Meet Our Teachers

Jennifer Barrett

Mrs. Jennifer Barrett

Art Teacher

Jennifer Berry Barrett is a product of Dahlonega, Georgia and the Lumpkin County School System. After graduating from Lumpkin County High School, Mrs. Barrett attended Brenau University and obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She went on to receive her Master's Degree and Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College. Mrs. Barrett spent 15 years teaching at Lumpkin County Elementary School. She currently teaches Art at Long Branch Elementary School.

Megan Crane

Mrs. Megan Crane

1st Grade Teacher

Mrs. Crane is a graduate of the University of North Georgia (formerly North Georgia College and State University) with her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Today, Mrs. Crane is beginning her 9th year teaching. In addition to teaching 1st grade, Mrs. Crane is the LCHS JV Volleyball head coach as well as the Lumpkin WBB Assistant Coach.

Casey Dansby-Sparks

Mrs. Casey Dansby-Sparks

4th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Dansby-Sparks attended Berea College in Kentucky for her elementary education degree. She has taught in Knoxville, TN teaching second, third and fourth grades from 2004-2010. She has also taught pre-K in Dahlonega. She has taught fourth grade at Long Branch since 2018. She is certified in ESOL and SPED.

Kim Davis

Ms. Kim Davis

5th Grade Teacher

 Kim Davis is the ONLY original teacher remaining at LBES,  starting her career when it opened in 1990.  She has taught at Long Branch for 31+ years, the first 25 years in first grade and the past 6 years in fourth grade.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Georgia (formerly North Georgia College & State University) and Master’s Degree and Educational Specialist Degree from Piedmont College. 

Beth Dix

Mrs. Bethany Dix

3rd Grade Teacher

Bethany Dix grew up in Augusta, Ga. where she graduated from Augusta State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. She moved to Dahlonega with her family, and began teaching at Long Branch Elementary. She has been teaching in Lumpkin County for 15 years.

Angela Forrester

Mrs. Angela Forrester

5th Grade Teacher

Angela Denney Forrester is a graduate of Lumpkin County Schools and of the University of North Georgia; with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education. Angela is currently a part of the Long Branch Elementary School team and has taught 5th grade there for the past 4 years. In years past, Angela taught 4th and 5th grades at Blackburn Elementary, with a total of 16 years of teaching experience.  Angela has a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, her gifted endorsement, and serves as a system trainer for Reading Horizons.

Artiana Golloshi

Mrs. Artiana Golloshi

Special Education Teacher

Mrs. Golloshi grew up In Albania, Europe. After she graduated from Tirana Foreign Language University  with a degree in French, she worked as a French teacher in a high school for 17 years. Mrs. Golloshi and her family moved to the US 14 years ago. She attended North Georgia College where she received a Master Degree in Teaching and certification in Special Education. Four years later, Mrs. Golloshi attended Piedmont College to earn a Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She has been working at Long Branch Elementary School for about 7 years and she is committed to her students' progress and growth in all academic and social skills.

Mary Beth Hamilton

Mrs. Mary Beth Hamilton

Special Education Teacher

Mrs. Mary Beth Hamilton began her teaching career in 1987. Mrs. Hamilton received both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in special education from Georgia Southern University. In addition, Mrs. Hamilton holds certification in early childhood education. Mrs. Hamilton is proud to be part of the Student Services Team at Long Branch Elementary.

Leah Hulsey

Mrs. Leah Hulsey

3rd Grade Teacher

Leah Hulsey received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from University of North Georgia (formerly North Georgia College and State University). While teaching she went on to receive her gifted endorsement, Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College, and her Education Specialist Degree in Exemplary Teaching and Curriculum from Valdosta State University. Mrs. Hulsey has been teaching elementary school since 2003.

Ashley Letendre

Mrs. Ashley Letendre

3rd Grade Teacher

Ashley Letendre is originally from Chicago and graduated with a degree in elementary from Carroll University. Before moving to Dahlonega, she has also lived and taught in Wisconsin and North Carolina. She has previously taught 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Ashley currently has been at Long Branch for 4 years and is currently teaching 3rd grade.

Cathy McMullan

Mrs. Catherine E. McMullan

4th Grade Teacher

Cathy moved to Dahlonega in 1985. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of North Georgia. Cathy has been teaching at Long Branch since 1999.

Laura Pagliuca

Ms. Laura Pagliuca

1st Grade Teacher

Laura Pagliuca grew up in Stuart, Florida. She moved to Georgia in 1998 to attend Piedmont College in Demorest. Laura attained her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. After graduation, she began her teaching career at Long Branch Elementary. Laura has taught first, second, and third grades. Ms. Pagliuca has since earned her Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education and Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

Jamie Savage

Mrs. Jamie Savage

3rd Grade Teacher

Jamie Savage graduated from West Georgia College with a Bachelor Degree in Early Childhood Education. She received her Masters of Education from North Georgia College and State University. She has taught 24 years and 12 of those years have been at Long Branch Elementary. She enjoys getting to know her students and helping them reach their full potential.

Jessica Self

Mrs. Jessica A. Self

2nd Grade Teacher

Jessica Self is a graduate of Lumpkin County School System. She attended the University of North Georgia where she earned a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Later on, Mrs. Self attended Piedmont College where she earned her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and an Educational Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Currently, Mrs. Self is in her seventeenth year of teaching at Long Branch Elementary.

Ashley Stepp

Ms. Kiernan Schmidt

Kindergarten Teacher

Kiernan Schmidt graduated from the University of North Georgia with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. Kiernan and her family live in White County and she completed her student teaching right here at Long Branch. This is her first year teaching and she is so excited to be a Long Branch Brave!

Laura Stanton

Ms. Laura Stanton

Lead Special Education Teacher

Ms. Laura Stanton is a special education teacher currently working at Long Branch Elementary School. She has taught in this position since the 2011-2012 school year. Ms. Stanton grew up on Long Island, in New York and lived in Southwest Florida for a number of years as well, before relocating to Dahlonega in 2009. Her educational path includes a Bachelors Degree from Barry University in South Florida, Masters Degree from Columbus State university and Specialist Degree from University of West Georgia. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and skiing and playing ice hockey. Ms. Stanton found her passion for special education purely by accident when she was offered a special education position, working with students who demonstrated significant behavior challenges. She found out very quickly, that teaching special needs students is where her heart is.

AJesi Webb

Mrs. Jessica Webb

Music Teacher

Mrs. Webb is excited to be returning to Long Branch! This will be her 18th year in education. As a student, she attended Lumpkin County Schools. After graduating college, she started her teaching career at Long Branch. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education, MA in Education, and an EdS in Curriculum. She is married to Heath Webb (LCHS) and has three wonderful kids who keep her busy!

Elissa Benjamin

Dr. Elissa Benjamin

Early Intervention Teacher

Elissa Benjamin is a former Air Force BRAT and Navy wife. She moved to Dahlonega and began teaching at Long Branch Elementary in 1999. Dr. Benjamin has a B.A. in English from Christopher Newport University and a Masters in Early Childhood Education from North Georgia College & State University. In 2011, she completed a Ph.D. in Educational Policy with a concentration in Educational Leadership and a cognate in Teaching and Learning. As the EIP Teacher, she believes the greatest gift she can give a child is a passion for learning.

Kim Cromer

Mrs. Kim Cromer

1st Grade Teacher

Kim Cromer grew up in Dallas, Georgia and is from a family of educators. She attended the Paulding County School System and furthered her education at Kennesaw State College in Marietta, Georgia. She began teaching in Paulding County at Yorkville Elementary. Mrs. Cromer taught preschool for several years while her three sons were young. She returned to teaching in public education 21 years ago at Long Branch Elementary school where she teaches First Grade.

Melanie Davenport

Mrs. Melanie Davenport

PE Teacher

Melanie Davenport is from Gainesville, GA and attended Gainesville High School, Home of the Red Elephants, c/o1992. In 1996, Mrs. Davenport graduated from Clemson University, with a Bachelors of Science in Health Sciences. She earned her Masters in Physical Education with Certification in Health & PE, K-12 while working as a graduate student for North Georgia College & State University, among her graduate teaching responsibilities were Adaptive PE contracted with Lumpkin County Schools, Ropes Course Instructor, which led to an opportunity to coach middle school girls basketball('97-'98). Mrs. Davenport earned her Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership, from Lincoln Memorial University in 2007. In the Fall of 1998, Mrs. Davenport officially began her teaching and coaching career as a certified teacher for Lumpkin County Schools at Lumpkin County Middle School, where she taught Health & PE and coached both middle school girls' basketball and track. Beginning the 2001-2002 school year, Mrs. Davenport transferred to Long Branch Elementary where she continues to serve as the Health & PE Teacher. Mrs. Davenport added to her coaching resume JV Volleyball in 2017, and Basketball Cheer in 2018. Coach Davenport is currently in her fourth season as the Lumpkin County Varsity & JV Basketball Cheer coach..

Dale Dean

Mrs. Dale Dean

Special Education Teacher

Mrs. Dale Dean is proud to be a Long Branch Brave!  She received a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from the University of Central Oklahoma, a Masters in Special Education from the University of North Georgia, and a Specialist in Instructional Technology from Valdosta State University.  Mrs. Dean is certified to teach Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, and to serve as a media specialist. She has been teaching at Long Branch Elementary since 2001. Mrs. Dean is now living her passion for working with struggling learners and helping them be excited about learning. Mrs. Dean has been married for over 30 wonderful years and has four creative children who have blessed her with many beautiful grandchildren.  She loves to spend time with the grands in crafting and exploring their surroundings through hiking and travel. 

Anna Head

Ms. Anna Head

Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Head grew up in Dahlonega and attended the University of North Georgia. She graduated in 2022 and got her first teaching job at Long Branch Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher. She is very excited to start her career and help every student reach their full potential.

Lacey Johnson

Mrs. Lacey Johnson

Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Johnson is a Dahlonega native and was in third grade at Long Branch Elementary School when it opened its doors. She loves teaching kindergarten and seeing how much the students achieve during the school year. She’s married to her husband of 18 years, Adam and they have two daughters in ninth grade and fifth grade.

Cindy Landers

Mrs. Cindy Landers

5th Grade Teacher

Mrs. Landers grew up in Central New York, and after high school graduation moved to the Tampa, Florida area. She attended the University of Tampa, and received her B.S. in Elementary Education. During her career in Florida, she taught 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 6th grades. She also was a Migrant Advocate, a Curriculum Intervention Facilitator and a Math Coach to teachers. Mrs. Landers moved to Dahlonega in 2012 with her husband Steve and their three daughters, Rachel, Bianca and Annie. Teaching in the Lumpkin School System is a blessing to her and she loves working with her students.

Alex Martin

Mrs. Alexandra C. Martin

2nd Grade Teacher

Alex was born and raised in Dahlonega, Georgia. She attended the University of North Georgia to obtain her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. She began teaching at Long Branch Elementary School in 2016. She also obtained her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and her Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont University.

Anna Matthews

Mrs. Anna Black

Occupational Therapist

Mrs. Anna Black is from Clermont, Ga, graduating from North Hall High School in 2012. From there she attended Georgia College & State University, graduating with honors with her Bachelors of Science in Exercise Science in 2016. She then perused her Masters in Occupational Therapy at the beautiful University of Saint Augustine for Health Sciences. She graduated second in her class in the spring of 2019, joining the Lumpkin County Tribe in the fall of 2019. She currently serves as occupational therapist for the students of Lumpkin Elementary, Lumpkin PreK, Long Branch Elementary, and Lumpkin Middle schools.

Ashley Moye

Mrs. Ashley Moye

STEAM Teacher

Ashley Moye is a graduate of Lumpkin County High School. She continued her education at Lee University earning a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Teaching (Elementary Education). She also attended Piedmont University where she also earned an Educational Specialist in Teaching and Learning. In addition to teaching STEAM at Long Branch, Mrs. Moye is a part of the coaching staff for the Lady Indians soccer team.

Susan Rogers

Ms. Susan Rogers

Speech & Language Pathologist

Ms. Susan Rogers graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor's degree in communication. Ms. Rogers earned her Master's degree in Speech Language Pathology from Temple University in Pennsylvania. Ms. Rogers has been a speech pathologist with Lumpkin County School district since 2016.

Kelly Seabolt

Mrs. Kelly M. Seabolt

Kindergarten Teacher

Kelly Seabolt is a Dahlonega native and was one of the very first Braves at Long Branch Elementary when it first opened. She has taught at Long Branch Elementary since 2005. Most of her career has been in Kindergarten. She has experience in second and third grade also. She loves teaching Kindergarten and believes in the importance of creating a fun and firm foundation. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Brenau University and obtained her Master's Degree and Educational Specialist Degree from Piedmont College. She is married to Jared Seabolt and is proud that her two daughters (4th grade & 8th grade) are able to attend the same school as she and her husband. She is honored to be part of Lumpkin County Schools!

Joy Tinney

Ms. Joy Tinney

4th Grade Teacher

Joy is from Anderson County, South Carolina, where she received her bachelor's degree from Clemson University in Early Childhood Education. She later moved to Dahlonega, Georgia and earned her Master's of Education in Special Education as well as her Gifted Education certification from the University of North Georgia.

Ami Young

Mrs. Ami Young

5th Grade Teacher

Ami Young is a graduate of Lumpkin County Schools and of the University of North Georgia; with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ami is currently a part of the Long Branch Elementary School team and has taught 4th & 5th grades there for the past 6 years. In years past, Ami taught 2nd grade, and was also the music teacher for Lumpkin County Elementary. Prior to teaching at Long Branch, she homeschooled her own 5 children for 8 years. Other teaching experiences include 3 years of state-funded GA Pre-K, private piano & vocal lessons, and counseling at summer Christian camps. Ami has her gifted endorsement and serves as a system trainer for Reading Horizons.