• Chiesa Carter is a GO Team Staff Representative with over 20 years of experience in education. She has served in various instructional roles, including elementary, Gifted and Talented, ESOL, and curriculum support. A member of the Sarah Smith community since 2012, she currently serves as an ESOL teacher, dedicated to fostering academic growth and language development among diverse learners.

    She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education, with a concentration in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Her professional focus includes STEAM, technology integration, and strategies for Gifted and ESOL instruction. Her work has earned honors such as Georgia Master Teacher and Teacher of the Year distinctions.

    In addition to her role in education, she is actively involved in several civic and professional organizations. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, traveling, and attending arts and music events. She values self-care and believes in embracing the joy of life.  If you would like to email Chiesa, please click here.


  • Cimona V. Hinton Dirickson is a GO Team parent representative and serves as Vice Chair. She and her husband, Darryl, are parents to Darryl II (Class of 2027), and Daria (Class of 2030). She is also involved in Sarah Smith’s Multicultural Committee, and Sarah Smith School Tours. Cimona earned a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a Ph.D. in biochemistry from Meharry Medical College, and completed postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School. She is Professor of Biochemistry and a research leader at Morehouse School of Medicine. If you would like to email Cimona, please click here.

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    Ann Mintman is a GO Team parent representative and also serves as our secretary. Ann and her husband Mark have four children, three who currently attend Sarah Smith. Ann’s involvement at Sarah Smith began in 2020 when her family moved to Atlanta from Louisville, Ky and her oldest started Kindergarten. Ann is an active member of the Sarah Smith community. She serves as a room parent, is on the tour committee, is one of the current chairs of the Teacher Appreciation Committee, the Room Parent coordinator, and she is also one of the Troop Leaders for the third grade Brownie Troop. Ann earned her Master’s degree in Education from Bellarmine University with an Emphasis in Reading and Writing Instruction.  She graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a degree in Elementary Education and a Minor in English. She believes in the mission of public education and wants to build upon the strong school community at Sarah Smith. She wants to support the connection between school and home life, which will ultimately lead to engaged families, successful students and a thriving and impactful school.  If you would like to email Ann, please click here.

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    Jennifer Moore is a GO Team Staff Representative and is the GATE teacher at the Primary Campus, bringing 24 years of teaching experience to her role. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, an M.Ed. in Reading, and is Orton-Gillingham trained. Additionally, she is endorsed as both a Reading Specialist and Gifted teacher. Outside of her professional life, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her two adult children, Katie and Zach, as well as her beloved cat, Millie. Her hobbies include watching football, gardening, tackling DIY projects, reading, and taking trips to the beach.  If you would like to email Jennifer, please click here.

  • L Smith

    Laquisha Smith is a GO Team Community Representative and longtime wellness enthusiast, with over 16 years of experience as a small business owner in the Atlanta community.

    She and her husband Kariim, are parents to Elle - a Dual Language Immersion student in the Class of 2027. Laquisha serves as a board member and Co-Chair of Friends Helping Friends (FHF) and is actively involved in various PTO volunteer activities and school events.

    Beyond her professional and community involvement, Laquisha enjoys traveling and exploring different cultures with her family, supporting her daughter's extracurricular passions, videography, writing, and visiting local farmers' markets. If you would like to email Laquihsa, please click here.


  • Prissy Stewart is a GO Team Staff Representative and has been a librarian at Sarah Smith since 2014. She taught third, fourth and fifth grades for nine years and has been a librarian since 2001. Prissy earned her degree in History from Duke University, her Master’s in Elementary Education from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, and an add-on in Library Media Science from Georgia State University. If you would like to email Prissy, please click here.

  • Elizabeth Zielinski
    Elizabeth Zielinski is a GoTeam Parent Representative and also serves as Go Team Chair. She and her husband, Clay, have two children who attend Sarah Smith. Elizabeth’s involvement with Sarah Smith began in 2019 when her daughter started kindergarten. She has served as a room parent, school tour representative, and Read-a-Thon class representative. Elizabeth currently serves as the PTO Treasurer-Elect. If you would like to email Elizabeth, please click here.