Faculty & Staff

Meredith Moseley

Head of School

Meredith holds a BS in Secondary Social Science Education from the University of Georgia and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Georgia State University. She is a former Social Studies teacher at Tucker High School and Assistant Principal at Meadowcreek and Tucker High Schools. Meredith holds teaching certificates in Social Studies, Educational Leadership, and Gifted Education. She has been involved with SPS since she was 11 where she volunteered during the Summer Fun Camps. She is a former 3 year old class teacher at SPS and has been the Head of School since 2013. She has two daughters Grace and Amelia (both SPS graduates). She enjoys spending time with her girls and husband Chris, watching UGA football, and reading.

 

Maggie Casner

Assistant Head of School

Maggie holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia.  Prior to joining SPS, she was president of a small technology company.  Maggie has served on the board and been an involved volunteer at SPS since her daughter joined the toddler's class in 2011.  Her daughter, Charlie, graduated from SPS 8th grade and is now a student at Lakeside High School.  Her favorite things to do are spending time in the mountains with her family, reading, yoga, and cooking.

 

Lauren Fulmer

Admissions and Operations Coordinator

​Lauren is originally from Greenville, SC and moved to Atlanta from Aiken, SC in 2022. She started at SPS in 2024 as the 2s teacher, and is now in the office as the Operations and Admissions Coordinator. Previously she taught preschool for 8 years. She and her husband, Clayton, have two children, Alice and Charlie, who attend Chamblee High School and Chamblee Middle School. They are members of Shallowford Presbyterian, where Lauren teaches Sunday School to the 3s-1st graders, and both kids are involved in the youth. Lauren is very excited for another year at SPS and to get to see all of the SPS kids daily!

 

Lauren Anderson

P.E. and Health Teacher

Lauren joined SPS in August of 2025, as the PE Teacher for Preschool through 8th grade, as well as Health for Middle School. She grew up in Atlanta and graduated from Lakeside High School before earning a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science from Georgia College & State University in 2024. Lauren has a strong background in athletics, having competed in soccer, volleyball, and basketball, and later serving as head coach for a middle school volleyball team at a nearby private school.  She has also held private soccer training   sessions for elementary and middle school aged kids. In her free time, Lauren loves going on walks, working out, and cheering on the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta Braves. 

 

Justin Bearden

Second Grade Assistant Teacher

Justin is an Atlanta native and University of Georgia graduate who lives in Decatur with his family. He has worked as a Kindergarten, Pre-K, and 1st grade Assistant Teacher at SPS, as well as a 3s and Pre-K Assistant at a small school in Decatur. Justin believes that learning should be fun and engaging and loves seeing students grow and develop throughout the school year. In his free time, Justin enjoys fishing, working in his yard, traveling, and spending time with his family.

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Georgia Brock

Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Georgia started at SPS in the 2023-24 school year as the 1st grade assistant teacher. She loves animals, crafts, cooking , themed costumes and all things colorful. She has been caring for children for four years and has wanted to teach since she graduated high school; Georgia is very excited to be here at SPS as the kindergarten assistant teacher! She enjoys nature, laughing, and close friends. She grew up in Decatur and continues to live there with her cat Tate and family.​

 

Kristina Burnett

First Grade Lead Teacher

Kristina has been a lead teacher here at SPS since 2015. Prior to coming to SPS, she worked at Immaculate Heart of Mary School for 8 years as a first grade teaching assistant, library assistant, and garden coordinator. She also worked as an audiologist at Emory and the Atlanta Speech School. She attended the University of Georgia and earned a B.S. Ed. in Communication Sciences and Disorders and a M.Ed. in both Audiology and Education of the Hearing Impaired. She holds a Georgia State License in Audiology and Georgia Teaching Certification for Early Education, Hearing Impaired and areas of Special Education.  Kristina particularly enjoys teaching children to read and also watching students develop a love of reading and writing. Kristina is married and has young adult children, Sophie and Ben. In her spare time, Kristina enjoys spending time with family, watching UGA football, and gardening.

 

Katie Carter

Art Teacher

Katie has a BFA in Art Education from the University of Georgia. She has 12 years of teaching experience and previously worked in Cobb and Dekalb County Schools. Katie grew up in Tucker, and still lives in the area with her husband, 2 kids, and 3 cats. Besides art, Katie loves hiking, knitting, and reading.

 

Nardja el-Shabazz

Pre-K Assistant Teacher

Nardja is a Decatur, Ga native. She began working as a preschool teacher assistant and dance instructor in 2013. She began her dance training at Decatur School of Ballet at age 6. She became a teacher's assistant at age 13 and progressed through the studio as a substitute teacher and eventually an instructor in 2013. Nardja earned a teaching certification through the American Ballet Theatre in May 2020. She is an ABT® Certified Teacher in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She also completed Horton Technique teacher training through the Ailey extension with Ana Marie Forsythe in July 2021. In her free time, Nardja likes to go to yoga class and spend time with her family.

 

Josh Dubin

6th-8th Science & Social Studies Teacher

​Josh graduated from UNC Chapel Hill in 2011 with a degree in history and American studies, and has always had a passion for teaching and education.  Before joining the SPS community, he taught at a local Atlanta nonprofit working with students from around the country.  Having grown up in the mountains of Asheville, NC, he enjoys hiking, camping, and cross country running.

 

Lauren Heidingsfelder

Music Teacher

Lauren Heidingsfelder (Mrs. H) earned an A.S in Music education in 2001, a B.M. in Music education in 2005 and an M.M. in Music education in 2013. She wrote an article that was published in the centennial issue of the peer reviewed Music Educators Journal in 2014 titled, "The Slogan of the Century". She also published a children's picture book in 2021 titled "Sausage Magic". Lauren has been teaching piano lessons since 2001, guitar since 2007, and ukulele since 2011. She sings as a staff alto with the Dunwoody United Methodist Chancel choir and Musica Gloria. In addition, she has sung with Peach State Opera, Capitol City Opera, the Harrower Opera workshop and the Like the Dickens Carolers. She has maintained a State of Georgia teaching certificate for Pk-12 music since 2005 and has certifications in Musikgarten, Orff and Kodaly methodologies. Lauren lives in Marietta with her partner, two children Novi & Henson, along with her adorable dogs and cuddly cats. In her free time, she has written six novels in two years along with a smattering of short stories and flash fiction. She also writes song parodies (like Weird Al Yankovich) that she posts to her Youtube channel. 

 

Stacey LaMadrid

Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Stacey is a native of Georgia. She has studied Business Administration at Georgia Perimeter College and Early Childhood Education at Georgia State University. She is a former Pre-K teacher at Embry Hills Kindergarten and Preschool and taught there for 10 years. Stacey and her husband, George, reside in Atlanta with their two children and two dogs. Her children Nicholas and Isabella attend Lakeside High School. When she is not at SPS, you can find her on a soccer field watching both of her children play for Concorde Fire and Lakeside. She enjoys walking, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

 

Lourelle Lawrence

5 Day 3s Lead Teacher

Lourelle began teaching at SPS in 2016. She was previously the lead teacher for one of SPS's Pre-K classes, and has taught at St. Bede's as an assistant and lead teacher in the 2's class. A native South African and Smoke Rise resident, she is married with four children and has a furry friend, Rosie the dog. Going to her children's sports games, gardening, nature walks, and Candy Crush are a few of her favorite things. 

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Evelyn Mendez

4th and 5th Grades Assistant

Evelyn is the Teacher Assistant for the 4th and 5th grade classes. This is her first year working with 4th and 5th grade students, and she looks forward to supporting their learning and growth.  She was born and raised in Chicago and is bilingual in English and Spanish. Before joining this role, she worked as a Kindergarten Teacher Assistant with DeKalb County Schools for three years, where she discovered her passion for helping students learn and succeed. 

 

Elena Murphy

Pre-K Lead Teacher

Elena has a BBA from St. Mary's College, Notre Dame, Indiana. She has been teaching PreK at SPS since 2012. In addition to teaching PreK, she enjoys teaching STEM concepts to children through Lego model-building classes. Elena is married and has two children and a cat. Both of Elena's children attended SPS. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and backyard birdwatching.

 

Rylen Owens

6th-8th Math Teacher

Rylen Owens joined SPS in the 2021-22 school year after several years of working with children of all ages, primarily in special education roles. They received their B.S in Psychology with a concentration in Infant-Adolescent Development from Kennesaw State University. Rylen has a strong passion for educating middle school aged students and helping them to grow socially and emotionally through restorative and conscious discipline based practices. Outside of school, Rylen loves to travel, spend time with their family, and read.

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Melinda Sanders

3rd Grade Lead Teacher

Melinda is new to SPS this year. She holds a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Early Childhood Education. Melinda has taught pre-k, kindergarten and second grade. She has been teaching for over 20 years. Melinda has one daughter Kate who is 27 years old. Melinda lives with her husband, Mark, and their 22 year old cat named Finnegan. She enjoys walking, hiking, reading, crafts, attending festivals and getting together with friends.

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Kristen Schafer

Pre-K Assistant Teacher

Kristen has a B.S. in Education from Miami University and a Master of Education from Framingham State College. Since 2014, she has taught 2s, 3s, and pre-k at SPS. Prior to SPS, she taught 12 years at Oak Grove Elementary and 5 years in Costa Rica. Kristen is involved with PTO at her daughters’ school and enjoys serving as a Girl Scout leader. In her free time, she enjoys camping, hiking, tennis, and spending time with her family.

 

Laura Smith

Second Grade Lead Teacher

Laura has been the 2nd grade lead teacher at SPS since 2017. She holds a BS in Early Childhood Education from Brenau University, a MS in Teaching Reading K-5 from Walden University, and is Orton-Gillingham trained. Prior to joining SPS, Laura taught 1st grade, 2nd grade, Summer School, and After School in Gwinnett County Public Schools for 16 years. She has also taught Pre-K. Laura's favorite things are swimming and spending time with her immediate and extended family.

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Charlotte West

2nd Grade Assistant Teacher

Charlotte is married with three children. She has served The Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta as a troop leader for 12 years. She has enjoyed being an Elementary Science Olympiad Coach, and Club volunteer for First Lego League, Garden Club, Chorus, and Musical Theater. Charlotte's youngest is at UGA. Go Dawgs!! She has worked at SPS for 6 years as Preschool Lead teacher, and has now joined the grade school as 2nd grade assistant. Charlotte is currently working on her CDA certification, she attended CIA (Culinary Arts) and served The Vinings Club for 15 years in their culinary and membership departments.

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Lisa Westmoreland

5th Grade Lead Teacher

Lisa is a native Atlantan with over 28 years of classroom experience including three years as a Media Specialist serving in both elementary and high school levels. She is a dedicated and experienced elementary educator who has returned to the classroom after a successful career in education working in Gwinnett County Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s degree in Library Science, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Technology. In addition, she is Gifted Certified, reflecting her commitment to supporting diverse learners and advanced academic growth.  In addition, she enjoys helping students discover their strengths and develop a love for learning that lasts beyond the classroom. Outside of school, Lisa enjoys spending time with her five furbabies and her family, traveling, and baking.

 

Amelia Wheelus

6th-8th ELA Teacher

Amelia holds a Bachelors of Speech Communication with a focus in Public and Political Rhetoric from Georgia State University. She was also lucky to study at Oxford University in Oxford, England where she focused on Communication, Shakespeare, and Chaucer. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina. Before SPS she was a Reference and Instructional Librarian, and a reading and writing tutor. Amelia is married with two daughters both of whom have attended SPS. She loves libraries, reading, writing, and swimming! 

 

Erin Wiedmier

4th Grade Lead Teacher

Erin is excited to join the third-grade team for the 2026–2027 school year. This is her third year as an educator and her first year teaching third grade. Erin earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Columbia College in 2025. She began her teaching career in Missouri in 2023, where she developed a passion for creating engaging learning experiences and helping students grow both academically and personally. In addition to teaching, Erin has an extensive background in cheerleading and athletic development. She served as the Director of Prep Development and Athletes at All-Star Performance Institute in Columbia, Missouri, and has been coaching cheerleading since the age of 13. From 2023 to 2025, she also led the cheer program at Fulton Middle School while assisting with the high school program. Erin is passionate about building positive relationships with her students and their families and looks forward to an exciting year of learning, growth, and fun in the classroom.

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Molly Woods

Media Specialist; Library & TechnologyTeacher

Molly holds a BA in English from Ithaca College and a Masters degree in School Library Media from Georgia State. She was a children's book editor in New York before moving to Atlanta, where she has worked as both a freelance writer and a certified Dekalb County schools media specialist. She loves anything having to do with books, cooking, exploring Atlanta, and spending time with her husband and two children (both of whom have attended SPS).