My name is Michelle Carney and I am the ELA Teacher here at the Success Center. I am originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and have resided in Paulding County since 1999. I have a Secondary English Education Degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and a Master’s Degree in School Counseling obtained from The University of West Alabama. I have taught Reading at Camp Creek Middle School in College Park and have been teaching High School English in Douglas County since 2007.

I have two beautiful children, Jordyn and Miles, and an awesome/beautiful granddaughter, Logan. I love teaching young adults and showing them how to reach their full potential in life.

My favorite saying is: “You have to believe in yourself first before you can truly believe how much others in your life believe in you.”

My name is Tammie Gilmore and I am the Communication Skills teacher at Newcomer Success Center. I am originally from Michigan and have lived in Georgia for 14 years. I have taught math and science for 23 years and enjoyed teaching both. Eleven years of my teaching career was in Detroit, Michigan, where I obtained my undergraduate degree from Wayne State University. I continued my education at the University of Phoenix, receiving my Master's and Specialist degrees in Curriculum and Instruction. When I am not teaching I love to read, ride bikes, cook, and spend time with my family.

My name is Araceli Hurley, and I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, in a bilingual home that embraced American and Cuban cultures. I have been blessed to have met my husband in high school, and for the past 37 years, we have created a beautiful life together. We have a 26-year-old son, a 23-year-old daughter, and four loving dogs.

Teaching in Florida, Hawaii, and Georgia has been a joyful privilege for the past 27 years. I taught elementary students for 19 years, and the other eight years included teaching middle school science, high school literature classes, and ESOL (English to speakers of other languages) to middle and high school students. During the past seven years, I have worked with newcomers. I enjoy working with students and families during their acculturation process and strive to guide students in developing strong language skills while working towards meeting their graduation requirements.

Arthur Jones embarked on his teaching journey in 2006 after retiring from a distinguished 20-year career with the United States Air Force. Now in his 19th year as a special education teacher, Arthur is driven by his guiding principle: "Every child can be saved. If you can't save them, be the one to sow that positive seed of hope."

A lifelong learner, he holds a bachelor's degree in English and master's degrees in Special Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Resources.

Outside the classroom, Arthur is an avid New Orleans Saints fan, enjoys reading, traveling, and actively volunteers in his community..

Thaddeus Jones comes to his educational career late in life. After successful careers in telecommunications, software development, real estate and pastoral care, Mr. Jones began his teaching journey in the aftermath of COVID-19. He hold an associate in Biblical Studies, B.S. in Religion and a M.A in Pastoral Counseling and soon will complete a M.A. in Teaching. Guided by his faith and a commitment to being a lifelong learner, he believes that every child can learn and grow into a life as a productive global citizen.

Thaddeus is a die-hard Atlanta Falcons Fan and loves to read, walk, and travel.

Ms. Kitina McCants - is the Social Worker for the Success Center

Ms. McFarland is a math teacher in the Douglas County School System, where she has had the pleasure of teaching for the past 17 years. Currently, Ms. McFarland teaches math in the FLEX Academy/Advantage Academy (high school). She is originally from Valdosta, Georgia, and she graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2003.

She has taught a range of math subjects including Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Advanced Algebra, College Readiness Math, Pre-Calculus and A.P. Statistics. Her goal is to help students build a strong foundation in math and develop the skills they need to excel both academically and in their future careers.

When not in the classroom, she enjoys cooking, watching football and spending time with her family and friends. Ms. McFarland is an educator who is dedicated and passionate about making math engaging and accessible for all students. She looks forward to a successful and productive year!

My name is Jerome Millender and I am one of the Special Services teachers here at Advantage Academy. My main objective is to create and implement a learning environment in which my students are challenged and learn academic content and life skills. I am a veteran teacher with more than 25 years in the classroom and clinical environments.

I plan to leave each of my students with Life-Changing Skills.

My name is Greg Morrison. I am currently the Math and Social Studies teacher for the Middle School FLEX Academy and Advantage Academy. I started teaching as a career when I became a corporate trainer for AT&T in 1996, I also worked as an instructor for MCI Worldcom. I started my career as a public school teacher at Chestnut Log Middle school in 2006 where I was primarily a math teacher, but also taught Social Studies and Science. In 2020 I became the Social Studies teacher for the FLEX Academy. I would later take on the additional role of also teaching the Math classes. I moved to the Success center in 2023.

I have been married for over 25 years and have 2 Children, both boys, ages 37 and 26. I attended Drury University in Springfield Mo, where I triple majored in Economics, Business administration and History. I have my Masters Degree from American International University in Education technology.

Allen Newsome teaches mathematics for the Newcomer program. He was born and raised in Mayfield, Kentucky (Graves County) where he attended Farmington High School. After graduation, Allen attended Murray State University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Junior High Education Mathematics and Science.

Immediately upon graduation, Allen began his career at Frank P. Lindley Middle School in Mableton, Georgia. Allen retired from Cobb County Schools with 32 years of teaching experience including holding positions at the central office, Technology and Title 1 departments, Cooper Middle School, and Pebblebrook High School.

During his tenure in Cobb County Schools, he attended Western Governors University where he received a Master of Education degree in Teaching and Learning, and the University of Massachusetts–Lowell receiving an Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Educating Diverse Populations.

After retirement, Allen began working in Douglas County at Lithia Springs High School until transferring to the Success Center. Allen is married to Marilyn Gaye Martin Newsome and has one “dog”ter named Precious Noel, a Yorkshire Terrier.

My name is Magee Pruitt. I am starting my 29th year of teaching. All of those years have been in middle school except for 2 years I spent in elementary school. I spent the first 4 years of my career teaching middle school in Cobb County, this is also where I grew up. The rest of the time I have been in Douglas County at Fairplay Middle School, Mason Creek Middle School,Mason Creek Elementary School, and Flex Academy/Advantage Academy Middle School. I truly believe I was destined to be in education as both my parents were teachers. However, while I was in school I swore I would never be a teacher because my parents were always on the teacher’s side.

In my spare time I love to exercise, especially CrossFit, and spend time outdoors with my family. I have 3 boys: one in 8th grade, one in high school, and the oldest graduated. My husband is also a teacher at Bremen High School.

I am Jacqueline Roth, science coordinator for FLEX Academy and Advantage Academy. This will be my 35th year as a teacher and my 25th year teaching in Georgia. I’ve taught a number of subjects over the years. I’ve taught at Campbell Middle School in Cobb County, Fairplay Middle School and Factory Shoals Middle School before moving to FLEX Academy. Last year FLEX joined Advantage under the umbrella of the Success Center. In addition to an Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s of Science in Education, I also hold my distance learning endorsement

I live in Acworth with my family, human and canine. We have three children and three dogs. I enjoy reading, baking, sewing, and writing.

I believe all students have a right to an education, and to one they can access in the way that fits their needs, learning styles, and lives the best way possible.

Hello, my name is Alena Tappin and I am the Transition Specialist for Douglas County School System.

I’m a native of Louisiana and have resided in Atlanta since 2000. My teaching experience started in 1994 as a special education teacher in Baton Rouge. I taught for 6 years before moving to Atlanta. I have a B.S. in Secondary Education with a Masters in Educational leadership from Southern University. Go Jags!!!

Upon moving to Atlanta I taught in Dekalb County for two years before starting my administrative career in the Marietta City School system. I served as an assistant principal for 10 plus years before transitioning to Carrollton City Schools as principal of Carrollton Middle School where I remained for three years. While in Marietta I did earn a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.

I transitioned to Douglas County in 2016 and have been an assistant principal at North Douglas elementary school for the past two years. I am very excited about my new position as principal administrator here at the Success Center. I am committed to creating a positive and successful environment for the non-traditional students of the Douglas County School System!

Dr. Andre Touchard,

Principal

andre.touchard@dcssga.org