Ms molar provides her students with many opportunities

Ms. Amy Brandon graduated from Auburn University with her Secondary Education degree in 2010, War Eagle! She then continued her education at the University of West Georgia, where she earned her Master’s Degree in History Education in 2014. She has been teaching at Mabry since 2012, and has been a team member of all three grade levels in various subjects. Amy enjoys working with the intramurals program here at Mabry, and sharing her love of team sports…especially Auburn football!

Barri Burke

Language Arts

Mrs. Barri Burke teaches sixth grade language arts. She began her teaching career in 1993, in elementary school, and then moved to Mabry Middle in 1999, where she has taught both social studies and language arts at various academic levels.

Mrs. Burke has a degree in secondary language arts as well as her gifted teaching endorsement. Before becoming a teacher, she completed her bachelor’s degree in journalism. In fact, Mrs. Burke was one of Ted Turner's original employees at Cable News Network where she helped man the International News Desk from 1983 through 1986. This valuable experience in a fast-paced news environment greatly contributed to her teaching style.

Elizabeth Davis

Science

 Mrs. Elizabeth Davis is a 6th grade science and has been teaching since 1998, all of them at Mabry.  She loves technology, hands-on learning, and is always trying to find new ways to engage her students in earth science.  Recently, Mrs. Davis has taken a class with Discovery School Education for STEM education.  Some things that Mrs. Davis is a part of include:  Extended Day Teacher; Environmental Club sponsor; PTSA Ground Committee Chair; Mabry Fun Run Coordinator; ASM for Troop 714; has traveled with students to the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Florida Keys; and served in the U.S Army as a Captain and flew UH-1 and OH-58 helicopters in Germany;  B.S. from MTSU and Masters of Education from Mercer University.  

Jordan Griffin

Math and Social Studies

Mrs. Jordan Griffin graduated from Georgia Southern University Magna Cum Laude with her Middle Grades Education degree focusing in Math and Reading. After spending a few years in South Georgia, Ms. Griffin decided to return to her home town of Cobb County.  She is excited to be back home and working at Mabry!

Anne Hershfelt

Specialized Instruction

Ms. Hershfelt is originally from Mobile, Alabama.  She attended Auburn University where she graduated with a degree in Secondary Social Science.   Her years as a Marine wife have given her many adventures and opportunities to serve others within and outside the field of education.   She has now finally landed here in Marietta near family and is excited to serve our students and their families at Mabry.  In her free time, you will find Ms. Hershfelt traveling to watch her daughter play soccer at Clemson, chasing around her two dogs, or trying to keep track of her son that is a senior at Lassiter High School.

Sandra King

Language Arts and Social Studies

Ms. Sandra King graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in English.  She has been teaching in middle and high schools across Cobb County. This year, she will be teaching ELA and Reading in all grade levels.  She is new to Mabry this year and very excited to be a part of the Mabry family!

Sarah Kral

Math

Mrs. Sarah Kral started teaching at Mabry in 2015 and teaches 6th grade math. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University. Mrs. Kral graduated from Etowah High School in 2005 then went to college in the fall. She married her husband, Rob, in 2015. They have a black lab named Frank. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking, and watching football. Go Dawgs/ Da Bears! Teaching has always been Mrs. Kral’s passion. She loves working with children every day and bringing new ideas into the classroom. 

Libby Lippincott

Math

Libby Lippincott began her teaching career in 1992, at Crescent High School in South Carolina.  While there, she taught math, coached Varsity and Junior Varsity Volleyball, Junior Varsity Basketball, and was nominated Teacher of the Year by her peers. Mrs. Lippincott joined the Mabry staff as a math teacher, in 1999, instructing students on a variety of academic levels.  In 2003, Mrs. Lippincott won The Walmart Teacher of the Year Award, recognizing her passion for teaching and her nurturing style.

Kelli Martin

Specialized Instruction

Having a background in social work and after working in county emergency services for several years, Mrs. Martin returned to school in 2013 to pursue a graduate degree in special education. She came to the realization that education was an area that fulfilled her passion to work with youth in an arena that had the resources to positively shape young lives. During the course of completing her Master of Art in Teaching Special Education with a reading endorsement from Kennesaw State University, she completed multiple internships throughout K-12 classes.  She graduated summa cum laude in 2015.

Bridget Nastasi

Science

Ms. Nastasi received her bachelor's degree from Lehigh University and a Master of Arts in teaching from University of Louisville.   Ms. Nastasi is new to Mabry this year but not new to teaching.   She has a broad background in science education having taught elementary, middle, and high school science.   Ms. Nastasi has a son, two daughters, and a rescue dog named Pepper.   In her free time she enjoys vacations to the beach, visiting national parks, watching college sports, and spending time with family.   

Amanda Okuno

Science and Social Studies

Mrs. Amanda Okuno is a graduate of Kennesaw State University. She began her teaching in 2007 at South Paulding Middle School and entered into Cobb County shortly after. She has taught all three grade levels of middle school. Amanda holds certificates in all middle grades content and specifically has a passion for Reading  

Gregory Spain

Social Studies

Please check back for more information regarding this value member of our Mabry team!

Thomas Traficante

Specialized Instruction

Mr. Traficante is a valuable member of our 6th grade team. Check back for more information!     

Alexis Underwood

Language Arts

Mrs. Alexis Underwood teaches 6th Grade English Language Arts. Her love for teaching began in 2008 through Teach For America in Jacksonville, Fla., and spent four years at a KIPP charter school in East Point, Ga. She began her secondary education journey after serving in the U.S. Air Force at the University of Florida graduating Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s in Public Relations with minors in education and family, youth, and community sciences. She earned a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a triple emphasis in literary at the University of Texas at Arlington. 

Super dedicated and hard working. She doesn't take any days off and works tirelessly to meet the needs of her students. Continously improving her craft he works for the betterment of herself to support those around her. Parents love her work ethic and how easily she communicates with them in regards to her students success.

Working with my Graves this past year has been a wonderful experience. Being a new teacher, Graves has helped me in so many ways, whenever I need help or have questions she does hesitate to share her expertise. Ms. Graves dedication to the world of education, to our school, and to the students that we teach is visible every day. Ms.Graves has touched the lives of so many students and their families; she is an inspiration to us all, and is more than deserving of this award.

As a third grade teacher, Ms. Graves demonstrates leadership, loyalty, and dedication both in and out of the classroom. Caring, energetic, and dedicated are just a few of the descriptors that identify Ms. Graves. She is a teacher who cares deeply about the well being and achievements of her students, and also provides an environment in her classroom that is conducive for learning. She always pushes her students to work diligently and strive to be outstanding role-models. Her knowledge of the curriculum, instruction and assessment, and discipline enable her to provide effective support to both teachers and students. Ms. Graves possesses the skills necessary to empower the students to become lifelong learners and she is a life changer!

Ms. Graves is truly deserving of this award.”Life changer” is a wonderful fit for this beautiful and talented women. She is so much more than a teacher. Her outgoing personality and hunger for knowledge is addictive. She has been such an inspiration for many children and she continues to demonstrate her dedication everyday.. way to go Ms Graves you are truly deserving .

I have known Ms. Graves for 20 years. Since our time as undergrads at Clark Atlanta University I've witnessed Ms. Graves matriculation as a wonderful educator. Furthermore I understand what drives Ms. Graves to put forth her very best everyday. Kids are her passion. Armed with compassion and creativity, Ms. Graves inspires a new generation to aspire for greatness.

Ms. Graves is an amazing teacher, mentor and co-worker. I've known Ms. Graves for about 5 years as a co-worker and friend. I've watched her teach with passion and encourage her students to be life long learners. Not only does she care about what her students learn, she cares about the whole child, always providing her students with a second "mom" at school and beyond. She supports her students even outside of the classroom by going to games, providing extra resources, volunteering on Saturdays and more. As a co-worker and friend and is always supporting and truly cares about helping in any way. Ms. Graves is truly a life changer!!

Ms. Grace’s has a magnetic personality. I am a parent at TMSA and although my child is in the 1st grade Ms. Graves makes no distinction SHE IS A TEACHER AND NURTURER OF ALL CHILDREN! She is engaging and interacts positively with all parents. I see her in the mornings and it’s not uncommon to see her in the LATE afternoons! Her presence is felt and I only hope that when my first grader reaches 3rd grade she will be lucky enough to be in and. Grave’s class.

The lovely, Ms. Graves. She is beyond deserving of such an awesome acknowledgment. I've had the opportunity to be embraced by her intentional zeal to bring about change to her students, and the communities she's apart of her. Her impact is valuable and has changed many lives. Ms. Graves is such a joy to work with, and she possesses a great deal of knowledge. Her classroom is a safe environment for her students to learn, and become productive citizens, a true role model for our future generation. She is a LIFE CHANGER!

I have had the pleasure of knowing Ms. Graves for about a year and a half. She is awesome! She works with her students by going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure they reach their goals. She helps the parents as well to better enhance their child's growth. There is never a time you can not depend on her. Ms. Graves listens to anyone's needs and goes to work in implementing a solution. She is an educated Warrior that goes to battle for her students. I am proud to call her my friend.

Ms. Graves is an amazing example of excellence, determination and passion. The students, staff and community she serves are extremely luck to have her. I can’t think of another person more deserving of this acknowledgment.

I’ve had the pleasure of calling Chandra my Sister-in-Law for over 10 yrs. I am so proud that she has been nominated for such an amazing award. Chandra’s dedication to her students both in & out the classroom is unprecedented! The passion she has for our youth is so admirable! I’ve witnessed the countless hours she devotes in preparing her work plan. The worry & concern she carries for her kids (as she calls them) ??Chandra strives to reach & capture her students attention. Her methods vary because she understands not all kids learn the same or at the same pace. Chandra is patient yet strong! When visiting her classroom, I was amazed (not surprised) how her students react. They truly “Love” Ms.Graves. Chandra is a blessing. Always, ALWAYS willing to help. No matter the day or time! She not only helps my son with his studies & he’s in the 7th grade but also her nieces as they enter kindergarten & 1st. grade! If you’re looking for the Epitome of a Teacher, Leader & strong role model for our youth, look no further! Ms. Graves is certainly deserving of this honor!

I’ve have know Chandra for going on 5 years and since the first day we met she has been an absolute blessing in our lives!!!! Chandra was my daughters 2nd grade teacher and as soon as we walked into her class she embraced us and hasn’t let go since!!! My daughter is now in the 5th grade and Chandra takes care of her and works with her, tutors and mentors her as if she were still a direct student of hers! She is the real MVP on and off the court! She has gone above and beyond the call of duty for not just my daughter but for many students! She has attended my daughters games and cheer competitions! She is an outstanding individual! She stays after school hours most days and is always helping someone in some way! She is the president of the PTO and she is absolutely great at it!!!! Ms. Graves is most definitely a tremendous role model for my daughter and myself!!! She is the true meaning of a LIFECHANGER!!!

I have known Chandra for decades now. When we first met, I just gravitated to her. She has always wanted to change her community. I value and trust her insight as a teacher that I have sought her advice when I wasn’t sure how to best advocate for my child. Chandra deserves all of her accolades! Im so glad this was created so that we can tell the world how great Chandra is.

This nomination is truly deserved! Ms. Graves is inspirational, enthusiastic and dedicated to all of her students and colleagues! Anyone who is lucky to spend time with her will instantly see her love for teaching and for life!