2017-2018 Executive Board Nominees
And the Nominees for the GCA PTSO Executive Board are...
President
Kadreida Randall
Michelle Gilyard
I am Michelle Gilyard, this is my seventh year with GCA and my fourth year working with GCA PTSO. This is my second year on the Executive Board first serving as your Vice President and I currently hold the position of President of our GCA PTSO. I have also served as the GCA PTSO Volunteer Committee Chair which has a scope of organizing and sorting the hundreds of volunteers and volunteer opportunities available within GCA, GCA PTSO Perks Committee Chair which involves contacting local business to provide special discounted services coupons for our GCA families in exchange for free advertising. I currently chair the GCA PTSO Coach Café committee in our new endeavor to create a stress free, open, relaxed location for new and returning families to meet in an inclusive learning coach environment to address their needs, concerns, and sometimes just have someone that has been in their shoes, Cookbook Committee Chair which publishes the fabulous recipes sent in by our GCA community, and Academic Support Committee Chair which finds and connects Learning Coaches and Teachers for Class Connect sessions. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education from Liberty University, and I am two courses away from having a dual Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education through Liberty University. As stated earlier, this is my seventh year with my fraternal twin girls at GCA. Since the beginning I have always wanted to give back to the school that has given so much to my children and my family. GCA has been a fabulous choice for my children and it is my plan to continue to support GCA in every way to promote their mission of providing exemplary individualized and engaging educational experiences for all students.
Vice President
Arlethia Arnold
Arlethia is a loving Wife and Mother to her family. She is the Founder and Owner of CEOscholars, a homeschool and tutoring center for GCA students. She is a 1-on-1 Learning Coach and Counselor. She has been a learning coach for GCA for 5 years and counting. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Counseling and Human Services at Atlanta Christian College and has been Empowering Parents and Children to excel in every area of life through her Non-Profit programs. Arlethia has experience working with children and families in home and school settings. She has extensive practice working with people of all ages and backgrounds who have survived significant emotional and physical trauma. Arlethia enjoys volunteering her time to help others in many capacities. She is currently the Regional PTSO Lead for region 9 and enjoys meeting new people, traveling, movies and family time.
Valencia Evans
I am Valencia Denise Evans. I have dedicated my professional career to the advocacy of children. I have served on PTA boards in the following roles: President, Vice President, as well as Parliamentarian. I worked ten years as Director of a childcare center, three years as an assistant director, one year in the public-school system. I am currently awaiting placement for the upcoming school year. I served for four years as a Girl Scout service unit cookie chair. I also served as a troop leader and spent time working in public schools to establish new troops. I teach Sunday school to the youth department at the church I attend.
I have served in various roles within a local PTA, if elected to serve, I look forward to working with a terrific group of volunteers to positively impact the educational career of children.
Thanks for your consideration.
Joy Storey
Secretary
Vanika Reed
My name is Vanika Reed and I’m seeking the Secretary position with GCA PTSO. I have four children my oldest is a senior at Georgia State and my third oldest is a sophomore at SCAD. This is my first year at GCA I have twins in the sixth grade. Through the past twenty years I have always been an active PTA member and I understand the importance of parental involvement. I served as PTA Secretary of Edward L. Bouie Theme Elementary School 2014-2015 and Vice President 2015-2016. The last two years I helped bring much needed funding to Edward L. Bouie Theme Elementary School which went directly back into the classrooms. I enjoyed working with parents, teachers, staff and students to bring fun and exciting events to Edward L. Bouie Elementary. Before becoming a stay -at-home mom I worked for over twenty years as a Network Engineer. I am thankful for the wonderful education and environment GCA provides and feel I could bring to the Board the dedication I have toward not only my own children, but the community involvement required in supporting all students. I look forward to the opportunity to become a more active participant at GCA.
Vice Secretary
Maxxine Belizaire
Originally from NYC, my husband and I moved to GA in 2006.
I have been a part of the GCA family since 2014 when my oldest son was in kindergarten. My professional history includes working with e-commerce sites, customer service, and financial services. I am always open to learning through new experiences. It has been a pleasure being a learning coach over the past few years. I would love to become an asset and serve the parents, students and teachers of GCA.
Treasurer
Felecia Thomas
Felecia Thomas is a native of Chicago, Illinois. Her dance training started at the age of seven at Mayfair Academy. At the age of 13, she went on to join the dance ministry at her church, Trinity United Church of Christ. She found her true love for dance. As she continued to dance in church, she auditioned for The New Life Performance Company, a dance company, directed by Anthony Hollins. New Life is where she sought her passion for the performing arts and teaching. As a student teacher, she saw that her talents went beyond how she moved, to how she could impact others. She danced and acted with New Life for seven years.
After High School, Felecia went on to fulfill her professional dance career by studying for three years at Columbia College Chicago and completed her degree in Business at American Intercontinental University. Felecia moved to Atlanta, Georgia in the spring of 1999 and found a church home at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, where she joined the dance ministry under the direction of Sabrina McKenzie. She ministered for four years. From there, she went on to coordinate the Liturgical Dance Ministry of Victory Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia. That assignment lasted six years and was most fulfilling as she continued to do what God placed in her so many years ago. Her talents in dance instruction opened up opportunities to teach a various dance studios around Atlanta. For three years, Felecia was the Lead Dance Instructor for Moja Dance Studio, LLC.
In April, 2010, Reigning Victory, LLC was established, serving the dance community through a variety of instructional and business services including Reigning Victory Dance Studio. Her vision for Reigning Victory, LLC is that it brings forth education, inspiration, encouragement and resources for those in the dance community. In September, 2010, Reigning Victory, LLC acquired its first contract with DeKalb County Schools in Georgia, implementing dance educational programs in the after-school extended day program.
In May of 2012 Reigning Victory Dance Studio was opened in Fayetteville, Georgia. RVDS offers a wide variety of dance programs for youth, ages two through 17 as well as adult classes. It is faith, passion and dedication that allows Felecia to stay on the path of excellence.
Felecia has successfully produced four productions for Reigning Victory Dance Studio; “Judah Melody” and “Shining Through the Reign” in 2013; “Every Good gift” and “Messengers, a story about angles” in 2014; “Love Levels” in 2015; and “Sankofa Dance” in 2016 She has traveled to France and South Africa to experience different cultures of dance to further educated her students in the anthropological aspects of dance around the world and how it relates to present day dance. Reigning Victory is in several local private schools teaching dance as apart of their community outreach program.
In August of 2016, Reigning Victory Dance Studio found a new home in a 4,200 square foot building in the heart of the historical Downtown Main Street District of Fayetteville, Georgia. Reigning Victory has established music, acting and photography programs since the move. Just recently in April, Felecia welcomed a dance group from Belize City, Belize in partnership with Shaking the Nations, Inc and Chosen Vessels Dance, for a Global Learning Exchange for a week in dance education at Reigning Victory Dance Studio. This is all apart of the philanthropic work that Felecia does in the community of dance on an international level.
Felecia is a single mother of three girls, Imani, Tatum And Téren. They are most important to her and she is focused on building a happy and satisfying life for them.
May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. Psalm 104: 34
"My Meditation is MY DANCE"~Felecia Thomas