Lake Oconee Academy

 Otho B. Tucker, Ph.D, CEO

Prior to joining Lake Oconee Academy as CEO, Dr. Otho Tucker served as president and CEO of Otho Tucker Educational Services, Inc., a company that served charter schools with facilities planning, financing, and development as well as curriculum and governance oversight and evaluation. He has been a leader in North Carolina and national education reform for nearly 20 years. As a founder and operator of one of the first and very successful charter schools in North Carolina, Chatham Charter School, a School of Distinction, he has been a leader in the state’s authorizing and legislative practices.

Dr. Tucker served on the initial NC Charter School Advisory Committee and served as the director of the North Carolina Office of Charter Schools with oversight of NC’s 100 charter schools where he dramatically reduced the number of schools performing below par academically and financially. He has also served as chair of the National Charter School Institute Advisory Team and on the board of directors for the National Association of Charter School Authorizers.

Recently, Dr. Tucker has been revamping the operations of several schools in North Carolina. Each of these schools has improved their academic performance. Each of the K-8 programs has more than 93% of its students meeting or exceeding state standards in reading, writing, mathematics, and technology skills.

In association with the National Association of Charter School Authorizers, Dr. Tucker assisted the Florida Department of Education in the development and implementation of statewide charter school applications, contracts, and renewal documents. In this project, he worked with the newly formed Schools of Excellence Commission as it planned and implemented the processes and procedures for statewide charter school authorization and operation.

In addition to paving the way for charter schools in Florida, he has also lead the charter school initiative in South Carolina. The culmination of his work in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina, fulfills the legislative requirement that all charter school board members receive governance training within one year of taking office.

A graduate of the University of Illinois, Dr. Tucker consistently appeared on the Dean’s List, and was a member of the UI Basketball Academic All-American Team. Following graduation, he was drafted by the Boston Celtics and later returned to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to earn his PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Cultural Studies.

He lives in Reynolds Plantation with his wife of 33 years, Cindy. They have three children – Wade, Will, and Jill, each of whom graduated from college with degrees in biology and chemistry.

 

  Mrs. Anne Bared-Hill, Curriculum Consultant

Mrs. Bared currently resides at Reynolds Plantation and Augusta with her husband, Rick. She is a professor, via distance education, for the Fischler School of Education at Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and brings over fifteen years of experience in education with her to Lake Oconee Academy. At Lake Oconee Academy, she is multitasking as a curriculum coordinator, an educational consultant, and a foreign language educator. Her past achievements have been recognized by receiving several educational awards including Educational Scholarships, Teacher of the Year, the Golden Apple Award, and articles highlighting her accomplishments. Anne has also written journal articles published by the Georgia Association of Curriculum and Supervision. She truly enjoys being a life long learner and is always advocating for early childhood education. Due to its simplicity, one of her favorite books is “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” by Robert Fulghum.

Prior to moving to Georgia, Anne was employed in various capacities at The Mailman Segal Institute of Early Childhood Studies at Nova Southeasterh University located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The majority of the children that attend this school are from financially privileged backgrounds including children of several famous athletes and celebrities. Anne founded several programs at NSU, was a mentor, curriculum coordinator, trainer, educator, and professor during her years there. Her dedication was evident in organizing several fundraisers to benefit Children’s Cancer Research and was always a favorite “guest speaker” at many university sponsored conferences. Many innovative session titles varied from “Improve Reading Comprehension through Active Learning Experiences” to “Creative Literacy Strategies for Early Learners.” Anne also worked for the Florida Department of Children and Families where she led a variety of training workshops for administrators and educators.

In order to expand her portfolio of experience, Anne moved to the northeast Georgia area to help meet the needs of a special population of students she had never had the pleasure of working with in the past. She immediately displayed her leadership qualities by creating and implementing an “Action Plan” with the University of Georgia that would narrow the achievement gap of students placed “at risk” due to poverty and language barriers. Her dedication and passion dramatically improved the test scores and overall education of these low-achieving students. Anne became a county representative when working with CLASE, an educational research and development center at UGA. Anne was also an administrative consultant regarding beneficial multicultural literacy strategies and techniques.

Anne’s intrinsic passion for education first began by playing teacher with her dolls in Coral Gables, Florida, where she was born and raised. Currently, she is in the process of completing her doctoral research in Child, Youth, and Family Studies program specializing in curriculum development. Anne has a M.S. in Reading Education, B.S. in Elementary Education, and Early Childhood Education through Nova Southeastern University. She believes it is imperative to lay a strong educational foundation during early childhood in order to ensure the success of all future learning.

  Mrs. Jennifer Lewis, Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Jennifer Lewis, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Family Development. Mrs. Lewis completed an internship at the Cobb County Service Board – Next Step Treatment Program. Her many duties included assisting therapists with the treatment of children with mental disabilities ranging from 6 to 12 years of age.

After her internship, Mrs. Lewis continued her career at the Day Treatment Program as a Social Service Provider. She provided daily therapy for children with mental and behavioral disabilities. Concurrently, she worked in cooperation with the Cobb County Social System in developing treatment plans for disabled children where she provided resources and therapy for families of the children.

Mrs. Lewis has taught or worked with children in grades Pre-K through 8. She enjoys children of all ages but truly loves pre-kindergarten!

Mrs. Lewis lives in Eatonton with her husband Wes and daughter, Weslie Claire.

 Mrs. Wendy Sims, Pre-Kindergarten Para Pro

 Mrs. Sara Lynn Bryant, Third Grade

Mrs. Sara Lynn Bryant was born and raised in Greene County in a family dedicated to education and public service. Her grandmother, mother and sister are all educators and her father not only served on the Greene County Board of Education, but is currently the State Legislator for Greene, Putnam, and Oglethorpe counties. She graduated from Greene County High School in 1982 and from the University of Georgia in 1986 with a degree in Journalism. After working two years for Charter Medical Corporation in Macon, Georgia, Mrs. Bryant pursued her masters of Early Childhood Education at the University of Georgia graduating in 1989.

Sara Lynn began her teaching career at Greensboro Primary, now Greensboro Elementary, teaching first grade. After taking some time off to raise her family, she helped develop and implement the preschool program at the First United Methodist Church in Greensboro. She taught kindergarten at Nathanael Greene Academy in Siloam for seven years and third grade at Gatewood Schools in Eatonton for three years.Sara Lynn was honored as teacher of the year for Nathanael Greene Academy for the 2002-2003 school year.

Sara Lynn is married to Benjie Bryant, formally of Macon, Georgia. They have two teenage daughters, Caroline and Alyson. They reside in Reynolds Plantation and enjoy spending time on the lake together as a family.  Sara Lynn is excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the Lake Oconee Academy team.

 Mrs. Mandy Thompson, Kindergarten Para Pro

Mrs Mandy Thompson grew up in Griffin Ga. Graduated from Griffin High School in 1991 and from there went to Griffin Tech. She has been in the private school system for 9 years and this is her first year in the public system. She has been a Paraprofessional for the last 3 years in Kennesaw Ga. before moving to the Lake Oconee area in May 2008. Mandy enjoys being around children and helping the classroom teacher enrich each child’s life.

Mandy is married to Jay Thompson who is a minister at Lakeside Church. They live in Reynolds Landing and have two children - Thomas and Bethany. Mandy enjoys going to church, swimming, horseback riding, reading, traveling and most of all spending time with her family.

 Mrs. Alison White, Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Alison White, a native Atlantan, grew up in East Cobb County and graduated from Lassiter High School. Her Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education is from Kennesaw State University and she is currently pursuing a Master’s  in Accomplished Teaching from Georgia Southern University. Alison comes to Lake Oconee Academy after three years at Gatewood Schools in Eatonton, where she taught first and second grades and coached junior high cheerleading. She is very excited to be teaching Kindergarten this year and strives to create a caring community of learners in her classroom.

Alison resides on Lake Oconee with her husband Lowell White, III. She enjoys boating, being outdoors, and playing tennis. Most of all, she enjoys throwing the tennis ball for her Chocolate Lab, Doc.

 

 Mrs. Kelly Ingle, First Grade Teacher

Mrs. Kelly Ingle was born and raised in Stone Mountain, GA. She comes from a family of educators; her parents, sister, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law all work in public schools. Kelly knew at a very early age that she would ultimately become a teacher.

Kelly attended Samford University in Birmingham, AL and then graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College in Milledgeville. She has been teaching for 11 years. She taught 1st, 2nd, and 5th grades in Conyers and then moved to Greensboro last year to teach 3rd grade. She actively engages her students through music, sign language, and technology.

Kelly and her husband, Chris, have been married for 14 years. Chris is the owner of Ingle Courier Service, Inc. in Conyers. They have one daughter, Sarah Grace, who will attend preschool at L.O.A. this year. Chris and Kelly are both graduates of Leadership Georgia and are active in their church and community. Kelly is thrilled to have the opportunity to join the team of educators at Lake Oconee Academy!

 

 Mrs. Melony Greene, Second Grade Teacher

Mrs. Melony Greene, a native of Greene County, graduated from Nathanael Greene Academy in 1987 and continued her education at Georgia College and State University. She received her B.S. in Early Childhood Education in 1992. She started teaching third grade in Greene County in 1992 at F. T. Corry Elementary School. She has received her Masters and Specialist Degrees in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College. In addition, Melony holds her gifted endorsement from Northeast Georgia RESA. In 2001, when the schools merged she took a second grade position within the system at Greensboro Elementary School. She has taught second grade for six years. In September of 2006, her position changed again, and she became the Gifted Teacher at Greensboro Elementary School. Her passion is technology and loves to capture the attention of her children through technology.

Melony is married to Jon Greene owner of J&M Greene Construction, Inc. They presently reside on a farm in Greensboro, Georgia. They have three children - Maggie, Tyler and new baby girl Harper.  Melony is actively involved in her community, and attends Compass Community Church in Athens, Georgia. With sixteen years of experience in the Greene County System, Melony is very excited about being a part of the Lake Oconee Academy Team.

 Mrs. Jody Worth, Science and Language

Jody Worth is a native of Henry County Georgia. She graduated from Henry County High in 1993. From there, she attended Georgia College in Milledgeville for two years then transferred to Clayton College and State University where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Level Education. In 1997, she taught for one year at Hampton Elementary, and then moved to Greene County in 1998. She taught 4th grade at F.T. Corry which later merged into Greensboro Elementary. Jody has taught upper elementary for the past 11 years. She has been honored as teacher of the year for Greensboro Elementary for school years 2000 and 2003.

In 2001, Jody graduated from Piedmont College with a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood. Her Master’s Project focused on effective methods for teaching mathematics where she and a team of teachers were selected to present their ideas at the Georgia Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development Conference. She is certified to teach Pre-K thru eighth grade.

Jody has been and is currently active in the Greene County community. She attends Grace Fellowship Church where she teaches elementary thru high school aged students. She has served as a team leader for American Cancer Society and Relay for Life teams. She also served as a volunteer to teach English as a second language to the growing Hispanic community in Greene County.

Jody enjoys working in her yard and spending time with her family. She resides in the Liberty Community with her husband, Derrell, and two sons, Kyle and Caleb.