Sarah Smith Elementary School

Sarah Smith GO Team Meetings are held throughout the year at the Intermediate Campus at 3:15 pm. Tentative dates for the 2019/2020 school year are as follows. All meeting are open for public comment. See the Go Team Overview page for details on making a public comment.  

Meeting Schedule

MEMBERS

Katy Barnes is a parent representative on the Go Team. She is a native Atlantan and has lived in the Sarah Smith district   for 15 years. She and her husband have three children; a son in 4th grade, a son in 2nd grade/ DLI Program, and a daughter in pre-K. During her time as a Sarah Smith parent she has volunteered for many school wide and classroom events, served as a room parent for two years, and as the PTA Spirit Wear Committee Co-Chair. She spearheaded the establishment of the DLI Family Engagement Committee in 2018. She also serves as a student mentor at Woodson Park Academy in APS. Katy graduated from The University of Georgia. Her professional background includes working at the Savannah College of Art & Design- Atlanta as the Director of Events, Exhibitions and Community Outreach and as a Director with Stella & Dot. She is passionate about spending her time and energy working to make improvements that will benefit all of our students and giving SRS families a strong voice in the decisions made through the Go Team.  If you would like to email Katy Barnes, please click here

Ed Juline is the community representative on the GOTeam. A transplant to Atlanta since 2013 from many adventures, near and far, he brings a diverse knowledge of cultural differences between communities, cultures, and countries. He and his wife have two sons, a 6^thgrader at Atlanta International School, and a 1^stgrader in the DLI program at Sarah Smith. His wife works as the parent liaison at Sarah Smith, providing services to the Hispanic community. His professional background includes work at large corporations and family owned companies.

Rebecca Blanchette is a Go Team parent representative with two children in first and third grades attending Sarah Smith. Rebecca has been involved in working toward the success of the school by serving on the PTA Board as Vice President of Operations and then as Co-President of the PTA, Advocacy and Enrichment. This year she is continuing her support of the PTO by serving on various school-wide committees. Rebecca grew up in Kennesaw, GA and attended the University of Georgia where she earned a B.A. in Geography. She followed her dreams and moved to New York upon graduation and worked for a fashion retailer in Human Resources. Rebecca and her family moved back to Atlanta in 2012. She is passionate about public school education and believes that Sarah Smith should be a top choice school for residents. 

I received my Bachelors of Science in Early Childhood Education from the University of Georgia. After college, I returned        to Atlanta to long-term sub at Sarah Smith.  I was thrilled when a first grade position came open the following year.  I wanted to work full time at this neighborhood school, and help it remain successful, as it is the school that I attended. Last year I served as the teacher liaison on Sarah Smith’s PTA board and will continue this role for the next two years.  This is a wonderful opportunity, as it allows me to have a voice as I work with parents to advocate for the needs of students and teachers.   While at school, I advocate for my students by creating meaningful lessons that reach our diverse student population by collaborating with other teachers and differentiating my instruction. I also have attended trainings such as Orton-Gillingham that allow my students the opportunity to learn best practices. I am excited to serve on the GO Team.  I am looking forward to working with other teachers, parents, and community members to help steer our school in the right direction, as we think about the long-term goals of Sarah Smith and how to raise student achievement! If you would like to email Ellen Boydston, please click her

Samuel Jones is a Go Team Staff representative who has proudly served the Sarah Smith community for eight years. During this time, he has served in a number of roles at Sarah Smith including serving on the Sarah Smith school leadership team, as well as staff liaison to the Sarah Smith PTA board. Samuel’s love for education as well as his extensive experience in the classroom have provided him a wealth of insight into the strength of school and community relationships, differentiated and rigorous approaches to instruction, as well as the importance of both staff and parent involvement in school decision making processes. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Samuel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and Business Management from Winston-Salem State University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education degree from Salem College, also located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He has taught both primary as well as intermediate grades in both Winston-Salem Forsyth County School as well as Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools prior to relocating to Atlanta to teach at Sarah Smith. Samuel is currently completing his Master of Education in Teaching and Learning at Clemson University and looks forward to continuing to support Sarah Smith Elementary as well as the Sarah Smith community in his new role. 

Jennifer Sand is a Go Team parent representative and has two children attending Sarah Smith in the DLI program. Her educational experience includes earning a Bachelors degree in English Education from UGA, a Masters degree in Curriculum & Instruction from NC State, and working as a lead teacher in a public middle school in NYC before moving to Atlanta. These school experiences have helped her understand the importance of utilizing authentic evaluation to drive instruction as well as differentiating instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners. For the past two years at SRS, Jennifer has played a supportive role in helping to guide and grow the new DLI program, served as room parent and on various school-wide committees, and is an active supporter of the PTA and Foundation. She is passionate about helping to ensure the continued success of our school by promoting open communication, creating positive change, and advocating for the needs of all students and teachers. She looks forward to supporting and collaborating with parents, teachers, and administrators to ensure high quality instruction and raise student achievement. 

With an undergraduate degree in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland in central New York, and a Masters’ degree in Education with a specialty in Motor Learning from the University of Georgia, Debbie found herself at Sarah Smith via high school and college teaching experiences.  Outdoor and Environmental Education pursuits have too been part of her work experiences, as well as her own recreational pursuits, and have enabled her to weave environmental science concepts into her Physical Education curriculum.  During her years at  Atlanta Public Schools, Debbie has completed endorsements as a  Teacher Support Specialist as well as the  Teacher Leader Endorsement, while in her 15 years at Sarah Smith, Debbie has served as a member of the Leadership Team, Local School Council, and as the 2016-2017 Teacher of the Year.

Robin Ortale is the swing seat representative of the GO Team and is also serving as the GO Team Secretary this year.  Robin has two children currently attending Sarah Smith Elementary School and one who has graduated and is now at Sutton Middle School.   Robin has been serving the students, parents and staff of Sarah Smith since 2010.  Robin has had various roles in the PTA including being on the board for 2 years and the PTA Co-President in the 2014-2015 school year.  She has also chaired the largest fundraiser, the Read A Thon, and currently chairs the Learning Garden.  Robin served on Sarah Smith Education Foundation Board for three years in the Marketing Communication Role as well as Secretary. She has been an active member of the North Atlanta Parents for Public Schools organization as well and is the liaison between Sarah Smith and Sutton.  Robin feels that every child can get a great public school education and hopes that being on the Sarah Smith GO Team will allow her to use her talents to ensure that every child does.  Robin has lived in Atlanta since 1999.  Before she became a full time mom and volunteer, she held a corporate position working in Marketing at the Eastman Kodak Company for 17 years.  Robin attended Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania.  She is also currently the President of the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Friends Board and is a Den Leader for Cub Scout Pack 370.  If you would like to email Robin Ortale, please click here.  (link to robinortale@me.com)

Christina Pirouz is a community representative on the GO Team and a parent of three children that attended Sarah Smith.  Chris and her family moved to Atlanta in 2009 and Sarah Smith Elementary not only became her kid's school but helped the entire family quickly become a part of the community in North Buckhead.  They continue to live in the Sarah Smith district.  Since 2009 Chris has served on most of the committees at Sarah Smith Elementary, chaired International Travelers and served multiple years on the PTA and SSEF.  Chris received her Bachelor Degree in Marketing from Miami University of Ohio and worked much of her career with nonprofit organizations or agencies serving nonprofits.  As a member of the community, Chris is dedicated to making sure Sarah Smith Elementary continues to be one of the finest elementary schools in the nation

I am very fortunate to join this community as we build upon the strong tradition of Sarah Smith Elementary School.  Over the past 18 years, I have had the pleasure of working in different roles in a variety of schools, however my most important role has been as a champion of all learners.  Spending time getting to know students as individuals, sharing their achievements, and encouraging them when they need a boost, is the best part of my job.  I cannot wait for our students to return, filling both campuses with energy and enthusiasm for learning.  Additionally, I hold degrees from Kennesaw State University (Educational Specialist in Leadership), Georgia State University (Masters in Education) and Sweet Briar College (Bachelor of Arts in History and Government).  

My husband, Jim, and I met in college and moved to his hometown of Atlanta in 2003.  We live in Brookwood Hills with our two children, Madeline, a rising 6th grader at Sutton Middle School, and Whitaker, a rising 5th grader at E. Rivers Elementary.  We consider ourselves lucky to be part of this vibrant city where there is always something new to discover, and spend our free time traveling within and outside of the city, as well as trying new restaurants.  When we decide to stay closer to home, we enjoy spending time with our pets: a dog, cat, and tortoise.  If you would like to email Emily Boartright, please click here