Azizi Ray
Department Chair

AP Calculus, Algebra I, SAT/GGT Prep
When she arrived at North Atlanta six years ago, Ms. Ray brought with her a love of country music, two-stepping and line dances, as well as an ability to teach the most difficult maths. She had previously honed her skills at Crim, Southside, and Inman Middle. She earned both her B.S. and M. Ed. in Mathematics at the University of Rochester. Ms. Ray is the Chair of the Mathematics Department at North Atlanta.

Danny Birthwright
Physics, Genetics, SAT/GGT Prep

Only one meal a day fuels this Jamaica-born and -bred soccer player, IT consultant, and research specialist. After earning a B.S. in Computer Science at the City University of New York, Mr. Birthwright taught at both university and middle school levels before coming to North Atlanta, originally as a physics teacher. He goes home to Jamaica at least once a year, and invites everyone to follow with plenty of tourist dollars.

Usha Patke
Biology

Ms. Patke has a Bachelor’s degree in Botany, Zoology and Chemistry from Annamalai University, a second Bachelor’s degree in Education, and a Master’s in Zoology from Osmonia University in her native India.

Gussie Phillips
Physical Science, SAT/GGT Prep

With a B.S. from Fort Valley State and T-5 certification from Georgia State, Ms. Phillips has taught science in both Henry County and Atlanta Public Schools. She has an unusual co-vocation: She has written a treatise on “The Art of Worship,” and is currently working on a Master of Divinity degree.

Lois Brackin
9th Grade Literature

A graduate of the NAHS Class of 2000, Ms. Brackin played cello in the North Atlanta Orchestra and appeared with the Warriors as the NAHS mascot. After earning her Bachelor’s in English Education from Appalachian State, she completed her certification in gifted teaching and taught in Charlotte, NC, and at Carver before coming home to NAHS.

Terrill Soules
English Literature, World Literature and E.S.O.L. - 4

A published poet, Mr. Soules left Microsoft to pursue a teaching career that has included Latin, ESOL, and all levels of middle and high school literature and language arts. He recently completed his second collection of poems, The Book Earth Dreams. Drawing on his B.A. in Classical Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, Mr. Soules is engaged in a long-term project: a new translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy.

Francis Legagneur
U.S. History, Economics

Recipient of his B.A. from the University of Albany and Masters from the University of Michigan, Francis has experience of teaching in three separate APS schools. He began his career at South Atlanta, then Henry Grady and of course teaches at North Atlanta currently. A division I-AA football player while at Albany he turned in his cleats to become the sports editor at the University newspaper.

Natalie Brandhorst           
IB Visual Arts, Visual Arts & Art Comprehension

Painting, Drawing, Ceramics I & II, Set Design
Holding a B.F.A. from State University of West Georgia and an M.F.A. from Savannah College of Art and Design, Ms. Brandhorst is an award-winning painter and mixed media artist.  She has taught at several secondary schools in the Atlanta area as well as at the Art Institute and SCAD-Atlanta.  She loves hiking, biking, water skiing, and gardening, but above all, claims a passion for sky diving.

Ella Lewis
Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Piano, Music Theory, Hand Bells

Born in New York City, Ms. Lewis grew up in Brunswick, GA. She earned a B.S. from Morris Brown College and has done extensive graduate work at Georgia State. In addition to teaching for APS for 29 years, Ms. Lewis has served as the organist for Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church for over 15 years. She is a professional accompanist on both piano and organ, and presents solo organ concerts as well.

Brian Jennings
Music Technology

Antonio Sisk           
Ballet, Jazz and Modern Dance

The recipient of multiple grants and awards, Ms. Stevenson was named North Atlanta’s Teacher of the Year for 2007-08.  She has developed collaborative relationships for the school with Fox Theatre, Alliance Theatre, and Oglethorpe University, resulting in multiple learning and performing opportunities for our students.  During her 21 years in DeKalb and Atlanta public schools, Ms. Stevenson has also served as a master teacher for Alliance Theater, an adjudicator for Governor’s Honors, and a theatrical consultant for Turner Broadcasting.  She holds a B.S. in Speech and Theater from Southern University.

A music major at Georgia State, Mr. Jennings has his audio engineering certification from the Recording Workshop outside Columbus, OH. In his spare time he runs a production and engineering company and is the manager for a Grammy Award Winning R&B artist. You can always find him hard at work in studios around Atlanta.

Terina Isaac

A confessed Gummi Bear addict, Ms. Isaac has worked as a family intervention specialist as well as a school counselor in posts from Kentucky to Vermont to Georgia. She received her B.S. from Morehead State University and her M.A. from the University of Kentucky.  Last summer she made a solo road trip from Chicago to Atlanta – on her Harley Davidson.

Aletta Weitz

Aletta holds a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Georgia. She enjoys reading, tennis and yoga.

Melissa Gautreaux

Melissa’s credentials include a Bachelor of Science in Education from LSU, Masters in Education from Cambridge College, and Specialist Degree in Leadership and Administration from Lincoln Memorial University. She taught Adaptive Physical Education in Louisiana for 5 years before re-locating to Atlanta. There she began her career teaching Physical Education at Sutton for 11 years before becoming the Instructional Specialist. She remained in that position for 3 years prior to joining the administrative team at North Atlanta.

Reginald R. Colbert
Coordinator, NAHS Center for the Arts
Director, Jazz Band and Jazz Studies

From the earliest age, Reginald Colbert knew he wanted to spend his life in the arts. As a scholar athlete in Jefferson, Georgia, he played first trumpet while participating in football, baseball, and wrestling. After being selected for All-State Band and Governor’s Honors, he accepted a music scholarship to UGA, and went on to earn his Master’s in Music Education at Vander Cook College of Music. Mr. Colbert began his teaching career as Band Director at Sutton Middle School, and came to North Atlanta in 1989. Throughout his nearly three decades as a music educator, he has held a reputation for building outstanding programs and award-winning ensembles.

“I believe the arts are a fundamental component of the school curriculum and essential to a well-rounded life,” Mr. Colbert asserts. “Artistic training develops the whole person, as it builds character, requires self-discipline, encourages critical thinking, and instills the motivation to succeed.”

Serving as Coordinator of the Center for the Arts since 2003, Mr. Colbert has led a steady advancement of academic and artistic standards in all divisions of the arts. The Center, its faculty, and its students consistently receive top awards, honors, scholarships, and grants, as well as numerous invitations to collaborate with arts professionals and to perform in the public arena.