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.

John Chesnut, 9th Grade Physics 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.

Rodney Cofield, Founding Teacher & Special Education Teacher & Football Coach
Rodney serves as the Special Education Teacher and Football Coach.  He has over twenty years experience as an educator in the public school system. As a former teacher and assistant principal, he brings a broad range of expertise to the KAC students. He graduated from Fort Valley State and earned a Masters degree from Jacksonville State University. Rodney has returned to his calling and is looking forward to building the KAC Warrior football program and working again in the classroom with students.

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.

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. 

Mark Labouchere, Founding Teacher & Pre-AP World History Teacher
Mark serves as the founding teacher of the Social Studies Department.  Mark previously taught American History for six years in Arizona where he was also the Department Head. Mark was recently awarded Apple's Distinguished Educator Award for his work with technology in education.  He received his BA in History from Clemson University and his MEd in Secondary Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University.

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 McNeil, Founding Office Manager
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.

Rasheeda Salaam-Tolbert, Founding Student Counselor
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.

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.