Ashford Park ES Principal's Post
July 9, 2021
I hope each of you and your families are enjoying the summer and staying safe! I am excited to continue serving as principal of Ashford Park Elementary School for the upcoming school year! I would like to welcome all new families to our school and look forward to meeting you all in person.
It is always a delight to welcome our new teachers and staff members to Ashford Park! They are all wonderful professionals with diverse backgrounds and experiences! Each of them are full of energy, eager to get started, and bring a wealth of knowledge on best instructional practices, meeting the social, emotional, and academic needs of students, and building a sense of community in their classrooms! I can't wait for everyone to see the greatness, professionalism, and excellence I immediately saw in each of them! I invite you to read below to get to know our new teachers and staff members a little better! When you see them at Open House, please welcome them to our wonderful school community!
Below are summer updates as we prepare for back to school:
- Infinite Campus is down for rollover processing to the 2021-2022 school year. The parent portal/registration website will be available on Monday, July 12th. All returning parents should register online via the Dekalb County School website.
- New students must register online via the Dekalb County Schools website. We encourage new families to register by July 21st to ensure homeroom placements/schedules are completed in a timely manner.
- We will have five days of instruction this upcoming school year - the first day of school is August 2nd.
- Update on our Specials classes: We will have two PE/Health teachers this year! In addition to Coach Tate, we welcome Coach Kelly Sklamm! We will also have German Specials for our non-German Immersion students. We are excited to bring back a world language course for our students!
- Welcome letters will be sent via email to all families on July 26th directly from your child's teacher.
- Open House will be held, in-person, at our school on July 28th. More information will be shared next week on times. Please save the date!
- Our After School @ Ashford Park (ASAP) program will resume on the first day of school. Registration and fees information will be shared in next week's Principal's Post newsletter.
- A comprehensive student/parent handbook was developed over the summer that outlines our school policies and procedures. This will be shared in the coming weeks.
On next week, you will receive a Principal's Post newsletter: Back to School Edition. I encourage you to read this in its entirety because it will contain much information and answer any questions you have. Throughout the school year, you will continue to receive a weekly Principal's Post newsletter from me on Fridays. Communication is key and my goal is to be proactive and responsive to the needs of students, teachers, and parents.
Please continue to enjoy the rest of your summer. I look forward to seeing everyone soon. Be well!
Leading with a grateful heart,
Mrs. Tonya E. Freeman, Principal
We Are So Excited to Welcome our New Staff Members to Ashford Park!
Ms. Ally Colton - 3rd Grade Teacher
We are so excited to have Ms. Ally Colton join the Ashford Park team. Ms. Colton is from Nashville, Tennessee and loves hiking or anything to do with the outdoors. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. War Eagle!! Ms. Colton's teaching philosophy revolves around community and multimodal learning. Through her time in college and work experiences, she developed key mindsets of what creates a healthy environment in the classroom for successful learning. All students are individuals, and everyone learns in their own unique way. Ms. Colton uses multiple methods of teaching (linguistic, visual, auditory, kinesthetic) to reach her students. She also creates a classroom of community that allows for a safe place for students to feel welcome to learn. Ms. Colton feels her role as the teacher will be to assist each student in developing their own potential and learning styles. She is excited for a new school year and the success it brings!!
Ms. Christy Dixon - German Specials Teacher
We are excited to welcome back German Specials for all non-German Immersion students. Our new German Specials Teachers will be Ms. (Frau) Christy Dixon. Frau Dixon is extremely excited to start at Ashford Park! She has lived in the Atlanta area for almost five years now and is originally from Michigan. Frau Dixon spent the past two years teaching German in Atlanta Public Schools at Coretta Scott King Young Women’s Leadership Academy. She graduated from Loyola University of Chicago and has also received her Master’s in Education. She taught German in Chicago and surrounding suburbs for several years. Frau Dixon has studied at the Geothe Institute in Munich, Germany and has traveled throughout Germany and Europe many times. Frau Dixon loves to travel with her family to new and exciting places. Additionally, she loves to ski, surf, and hike. Frau Dixon is excited to begin this journey with your children this year!
Ms. Toyin Fadina - 1st Grade Teacher
Ms. Toyin Fadina is extremely excited to continue her teaching journey at Ashford Park as a "Soaring Eagle." She feels it is a privilege to join such an extraordinary learning community. Ms. Fadina is originally from Alabama and has lived in Georgia for 21 years. She has taught multiple grade levels for 15 years. Ms. Fadina is Orton Gillingham trained and Reading/Gifted endorsed. She obtained a Bachelor’s in Science from Kennesaw State University. Over the past five years, Ms. Fadina has developed a love for STEM and teaching students how to make a global impact on the world through STEM Project Based learning experiences. Personally, Ms. Fadina is the proud mom to a daughter who inspires her to be the best teacher she can be for every child. Teaching children to love learning is her passion, and she enjoys every moment of it. In Ms. Fadina's spare time, she enjoys serving in the community and spending time in nature with her family by traveling, mountain climbing, doing yoga, and going on long walks!
Mr. Ethan Hughes - Art Teacher
Ms. Kelly Jacobs - Gifted Teacher
We are excited to welcome Ms. Kelly Jacobs to Ashford Park! She has a Bachelors of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University, a Masters in Arts of Teaching from Mercer University, and a Specialists in Reading Education from Georgia Southern University. Ms. Jacobs has also earned her Gifted certification and ESOL certification. From 2006 - 2019, she taught in Gwinnett County Public Schools. Between 2019 - 2021, she taught at the Trinity School.
Ms. Megan Maloney - Interrelated Special Education Teacher
Mr. Daniel Moore - Music Teacher
Welcome Mr. Moore! Mr. Daniel Moore graduated with honors from The University of Montevallo in 2021 with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. He was raised in North Georgia, attended college in Alabama, and is now thrilled to be joining the Ashford Park School community. Mr. Moore’s background is primarily in choral music, as well as in musical theatre. He has always had a passion for teaching and has volunteered and worked as a camp counselor, music director, vocal coach, and substitute choir director. As a performer, Mr. Moore has enjoyed the wonderful opportunity to sing with the University of Montevallo Concert Choir on tours in England, France, New York City, and Washington DC. In his free time, Mr. Moore loves hiking and spending time outdoors, and always appreciates a good restaurant recommendation. (He's new to Georgia!) Mr. Moore is beyond excited to meet all the young musicians and singers at Ashford Park School. Nancy Kopman says “Every child has a song inside. It’s our job to turn up the volume.” Mr. Moore says “Let’s do it!”
Ms. Keyra Moran - 2nd Grade Teacher
Ms. Keyra Moran is originally from Georgia and is eager to return to the metro area to teach. She is a proud Double Dawg, graduating from the University of Georgia with a Masters of Education in Elementary Education in 2021 as well as two Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Elementary Education. Ms. Moran has also earned her ESOL endorsement certification!
As a product of a supportive village herself, Ms. Moran enjoys serving her community, particularly through initiatives that impact education and young people. In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis, laughing with her family and friends, reading, solving jigsaw puzzles, and baking her family-famous Key Lime cakes. She is incredibly excited and immensely grateful to be an Ashford Park Eagle!
Mr. Robert Nimmons - Custodian
Ms. Yolanda Robinson, Early Intervention Program (EIP) Teacher
Join me in welcoming Ms. Yolanda S. Robinson, a native of Chicago, to Ashford Park! Ms. Robinson has nearly 15 years of teaching experience in Elementary Education. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, and two Master's Degrees in Elementary Education and Counseling. Ms. Robinson has earned her Reading Endorsement and brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise on how to increase student progress and achievement.
As part of her journey, she is most proud of the work done to grow struggling readers and support teachers through mentorship. Ms. Robinson believes that education is a balance of “heart work” and “hard work” that can change the trajectory of a student’s life.
Ms. Robinson is the proud mother of David, Jalen, Julian and Munch, her fur baby. In her spare time, she is an avid crafter, lover of DIY projects, and self-proclaimed home chef. She is excited to be an Ashford Park ES Eagle!
Mr. Ben Schupay - 5th Grade German Immersion Teacher
Mr. (Herr) Ben Schupay has returned back to the United States after nine years abroad, where he taught at the Swiss School Bangkok, in Thailand. His experiences include teaching elementary, middle, and high school English, German, and French. Herr Schupay is glad to make Ashford Park his new home back in America. He is originally from Pennsylvania and attended the University of Pittsburgh with degrees in Education, German, and French. Herr Schupay's hobbies include exploring new places, foods, and languages. He looks forward to lending his perspectives of teaching at a German school abroad to compliment the rich program at Ashford Park Elementary! Welcome to Ashford Park, Herr Schupay!
Ms. Kelly Sklamm - PE/Health Teacher
Stay Connected
Email: tonya_edwards@dekalbschoolsga.org
Website: http://www.ashfordparkes.dekalb.k12.ga.us/
Location: 2968 Cravenridge Drive Northeast, Atlanta, GA, USA
Phone: (678) 676-6702
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshfordParkElementarySchool/
Twitter: @AshfordParkES