Our Community
Our Teachers
Administration
CLAUDIA PORTER ~ Founder - Language/Reading Specialist, Speech/Language Pathologist (e-mail)
M.A. in Speech/Language Pathology; Certified Speech/Language Therapist since 1971, GA license in Speech-Language Pathology; CA Life Teaching Certificate; developed L.D. program at High Meadows School; Program Director of Child Development Center in Roswell; speech/language therapist & teacher/coordinator for the Georgia Challenge Grant Program; North fulton Child Development Association award; Who's Who in the South and South West; Fellowship for Master's degree at Occidental College; Certificate of Excellence by Occidenal College Speech and Reading Clinics; ACE award presented by ASHA for outstanding accomplishments in Continuing Education. In 2007 and 2008 presented at Annual GISA Conference, “The Whole Child”. In 2009 presented at Annual GISA Conference, “Breaking Down the Barriers”
BARBARA RAMER - Principal (e-mail)
M.S. in Education; 57 years experience in the field of education to include teaching (K-8), counseling (K-12), supervision, and administration; Member of National Board of Certified Counselors (NCC); Licensed Professional Counselor in GA and VA (LPC); Postgraduate License for elementary, middle and secondary counselor; designed community-wide promotions for guidance services in local VA schools; Director of Special Education School; served as Advisory Committee Chairman for the school superintendent to coordinate curriculum for the Virginia school system; Former Vice President of Middle/Junior High School Division American School Counselors Association; Former President of Virginia School Counselors Association; Former Executive Board Member of Virginia Personnel and Guidance Association; Former Executive Board Member of Guidance Department Virginia Education Association; Former Officer of Delta Kappa Gamma; Former President of Beta Sigma Phi; Member of Lychnos Society at University of Virginia; Developed Career Education Program for the school system in Fredericksburg Virginia; Presented with a Career Service Award from the Virginia Counselor’s Association; Joined Porter Academy in 2003
PAM HIGGINBOTHAM - Business Manager (email)
B.S. in Corporate Finance and Accounting. Seventeen years experience working with all aspects of accounting from large corporations to small businesses. Joined Porter Academy in 2008.
Supervising Lead Teachers
BARBARA RICHARD (e-mail)
B.A. in Elementary Education; currently working on M.S.; 19 years experience teaching Kindergarten- grade 4; 2 years as Vice Principal in Principal; FL and MA teaching certification; Training in Orton-Gillingham, Handwriting Without Tears, Sensory Integration Disorder, Math Their Way, and Differentiated Instruction; Joined Porter Academy in 2003
JACKIE SHALLCROSS (e-mail)
B.A. in Education; 20 years experience teaching children with special needs and behavioral disorders in CT and GA; taught at Mill Springs Academy; drama at The Howard School; Joined Porter Academy in 2002.
Teachers
LAURA CORN (e-mail)
M.A. in Special Education, Additional coursework in Autism; Georgia certification in level 4; 5 years experience with special needs children; specializing in Autism; trained in Orton Gillingham; sign language skills; Joined Porter Academy in 2006
MAUREEN KENNEDY (e-mail)
M.S. in Education, Counseling Major. B.S. in Elementary Education. Licensed Professional Counselor (Ohio). Nationally Certified Counselor. Certified Wilson Reading Systems (Level I).20 plus years experience with special needs children.19 years experience in Pediatric Rehabilitation. 2007 and 2008 presented at GISA Annual Conferences on The Whole Child
2009 presented at GISA Annual Conference “Break Down Barriers”
Joined Porter Academy in 2006.
MARIE ROBBINS(e-mail)
B.S. in Early Childhood Education. 1 year as Teacher after 2 years as Teacher Assistant at Porter Academy; 1 year teaching in Thailand; GA certified in Early Childhood Education; Certified ESOL; Joined Porter Academy in 2006.
MARCIE SCHULTZ (e-mail)
B.S. in Computer Technology; Certified Wilson Reading System Tutor; 6 years experience tutoring dyslexic children in reading and spelling; Joined Porter Academy in 2004
BARBARA SELKIRK (e-mail)
MA in teaching reading and writing from Mercer University; BS in psychology from Georgia State University; ; 3 years on the faculty of Mercer College for Kids teaching creative writing; Academic Assistant in a private school setting for 7 years; 7 years in corporate training with Bank of America; received the Mortar Board Honor Society’s Outstanding Student award. Level 5 certification; Joined Porter Academy in 2006
Specialists
JENNIFER TOWNSEND - Art Teacher (e-mail)
Master of Fine Arts - Georgia State, B.F.A. Washington U in Art - 21 years experience teaching art in private schools and community centers. Oversees the curriculum for Porter Academy art program and develops projects appropriate to targeted age groups Teaches a variety of art and media and collaborates with classroom teachers to integrate art curriculum with classroom topics. Joined Porter Academy in 2008.
JODY KERSHNER - Music Therapist (e-mail)
B.A. in Music Therapy; 25 years of music therapy experience in education and mental health settings; member of American Association for Music Therapy; trained with Dr. Gary Mesibov and Dr. Stanley Greenspan; ORFF music education; Joined Porter Academy in 2003
NANCY KNIGHT - Occupational Therapist (e-mail)
B.S. in Occupational Therapy; 30+ years experience as OT/PT; certified and licensed occupational therapist; worked in Fulton County School systems from 1987-2002; Joined Porter Academy in 2007.
BRIAN MALONEY – Elementary Teacher (e-mail)
B.A. in Business; currently working on M.S. in elementary and special education; Coordinator of Morning Energizers; Middle School Intramural sports program director; 8 years experience as Camp Director at YMCA in SC and GA; Joined Porter Academy in 2007.
LYNN SCHOENECK - Occupational Therapist (e-mail)
M.S. in Occupational Therapy; B.A. in Psychology with honors; certified and licensed occupational therapist; instructor at the Autism Society of NC; 4 years camp counselor at High Meadows School; drum, guitar and piano skills; Joined Porter Academy in 2004.
KRISTINE KASSALEN - Media Specialist (email)BS in Psychology from Florida International University with a Minor in Religious Studies.
Teacher Aid at Pinecrest Academy 2005-06; Media Specialist for Upper School at Pinecrest Academy from 2006-2009. Joined Porter in 2009. Masters in Library Media Technology in Summer of 2010.
Assistant Teachers
TERESA BOWEN (e-mail)
A.S. in Early Childhood Education; Skilled in Intermediate American Sign Language; Trained in Handwriting Without Tears; Joined Porter Academy in 2003
HANNAH CHA (e-mail)
Finalizing her degree in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University; teaches violin to children; Joined Porter Academy in 2004
LINDA-MAE MERAB (e-mail)
A.S. in Teacher Education; Finalizing degree in Early Childhood & Elementary Education; Joined Porter Academy in 2007. Member of Georgia Association of Educators.
VIcki Miller (e-mail)
Vicki is certified as a special education para professional. Trained in Handwriting Without Tears; Special education assistant - Brunswick Ohio. Special education assistant & Personal Care Assistant - Erie, Pennsylvania. Joined Porter Academy in 2008
Liana Valentin-Scott - Academic Asst.(e-mail)
A.S. in Early Childhood Education, Certified in M.I.L.E. math program, Skilled in Intermediate American Sign Language, over 20 years experience in Office Administration, Joined Porter Academy in 2004.
