21st Century

Connie Hood

Program Director

Being in education for over 34 years has been one of the highlights of my life and working with the teachers, staff, students, and parents of the 21^st Century Grant has added to the reward. I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia and married Cliff Hood who is from White County. I am truly proud to be from White County and I sing its praises every chance I get.

I attended Wesleyan College in Macon and received an English degree and also Brenau College for an education degree. I later attended North Georgia College for a master’s degree. My husband and two sons, Adam and Alex, also attended North Georgia College. White County schools are very fortunate to have the Federal grant which funds this afterschool program.

I have seen many young people grow towards a positive future as healthy, happy educated and responsible individuals who will become our next leaders. What a wonderful job I have!

Contact Information:

Phone: 706-865-2315 ext 1406

Email: connie.hood@white.k12.ga.us

Program Director of 21st Century

113 N Brooks St.

Cleveland, Georgia 30528

Attention: Connie Hood

Willda Melton

Professional Development and Curriculum

Willda Melton is a career educator who has spent most of her career as a second grade teacher at Jack P. Nix Primary School in Cleveland. She also has been the Director of Testing and Accountability, Director of 21^st Century Afterschool Program, and Language Arts Coordinator for White County. After retiring, she taught 6-year-olds in China for two years, and now is the Professional Development and Curriculum Specialist for 21^st Century Afterschool Program in White County. She loves her work and loves to see students learn.

Willda has a Bachelor Degree from North Georgia College, a Master’s Degree from Ohio State University and a Specialist Degree from Brenau University.

In her leisure time, Willda likes to read and travel. She has two daughters and two grandchildren, whom she loves dearly.

Contact Information:

Phone: 706-865-2315 ext 1408

Email: wilda.melton@white.k12.ga.us

Professional Development and Curriculum of 21st Century

113 N Brooks St.

Cleveland, Georgia 30528

Attention: Willda Melton

Johna Oliver

21st Century Parent Liaison and Enrichment Coordinator

Johna Oliver graduated from Piedmont College in 2006 with a bachelor degree in Middle Grades Education. Later, she attended Pioneer Resa and earned her gifted endorsement. Most recently, she graduated from Walden University with a Master's of Science degree in Educational Technology.

Ms. Oliver is enjoying her 13th year teaching in the White County School System. Her teaching experiences include Kindergarten, fourth and fifth grade, and she is currently a fourth grade teacher at Tesnatee Gap Elementary School. Previously, she was the Transportation Training Coordinator for Habersham County Schools.

She has served many roles in the 21^st Century program since 2005 from paraprofessional to classroom teacher. Moreover, she was the site coordinator for White County Intermediate School for three years. Currently, in addition to her 4^th grade day teaching position, she is the WCSS 21st Century CCLC Enrichment Coordinator & Parent Liaison for all four sites: Jack P. Nix Primary, Mossy Creek Elementary School, Mt. Yonah Elementary School, and Tesnatee Gap Elementary School.

Ms. Oliver has two children, a daughter who is a junior in high school, and a son who works for Apple. Other than teaching the growing minds of young students and teaching them to foster a love for learning, Ms. Oliver also enjoys target shooting, kayaking, traveling, riding in her convertible, and the Atlanta Falcon Football team!

Contact Information:

Phone: 706-865-1037 ext 1108

Email: johna.oliver@white.k12.ga.us

Parent Liaison and Enrichment Coordinator of 21st Century

136 Warriors Path

Cleveland, Georgia 30528

Attention Johna Oliver

Kathy Pert

Site Coordinator for Tesnatee Gap Elementary

Kathy Pert earned her Associates degree in Business Management in 2009. She earned her Bachelor of Elementary Education in 2013, and her ESOL endorsement in 2014.

Ms. Pert is a current paraprofessional, from the years of 2002-2016. This is her first year as a classroom teacher. She has served many roles in the 21^st Century Program. From 2005-2013 she was a paraprofessional, in 2013 she became a classroom teacher for 21^st Century, and in 2014 to present she has served as the site coordinator for White County Intermediate and Tesnatee Gap Elementary Schools.

She and her husband, Monty, moved to White County from Florida in 1999. Her husband passed away August 2010. She loves the mountains, the weather, and most of all, the wonderful people who live in White County! They have two children: a daughter who was married May 2016 to a wonderful man. Her son enjoys hunting and he goes every chance that he can. She also loves spending time with her family, traveling, and working in her garden.

Shann Cash

21st Century Site Coordinator of Mossy Creek Elementary School

Shann Cash grew up in White County and graduated from White County High School. She received a bachelor’s in music education from Brenau University, her master’s in early childhood education from University of North Georgia, and received a specialist degree in leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. Mrs. Cash retired from the White County School System after 30 years of service.

She taught third and fourth grade for sixteen years, and then became assistant principal at White County Intermediate School for four years, and then was principal at WCIS for nine years. This is her first year as a site coordinator at 21^stCentury and she is loving being able to be with the students at Mossy Creek Elementary. She also teaches at Truett McConnell University and mentors at Mountain Education Charter High School in White County.

She is married to Mike Cash and has three children: Joe, Samantha and Anna. She has a daughter-in- law, Brandi, a son-in-law, Brandon, and three grandchildren, Raegan, Tanner and Emery.

Tina Hirschi Browning

21st Century Site Coordinator of Jack P. Nix School

My name is Ms. Tina (Tina Browning) and I am the art teacher and 21^st Century Site Coordinator at Jack P. Nix Elementary School. I am so glad to be a part of the school community, working with staff and students to create an exciting learning experience.

I have been a classroom teacher/art teacher for 27 years at Jack P. Nix.

I attended Piedmont College in Demorest Georgia where I earned my B.S. in Early Childhood Education, M.ED, and Ed.S in Curriculum and Instruction. I then added Art Education P-12 through classes at North Georgia College and State University. I started at JPN as a parapro for my first 3 years and then taught Kindergarten for an additional 10 years at Jack P. Nix. I have since been teaching art for 14 years.

With each year, life in the art room and 21^stCentury just gets better. At the elementary level, I strive to align my curriculum with each grade levels' CCGPS units as well as incorporating the GA state art standards.

I am looking forward to another great year with our Jack P. Nix family!