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Orchard Learning Academy
3901 Mary Eliza Trace
Marietta, GA 30064
Phone 678-290-8506 |
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Click on any teacher's name below to read their bio:
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Holly French (Software-on-the-Go)
Computers
Holly French has over 14 years of experience
in the training and software development field. She has extensive
experience in systems analysis, programming, curriculum development and
software development. Her knowledge of both computer hardware and
software brings a unique level of experience into every one of her
training classes. She also brings knowledge and patience mixed with fun
and humor into her classes. Holly started out as a computer consultant
in upstate New York and previously held training positions with both
ExecuTrain and IKON Office Solutions. She holds a Computer Information
Systems Degree from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah.
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Kay Drew
Registrar/Tutor
Kay Drew has a BS
degree from Valdosta State in Mathematics Education, a MS degree in
Counseling from the University of Alabama, a MS degree in School
Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and all the course
requirements for a degree in Alcohol and Drug Rehab Education. She has
a post graduate license from the Commonwealth of Virginia in
Mathematics, Counseling and Administration. She is also certified in
Choice/Reality Therapy trained by Dr. William Glasser of the Glasser
Institute.
Kay previously worked
in Central Administration in the Chesterfield County School System in
Virginia. There she was a Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist for
four years and was the Coordinator for Student Conduct for five years.
Her Mathematics teaching experiences include classroom instruction in
Pre-algebra, Algebra I, Algebra II and Plane Geometry in Selma, Alabama
and at two private academies in Alabama. She and her husband also team
taught Developmental Math and Math for Nurses at John Tyler Community
College in Virginia. She also taught Occupational Math and Algebra at
the same college.
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Dr. Cindye Coates
US History & Government, Speech & Debate
Dr. Cindye Coates is an award –winning author and public speaker as well as the founder and CEO of The Tutor Georgia Foundation, She is a noted community leader and Olympic Goodwill Ambassador who was a candidate for the Georgia State House of Representatives in ’04 and ’06. She has an earned Ph.D. from ICOF Washington, DC Theological Seminary. She has homeschooled all the way through high school her oldest son Kyle, 19 (a college freshman) and still homeschools Tyler, age 12. She is married to Pastor Stan Coates (a 3-time Grammy –nominated singer and songwriter). Her objective in teaching US History, Government, and Speech & Debate is to instill patriotism, the knowledge of our nation’s Christian heritage, and to defend our freedoms in oral communication.
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Anna Burrell
Anna was privately tutored for over twelve years in textiles and dressmaking by an award winning seamstress. She is familiar with both traditional and ready to wear factory sewing techniques for professional results. Besides sewing home decor projects and much of her own wardrobe, Anna has sewn custom designed clothing and done alterations for others the past five years through her business, Anna’s Apparel & Accessories. She currently sells custom designed fashion handbags and totes. Anna is dedicated to equipping the next generation with essential life skills, encouraging young women to "work willingly with (their) hands" (Proverbs 31:13).
Anna also loves music and studied at the International Academy of Music. She has played piano for 17 years, is in her 5th year of teaching private piano and violin lessons through Soli Deo Gloria Piano Instruction and is a church pianist. Anna learned to play violin at age 9 through both Suzuki and Traditional methods. She directed the Praise Strings violin choir and Majestic Strings Orchestra for a year, played for church orchestra, and also founded the Soli Deo Gloria Strings Ensemble and quartet in the Atlanta area. She also helps home educate her 7 siblings.
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Belinda Strother-Alston
Graduated from the University of Massachusetts in Boston: 1992
Studied Psychology and Sociology/Bachelor of Arts degree
Graduated from Lesley University of Cambridge, Ma: 2001
Taught while in school (1st and 3rd), received Master of Ed. degree in elementary education/ grades 1 - 6
I have a combined family of 5 children ranging in age from 22 yrs to 11 yrs. While raising these wonderful and challenging children, my husband and I realized that each child had different needs, likes, and abilities. We were blessed with 5 unique children whom learned and matured at very different paces. Through a lot of research, meetings with specialists, and trial and error, we were able to see 2 graduate from high school and seek to further their education. We have one graduating in 2007/2008 and 2 making their way to the stage. 3 out of the 5 children were diagnosed with learning disabilities/differences and ADHD. It was as a result of watching my own children struggle with learning and self esteem that I began my pursuit to empower students and parents in the academic setting.
I have been involved with children and families in the capacity of social worker and advocate for 14 yrs. Over the past 5 yrs it became more important for me to teach children about themselves and to really empower and encourage them to believe that they are capable. In the past 3 yrs I had been counseling elem. Students who were struggling socially, emotionally, and academically. It was extremely rewarding to be a part of the process of enlightenment were each student finally realizes that they are capable of learning and being loved. My philosophy is “Every child can learn, they do it at their own pace and with the help of those who believe in them and never give up”. I never give up on a child and I teach them to never give up on themselves.
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Jennifer Brown
Jennifer is a native of Acworth, Ga. She received her Associate of Science in Education Degree at Young Harris College, a small Methodist junior college in North Georgia. Her Bachelor’s Degree at Kennesaw State University was earned in Early Childhood Education, where she graduated Cum Laude (2005). Jennifer has extensive experience with young children and two formal years of experience in the Cobb County School System teaching Fourth Grade. She also has experience with mentally and physically impaired children.
Jennifer currently lives in Acworth, Ga with her husband of 3 years and her baby girl. They attend West Ridge Church in Dallas, Ga. . Her interests include: reading, hiking, traveling, horseback riding, and spending time with friends and family. She considers herself a lifetime learner and teacher.
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Linda Clendenin
Linda has a BS degree in Education from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan. She has a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College. Linda has over 20 years teaching experience, primarily in the middle grades. She served as grade level coordinator, as well as team leader, and served on the school leadership committee for several years. She was involved in many facets of her school, including parent-teacher organizations, curriculum adoption, scheduling, and after school, extra-curricular activities.
Linda has three children, ages 26, 23, and 19. Her older children live in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and her youngest son is a sophomore at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. She loves to play tennis, travel, and read in her spare time. Linda also volunteers as a foster parent for rescue animals.
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Shari Watkins
Chemistry
Shari Watkins is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She holds both a Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science in Chemistry from Clark Atlanta University. She also has a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Detroit Mercy. Since 1998, Shari has been an adjunct professor at various schools, such as Georgia Perimeter College, Atlanta Technical College and the University of Detroit Mercy. She has also been a Program Administrator for the Atlanta University Center. Shari provides instruction to our students in Biology, Chemistry, Life Science and Physical Science..
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Elizabeth Carr
Art Teacher
Educated at Auburn University and Columbia Basin College, as well as studying under several internationally acclaimed artists, Elizabeth Carr has developed her skills and love for the arts, particularly in the medium of watercolor. She is a signature member of both the Georgia Watercolor Society and The Watercolor Society of Alabama.
As a mother of five, she has homeschooled for more than twenty years. She is currently homeschooling her youngest, Audrey, 14 years old. David is finishing college this year, Lara finished her Master’s Degree last year and the other two have finished their educations and are now purposefully employed. Praise the Lord!
An award-winning professional artist, herself, she has been teaching art to homeschoolers for more that 15 years and will continue to do so as long as the Lord allows. She is absolutely passionate about the Christian artist’s responsibility to God to communicate the love of/for their Creator and is continually inspired by childrens’ innate creative abilities. Her main purpose in teaching art to children is to nurture these abilities and challenge them to grow their skills for His service. Elizabeth believes that education and encouragement are key to this development.
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Jan Chandler
Kindegarten
Jan graduated with a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Education from West Georgia College and taught kindergarten in Georgia public school system for 9 years. She is trained in Wilson Language and taught for 3 years as a reading specialist at a local private Christian school. Jan has also worked with children of various ages as Sunday School Superintendent at Faith Methodist Church and has coached cheerleading for Middle School for two years.
Jan has three children… one in elementary, one in middle school, one in high school. She enjoys reading and traveling. Her goal is to provide a nurturing atmosphere in which children will love to learn, grow and discover.
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Linda Baker
Drama
Linda Baker, formerly Linda Aronoff, teaches and directs in Cobb County, Georgia. Linda studied acting and production at Penn State University and at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta. She also studied advanced directing and play analysis at Kennesaw University. She got her start as a performer in “West Side Story” at the Erie Playhouse, and later worked in film and television.
Linda Baker enjoys directing young people, and particularly enjoys producing and directing plays for local audiences. As a published playwright of several children’s works, she has taken new and old stories to the stage several times for the benefit of young performers.
Her production of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” included more than twenty cast members, and met with an enthusiastic response from the Kennesaw Community. Linda believes that theater is a great way for pre-teens and teens to socialize in a creative environment. She dreams that all young people in Cobb County will be given a voice and a venue for their writing, their visions, and their acting and production talents.
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Lisa Cantey
Spanish, American Literature
Lisa Cantey holds a MA degree in Spanish Literature from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. While earning her BA degrees in English, with Honors, and Spanish from UVA, she also had the opportunity to study literature at the Universidad Católica del Perú, in Lima, Peru. She has taught Spanish language and literature at the University of Virginia, Piedmont Community College, and William Monroe High School in Virginia. She has also done volunteer work with migrant workers and taught English to non-native speakers. Lisa has traveled extensively through Europe and has lived in Italy and Germany.
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Dr. John T. Applewhite
Inventions
Dr. Applewhite, co-inventor and developer of the Super Soaker water gun is teaching our Friday Inventions classes. He has more than 20 years experience in design and product development with such companies as Colgate-Palmolive, Coca-Cola, Hasbro and Kenner. He specializes in concept design, engineering, model making, ideation, and logo development. He holds a BS in Industrial Design from Georgia Tech, an MBA from Georgia State University, and a PhD from Ministry International Institute. He teaches our Inventions classes.
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