Lumpkin County Elementary

Mrs. Melissa K. Bynum graduated from White County High School in Cleveland, GA. She later attended the University of North Georgia where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Bynum holds endorsements in gifted education, ESOL, math, and science. This is her 20th year teaching in Lumpkin County. In her free time, Mrs. Bynum enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her family.

Jennifer Addison began her life in Dahlonega, Georgia and has come full circle, moving back with her own family in 2018. Mrs. Addison obtained her Associate of Fine Arts degree from Young Harris College and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Lipscomb University. Mrs. Addison started her Art career as a Textile Designer and Colorist, but felt called to teach, inspire, and share her love of the Arts. To achieve this goal, Mrs. Addison continued her education at Piedmont University, where she received a Master of Arts degree in Teaching, and holds certifications to teach Art Education (K-12) and Early Childhood Education.

Amanda Barton grew up in Southern California and studied music at California Polytechnic State University. She then went to upstate New York for her Masters of Fine Arts from Bard College Conservatory of Music. This is Amanda's eleventh year teaching and seventh year at Lumpkin County Elementary school teaching music.

Ashley W. Boegner is graduate of both the University of Georgia and the University of North Georgia. She has an undergraduate degree in marketing from the University of Georgia and a master's degree in early childhood education from the University of North Georgia. Ashley has been teaching for 11 years with 7 years here in Lumpkin county. Ashley is currently teaching fifth grade reading at Lumpkin Elementary School. She loves reading, hiking, camping, and traveling, but most of all she loves the Georgia Bulldogs. Go Dawgs!

Ms. Dearing graduated from Parkview High School. She then attended Piedmont University and received a degree in Elementary Education, Master's in Elementary Education, and a Specialist Degree in Teaching and Learning.

Beth Forrester earned her bachelor’s degree in Special Education and her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from North Georgia College, which is now the University of North Georgia. She has taught in the Lumpkin County School System for eighteen years. She and her family love living in Dahlonega!

Mrs. Gastley was born and raised in Bonifay, Florida. After graduating from the University of Florida with a Master’s in Education, she married Coach Jonathan Gastley & moved to Georgia. She is in her 19th year teaching. Mrs. Gastley teaches 5th grade at Lumpkin County Elementary School.

Michelle Gilreath is a native to Dahlonega, Georgia and a product of Lumpkin County School System. While working as a paraprofessional at Long Branch Elementary, Ms. Gilreath earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Brenau University. During her professional career as an educator, Ms. Gilreath attended North Georgia College and State University to receive her Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Gilreath is presently teaching third grade at Lumpkin County Elementary.

Mrs. Guy is thrilled to be a part of the Lumpkin County Family. She is a Florida native and a graduate of Florida State University. Her certifications include Elementary Education, Special Education and ESOL. She has been teaching since 2002 and most of those years have been in Kindergarten. She loves being able to make a positive difference in the lives of her students. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Ella Kathryn (Kathy) Hill has been an educator for 27 years. Ms. Hill attended Berry College, UGA and UNG earning a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education with endorsements in gifted education and middle grades social studies. Ms. Hill is currently teaching second grade at Lumpkin County Elementary.

Staci T. Kiefaber is from Chatsworth, Georgia. She is a graduate of Murray County High School. Mrs. Kiefaber earned both her bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of North Georgia College(formerly North Georgia College and State University.) Mrs. Kiefaber received her Educational Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University. Mrs. Kiefaber is currently in her 15th year of teaching. She is married to Ryan Kiefaber and has two children-Elliot and Davy.

Tammy Martin, Georgia born and Georgia raised, grew up in Marietta where she completed her kindergarten through high school education. After graduating from high school she moved to the "Enchanted Valley" of Young Harris College and received her Associate of Fine Art degree. Furthering her education she received her Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Atlanta from The Atlanta College of Art. Getting married in the late 80's, Tammy and her husband moved to the beautiful hills of Dahlonega where in the mid 90's she began a career of teaching and serving the children of this community. Beginning with Mother's Morning Out at the Methodist Church she soon moved on to serve and teach in the public schools of Lumpkin County, first at Long Branch Elementary School, then Blackburn Elementary School, and today at Lumpkin County Elementary School where she continues to teach and serve the kindergarten children of this community.

Mrs. Parker is a native of Hall County, but has called Lumpkin County home for the last 6 years. After graduating from Johnson High School, she attended Brenau University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Middle Grades Education. During her first year teaching, she earned her Master’s degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Walden University. Following this, she obtained her Specialist degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment from Piedmont University. In addition to degrees, Mrs. Parker also earned her ESOL, Reading, and Gifted endorsements. Mrs. Parker has taught third, fourth, and fifth grades. When not at school, Mrs. Parker enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, who are also both part of the LCSS.

Ms. Reed graduated from Dawson County High School in Dawsonville, GA. She then attended NGSU where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ms. Reed later attended Lincoln Memorial University and received a Specialist Degree in Education.

Ms. Ross graduated from The University of Georgia with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and later returned to earn a Master's Degree in Middle Grades Education. This year will be her 17th year teaching. She loves to spend as much time as possible with her son, Landon.

Christy Scott is a special education teacher at Lumpkin County Elementary School. Christy has been teaching for 3 years and worked as a special education paraprofessional while she completed her degree. She lives in Dahlonega with her husband and two children.

Mrs. Spratt received a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design from the University of Alabama in 1993. After having her daughter, she decided to be an at home mom. Mrs. Spratt was a substitute teacher for 8 years at Lumpkin County Elementary before becoming a full time paraprofessional in 2016.

Taylor Tritt is a Hall County native. Mrs. Tritt received her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont University (formerly Piedmont College). She also has her Gifted Endorsement. Mrs. Tritt played four years of college basketball at Piedmont, as well. She taught in White County for 2 years and Hall County for 3 years before coming to Lumpkin County in 2021. Mrs. Tritt is the Middle School Girl's Basketball Coach. Mrs. Tritt is married to her husband, Nathan, who is a Lumpkin County graduate. They have a son named Grady (2) and they welcomed their new daughter, Laurel Kate, in August of 2022. Her family lives here in Lumpkin County.

Elizabeth Williams was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia. She graduated from Kennesaw State University in 2015 with a Bachelor's of Science in Elementary Education and a reading endorsement. In 2017, she graduated from Kennesaw State with a Master's of Education with a teacher leadership endorsement. That same year she got married to her husband, Bradley Williams. She taught for 2 years in Cobb County, and then moved to Dahlonega. She has been teaching for a total of 6 years in grades 3rd - 5th. In November of 2021, she and her husband had their first child, Katie Ann Williams.

Mrs. Julie Windham grew up in Habersham County, but moved to Dahlonega after marrying Lumpkin county native Radford Windham. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education at the University of North Georgia. She also attended Brenau University, where she earned an Educational Specialist degree. Mrs. Windham has taught all grades kindergarten through fourth grade. She has also attained certification in gifted education. She and Radford have two sons.