Wesleyan Welcomes New Lower School Faculty

Wesleyan School is excited to welcome the following staff members to the lower school! Read more about their backgrounds below:
Emma Grace Laird will be a teaching assistant in third grade. Last year Emma Grace served at Wesleyan as a faculty fellow alongside Madison Thomas in third grade. Emma Grace will also assist with middle school track, JV cheerleading, and Omicron. Emma Grace graduated from Auburn University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitation and Disability Studies and served as Chief of Staff for the Student Government Association. Before coming to Wesleyan, Emma Grace worked for Campus Crusade for Christ. Emma Grace is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Education at Georgia Southern.
 
Julie LaFramboise will be a fourth grade teacher in the lower school. Last year, Julie served as a long-term substitute in the fourth grade and a second grade teaching assistant. Outside of the classroom, Julie is a girls JV Lacrosse coach, and she also coaches a K-5 program and travel 2027 team for Southern Zone Lacrosse. Julie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Swarthmore College and a Bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education from Oglethorpe University. Julie and her husband, Tim, attend Dunwoody United Methodist Church and are the parents of Wesleyan students, Audrey (11th) and Jamie (‘20).

Alison Wenz will be the lower school Christian life Coordinator. Alison will be teaching all lower school Bible classes, coordinating lower school chapels, and facilitating lower school service projects. Alison has previously served at Wesleyan as a lower school teaching assistant in kindergarten and second grade and a long-term substitute. Alison is a former kindergarten teacher who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Mercer University. Alison and her husband, Adam, attend Perimeter Church and are the parents of Wesleyan students Libby (9th) and Charlie (12th). 
 
Hannelie Liebenberg will be a teaching assistant serving both third and fourth grade. Hannelie worked in a similar role last year but was part time serving as a teaching assistant and in after care.   Hannelie is a native of South Africa and graduated from the University of Pretoria where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education and her Associates degree in Early Childhood Education. Hannelie and her husband, Hank, attend Peachtree Corners Baptist Church and are the parents of Philip (8th) and Lindie (6th) who both attend Cornerstone Christian Academy.
 
Michelle Dinges will be a teaching assistant in kindergarten. Michelle comes to Wesleyan from Christ the King School where she served as a teaching assistant for nearly four years.  Michelle graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Michelle and her husband, Jude, attend St. Brigid Catholic Church and are the proud parents of Luke and Lauren, both alumni from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Jack, a senior attending the University of North Carolina. 
 
Acacia Kelly will serve as the Diversity Coordinator for the lower school. Acacia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English and Philosophy from the University of North Carolina as well as a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins. Acacia has been teaching for 5 years, starting as a fourth grade teacher at Henderson Collegiate Charter School in Henderson, North Carolina. Upon arriving at Wesleyan, Acacia was a teaching assistant for second grade and is currently teaching fourth grade. Acacia coaches middle school cheerleading and has been a part of the mission trip team in Atlanta. She is a Teach for America 2015 Corps Member and continues to sharpen her tools as an educator. Acacia has visited North Star Academy in New Jersey and Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta to further diversify her teaching to meet the needs of her students. We are excited to have Acacia share her energy and ideas around diversity and inclusion with the lower school community.

Jacqueline Reid is excited to serve as the lower school librarian. Jacqueline earned her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and minor in English from Paine College. She has 19 years of experience in education, including 12 years as a school librarian at McGinnis Woods. Jacqueline was awarded Teacher of the Year for the 2018-2019 school year and has worked as a preschool assistant director, assistant to the principal, and an assistant teacher in first, fourth, and fifth grade. Jacqueline has twin daughters, Marian and Kristen, who will begin their sophomore year at Alpharetta High School.

Clifton Johnson will be joining the lower school staff serving a dual role as a teaching assistant for third and fourth grades and as an associate in our aftercare program each afternoon. Clifton has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Penn State University and has spent the past seven years in various administrative and logistics roles in the field of public housing. He has a passion for working with youth and has been involved with student mentor programs, youth ministry, and after school programs for many years. Clifton believes that God has called him to teach, and he is excited to be working with our students as a vocation as well as a ministry.  

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