• Support Staff

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Mrs. Colleen Allen

I have taught Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade and Reading Recovery. I am originally from New York and my husband is from England. We love to go and visit our families as often as we can. Of course, I love the visits to England! I have two girls who keep me busy. Both girls love to play soccer. Their names are Madelyn and Stella. Madelyn attends Brookwood High School and Stella attends Kennesaw State where she plays soccer. I enjoy spending time on the weekends with my family and friends. Go Rams!!!!

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Mrs. Kristina Beck

Information Coming Soon!

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Mrs. Robin Brainard

I am delighted to begin another year at Trip Elementary School.

I have my B.A. and M.A. in Early Childhood Education from Kean University in NJ, my Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University in TN and my Gifted Certification through Gwinnett County Public Schools. I have been teaching a variety of subjects as well as grade levels since 1987.

I married my husband Bob in 1988. We have two adult children, Daniel (married to Lindsey) and Caitlin (married to Faustine) as well as two dogs we rescued, Murphy our boxer and Zellie our Portuguese Water dog.

We are originally from New Jersey where I taught second, third and fifth grade for eight years. My family moved to Georgia in August of 1998. Prior to coming to Trip, ten years were spent teaching third, fourth and fifth grade at J. C. Magill Elementary in Loganville. I have looped up with a third /fourth group as well as with a fourth/ fifth loop. What a great experience! I enjoy reading, going to the beach, cooking, gardening and spending time with my family. We belong to St. Oliver’s Church in Snellville, where I am a Eucharistic minister and lector.  I have had the honor of being Trip Elementary’s Teacher of the Year.

I have had the privilege and honor to be an integral part of opening Trip Elementary. I have never participated in such an experience before. Working with such an awesome group of professionals has been the pinnacle of my career.

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Mrs. Marcy Brown

Hey! My name is Marcy Brown and I love teaching! I love kids so much I went back to school to become a teacher. I used to be an accountant but I couldn’t have as much fun as teachers do so I stopped. I have a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education along with my Gifted Endorsement and a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.
My totally awesome husband, Paul, and I have 2 beautiful children: Aspen and Maverick. We love hanging out together as a family.

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Ms. Hillery Cambre

I am an educator at heart! I've taught 4th grade, 5th grade, and 3rd-5th grade gifted pullout.  At previous schools I've been the Data Coach and Gifted Program Coordinator, and now I am an Instructional Coach. I have a passion for learning and love helping people realize their potential. Nothing energizes me more than seeing others grow and succeed, especially when it makes a positive impact on our students. 
 
I have a bachelor's and master's degree in Elementary Education from Georgia State University. Go Panthers! I also have a gifted, coaching, and middle school science endorsement. 

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Mr. Christopher Cooper

I look forward to sharing my love for Literacy with 4th and 5th grade students who need just a little boost in reading strategies.

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Ms. Jill Davis

Hello, Rams.  My name is Jill Davis.  I am originally from Chicago, grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, but have taught my entire career in the Atlanta area.  In Gwinnett County, I have taught at Bethesda, Fort Daniel, and Woodward Mill Elementary Schools.  

I love to learn, and I am excited to share my love of learning with your children.  My Bachelor of Arts degree is from Michigan State University.  I received my Master of Science degree from Full Sail University.  And my Education Specialist degree was earned at Thomas University.

My husband is from Georgia.  He works for the CDC.  I am the mother of two college aged students.  My oldest son is at Georgia Tech and my youngest son is at the University of Tennessee.  

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Ms. Karen Dean

My role at Trip is to give students the support they need to be proficient in reading and math.  The small group instruction allows students to work in an optimal learning environment where they can stay focused with direct instruction as well as one-on-one instruction.
I am a graduate of the University of Georgia. I earned a Master's degree in middle school education and a Specialist degree in leadership and curriculum development. 

I am a former business owner, Every Etiquette, served in the Disaster Unit of the American Red Cross, and taught English in Recife, Brazil in a local village.

I'm married to Mike, have two daughters, and three grandchildren. I love to travel, spend summers at the beach, enjoy family gatherings, and watch late night movies.

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Mrs. Deena Evans

I have been working as a speech-language therapist for 19 years. I have been working in Gwinnett County for the past 16 years and this is my fourth year at Trip Elementary. I live in the community and my children attend school near the Grayson Cluster. I received my bachelor's and master's degrees from Valdosta State University and my specialist's degree from Nova Southeastern University. I also hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. I have been married for 19 years and have a 17 year old son and an 12 year old daughter. I enjoy helping children improve their communication skills so that they may experience greater academic success and self-confidence.

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Ms. Teisha Francis

Hello Ram Fam! My name is Teisha Francis! I am so excited to be a member of this dynamic faculty as a K-5 ESOL Teacher! I am originally from New Orleans, La. I attended college at the University of South Florida in Tampa and taught in Hillsborough County Schools for several years. I relocated to the metro Atlanta area in 2018 and have enjoyed teaching here in Georgia. I have taught children of all ages, from elementary, middle and high school….but elementary students are my favorite! My husband Donald and I have a three-year-old daughter named Nola and a future son, Donald III (Baby Duck) on the way! I look forward to a great year here at Trip….It’s always a GREAT DAY to be a RAM!

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Mrs. Jennifer Geyer

I love teaching and want to inspire a love of learning in each of my students. I love seeing how much my students learn and grow over the course of the year. I have a master’s degree from the University of Georgia and am a huge Bulldogs fan. My favorite hobbies are reading and shopping. My husband and I live in Bethlehem with our children Kailey and Kaden. As a family we love going to the beach, playing games, watching movies, and just spending time together.

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Mrs. Dionne Howard

I have been a teacher since age 8 when I started a neighborhood summer school and "gently" persuaded my friends to attend. I was the self-appointed classroom teacher, music teacher, principal and CFO of the whole operation! 
 
After graduation from the Columbus School for Girls in Ohio, I earned a Bachelor's degree in Educational Studies and Elementary Education (Double Major) from Emory University, a Master's of Education from Cambridge College, and an Educational Specialist degree in Teaching and Learning from Liberty University. 
 
I've enjoyed a 30-year career as a classroom teacher, adjunct professor, instructional coach, program co-facilitator, and staff developer. When I'm not teaching or learning, or learning while teaching, I love spending time with family and friends.

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Ms. Mallory Legg

Hello Trip family! My name is Mallory Legg, and I am very excited to be a part of the Trip team and community. I am originally from South Georgia, and moved to Gwinnett county in 2018! I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in middle grades education for math and social studies from Georgia Southwestern State University. Additionally, I graduated with my Master's degree in math education from Kennesaw State University, and I am currently pursuing my Specialist degree in instructional technology from the University of West Georgia. I have taught special education in language arts and social studies in the past for middle school. I love the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs. I enjoy spending time with my soon-to-be husband, Matt, and our Goldendoodle, Bear. 

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Mrs. Linda Maunder

My name is Linda Maunder.  I am a very proud mother of two amazing children, Nicholas and Kate.  My husband T.J. and I love to take the family camping.  We spend a tremendous amount of time at Stone Mountain Park either camping or hiking up the mountain.  We also love to visit the beach and spend time in the sun swimming and building sand castles.

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Mrs. Lisa McKenna

Greetings! Mrs. McKenna here! Welcome to Trip Elementary!

I grew up with a love for teaching and reading.  I still remember the days of playing school in my bedroom back in New Jersey when I was 5 years old.  My walls were my chalkboard, and my friends were my students.  I cherished all the teacher editions of textbooks that I could get my hands on.  So, it was no surprise to my family when I became a teacher. 

In 2002, I graduated from the University of Central Missouri and began teaching 2nd grade.

Then in 2003, my husband and I moved to Georgia, where I taught 1st grade for the Atlanta Public School District.

A move to Gwinnett County in 2004, brought me to Chesney Elementary where I taught 2nd grade and Computer Specials.

When we purchased our home in Monroe in 2008, I began teaching 1st grade at Trip Elementary.  As a charter member of Trip, I have been blessed with so many friendships with fellow teachers, parents and students!  I’ve been fortunate enough to teach both 1st and 5th grade here at Trip. 
 
One of the most memorable moments I’ve had was being selected as Trip’s Teacher of the Year in 2018.  It was such a privilege because the staff I work with is the best of the best!

My husband and I have truly embraced living in Georgia, with all its wonderful traditions and southern hospitality.  I’ve also become a huge UGA football fan, Goooo Dawgs! 

In my spare time, you can find me going to the movies (the previews are my favorite part), cooking, visiting the public library, reading on my back patio, or digging into a True Crime show!  We also love our two spoiled cats, Martie McFly, and Charlie. 

I hope to see you around Trip this year!

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Mrs. Deb Mercier

My name is Deb Mercier, and I LOVE teaching!! I have taught Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and I am now a Reading Recovery/ Literacy Lessons Reading Teacher, which is essentially a reading specialist who instructs grades 1-5. I attended the University of Georgia to obtain my Early Childhood Education degree and received my Master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University. I am also ESOL certified, Gifted certified, and have my Special Education certification as well. I have three beautiful children, and two grandchildren, all of whom I am so very proud!! I am thrilled to claim Trip ES as my home school since it opened in 2008, and can not imagine teaching anywhere else! 😊

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Mrs. Tina Oberholtzer

I am one of the speech-language therapists here at Trip ES. I am transplanted from Ohio and still enjoy cheering on the Buckeyes. However, we have lived in either Georgia or South Carolina for over 30 years. In our home, the kids come and go since both are in college now. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in English/Education from Taylor University and Master’s degree in Speech Pathology from the University of South Carolina. I taught in elementary grades and middle school language arts before going back to school to become a speech therapist…one of the most rewarding jobs in the world!

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Ms. Briana Santos

Hey Ram Family! My name is Briana Santos! I am a K-5 ESOL Teacher here at Trip! I am very excited to be a part of the Trip Elementary team! I am originally from California. I moved to Atlanta in 2005 to attend Clark Atlanta University. After graduating, I decided to make Georgia my home! I later received my Master’s degree in Education Policy Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. I have taught children of all ages, from toddlers in a private childcare center to high school students in DeKalb County Schools. I also enjoyed working as an Early Education Librarian here in Gwinnett County. I love teaching kids and seeing their worlds light up when they learn new things! I have four wonderful children of my own; Caden, Jeremy, and the twins, Isabella and Aubrielle. I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, and attending my kids’ sports games (especially baseball!). Let’s go Rams! 

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Mrs. Angie Skinner

Hi! My name is Angie Skinner. I 'm a product of Gwinnett County Public School and a graduate of Georgia State University. I've also taught at Norton Elementary and Cooper Elementary and have been teaching since 1993.

My husband David and I live in Loganville with our two children Makayla and Addison. We love going to baseball games, eating Mexican food, and playing games together. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and working in my yard.

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Ms. Tomi Waldrop

Trip is an exciting place to work, learn and grow!!!  I am thrilled to continue to work at Trip, even after retiring!!  This year, I will enjoy and am so excited to be excited about my role as the Play 2 Learn teacher in addition to providing support for other students. 

I am a Georgia native who grew up a short distance from here in Monroe, GA. My undergraduate college years were spent at Georgia College in Milledgeville where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I taught in Walton County before taking off 14 years to spend raising my two delightful daughters.  In 2006, I returned to public school teaching after home schooling my children through elementary school. In 2012, I completed my Master's Degree online through Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL and then immediately began my Specialist Degree at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee which I completed in 2013.  

I enjoy spending my free time at home- working in my yard or playing games with my family.  I especially enjoy playing, reading and just spending time with my grandson!!! Otherwise, you may find me out and about with friends at festivals or just having fun enjoying a nearby park walking or hiking. Church and community service activities help keep me busy too. I am happy to be at Trip Elementary School again this year; the teachers, students, parents and administrators are THE BEST!