringing technological advances to the masses and is working on improving mobile app development.

Nicole Hall, Teacher

• B.S., Biology, Liberty University
• State of Virginia Educator Certificate, Biology

Nicole has had two years of professional and academic experience at the middle school level but she also student taught at the high school level. She works hard to instill a love for learning amongst all her students while also working to incorporate inquiry and critical thinking based learning skills.

Allison Hankinson, Teacher

• M.S.Ed., Secondary Science Education, Piedmont College, Demorest
• B.A., University of Georgia
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Science and Health

Allison has four years of professional and academic experience focused on Broad-field Science and Education. During this time, she taught at an alternative high school in Gwinnett County and has served as the science department chair for two years. Allison’s academic experience has focused on traditional, blended learning and online learning. She also has experience developing digital content for core science classes.

Sylvia Holagh, Teacher

• B.S., James Moores University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, English and German (P-12)

For the past sixteen years, Sylvia Holagh has taught in the Atlanta, GA-area, both in high school and online programs. She was named Teacher of the Month in April, 2009.

Dwayne Hood, Academic Advisor

• M.S., Counseling, University of Memphis

Dwayne has worked in college academic advising for the past 20 years. He has taught U.S. History, Psychology and college orientation courses at two year and four year institutions. He has also worked in personal and career counseling, recruiting, assessment testing and public relations.

J. Renae Jackson, Teacher

• Ph.D., Educational Leadership, Capella University
• M.Ed., School Counseling, University of West Alabama
• M.S., Organizational Management, Capella University
• B.A., English, Georgia State University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, English (6-12); Gifted Endorsement (P-12); School Counseling (P-12)

In her 11 years as a professional educator, Renae has served as a school counselor, curriculum chair and language arts instructor. Additionally, she has worked with special needs students along with honors, gifted, AP and IB level students. She has also counseled at-risk youth and their families at a behavioral health agency.

John Johnson, Teacher

• M.Div., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
• M.S., Organizational Management, Capella University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Mathematics (6–12)

John has more than 25 years of secondary teaching experience in mathematics and is a member of National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Tami Johnson, Lead Science Teacher

• D.H.Ed., Health and Medical Education and Management, A.T. Still University
• Ed.S., Instructional Leadership/Neurobiology of Learning, Nova Southeastern University
• M.Ed., Behavioral Science/Special Education, Florida Gulf Coast University
• B.S., Community Health/Exercise Physiology, University of North Florida
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Biology (6-12), Earth/Space Science (6-12), Gifted and Talented (K-12), Health (K-12), Science (6-12)

Tami has worked in K-12 education since 1998 teaching science and medical electives at the high school level and with vocational bridge program students. She began working at the college level in 2009 when she earned her Doctorate missed. Tami missed working with high school level students and was excited to join the JMHS team. She has worked with all levels of students from profoundly autistic to advanced placement students and has a passion for finding strategies to help today’s diverse students master their learning objectives.

Cynthia Jones, Teacher

• M.Ed., Information Science
• B.E.S, Educational Studies, University of Missouri-Columbia
• State of Missouri Teacher Certificate, English (9-12)

Cynthia has received secondary English and Library Media Specialist endorsements through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Cynthia's 12 years of professional and academic experience span elementary, high school, and college level instruction in writing, reading, information science, and educational technology. Cynthia has instructed in both traditional and online environments.

Elizabeth Kazanis, Academic Advisor

• B.S., Criminal Justice, Ashworth College

Elizabeth has always been fascinated with the Criminal Justice field. She started out as a Student Services representative with Ashworth 2 years ago. She recently moved into the role of Academic Advisor. In the past, Elizabeth helped tutor Elementary and Middle school children. She now enjoys helping JMHS and Ashworth College students achieve their academic goals.

Lynette Lane, Teacher

• M.S., Life Science, Louisiana Tech University
• B.S., Science Education, Louisiana Tech University
• State of Tennessee Educator Certificate, Science (7-12)

Amber Lausch, Teacher

• M.Ed., Accomplished Teaching, Georgia Southern University
• B.A., English, Minor in Political Science, Georgia Southern University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, English (6-12)

Amber has eight years of experience in secondary classrooms as a lead teacher in the area of English/ Language Arts. She has worked in high-achieving, nationally-honored AYP schools, where she taught students of diverse academic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Amber is a Teacher-Consultant for the National Writing Project. Through this certification, she has designed and conducted various faculty and student workshops for training in using internet writing and technology to further instructional practice.

Kari Lumpkin, Acadmic Advisor

• B.A., Music Performance and Education, Alabama State University

Kari has been a music teacher for over ten years and is certified by the National Association of Teachers for Singing (NATS). Additionally, she is an accomplished audition prep coach and a musical theater professional in pursuit of a Broadway career. She is the head of audition prep at Faith Work Drama Company in Orlando, Florida. She is also an esteemed member of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity for Women. Her motto is “Perfect practice produces perfection where practice alone cannot!” Kari exudes this motto in her role as an academic advisor and is an excellent addition to the educational department team.

Valerie MacDonald, Teacher

• B.A., Spanish, University of South Carolina

Valerie has more than 11 years of experience in the teaching field. Valerie worked for four years with a nonprofit organization teaching English to Hispanic children.

Marla McGhee, Teacher

• M.A., Cross-Disciplinary Studies, Nova Southeastern University
• B.S., English Education, University of South Florida
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, English (6-12)

Marla has more than 20 years of varied teaching experience, including both public and private school settings, as well as having taught in a dropout prevention program, a therapeutic boarding school, and a boarding school for professional athletes.

Jennifer Michels, Teacher

• BS English Education, Indiana State University
• BS History, Indiana State University
• State of Indiana Professional Educator Certificate, Language Arts (6-12)
• State of Indiana Professional Educator Certificate, Historical Perspective (5-12)
• State of Florida Eligibility Educator Certificate, English (6-12)

Jennifer is a passionate teacher with five years of experience teaching high school English. She has a strong background in education and has taught both honors and remedial courses.

Teneka Middleton, Teacher

• M.S.W., Washington University in St. Louis
• B.S.W., University of Central Missouri
• Secondary Mathematics Certification, Missouri and Georgia, (7-12)

Teneka has taught for over 13 years at the both the middle and high school levels. She considers it both an honor and a privilege to teach math and help students discover the much sought after "Aha!" moment.

Shondra Moorehead, Academic Advisor

• B.S., Behavioral Science, Grand Valley State University

Shondra has over 15 years of experience working in mental health with dually diagnosed populations such as substance abuse, DD/MR and children. She started out at Ashworth as a student service representative for two years before transitioning to her new role as an Academic Advisor. Currently, she is pursuing a master's degree in elementary education in her free time.

Chidera Nwaokafor, Academic Advisor

• B.A., Psychology, Ohio University
• M.Ed, Math and Language Arts Education, Mercer University

For over four years, Chidera worked as a private tutor in Math and Reading. She recently obtained her Master's Degree in Mathematics and Language Arts Education at Mercer University and is now working as an Academic Advisor and math tutor for James Madison High School and Ashworth College. Her goal is to assist students with obtaining a stronger understanding in High School and College level Mathematics.

Karen O'Connor, Teacher

• Ed.S., Curriculum and Leadership, Piedmont College
• M.B.A., Finance, JM Robinson School of Business, Georgia State University
• B.S., Mathematics, Winona State University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Mathematics (6-12)

Karen has 28 years of professional and academic experience encompasses the teaching of math, business, finance and education at the high school level; Gifted and Talented Certification; and teaching high school math courses online. She also currently teaches honors math at a private school.

Tonia Orr, Academic Advisor

• M.B.A., University of Phoenix
• B.A., English/Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh
• B.S., Mathematics, Winona State University

Tonia has more than 17 years of nursing experience as a practical nurse. She has worked in the community as a health educator, CPR instructor, and is certified by the state of Georgia to teach nursing assistants and home health aides.

Andy Pasarilla, Teacher

• M.A., Social Studies Education, Piedmont College
• B.S., Social Studies Education, Slippery Rock University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Social Studies (7-12)

Andy has distinguished himself in the classroom, receiving nominations for Teacher of the Year three times and is listed in Who's Who among American High School Teachers. Andy has taught geography, economics, and American government.

Melissa Phillips, Teacher

• M.Ed., Educational Leadership, Concordia University of Chicago
• B.A., English/Health Education, Central Michigan University

Melissa began her professional career as an assistant to a curriculum consultant at the Michigan Department of Education in Lansing, Michigan. She assisted in the management of a 26 million dollar federal Reading First grant under the provision of the No Child Left Behind law. After working at the Michigan Department of Education, Melissa moved to Illinois to begin her teaching career. Over the past 14 years, she has worked in various teaching positions spanning across all age levels with an emphasis on Special Education, ESOL, Reading/Writing Enrichment, Health Education and Performing and Fine Arts.

Woodsen Plummer, Teacher

• Ed.S., Leadership in Educational Administration, Capella University
• M.S., Leadership in Educational Administration, Capella University
• B.S., English Education, Southern University and A&M College
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, English (6-12)

Woodsen is in his ninth year in education, having served as a high school English teacher, an Instructional Coach and an Academic Data Coach. His specialties lie in professional development, curriculum design, and educational consultation. He also has an EdS in Educational Leadership.

Angela Ruff, Lead Spanish Teacher

• B.S.E., Bilingual/Bicultural Education, Western Illinois University
• M.S., Information Technology, American InterContinental University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Spanish (P-12), ESOL Endorsement

Angela has taught Spanish for more than 20 years at all levels. She has spent time in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Peru, studying the language, and has a passion for teaching.

Lee Sakellarides, Teacher

• M.A., English, Brooklyn College, The City University of New York
• B.S., Education, Indiana University
• State of Indiana Educator Certificate, English (9-12)

Enoch L. Salter, Jr., Teacher

• Th.D., Pastoral Leadership, Andersonville Theological Seminary
• Ed.S., Educational Leadership, Arkansas State University
• M.Ed., Educational Leadership, American College of Education
• B.S., Secondary Education, Social Science, Auburn University Montgomery
• A.A., Associate in Arts, Alabama Southern Community College
• State of Alabama Educator Certificate, Principal (P-12)
• State of Alabama Educator Certificate, Social Science (6-12)

Dr. Salter, Jr., has more than 17 years of experience teaching social science. In his many teaching roles, he has served as a teacher, department head, coach, technology coordinator, union president and adjunct college professor. He has also been awarded with Monroe County, Alabama Teacher of the Year award. He is the author of Held Hostage: How the Educational Reform Movement is Destroying Public Education.

Lynette Smith, Academic Advisor

• B.S., Business Management, Phoenix University

Lynette has more than 10 years professional experience in various industries including the military, legal services and education. She has worked as a student services advisor and training assistant for Ashworth for the last two years.

Cordtney Sullivan, Academic Advisor

• B.A., Business Management, Clark Atlanta University

Cordtney began working at Ashworth College in the Student Services Department before being promoted to the position of tutor for the high school, college, and career diploma programs. She currently is pursuing a Master's degree in School Counseling.

Jennie Tague, Teacher

• M.A., Curriculum and Technology Education, Ball State University
• M.A., Communications, IUPUI
• B.A., Speech Communications, Theatre, and English, IUPUI

Jennie is in her 16th year teaching English, speech communications and theatre arts. In addition, she is in her 5th year teaching college level speech courses for Indiana University Bloomington through the ACP dual credit program.

Gregory Taylor, Teacher

• M.A., Security Management, American Military University
• M.A.T., English, University of South Carolina
• B.A., English, University of South Carolina

Gregory has more than sixteen years of teaching experience, teaching both high school and college English, and serving as a college faculty advisor. He has worked primarily with non-traditional students and adult learners and taught English as a Second Language for three years. He hopes that his broad range of high school and college teaching experiences will support, engage and excite his students at JMHS.

Suzan Thompson, Teacher

• B.A., English and Psychology, Herbert Lehman College, Bronx, NY
• M.S., Secondary Education, English Fordham University, New York, NY
• State of New York Educator Certificate, English (7-12)

Suzan has been a licensed English teacher since September, 2004. She has primarily taught in the New York City public high schools and is currently an educator within the Fulton County Department of Education in Georgia. Her passion for helping students to achieve academic success can be seen through the strategies she employs in order to engage students in the learning process. She strives to meet the academic needs of students in both traditional and online learning environments.

Nikiya Webb, Teacher

• B.S., Biology Education, Georgia Southern University
• State of Georgia Educator Certificate, Biology (6-12)

Nikiya has been a high school biology teacher, mentor and professional learning development coordinator. She was also awarded Teacher of the Year and enjoys volunteering as a science lab instructor, enriching elementary students in science and laboratory concepts.

Rebecca Wells, Academic Advisor

• B.A., Psychology, Spelman College

Rebecca began working in early childhood education before she became a tutor at Ashworth College. She has tutored elementary and high school students in science, math and English. Rebecca plans to enter a Master's degree program in School Psychology.

Rannie Wiggins, Academic Advisor

• B.S., Business Management, DeVry University
• A.S., Early Education, Eastern Florida State College

Rannie has 17 years in the early education field operating in various functions from owner to teacher to quality assessor. She is very proud to have recently obtained her Bachelor's degree after 27 years of perseverance. Her advice to our students is despite difficulty or delay... keep going.

Marian M. Williams, Academic Advisor

• B.S., Elementary Education with a minor in English, Francis Marion University
• M.Ed., Elementary Education with a minor in English/Library Science, University of South Carolina

Marian began her teaching career in the classroom with students in grades 1 through 4. In 2000, Marian joined Ashworth College as a medical career course tutor. She later served as a tutor for James Madison High School students and associates.