Infant Educator/Caregiver
Hi, my name is Zhanise Jackson. I was born in Brunswick, Ga, raised in Atlanta, Ga right in this very neighborhood! This is my first year here at the Highlander school but my 4th year in early childcare. I am currently in school obtaining my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary education. I have a passion for learning and children, in hopes I can be a positive shift in their life. I’m so devoted to helping build the future and it starts here. The possibilities of what can be accomplished within the realm of a classroom are infinite I’m so excited to be here!
Multi Age Educator
Infant Educator/Caregiver
Hola, buenos días, mi nombre es; Semiramy Nathacha Dorta Mendez, soy de Venezuela, tengo 37 años.Estudie la profesión de Docente, me gradué en el 2009 en el Pedagógico Monsenor Arias.Trabaje como docente de aula en la escuela Gran Colombia durante 9 años.Tengo dos meses que llegue a Estados Unidos, muy agradecida de ante mano con la bienvenida y acogida que me dio el pais, ingrese con el parol humanitario.Me gusta cantar (muy mal, jajajaj), leer y bailar.Desde pequeña me gustaban los niños y jugaba a que era maestra y desde entonces me propuse estudiar educación, mas como vocacion que como profesional.Porque me gusta trabajar con niños?Me encanta aprender de ellos, recibir sus ideas, compartir cada experiencia juntos, ver sus logros, sentir que deje una huella su corazón, poder dejar un poco de mis conocimientos en ellos y saber que ellos aprender con su desarrollo propio, yo solo soy su herramienta para que crezcan personal como intelectualmente.Me fascina saber que les gusta ir día a día en a la escuela, no por obligación sino porque les gusta.Me gusta que ellos crezcan no solo por conocimientos pedagógicos sino como personas sin prejuicio, sin miedos, amándose a si mismo como son, somos personas perfectas y quiero que ellos sepan que lo son, sentir que estoy ayudando a un niño a crecer como amor y feliz. Porque me gusta trabajar con niños?Por naci para eso esta en Mi.Cuales son mis metas?Tengo muchas metas, una de ellas es aprender el idioma, reunirme con mis padres a mediado plazo entre otras. atentamente:
Semiramy Dorta
Gracias.
Hello good Morning my name is; Semiramy Nathacha Dorta Mendez, I am from Venezuela, I am 37 years old.I studied the profession of Teacher, I graduated in 2009 from the Pedagogical Monsenor Arias. I worked as a classroom teacher at the Gran Colombia school for 9 years.I have two months to arrive in the United States, very grateful in advance for the welcome and reception that the country gave me, I entered with the humanitarian parol.I like to sing (very bad, hahahaha), read and dance.Since I was little I liked children and I played at being a teacher and since then I decided to study education, more as a vocation than as a professional.Why do I like working with children?I love learning from them, receiving their ideas, sharing each experience together, seeing their achievements, feeling their heart leave an imprint, being able to leave a bit of my knowledge with them and knowing that they learn with their own development, I am just their tool for them to grow personally and intellectually.It fascinates me to know that they like to go to school every day, not out of obligation but because they like it.I like that they grow not only because of pedagogical knowledge but as people without prejudice, without fear, loving themselves as they are, we are perfect people and I want them to know that they are, to feel that I am helping a child to grow as love and happy.Why do I like working with children?I was born for that is in me.
What are my goals?I have many goals, one of them is to learn the language, meet my parents in the medium term, among others.
sincerely:
Semiramy Dorta
Thank you.
Founder and Curriculum Director
Originally a native of Wisconsin, I have worked with young children and their families for over 20 years in a number of ways, including work as a preschool & toddler teacher, an atelierista or studio teacher and as a Curriculum Coordinator for The Clifton School. I have been inspired by the educators of Reggio Emilia, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and many others, who saw education as a fundamental right as well as a catalyst for social change.
I have credits towards my Master’s in Early Childhood Education at Pacific Oaks College. I have a Bachelor of Science in Education from Georgia State University, which includes an endorsement in special education, as well as an Associate in Early Childhood Education from Chattahoochee Technical College with a specialization in Program Administration. I have helped to forge an on-going collaboration with Emory University and Georgia State University, researching the rights of young children and the cultural context of Development Appropriate Practices. I have a unique interest in reflective practices especially as it relates to curriculum planning for young children, the role of documentation in early child care centers, building partnerships with families, creating engaging learning environments and using materials as thinking tools. I’m deeply committed to improving the quality of education accessible to all children and creating a program that is innovative and cultivates a community full of inquiry.
Atelierista
Hello my name is LaTisha Flowers. I was born in New Haven, Connecticut and raised in Lithonia, Georgia. I am a wife and mother to three young boys. I have been working with children since 1998 in a preschool setting. I have my Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia Piedmont Technical College.
While working on my early childhood education degree, I started my journey at The Clifton School. During my time at Clifton I had several job titles: Assistant Teacher, Lead Teacher, Atelierista (Studio Teacher) and Mentor Teacher. I am inspired by the schools in Reggio Emilia, Itlay and Auckland, New Zealand.
My passion and interests are creating magical environments for children, exploring and using materials as thinking tools, reflective practices for young children, and building partnerships with families.
I love to travel and see other schools that are inspired by the Reggio Philosophy. I have visited several different school’s across the country and I had the opportunity to travel to New Zealand. Most of all I’m a proficient photographer and love taking photos of my family, children, and things in nature.
Mentor/Toddler One Educator
Hello, my name is Akou Mawusi Apedo. I am originally from Togo, West Africa. I am married and a mother of two wonderful children. In Togo, I earned my Associate Degree in Business Management from the University of Lomé. In 2004, I moved to the United States. After living in New York for a year, I relocated to Georgia.
In the past, I’ve spent time working in a number of different areas. I worked as a cashier for a year, in Human Resources for over seven years and as a nurse’s assistant for almost three years. I believe that my diverse work experience has given me a unique set of skills which I can now translate into my work with children as well as my peers. Since being a working mother and spending long hours away from home, I decided to return to school and pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. I began working at The Highlander School as a student intern and just recently completed my Associates Degree at Georgia Piedmont College. I believe these classes have helped me become a better parent and understanding of how young children learn and grow. I look forward to continuing my education and becoming the best mother and educator I can be.
Program Administrator/Toddler Two Educator
Greetings Highlander families. My name is Nicole Johnson, this is my eight year at The Highlander School. I am very excited to be a part of such a great group of dedicated Early Childhood Educators. I have worked in Early Childhood Education for almost 20 years. Since 1998, I’ve worked alongside young children studying a variety of different teaching styles from Head Start to Montessori. I really love children and their passion and energy, as well as their curiosity and wonder about the world. I am extremely excited for the opportunity to learn with some of the youngest citizens here at Highlander. I am moved by their curiosity and wonder for EVERYTHING. The world is new and they are ready to explore. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
My life outside of school is busy being a mom and wife. I’m blessed to have a partner who is supportive and understands me in a way that allows me to do what I do. My family is very important to me. I am mother to three awesome kids! There is never a dull moment in my home. I often jokingly say, “I have the job that never quits.” I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring the Atlanta area with them. I believe that raising children is a community effort and it is important to be a part of a village of like minded individuals working towards the same goals. I look forward to all of the new relationships to be made and all the fun and excitement the new year will bring.