Vanderlyn School Council Parent Representatives

Candidate Biographies

Grades of Children: 3rd and 1st grades

Professional Experience: Marketing Director for The William Breman Jewish Home

Volunteer Experience: Hi everyone! This is my 4th year as part of the Vanderlyn family and 9th year living in Oxford Chase. My daughter Hailey is in Mrs. Weatherly's 3rd grade class. She also does Thursday EIM dance and competes with Perimeter Gymnastics at the JCC. My son Sam is a 1st grader at a private school for kids with learning differences, but has played soccer and basketball for several seasons at Dunwoody UMC with many Vanderlyn friends.

This year I served as Vanderlyn's rep for the Dunwoody-Chamblee Parents Council (DCPC) while actively keeping up with the business of the Dekalb School Board. I have been a Lunch Bunch volunteer for the last 4 years and was also previously a co-chair for Annual Fund. Outside of Vanderlyn, I have been the Chair of the Religious School Parents Committee at Temple Emanu-El for the last two years, and work part time as Marketing Director for The William Breman Jewish Home.

Why you want to serve on School Council: I would like to serve on the Vanderlyn School Council because I want to help find creative solutions for keeping our school the amazing place it is despite the economic and political challenges outside our walls. The School Council partnership between parents, teachers and local business is so important for our community as we begin to weigh accreditation options and other issues affecting our cluster. I believe with my knowledge of the district issues and passion for our school's teachers and programs, I would be an asset to this group.

Thank you for your consideration! 

Grades of Children: Current Kindergartener and 2nd Grader

Professional Experience: In California I earned my bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California at San Diego, with programs of concentrations in Theater, History, and Scientific Perspectives. Through Cal State Teach (California State Hayward University) I earned my graduate degree in Elementary Education, receiving a 4.0 GPA in my degree.

Before moving to Dunwoody in December of 2005, I was a teacher in Northern California, with experience in upper elementary through high school. My last three years of teaching (5th and 6th grades) was in a school nearly identical in academic and economic makeup to Vanderlyn. At my previous school I was a master teacher, district leader in grade level state test scores, as well as the school's Program Manager. Among the various duties under that role was running the school's School Site Council (SSC). During my tenure as Program Manager (along with normal SSC duties) we performed a full review and rewrite of our school site plan and began the application process to become an America's Choice School.

Volunteer Experience:

• Vanderlyn PTA Merchant Rebate's Co-Chair (2011-Current)
• Vanderlyn PTA Field Day Co-Chair (2012-Current)
• Vanderlyn Room Parent (2010-2012)
• Kingswood Preschool Teacher Appreciation Chair (2012-Current)
• Kingswood Preschool Room Mom (2009-Current)
• Dunwoody Club Forest Little Neighbor's Chair (and Co-Chair) (2006-Current)
• Dunwoody Club Forest Neighborhood Association President (2013-Current)
• Daisy and Brownie Girl Scout Leader (2010-Current)

Why Do I Want to Serve on School Council:

I expect that this understanding will be especially important over the next few years as Dunwoody proceeds on the journey of exploring educational options for the schools within its boundaries.

As an active Vanderlyn parent, in both the classroom and in the PTA, I believe that my knowledge of our school's values, vision, and goals, and my knowledge of what makes a high quality educational experience from my own teaching and leadership experience, will be an asset to the School Council. I would feel privileged to work along side the highly qualified and talented parents, community members, teachers, and administration that already graces our School Council. Thank you for your consideration.  

Grades of Children:

Professional experience: I am a Systems Architect / Systems Engineer with AT&T. I design graphical user interfaces and network path for provisioning and activation systems. My current job involves delving into cutting edge technology in the telecom engineering spectrum. Prior to entering the telecom industry I have worked in IT across various industry domains. Significantly, I worked in Education Technology for many years with specific focus on online math education. This provided me an opportunity to visit and work with most school districts in Georgia and South Carolina and some school districts in California, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. I have a BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Masters Degree in International Marketing and a MBA degree from The University of Georgia.

Volunteer experience: During my stint in the education technology industry, I have taught math for underprivileged kids in inner city schools during weekends and helped train teachers to use online math resources in some of these schools. My wife & I, we are founder members of Atlanta Chapter of Asha for Education, an organization dedicated to the support of basic education of underprivileged children in India. Currently, I have volunteered my name for any support that may be needed for the Vanderlyn STEM program.

 

Why you want to serve on School Council: I have been a resident of Dunwoody since 2007 and we specifically moved here from the Emory area for Vanderlyn Elementary. Vanderlyn Elementary being selected as one of the STEM schools is my biggest motivation to serve on the school council. I am an ardent supporter of providing truly multi-faceted education with a healthy dose of Arts, Drama and Music along with core areas such as Math, Science and Language Arts. Coming from a strong Engineering, Technology and Science background, I would love to provide innovative and creative ideas to ensure that Vanderlyn Elementary becomes a top notch STEM school. Being on the school council will provide me an opportunity to work with parents, teachers and the school administration to make this a reality.

 Grades of Children: My oldest son is a 1^st grade Viking in Ms. Smith's class. I also have a 4 year-old daughter and 2 year-old son who are excited and eager Vikings-in-training.

Professional experience:  I work in consulting and have spent a majority of the past 14 years helping companies like Nationwide Insurance, Discover, PF Chang's and Mitsubishi improve their customer service and marketing effectiveness. This includes work ranging the gamut of developing executive-level strategies, implementing best practices and process improvements throughout these organizations, and creating employee development and training programs to bring these changes to life. In a nutshell, I like to help companies determine and prioritize what they need to be doing to raise the level of service they provide their customers, while at the same time making sure they are investing in projects that address the most critical needs and will provide the greatest return on investment. I have a bachelor's degree in Communications/Advertising from Florida State University.

Why you want to serve on School Council:  With three children under the age of 8, it's safe to say that Vanderlyn will be a central part of our lives for many years to come. Through my experience this past year with VanderDash, I became more exposed to all the great people and effort that goes into not only maintaining Vanderlyn's stellar reputation, but also all the work that is being done to continue to bolster our image across the county, within the state and at the national level. My desire to serve on the School Council is to remain tightly connected and involved within the Vanderlyn community while also utilizing my experience to help provide input on decisions that impact the school. On a personal level, it would be exciting and rewarding to play a small part in helping to continue to raise the bar for Vanderlyn for my children, as well as other current and future students of Vanderlyn. 

Grades of Children: 3rd and 1st
 

Professional experience: I am currently a marketing strategy consultant at a company I co-founded. I work with marketing executives at leading global companies to set the strategic agendas for their businesses. I have also worked for Delta Air Lines, Merrill Lynch, a global interactive agency and a small consulting firm.
 

Volunteer experience: I have served on various committees over the years for non-profit initiatives. I have always been happy to volunteer for whatever is needed at Vanderlyn because it's important for the kids (mine and others) and it helps support the school/local community.
 

Why you want to serve on School Council: My primary emphasis for my children is education, and I have a deep interest in making sure they are exposed to a broad range of fields and topics, particularly around STEM. For better or for worse I believe it's up to the parents and the local community to make sure a public school excels and want to help any way I can to create an environment where kids are educated at a high level.

Grades of Children: 3rd and 5th

Professional experience: I have been a Vanderlyn parent since 2006 when my oldest started Pre-K. I now have one child, Emma, who is enrolled at Holy Innocents in fifth grade and one child, Reeves, currently in third grade at Vanderlyn. So we will be a Vanderlyn family through 2015.

I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill before moving to the Atlanta in 1993. I began working at Milner Business Products as a Lanier Sales Representative. I soon became a Healthcare Account Executive, where I managed the sales of approximately 50 medical centers in Metro-Atlanta. I then took a Regional Sales Representative job with the MRC Group where I sold Transcription Services to Hospitals in 7 Southeastern states. I eventually returned to selling Dictation, Transcription, and Voice Recognition Systems when I went to work for Digital Voice Systems. I remained there until the end of 2002 when I decided to stay home with our first child. Since then, I have remained a full time mom, but have worked part time intermittently.   I currently work for William Litchfield Residential Designs as the office manager.

Volunteer Experience: Most of my volunteer experience has been at Vanderlyn. I have been a Room Parent, served on the Spirit Wear, Merchant Rebate and Sally Foster Committees. I have Co-Chaired the Sally Foster, Field Day and Citizenship Committees. I have also served on the PTA Board of Directors and the Executive Committee as 2nd Vice President and two years ago as PTA Co-President.   I also served on the Dunwoody Cluster Council in 2010.

Why you want to serve on school council: I would like to serve on the School Council to continue working and promoting the best learning environment for all of our children. With the current climate at DCSS, I think it is important for all parents to have input with our school administrators and to help them facilitate the best education for our children. I believe I can effectively utilize my past experience to help influence positive change and continued growth at Vanderlyn.   I want Vanderlyn to be the best it can possibly be.

Grades of Children: I will have two children attending Vanderlyn this fall (Caroline - 3rd, Jackson - K).
 

Professional experience: I have a bachelor's degree in finance and a master's in accounting, both from the University of North Carolina. I also hold a CPA license. My entire career has been in finance. I am a consultant to small and mid-sized companies on their employer-sponsored retirement plans.

Volunteer experience: I have been a Vanderlyn father for the past three years. I have been an active parent during that time, including the traffic committee and a regular car pool volunteer. In addition, I coach my children's athletic teams including soccer, baseball, and basketball. Along with my wife, I serve as a pre-marital mentor to equip young couples as they approach marriage.  

Why you want to serve on School Council: I believe that a solid educational foundation is imperative to a young person's success. Further, I believe that part of that foundation is academic, but that development of character and work ethic are at least as important to future success.

As a neighbor of the school and father of two students, I am heavily invested in the success and continued excellence of Vanderlyn. I have volunteered on the "operational" side of Vanderlyn, and would also like to help on the "strategic" side. I believe that my business and personal experience will be an asset to the decision-making process of the council.

Grades of Children: I have three children: Drew - rising 9th grade, Alex - rising 7th grade and Molly - rising 2nd grade

Professional experience: I am a CPA with over 20 years of experience in all areas of accounting.

Volunteer experience: Currently I am the treasurer of the Vanderlyn PTA have been for the past two school years.  There is a term maximum of two years in that position so I am rolling off. Prior to treasurer at Vanderlyn PTA, I was the treasurer at Kittredge Elementary PTA for two years.  In addition to my treasurer duties, I volunteer at Vanderlyn and Peachtree in the classroom and for various activities throughout the year.

Why you want to serve on School Council: I would like to serve on the school council in order to help my community and my school and the children in it.  I would provide a valuable perspective as a financial advisor with an extensive knowledge of how the PTA portion of a school budget works.  My positions will also always consider the financial impact of school decisions.   In addition to a financial view, I would also provide the council with the "big picture" views of a parent of children in both middle school and high school.  

Grades of Children: 2nd grade, Kindergarten, and Preschool

Professional experience: I taught elementary school in Gwinnett County for 10 years and one year at a preschool in Washington, DC.
 

Volunteer experience: I have been room mom for both of our years at Vanderlyn and volunteer often in the classroom. I am a Vanderlyn co-chair for the Information Board Committee. I am also a room mom and a substitute teacher at St. Luke's Little Saints Preschool. 
 

Why you want to serve on School Council: My life has always revolved around education. I knew when I was 6 years old that I wanted to be an elementary teacher. I worked toward that purpose and loved teaching elementary school. Now, as a stay-at-home mom to my 3 girls, I can continue my passion for education and making a difference in children's lives by serving on the School Council. My 11 years of teaching experience gives me a strong foundation of working with teachers, administrators, and parents to find solutions to problems and creative ways to make positive changes on many school issues. It has also provided me unique insight and knowledge into how our children learn and what they need to succeed. I am excited about the new STEM program Vanderlyn has become a part of and look forward to helping with this and other endeavors that motivate and challenge our children to become critical thinkers and high achievers. The School Council serves an active roll in learning about options and helping to make decisions for the future of all of the students at our wonderful neighborhood school. I am a child advocate, through and through, and I would love the opportunity to serve on the School Council.