Implementing the Frameworks Units
Heather Brannan, Second Grade Teacher
New Hope Elementary School
Cereal Arrays Task
Heather Brannan has fifteen years of experience in the field of education. She had been a classroom teacher at New Hope Elementary for eight years at the time this video was filmed. During her time at New Hope Elementary, Mrs. Brannan taught first grade, second grade, and is currently a third grade teacher. Mrs. Brannan earned her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education at Valdosta State University and her Master of Education in Early Childhood, with a specialization in reading and math, from Walden University. Mrs. Brannan’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that children learn most effectively when empowered by their learning, and the joy that comes with both embracing and encouraging a child’s innate sense of wonder, enthusiasm for discovery, and creativity. Her advice would be to create a positive and nurturing classroom environment, strong parent-teacher partnerships, and a canvas to create through play, inquiry, goal setting, making connections, and exploration.
Terri Crawford, Fourth Grade Teacher
New Hope Elementary School
Quadrilateral Roundup Task
Terri Crawford has been teaching elementary school in Henry County for six years. She received her Bachelor’s degree from University of Georgia and her teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education from Mercer University. She is certified in both special education and gifted education. Mrs. Crawford believes that student learning should be based on hands-on, real world experiences to develop a deeper understanding of curriculum. Students should also have an opportunity to reflect on learning, make real world connections, and share the knowledge that they have gained through their educational experiences. With a learning environment that challenges students to think at higher levels, all students can reach their greatest potential. Mrs. Crawford feels that education should make students ask questions rather than simply answer them, and that learning should not stop when the classroom lesson ends.
Carolyn Cunningham, Third Grade Teacher
Greensboro Elementary School
Number Talks Opening: Oops, I’m Decomposing Task
Carolyn Cunningham is a third grade math teacher at Greensboro Elementary School and has served as the grade chair for the past two years. She has taught at Greensboro for the past 18 years and has 20 years of experience. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of West Georgia, and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Specialist in Teaching and Learning from Piedmont College. She has high expectations for all of her students. Her teaching advice is to allow students to think outside the box for strategies and solutions. She also suggests to help them find real world connections when learning new skills for use in other subject areas and throughout life. She loves and cares for her students as if they were her very own. Her hope for her students is that they develop a lifelong love for learning.
Carrie Edwards, Kindergarten Teacher
New Hope Elementary School
Number Talk Opening: Fishing Tale Task
Carrie Edwards has sixteen years of experience in the field of education. She had been a classroom teacher at New Hope Elementary School for nine years at the time this video was filmed. During her time at NHE, Mrs. Edwards taught fifth grade, third grade, and Kindergarten. This year she is serving as a Personalized Learning Coach for Henry County Schools. Mrs. Edwards earned her Bachelor of Arts and Science in Spanish and her Master’s degree in Middle Grades Education from Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. She earned her Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction Administration from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She began her career at Memorial Middle School in Conyers, Georgia where she taught sixth through eighth grade. Mrs. Edwards believes in creating a dynamic learning environment for students that is built upon high expectations. Her advice is to set high expectations and provide opportunities for students to take ownership of their learning, set goals, and celebrate successes! When we believe in our students, and empower them with habits of reflection, revision, and perseverance, they can surpass all of our expectations!
Jeanette Glover, Mathematics Coach
Greensboro Elementary School
Supporting Students and Teachers
Jeanette Glover is the Math Instructional Coach at Greensboro Elementary School. When this video was filmed she was in her fifth year as a math instructional coach. Jeanette previously taught 5th grade math at Greensboro Elementary and 6th and 8th grade math at Carson Middle School. Jeanette has been an educator for 25 years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC, and her Master of Education in Elementary Education from Piedmont College in Demorest, GA. Jeanette’s expertise lies in mathematics and its teachings. She believes that mathematics is a special language that is learned through use over time. Jeanette expresses this by designing professional learning activities to give teachers a regular diet of mathematical talk, writing, drawing, graphing, symbols, numbers, and tables that will aid in how to help students think and communicate their mathematical thinking. Jeanette’s favorite math quote is, Go down deep enough into anything and you will find mathematics, from Dean Schlicter.
Sharda Massey, Second Grade Teacher
Greensboro Elementary School
Cereal Arrays Task
Sharda Massey is a classroom teacher at Greensboro Elementary School. She has been teaching for three years at Greensboro. She received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Southern University. Ms. Massey is currently working on her gifted certification as well as a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from Brenau University. Her main priority for students is making sure to meet the students where they are, accelerate their learning by differentiating, and individualizing the students’ curriculum. Another of her priorities is to make sure student learning is standards- based and engaging. Her advice to any teacher would be to build relationships and get to know students first. Building relationships allows a deeper connection with students. This then leads to being able to meet student needs as much as possible. Her last bit of advice is to enjoy what you do. When you love teaching, it shows. It shows through your attitude and through your students’ academic performance. She asks that you remember that we are here to educate these students and have fun doing it.
Dr. Corey Stegall, Principal
Greensboro Elementary School
Supporting Teachers
Dr. Stegall is a 1997 graduate of the University of West Georgia with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. He received a Master's degree from Jacksonville State University in 2000, a Specialist in Educational Administration from Lincoln Memorial University in 2006 and a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership & Management from Capella University in 2015.
Dr. Stegall began his career in education in March 1996 as a self-contained special education teaching assistant in DeKalb County. Next, he was an elementary teacher at Argyle Elementary School in Cobb County and Temple Middle in Carroll County. He was named Assistant Principal of Villa Rica Elementary School in Carroll County in 2004, where he worked until 2006, when his family relocated to Conyers. He served as an Elementary Assistant Principal in Newton County Schools from 2006-2012. He became the Principal of Greensboro Elementary School July 1, 2012. His passion and commitment to educational excellence is evident as you watch him lead Team Greensboro Elementary. Dr. Stegall articulates a personal message to all who will listen, that education is the great equalizer to poverty. He believes that a great education can transform one from poverty to prosperity. He credits getting a good public school education with his transformation from poverty to the principalship.
Dr. Stegall's professional experience and training includes Learning Focused Strategies, standards-based education, research-based instructional strategies, differentiated instruction, data analysis, Mindset, GAPSS Analysis, School-wide Positive Behavior Supports, Special Education Inclusion and more.
His educational mission is to support teachers in unlocking the potential of all students.
Greensboro Elementary is a Title I school nestled away in rural Greene County, Georgia. The school embraces the challenge of educating students of poverty, while keeping educational expectations high. The school’s motto is going from successful to significant.
Dr. Tim Tilley, Principal
New Hope Elementary School
Supporting Teachers
Dr. Tim Tilley was a classroom teacher for ten years. He taught middle school social studies and instructional technology as well as fourth and fifth grade. This is his twenty-seventh year in education and he has served as the principal of New Hope Elementary for the past ten years. Dr. Tilley received his Bachelor and Master of Education from Auburn University, in Auburn, Alabama. He received his Administrative Endorsement and Specialist Degrees from The State University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia. Dr. Tilley earned his Doctorate of Educational Leadership from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. It is Dr. Tilley’s belief that the administrative staff must work to support teachers and provide them with the resources and autonomy necessary to create a learning environment that encourages relevance, rigor, creativity, and collaboration.
New Hope Elementary is located in Locust Grove, Georgia. The school opened its doors in 2006 to relieve crowding of two nearby elementary schools. It houses 725 kindergarten through fifth grade students, two special needs Pre-K classes and an SID/PID unit. The school has 90 staff members. The school’s student population consists of 80% Caucasian, 15% African American, and 5% Hispanic. Our free and reduced lunch percentage is 43%.
