On the first row from left are Angela Langevin, Erin Joy Schmidt, Patricia King, Julie Davidson, Beverly Blackwell, and Ashley Zidan. On the second row are Todd Patterson, Lee Wright, Rachel Coker, Jordan McCarter, and Marsha Strum.
Girls Preparatory School has announced new faculty and staff for the 2015-16 school year. The 15 new classroom teachers come from diverse backgrounds, are experienced educators, and are already making a positive impact on the 21st century education that is a hallmark of GPS, said officials.
As the school has grown to welcome over 600 girls, the new teachers are contributing in the fine arts, history, world languages, math, science, and physical education.
The new faculty members include the following:
Beverly Blackwell, the new Physical Education Department chair, has her master’s in exercise science from Georgia Southern University and comes to GPS from Signal Mountain High School. She was named Tennessee and Best of Prep Coach of the Year for track and field.
Dr. Maria Carlone earned her Ph.D. in Spanish medieval literature and second language acquisition from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. A teacher with 24 years of experience, she is the new World Language Department Chair at GPS, where she is teaching several levels of Spanish.
Marinda Cauley earned her bachelor’s degree in modern and classical language and literature from UTC. She has lived and worked in Nicaragua teaching ESL and locally has served as the Bridge Refugee Service volunteer interpreter. She is teaching Spanish in the Middle and Upper Schools.
Julie Deavers completed her bachelor’s in studio art and art history from the University of West Florida and her master’s in art education from the University of South Alabama. She is certified to teach Advanced Placement Studio Art.
Patricia King received her master’s in teaching from Simmons College. She has taught history in Massachusetts, at the American School of Asuncion in Paraguay, and at Randolph School in Huntsville, Ala. She is teaching sixth grade Global Cultures.
Angela Langevin completed her bachelor’s in ecology and biodiversity at University of the South, Sewanee, and her master’s in biology at Appalachian State University. She has wilderness first aid certification, holds membership in the Southeastern Climbers Assn., and is teaching environmental science.
Mike Lees is teaching Middle School Choir, the GPS Singers and directing the Middle School fall musical. With a degree in music education and graduate work in choral conducting, he has served as vocal coach to the national winner of America’s Junior Miss Scholarship Program.
Jordan McCarter ’96 is pursuing her Ph.D. in higher education and has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Tufts University and Vanderbilt. She is teaching Modern World History, American Studies and World Religions.
Julie McElroy will soon begin her dissertation for a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Immaculata University. She has taught multiple levels of science and math at the high school and college level and is teaching biology at GPS.
Kim Myers, new sixth and eighth grade math teacher, received her master’s in technology integration. She taught at Rolling Hills Preparatory School in the Los Angeles area for 23 years, and after a yearlong RV tour of the Continental U.S., is excited to continue her career at GPS.
Todd Patterson, a resident of Chattanooga for nearly 20 years, received his degree from Trinity College in Hartford, Ct. With 20 years of experience in the classroom, he is teaching multiple levels of Spanish in the Middle and Upper Schools. An avid outdoorsman, he has completed more than 2,000 miles of the Appalachian Trail.
Tom Roselli brings his degrees in mathematics and curriculum development to GPS geometry, calculus, and AP AB Calculus classes. He has been a department chair for 13 years, dean of students, and academic dean; and he has taught at Old Westbury School, Suffolk Academy, and at City University of New York.
Erin Joy Schmidt, the new drama teacher, earned her master's in fine arts in acting from the renowned Actors Studio Drama School at New School University. Most recently, she taught at the high school and university levels in Miami, where she won multiple drama awards in regional theatre. She will direct the fall play and the spring musical.
With a background in video production and advertising, Lee Wright joins GPS as the Digital Art & Media teacher. A graduate of Ashford University, he volunteers at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre and provides video production services to several schools.
Ashley Zidan is teaching PE/SHAPE classes and the eighth grade Changes and Choices class. She has a bachelor’s degree from UTC in physical education, health and wellness and is a Young Life leader in the Chattanooga area.
Joining the GPS administration in July was Dr. Margaret Downs-Gamble, the new Head of the Upper School. With BA, MA, and Ph.D. degrees in English from the University of Texas, Austin, she comes to GPS with an impressive professional resume, most recently as an instructor at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Other new faces include Amber Beason, assistant director of Admission for Financial Aid; Rachel Coker ’07, gifts entry and donor records specialist; Susan Davidson, assistant to the athletic director; Justin North, information technology support analyst; Deborah Smith, human resources director; and Marsha Sturm, development assistant.
Transitioning from full or part-time classroom roles into new positions at the school are Debbie Glasscock, Middle School dean; Jenise Gordon, Upper School dean; Kim Leffew, director of Auxiliary Programs; Elizabeth Resnick, education technologist; Melanie Northcutt, data operations manager; Sarah Jackson ’06, freshman dean; and Amber Snow, director of the Applied Music Program.
On the first row from left are Marinda Cauley, Dr. Margaret Downs-Gamble, Dr. Maria Carlone, and Tom Roselli. On the second row are Deborah Smith, Kimberley Myers, Justin North, Mike Lees, Julie Deavers, and Julie McElroy.