KIPP Atlanta Collegiate Staff
Kyra Caldwell, Founding Teacher & 9th Grade English Teacher
Kyra serves as the founding English Teacher. She taught at Sprayberry High School in Cobb County for four years prior to joining KAC. Kyra earned her B.A. in English from Spelman College and earned a Masters of Education with a focus in Post-Secondary Education from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She went on to earn a Masters of Arts in teaching with a focus in English Education, Grades 6-12 from Georgia State University.
L. Darrell Caldwell, PE/ISS Instructor
Darrell is the Head Football Coach, P.E. teacher, and ISS coordinator. He brings more than 23 years of coaching experience and 12 years of classroom teaching experience to KAC. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Morris Brown College, and his Master’s degree from Central Michigan University.
John Chesnut, Physics/Chemistry Teacher
John currently serves as the 9th Grade Physics Teacher. Earlier in his career he taught chemistry, AP chemistry, and physics at Rockmart High School. Before teaching high school, he taught chemistry at a small college. He has a BS from Berry College and an MA from The University of Phoenix.
Joe Edelin, Dean of Students
Joseph serves as Dean of Students. He also taught 7th grade Social Studies at KIPP WAYS Academy from 2005 - 2011. He previously worked as 6th grade social studies teacher at Jackson Middle School in Houston, TX. Joseph received his BA in history from Morehouse College and his Masters in Education from University of St. Thomas in Houston, TX.
Nicole Franklin, AP World History
Nicole serves as the AP World History teacher. She has been teaching secondary social studies for the past five years. She earned a BA in history from the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign and a MAT from Emory University.
Desiree Glover, Spanish 1
Desiree serves as the Spanish 1 teacher. Prior to joing KIPP Atlanta Collegiate, she taugh with Atlanta Public Schools and DeKalb County Schools. She earned her BA in Spanish from Stony Brook University and a Master's of Education in curriculum and instruction from Central Michigan University. Currently, she is pursuing an EdD in educational leadership at Clark Atlanta University.
Karen Goodwin, Special Education/ELA Teacher
Karen serves as a Special Education/9th grade Literature teacher at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate. She is a 2009 Teach for America Corp Member and previously taught at Turner Middle School and Ivy Preparatory Academy. Karen earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Princeton University and a Masters of Education in Behavioral and Learning Disabilities from Georgia State University.
Brina Hargro, Visual Arts Teacher
Brina serves as the visual arts teacher at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate and KIPP STRIVE Academy. She has served as an art educator in Atlanta area school systems for several years. Brina specializes in drawing and painting. She graduated from both Emory University and Georgia State University with degrees in African American Studies and Art Education.
Fallon Holmes, 10th Grade English Teacher
Fallon serves as the 10th Grade English Teacher. She taught at Manchester High School in Meriwether County Schools for three years prior to joining KIPP. She has a BA in English Language and Literature from Columbus State University and a MS in HR Management from Troy State University.
David Howland, Principal
Dave is the School Founder and Principal. Dave spent a year as a Fisher Fellow with the KIPP School Leadership Program prior to opening KIPP Atlanta Collegiate. He served as the Grade Level Chair at KIPP WAYS Academy for sixth grade and began his teaching career as a high school teacher at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta. Dave received his B.A. in English with a Minor in Theater at the University of Rochester and completed his M.Ed in Supervision and Education Leadership from National Louis University.
Gwendolyn Johnson, Cafeteria Manager
Gwen is the Cafeteria Manager at KIPP Atlanta Collegiate. She served as a School Nutrition Assistant at KIPP WAYS Academy from 2008 until 2011, until she was promoted to Cafeteria Manager. She has also served as an Administrative Medical Assistant and a Cashier/Service Receptionist/Warranty Administrator for Curry Honda.
Acqunita Jones, Founding Spanish Teacher, 9th Grade Level Chair
Acqunita serves as Founding Spanish Teacher. She taught for three prior to joining KAC in Rutherford County, Tennessee. She has lived in Argentina as part of a KIIS study abroad program. Acqunita earned her BA in English and her BS in Spanish from Middle Tennessee State University.
Marva Jones, Special Education Specialist
Marva has worked in Special Education for 14 years. She served as a Speech and Language Pathologist for over 10 years. She previously held a position as a program assistant of special education for four years in Atlanta Public Schools. Marva earned a BA in Speech Language Pathology and Audiology from City University of New York( CUNY) and an MA degree in Educational Leadership from Kennesaw State University.
Samantha Kinser, Mathematics Teaching Fellow
Samantha participates in KIPP Metro Atlanta's Teacher Fellows Program. She will work with the 10th grade geometry teacher this year as part of her fellowship. Previously, she taught dance. She received a BA in psychology and economics from Emory University.
Michael LaMont, 10th Grade Geometry
Michael serves as the 10th grade geometry teacher. Before joining KIPP, he taught Math 2 and AP Calculus as a Teacher for America corps member in Atlanta. He holds a BS in civil engineering from Georgia Tech.
c.c. Lassiter, III, Speech and Composition Teacher
c.c. previously spent 12 years as an English instructor and Ninth Grade Academy Coordinator for Atlanta Public Schools. c.c. has a BA in English with a minor in Drama and an MA in Education for the Gifted from Norfolk State University. He is currently attending Walden University to complete his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership.
Antwan Mauzy, Physical Education Teacher & Athletic Director
Mauzy serves as the Founding Physical Education Teacher, Athletic Director and Boys Basketball Coach. He previously served as the KIPP through College Alumni Advisor for the past three years. He first joined the KIPP family in 2005 as a parent of a 5th grade KIPPster at KIPP South Fulton Academy. In 2006, he started the Physical Education program at KSFA and became the Athletic Director. He has a B.A. from the University of Akron.
Cora serves as the Office Manager and Registrar. She previously worked as an After School Instructor at Drew Charter School and then began working as a Coordinator of Student Involvement and Greek Life at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She received a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, double majoring in Journalism and Sociology. She also received her Master's in Public Administration focusing in nonprofit management from Georgia State University.
Aimee Pierre, 9th Grade Math Teacher
Aimee is the 9th Grade Math Teacher. Prior to joining KAC, Aimee taught at KIPP WAYS Academy. She has had the honor of journeying to Ghana, West Africa with the founding 8th grade class, was recognized as the 2007-2008 KIPP WAYS Academy Teacher of the Year, and was one of ten distinguished KIPP Excellence in Teaching awardees in 2008. She attended Broward Community College. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics Education from Florida International University. Ms. Pierre earned her Master of Science degree in Mathematics Education at Nova Southeastern University in May 2006.
Lindsey P'Pool, 9th Grade English Literature Teacher
Lindsey serves as a 9th grade English Literature teacher as well as a reading intervention specialist. She recently moved to Atlanta from Covington, Kentucky after teaching 8th grade social studies at Holmes Middle School. Lindsey received her bachelor's degree in history and her master's degree in education from the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky.
Doug Richmond, 10th Grade Chemistry Teacher
Doug serves as the 10th grade chemistry teacher. Previously, he was a physical science and chemistry teacher at West Ashley High School in Charleston, South Carolina. He also worked with at-risk students at the College of Charleston as an UPWARD Bound instructor in English and math. He has a BA in Science and English from Albion College in Michigan and an Advanced Placement Endorsement in Chemistry from UCLA.
Rasheeda Salaam-Tolbert, Director of Counseling and Social Work
Rasheeda serves as Student Counselor. She is a former Language Arts and Reading teacher, Social Services Case Manager Specialist, and Parent Facilitator. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Media (Broadcast Journalism) from Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia and her Master’s Degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University in Troy, Alabama.
Christopher Sewell, Dean of Academics
Christopher serves as the Dean of Academics. Previously, he was the Academic Dean and 7th/8th Grade English Language Arts teacher at Achievement First Endeavor Middle School in Brooklyn, New York. He also worked at KIPP Academy of Opportunity in Los Angeles, California and was a Teacher for America corps member in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has a BA in history and American-studies from Williams College, a MSEd in urban education from the University of Pennsylvania, and an MA in Afro-American studies from UCLA. Currently, he is working on an EdD in educatinoal leadership and policy at Vanderbilt University.
Adia Dightman Spillar, Front Office Assistant
Adia is the Front Office Assistant. She is from Houston, Texas and has been with the KIPP family for fourteen years. She attended the original KIPP Academy Middle School and became a founding member of the first KIPP high school. She graduated from KIPP Houston High School. After high school Adia traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to attend Clark Atlanta University to attain a B.A. in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Journalism.
Kim Vo, World History
Kim serves as the world history teacher. Prior to joining KIPP, she taugh American Government, World Geography, World History, and US History. He has a BA from Ball State University and an MA from Columbia University.
Authur Washington, Band Director
Arthur is the Band Director. Before coming to KIPP, Mr. Washington was an Assistant Band Director at Banneker High School in College Park, Ga., which is his former high school. While at Howard University, Mr. Washington was Student Conductor for two years, Drum Major, and Student Arranger. He was awarded Howard University's Most Outstanding Musician and Bandsman for three years in a row. Authur Washington obtained his bachelors from Howard University, majoring in Music Business.