Who are we? The information below should open a clear window about who we are and how we arrived as Area 2 ALTs.
Damaris Cortes - Housed with Campbell Middle
“The essence of synergy is to value differences, to respect them, to build on strengths, to compensate for weaknesses.” ~ Stephen Covey
Damaris was born in NY and raised in Puerto Rico. Damaris attended the University of Puerto Rico, where she earned her degree in Education with a Bilingual/ESOL endorsement. Damaris has been an educator for over 29 years. Before relocating to GA, she has worked for the educational systems of Puerto Rico and Texas. Her experience includes helping students succeed in all grade levels. She has been working in Cobb County Schools for over 13 years. First she was a 4th grade teacher at Belmont Hills Elementary, and later she became an Instructional Lead Teacher at the same school. As an Area Lead Teacher, Damaris enjoys collaborating with her colleagues to improve student achievement in Area Two.
Gloria King - Housed with Green Acres Elementary
"Give a man a fish, you feed him for the day; teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime." -Lao Tzu
Gloria has taught in Cobb County in grades K-5 for over twenty years and has served as the ILT (Instructional Lead Teacher) at Russell Elementary from 2001-2006. She recently completed her education specialist degree from Piedmont College in curriculum and instruction. A major turning point occurred in her teaching career in 1993 when she was given the opportunity to be a teacher in the Family Grouping Model. Through this program she received extensive training in balanced literacy and saw the benefits of team collaboration. She views this new position as an ALT as a wonderful opportunity to work for the success of all students in Area Two.
Mary Jo Martucci - Housed with Belmont Hills Elementary
"The best teacher is the one who NEVER forgets what it is like to be a student. The best administrator is the one who NEVER forgets what it is like to be a teacher." ~ Neila A. Connors
Mrs. Martucci was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania where she graduated from the University of Pittsburg with a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education. She taught for several years in Paulding County, then transferred to Labelle Elementary in Cobb County where she taught 3rd grade. Mrs. Martucci went on to receive her Master’s Degree and Specialist Degree from Georgia State University, where she also received her Educational Leadership Certification. She has participated in Cobb County’s Leadership Academy for Prospective Administrators. Her greatest accomplishment was receiving National Board Certification in 2004 in Literacy: Reading/Language Arts. Her teaching experience encumbers 14 years and includes experience in 2nd and 3rd grades, SIA, Literacy Coach, and ILT. She is delighted to be a part of the Area 2 ALT Team.
Laura Meyer - Housed with Smitha Middle School
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. ~ William Butler Yeats
Originally from Illinois, my husband and I moved to Georgia in 1987. We came to the South to seek opportunity and fortune. Although we are still searching for our fortune, I have had the privilege to teach in Cobb County for eighteen years and counting. We have one daughter, Emily, who attends school at Cheatham Hill Elementary. Recently I finished my master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University. Although I hope to be an administrator some day, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve Area 2 as an Area Lead Teacher.
Brandi Miller- Housed with Teasley Elementary School
Denise Reynolds - Housed with Campbell High School
"Coming together is the beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success."
Denise Reynolds graduated and completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Education at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky . Denise later completed her graduate degree at University of Louisville in Secondary Education. Denise taught Marketing Education and Travel & Tourism for twenty years with the Jefferson County School System in Louisville, Kentucky later Denise was assigned to Coordinate Ten High School Magnet Programs in the areas of Banking, Business, Law, and Medicine. During Denise’s final years with the Jefferson County School System, she assumed the positions as a District Resource Teacher, and later a Specialist in Curriculum and Staff Development. Denise relocated to Fort Myers, FL. in 2003 and obtained a position with the School District of Lee County as a Student Support Specialist, and later a District Reading Coach. During Denise’s twenty years as an educator, Denise was awarded Teacher of the Year in 1989, and nominated twice by students as the Who’s Who America Best Teacher Award.
Amy Stump - Housed with Osborne High School
"All students can learn."
Amy graduated in secondary education Spanish from Auburn University (War Eagle!). She taught Spanish at Campbell High School for 11 years, and was the foreign language department head for 6 years. She was newly hired as Campbell's Instructional Lead Teacher when the Area Lead Teacher position was created.
Tracy Gutierrez – Housed at Green Acres Elementary
Tracy Gutierrez graduated from Kennesaw State with a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, and completed her Masters in Reading from Nova Southeastern University in 2005. Tracy has taught at Norton Park Elementary for the past eleven years. During this time, she taught third and fourth grades, and has been a Literacy Coach under the America's Choice Reform Model for the past five years. Tracy has trained fellow educators in Readers and Writers Workshops, targeting at-risk students, Performance-Based Classrooms and Calendar Math. She has enjoyed working in Area 2 and looks forward to staying in the area as an ALT. When not working, Tracy is busy chasing her six year old daughter (Gracie) and her three year old son (Jake).
Brian Burnaugh – Housed at Smitha Middle School
Brian Burnaugh graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelors’ degree in Early Childhood Education in 2001. In 2005, he completed a Masters’ degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Central Michigan University. Currently, Brian is working on his Specialist Degree in School Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. Brian has taught at Sky View ES, Compton ES, and Brown ES. He has taught Preschool and PRE-K, Kindergarten, First, Fourth and Fifth grades, and has been trained in the Reading Excellence Act Reform Model. Brian is an Instructor for Cobb’s New Teacher Institute, and has trained fellow educators in Performance- Based Instruction, Balanced Literacy, and Best Practices. Brian is a product of Cobb County Schools and has enjoyed working in Cobb and Area II.
Nicole Spicer – Housed at Griffin Middle School
Nicole Spicer was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago, IL. She earned her Bachelor degree in Special Education with an emphasis on Behavior and Learning Disabilities. Immediately following the completion of her undergraduate degree, Nicole went on to earn a Master degree in Reading, becoming a Reading Specialist, and worked with the West Central Illinois Special Education Cooperative at New Horizons Jr. and Sr. High School. Upon completion of her Master's program, Nicole knew that it was time for a change. After searching the country for a new home, Nicole made the decision to relocate to the Atlanta-Metro area in 2003. Her educational career in Cobb County began at Lindley Middle School, where she taught 6th grade Reading, 6th grade Social Studies, and Read 180 to grades 6 through 8. In addition to teaching at Lindley Middle, Nicole served as the Reading Coordinator and Step Team Coach of the award-winning LMS Lady Stepping Machines. Mrs. Spicer also had the distinguished pleasure of being honored as the Teacher of the Year for the 2006-2007 school year. Nicole is dedicated to being a lifelong learner and touching the lives of children through the 3 R's - rigor, relevance, and relationships. When not continuing her education, Nicole loves going to restaurants, movies, and reading.
Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them. -James Baldwin
Colleen McCarthy – Housed at Griffin Middle School
“The thoughts in your mind will always be more important than the things in your life.” – John Maxwell
Colleen McCarthy grew up in New York where she graduated from St. Joseph’s College with dual degrees in regular and special education. She went on to earn her M.Ed. from the University of Central Florida with a full-scholarship from the National Science Foundation and her Ed.S. from Lincoln Memorial University. She has been teaching for more than twenty years and has extensive training in the areas of math, balanced literacy, special education and ESOL. She is pleased to be part of the ALT team and works hard to support instruction in our schools.
Jean Ladendorf – Housed with Campbell Middle
Jean was born in Minnesota and has spent much of her life in Illinois. Her greatest accomplishment was raising two wonderful children with her husband. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Art Education, a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a Specialist in Educational Leadership. Her twenty-one years of teaching have been in the states of Illinois, Florida and Georgia. Her experiences in Cobb County included participation in Reading Excellence Act (REA), New Teacher Institute, Leadership Academy I and Social Studies GPS Trainer. Jean is thrilled to be an Area Lead Teacher in area 2 and looks forward to assisting many teachers in the years ahead.
Lashonda Smith- Housed at Nickajack Elementary School
Lashonda Smith was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. She earned her B.A. degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Language Arts. Ms. Smith began her teaching career in 1999 with the Des Moines Public School System as a second grade teacher. In 2000, she moved to Marietta, Georgia and was employed by the Marietta City Schools. It was during this time that she evolved into a master teacher serving primary grades and EIP reading. As she grew as a teacher leader, she felt a desire to make a difference beyond the four walls of the classroom, so she pursued her Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Leadership, graduating in 2005 from Kennesaw State University. Ms. Smith is honored to have been afforded the opportunity to serve the Cobb County School System as an Area Lead Teacher.
“Making your mark on the world is hard. If it were easy, everybody would do it, but it's not. It takes patience, it takes commitment, and it comes with plenty of failure along the way.” - Barack Obama
