MEET THE SEL TEAM 

Dr. Rose Prejean-Harris, Director of SEL

rose.prejean@atlanta.k12.ga.us  |  404 802-1656

Dr. Prejean-Harris is a Louisiana native and received her B.S. in Science Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, an M.Ed. in School Counseling from the University of West Georgia and her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Mercer University. She began her teaching career as a middle and high school science teacher in New Orleans, Dallas and Atlanta before transitioning to a high school counselor and then assistant principal in DeKalb County Schools. Most recently, she was the principal of Gainesville Middle School in Gainesville, Georgia. Dr. Prejean-Harris believes that in order for students to gain access to a challenging curriculum, their social and emotional needs must also be addressed by caring adults who are also self-aware and skilled in meeting the needs of all children. The depth of SEL reaches beyond the classroom and changes the lives and communities in which we live.

Dr. Lindsay Wyczalkowski, SEL Coordinator (Elementary Schools)

lwyczalkowski@atlanta.k12.ga.us  |  404-802-2684

Dr. Lindsay Wyczalkowski has over 20 years of experience in education, developing school and district programming, designing professional learning, and presenting on critical topics including social and emotional learning, culturally responsive leadership and pedagogy, mindfulness, and restorative practices.   Working within the Atlanta Public Schools Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Department, Lindsay has had the opportunity to help grow the APS SEL initiative through her work in collaborating with district teams cross-functionally and rolling out SEL with all elementary schools.  In addition to her role in APS, Lindsay is an educational consultant, published author, and lifelong learner.  When she is not working or studying, Lindsay enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

Dennis Toliver, SEL Coordinator (Middle Schools)

dxtoliver@atlanta.k12.ga.us |  404-802-2633

Dennis Toliver is an Arkansas native.  He attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR and received his Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 2006, Master of Art in Teaching degree in 2007, and Master of Educational Leadership degree in 2012.  His teaching career began as a Kindergarten teacher in Springdale Public Schools in Springdale, AR, and during his 6 years at the school, Dennis taught 1st, 3rd and 4th grades.  He moved to Atlanta and started teaching 3rd grade at Grove Park Intermediate School until the facility closed, and he was transferred to Hollis Academy. After one year of teaching 3rd grade, he was promoted to SEL Coach and eventually was hired as the Middle School SEL Coordinator for the district in 2022.  Dennis believes that there are things we can do to change people's behavior, especially if you equip them with the tools to succeed.  Even if people don't use the tools every time, they at least have what they need.  His top Gallup strengths are Achiever, Consistency, Discipline, Woo and Communication.

Dr. Veneschia Bryant, SEL Coordinator (High Schools)

vbryant@atlanta.k12.ga.us  |  404-802-2653  

Dr. Veneschia Bryant was born in Atlanta, GA and is a product of Atlanta Public Schools. Throughout life, she saw the impact of quality relationships and therefore believes intentional connections are drivers in life.  As an educator for over twenty years, the words of Dr. James Comer have always been her guiding light, "No significant learning can occur without significant relationships." The relationships we forge, even the one with the self, are foundational to who we are and transformational to who we are becoming.  Interwoven into her foundation, Dr. Bryant is described as compassionate, caring, curious, and courageous at times, and she is strongly tied to her pillars of faith, family, and friends.  

Erick Metzger, SEL Coach for the Douglass Cluster

fmetzger@atlanta.k12.ga.us  |  404-802-2631

Erick Metzger grew up in Indiana and attended both public and private schools. He received a B.A. from Lee University, a M.A.Ed. from Tennessee Tech University, and an Educational Specialist from Lincoln University. He was a classroom educator for 13 years in a variety of school settings before becoming a Social Emotional Learning coach for Atlanta Public Schools. As a teacher he taught second, third, fourth and fifth grades. During that time, Mr. Metzger co-taught a full inclusion class and looped with his students allowing his students continuity and familiarity. In this setting, he further crafted his ability to meet the needs of the whole child for every child. When not at work he enjoys spending time with friends and traveling the world experiencing different cultures.