Faculty & Staff

I have been teaching since 2013. With my background in psychology and counseling, I create a classroom community of warmth, inclusion and routine that allows for student success! I am endorsed in Gifted, ESOL and I'm trained in Orton Gillingham at the associates level. Most importantly, I love what I do.

My name is Becky Georges and this is my 8th year at Morningside and my 23rd year teaching. I I recently earned my Masters in School Library and hope to one day be the MES school librarian!

Hello Morningside! I'm Samantha Jennings and I'm so excited to be your child's kindergarten teacher this year! This is my third-year teaching and my second here at MES. I am originally from Long Island, New York and have been living here in Atlanta for about a year and have been loving it! I'm so excited to continue to grow here in the Morningside community!

I'm Ms. Nguyen and I'm ecstatic to be your child's kindergarten teacher! I am from Baton Rouge, Louisiana where I attended LSU for my Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. I have had the pleasure to teach grades prek-3. I'm dedicated to nurturing curious minds, sparking creativity, and fostering a love for learning in every child. In my spare time I enjoy reading, traveling, and trying new restaurants and coffee shops. I'm a big foodie, so I would love to know your favorite places to eat!

Hello, Dolphin Family! I hold a B.A. in Radio Broadcasting from Clark Atlanta University, a Master of Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University and as of Summer 2024 an Educational Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Georgia Southwestern University. I hold my teaching certification from the State of Georgia in Early Childhood PreK-5 as well as an Endorsement to teach English to Speakers of Other Languages. I also have an Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator certification. I’ve been an educator for 15 years. I have a 9-year-old little boy named Houston. Houston is in 4th grade here at MES! I also have a 2-year-old, Hendrix, who keeps me on my toes. My partner Jason and I are serious foodies/ food bloggers who love to try as many restaurants around Atlanta as my shellfish allergy will allow.

Hi my name is Ashlee Davis. Coming from public safety to an elementary school has been such a smooth transition for me. This is my 3rd year at Morningside as a Kinder Para and it has been a been wonderful experience. I really enjoy working with kids and creating a fun & safe learning environment.

This is my third year at Morningside. I enjoy working in kindergarten, and I work with the students in Ms. Grier's Classroom.

Originally from Malaysia, I have been with Morningside since 2018 as a Kinder Para. I work in Ms. Nguyen's classroom. I attended the University of Science Malaysia for my undergraduate degree in Humanities and then Georgia State University for my master's degree in Applied Linguistics and ESL. I have always believed in a positive class environment for children in school! My husband and I have 3 beautiful girls and outside of school, I am busy with my volunteer work for a non profit. I also love gardening and listening to classical Indian music and dance!

My name is Ms. Rosa! I am from Peru and Spanish is my first language. I work in Mrs. Holmes kindergarten classroom. I was a first grade student teacher in Peru, South America. I was a building para at MES and now I am so excited to work in the classroom with children again!

I have been with MES since 2022. I work in Mrs. Snapp's classroom. The majority of my teaching experience is in art education with students of all ages (from 10 months to 85 years old!). I love working with children and working for Morningside. I grew up in East Tennessee but have lived in several different cities and states. I studied art at the University of Tennessee. My favorite things to do are paint, illustrate and sculpt. I'm mediocre on the guitar, piano and singing but enjoy all of them. I have two children who remind me of the cartoon siblings on Dexter's laboratory. One is sunshine and rainbows, dancing through life, while the other has a serious, scientific mind. Today, they are 6 & 10. Tomorrow, they might be 14 & 18, as it turns out, they grow up fast. Contrary to popular student belief, I do NOT live at Morningside Elementary. When I'm not at school, I'm frolicking somewhere over the rainbow.

Hello, my name is Kristina Benavides Davis, but you can call me Mrs. Davis! I have absolutely loved teaching in the Atlanta area and am going into my 12th year of teaching! After growing up in Kennesaw, I attended Kennesaw State University for my undergraduate degree in education, then Walden University for my master's degree. When I am not spending time with my first graders, you can find me playing tennis or kickball, hiking, running, gardening, or reading. At home, I love spending time with my big cat, Kingsley, and three backyard chickens!

Hello, I’m Ms. Dickerson! This is my second year teaching at Morningside. Before transitioning to APS, I taught for 10 years in Dekalb County. I have taught pre-k, kindergarten and first grade. I have an associate degree in Birth through five from Atlanta Technical College, a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Mercer University, and my Masters in Reading and Literacy from Walden University. I have a 6-year-old daughter who keeps me busy with all her extracurricular activities, she also attends Morningside and is very excited to be a part of the MES family. In my spare time I love spending time with my family, trying new restaurants and different activities around the city.

I have taught for over 20 years in grades K, 1, 2, and ESOL (K-5).  I began teaching at MES in 2005.  I have Bachelor's degrees from the University of West Georgia and Mercer University and a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Central Michigan University. I have teaching endorsements in Reading, Dyslexia and ESOL. My passion is kids and helping them reach their fullest potential while having fun with learning! I am the proud mom of 5, including a 5th and 1st grader at Morningside, a middle schooler at Howard Middle School and a college freshman. I love all things International and outside of work you will see me traveling with my family, watching my sons play academy soccer/football and enjoying a good book.

I grew up in upstate New York. I earned both my undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education at the University of Florida - GO GATORS! I began working at Morningside in 2019, after teaching in Florida for nine years. Discovering all that Atlanta has to offer is one of my favorite hobbies, in addition to reading, traveling, attending concerts, and spending time with family and friends. I am looking forward to a wonderful school year! 

Hello! I am Ms. Warren! This is my 12th year teaching and my third year at Morningside. I grew up in Forsyth County and graduated with my Bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University. I spent my first four years teaching in Cobb County, taught at an APS charter school for five years where I also completed my gifted certification, and now I am thrilled to be here at Morningside. I am currently working on my master’s degree and will graduate in December from Augusta University. I have taught first grade for nine years and taught two years of second grade. Outside of school I love spending time running, hiking, or camping with my dog Birdie and exploring Atlanta. I also enjoy many hobbies including tennis, reading, rock climbing, biking, traveling, sewing, knitting, thrifting, and playing piano. 

I’m Ms. Westwood! This is my 20th year teaching and my 19th year at Morningside Elementary. I’ve also taught 5th grade and Kindergarten but First Grade is my favorite, of course! I am originally from Atlanta (Midtown High School Graduate) but lived in San Antonio, Texas from 3rd grade until 10th grade.  I attended Georgia State University for my undergraduate degree in Anthropology and my Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.  I also have an Educational Specialist degree in curriculum and instruction.  I currently live in Decatur, so you might see me around town.  I have two children, Mateo (24) and Bella (20) and four pets (kitties, Pocky, Cosmo and Chompa and puppy, Loki).  In my spare time, I like to go camping, read, crochet, play with my pets and volunteer at my favorite animal shelters. 

I am so excited to begin my seventh year of teaching and second year here at MES. I grew up outside of the city in Gwinnett County and spent 5 years teaching there before transitioning to APS. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), Master’s in Mathematics Education from Western Governors University, and Specialist degree in Instructional Technology, Media, and Design from the University of West Georgia along with my Gifted, ESOL, and SPED endorsements. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy traveling with my friends and husband, trying new restaurants around the city, reading, going to concerts, and running/hitting the gym. I am looking forward to this upcoming school year and building meaningful connections with my students!

This is my 5th year teaching, 4th year in second grade, and 2nd year here at Morningside! I got my Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Elementary Education from Georgia College and State University in 2021 and my Master's Degree in 2022. I am so excited for the 2025-2026 school year here at Morningside!

This is my 5th year in 2nd grade at MES at my 17th year in early childhood.  Before entering the classroom, I worked with children with disabilities and their families. My focus is to create a classroom community where all feel welcomed, safe, and excited to learn. My most important job mom to three daughters, 2 in college and one in high school. My free time is spent with my dogs and pulling weeds in my yard. 

I love MES and am excited to be teaching here! I am the proud mom of three, two Morningside graduates and one who is here in third grade. I have been in the field of education for over 20 years. I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Florida in Teaching Learning with a concentration in Special Education. I began my career in Florida and then spent many years teaching in Dekalb. I have spent the last several years working in special education and learning resource support. I love engaging students with fun and challenging learning experiences! When not at school, I enjoy being out and about in the neighborhood, walking, running, or cheering on my kids at their many sports activities!

Hello! I am a 2nd grade teacher here at Morningside, and I couldn't be happier to be a part of this amazing team. I graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2020 and taught in Gwinnett County before finding my home at MES. My favorite part about teaching 2nd grade is seeing their progress over the year - both academic and emotional. I was born in Baltimore, but spent most of my life here in Atlanta. Outside of school, I like to spend my time reading, traveling, exercising, and spending time with my family.

Hello, I'm Ms. O'Neill! I am excited to begin my third year teaching here at Morningside Elementary School. I began my teaching career at MES after graduating from the University of Georgia. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy reading, exercising at Orange Theory, and traveling. In fact, I love traveling so much that it is actually my summer job. I am so excited to begin this upcoming school year!

This is my 23rd year teaching, and I feel lucky to have landed at MES 7 years ago. STEAM and Project-Based Learning are very important to me, and I’d be happy to talk your ear off about the projects we have planned. In addition, I’m also certified in Art Education and STEM. I’m originally from the gulf coast of Florida and love the beach, gardening, and my pets: Igor, Ziggy, and Mo. I’m so excited for another wonderful year here at Morningside Elementary!

I love teaching third grade, this is my third year at Morningside. We moved to the neighborhood twelve years ago and I always dreamed of teaching here. I have a Master’s degree in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in STEAM from Clemson, Go Tigers! I’m currently working on my specialist’s degree from Augusta. One of my favorite quotes is, “Teachers who love learning, teach students to love learning.”

This is my seventeenth year at Morningside Elementary School and I am so happy to be here.  I am originally from Westchester, New York. While living in New York, I completed a masters of education program in elementary education through Fordham University.  I taught fourth grade for two years in New York and then moved to Vail, Colorado.  While in Vail, I taught language arts and social studies for four years at the eighth grade level.  I moved to Atlanta in 2006.  I then worked at Mary Lin on the fifth grade team for two years, teaching math and language arts.   At MES I have taught third grade,  fourth grade and reading intervention from grades one to five. I have an education specialist’s degree from Piedmont University.  I am also a Fellow with the Academy of Orton-Gillingham.  I have two kids, one at Midtown High School and one at Howard Middle School. I am very excited about this school year and I look forward to working with you.

I am a Virginia-Highland native and an Atlanta Public Schools graduate. I have a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), a master's degree in Reading, Language, and Literacy from Georgia State University, and a specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Piedmont University. This is my 20th year at Morningside and my 30th year of teaching overall! I have taught kindergarten, second grade, and third grade. I enjoy traveling, dining out, being a part of the MES community, everything Hello Kitty, and spending time with family, friends, and pets!

I was born and raised in Upstate New York in a small town near the Finger Lakes. I stayed in New York while I attended State University of New York at Geneseo. It was there that I received my certification in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. I spent 8 glorious years in Boston, 2 years in New Jersey and made my final move to Georgia in 1998. I met my husband here and we have 2 wonderful daughters. Kathryn is 20 and entering her Junior year at Flagler College in St Augustine, FL. Claire is 18 and is starting her freshman year at Appalachian State in NC! And finally……I can’t possibly introduce myself and not tell you about” the big guy” ....Cosmo. Our 75-pound, white shedding machine who thinks he is a lap dog. Smart as a whip and a gifted snuggler! I have been in education for 15+ years, most recently as a First Grade Lead at The GLOBE Academy, a language immersion school in Dekalb County. This is my 2nd year at MES, and I love it!

I am proud to be an Atlanta native and product of Atlanta Public Schools! I have wanted to be a teacher since I was four years old. My favorite quote is, "If there was no money and everything depended on your moral standards, the way that you behaved, and the way that you treated people, how would you be doing in life?"-Tupac Shakur

"Welcome to 4th Grade! This is my 8th year teaching and my 3rd year at Morningside in APS. Along with my Early Childhood Education degree and Business Management minor, I am reading and gifted endorsed. This year I will be teaching Reading and Science. The biggest lessons I hope my kiddos learn from me after each year is an independence, confidence, curiosity about themselves and their passions; as well as, a fostered love, respect, and understanding of people and topics on a global scale. Along with my passion for teaching kids, I love the arts, plants, coffee shops, my dog, personal development/health, new experiences, and traveling to explore new places. I have been very fortunate to have had the incredible opportunity to live and teach abroad in both Ecuador and Taiwan. I am eager to be here at this beautifully renovated building to get to know your kiddos and teach them reading and science this year."

Hello! My name is Cindy Cherry, and I’m thrilled to be starting my 23rd year in education — 18 of those wonderful years have been right here at Morningside Elementary, with 4 years previously in Gwinnett County. This year, I’m excited to be teaching 4th grade Math and Social Emotional Learning (SEL).

Morningside holds a special place in my heart — not only because I teach here, but also because it’s part of my family's story. My husband and both of my sons are proud MES alumni!

I earned my teaching degree and gifted certification from the University of Georgia. GO DAWGS! I absolutely love what I do, and my two favorite things in life are teaching and spending time with my family. When I’m not in the classroom, you can usually find me playing tennis, traveling, enjoying hot yoga, or curled up with a great book.

I’m looking forward to an amazing school year filled with learning, growth, and fun!

Greetings! My name is Ms. Ellison. This October I'll be entering my 17th year in education. I am a true Atlanta native, born a Grady baby. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education Leadership. Throughout my career in education, I have supported students from early ages through high school with the exception of middle school, in numerous capacities. Most recently, I taught fourth grade last year which was my first year teaching at Morningside Elementary School. Outside of work I am the mother of a now highschooler, attending Midtown High School (Grady High). My hobbies include bike riding, HITT workouts, running (sprinter and 5K's only), singing and binge watching anything with drama, adventure or humor. My greatest passion outside of parenting is teaching. I have an enormous desire to support students in reaching past their potential.

"Educators are the only people who lose sleep over other people's kids."
• Nicholas A. Ferroni

I was born in Tehran and moved to Atlanta when I was two. I graduated with my undergrad from GA State University and earned a master's in education from Mercer University. This is my 12th year with APS. I have taught kindergarten, 2nd, and 4th grade. I really enjoying writing, literature, and social studies. I have endorsements in science and gifted education. I enjoy hands-on activities and showing students that school can be fun!

I graduated high school in 2005 in Tyrone, Georgia. Afterwards, I attended Georgia State University and got my degree in Spanish Language graduating in May 2009. I worked in the finance field after college and later made my transition to education in 2016. This will be the start of my 9th year in education but my first at Morningside Elementary. I was born in El Paso, Texas and have since lived in Germany, Atlanta, and Colorado Springs. I recently moved back from Colorado after 8 years. I have 2 sisters and 1 brother who are all older than me. I love being outside enjoying nature. When I’m not at work, you can usually catch me cooking, reading, and just hanging out with my pups Raven and Remy!

I have been teaching since 2013. I come from a long lineage of educators, and I couldn't imagine doing anything else. I have a masters in Instructional Technology and a specialist in Middle Grades ELA, which I taught for 10 years before making the switch to elementary. However, I do try and keep things interesting in my life (not that teaching doesn't do that daily), but I like to spread my wings during my free time. When I'm not at work, you can find anywhere from a Braves game (as often as possible) to kayaking to reading in my home library. My wife, Avery, and I have 3 wonderful pups (Cooper, Penny, and Tuck) and a cat (well, Avery's cat) named Loki. I am excited to be a part of MES, and I look forward to a great school year! 🙂

I am an Atlanta Native and began my teaching career during the Covid-19 pandemic immediately knowing I had made the right choice. I strive to create a supportive atmosphere where students feel comfortable expressing themselves and challenging their own thinking. I currently hold both a Bachelor and Master of Education degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in ESOL and Gifted Education, and recently obtained an Education Specialist degree in Instructional Technology, Media, & Design. In my free time I enjoy being a foodie, playing volleyball, traveling, and rooting for the Georgia Bulldogs! It’s going to be a spectacular year at MES and I am thrilled to be a part of the community!

I have been teaching since 2014 and have been at Morningside since 2019. I have a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, a master's degree in Elementary Education and a specialist degree in Advanced Educational Studies. Outside of teaching, I enjoy cooking, traveling, exercising and spending time with my family, friends and dog.

Hello! I’m originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, and from a young age, I knew teaching was my passion. With a background as an athlete, pursuing Physical Education felt like the perfect fit! I hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Physical Education from Georgia State University. This is my second year at Morningside, and I’m excited to continue being part of this wonderful community. I played volleyball for 7 years and have been coaching for 5 years. When I’m not teaching, I love traveling, exploring new restaurants, and staying active at the gym. I’m thrilled to be part of the Morningside family and look forward to another fantastic year!

Hello! My name is Jeanne Connolly and I am very excited to be teaching Spanish at Morningside again this year. My experience teaching Spanish spans from early childhood education all the way to high school education. I graduated with my BA in Spanish from the University of Iowa and I have been teaching for 19 years. I have a true passion for teaching Spanish to children in a way that is creative, fun and meaningful to everyday life. When I am not teaching I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, practicing Pilates, reading and gardening. I am looking forward to a great 2024-25 school year!

I’m one of the youngest of a family of seven. I grew up in a sparsely populated area in the rural cranberry country of central Wisconsin. I am a U. S. patent holder. I scuba dive. I pour concrete. Occasionally I scratch out a song or two on guitar, paint, and create. I have the greatest job in the world.

"I was born long, long, ago in snowy Syracuse, New York. I have ALWAYS had a passion for music and arts. I played flute, saxophone, and piano all through school! I was happy to attend The Fredonia School of Music in Fredonia, NY for both Undergraduate and Graduate work, and am proud to have earned a Master's of Music in Music Education. I have taught K-8th grade General Music, Band, and Chorus in City of Buffalo Public Schools, Clayton County Public Schools, and lastly at Morningside Elementary in Atlanta Public Schools! I am so happy to make music with all of Morningside's little 'tater-tots', 'sweet-potato-fries', 'chickie-nuggies', and of course those 'beenie-schmeanies' DAILY. "

Hello! I am so excited about my new position this year! I will be teaching every MES student in our new STEAM lab as a Special! In 1995, I started my second career as a 4th grade math and science teacher here at Morningside. Over the past 28 years, I've taught K - 6th grade at Morningside Elementary and Inman Middle Schools here in Atlanta, and Poinciana Elementary School in Key West Florida. I feel so fortunate having a career that I love so much. It is such hard, important work. But it is also the most rewarding work! And now as a STEAM teacher, I get to inspire our students through all of my favorite things: Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math! Ask your children about what they are learning in STEAM each week!!

I took a decidedly different career path to arrive at my current position as a teacher of gifted and talented students, a STEAM curriculum specialist, and design/thinking specialist. I left Rhodes College after three years, determined to leave college behind. Along the way I traveled the world learning the skills to build homes, organically farm and to write about my experiences. For years, I was successful as a skilled carpenter, designing and building homes and other structures and volunteering to build homes for those in need through Habitat for Humanity. Education found me when I started reading books in my son’s preschool classroom. I was hooked. I received teaching credentials from GA State University and a masters in Geo-Science from Mississippi State University. Additionally, I’ve received robotics credentials from Carnegie/Mellon University and design thinking credentials from GA Tech University. Many years later, having lived and worked in Europe and N. America, I can’t imagine doing anything else. At 29 years in education, this is still the work that gives me hope and inspiration. It’s a place of incredible energy and wonder. I believe that by working together we can develop critical thinking skills, empathy, and habits of mind that will allow our young people to find ways to overcome the problems we face in the world.

Hello! I’m Kristen Duncan, one of the GATE teachers at Morningside. This is my 21st year at MES and my 29th year in education. I earned a BS in Applied Economics from Cornell University, then followed my passion for teaching by earning an MEd from Boston College and later a Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Piedmont College. I’m certified in elementary and middle grades with a Gifted endorsement, and I’ve taught in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Georgia. Outside of school, I enjoy traveling, fostering dogs, staying active, and spending time with my family. 

This will be my 15th year teaching, and I am so excited to be working with multiple grades as a GATE teacher! I attended UNC-Chapel Hill for undergraduate and UGA for graduate school, and I love continuing to learn and grow each year with my students. My husband and I have two little ones and a pup. When I am not teaching, I love spending time with my family, traveling, and reading.

Hello and welcome to Gifted and Talented Education with Ms. Hood. I am entering my 19th year in education. Over the past 18 years, I have taught grades 1st-5th including Gifted Education. I am a native Atlantan and a product of Atlanta Public Schools (Go Mays Raiders!). I'm simply "mom" to two amazing teens. I love the beach, walking the beltline, attending concerts, and cheering on my Atlanta Falcons. Let's have an amazing year!