Specials

Ms. Binta Bin-Wahad

Bonjour tout le monde!

My name is Binta Bin-Wahad. I was born in Guinea, West Africa, where I grew up and attended school. I also spent some of my high school years in Paris. I moved to the United States in 2007. I attended Grand Canyon University where I graduated with a Masters in Elementary Education in 2015. I also hold a Specialist degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Georgia.  I am married and have three boys; Mujahid, Saif, and Ammar.

I am very proud to be part of the French DLI Program at Trip elementary. 

Mr. JP Bitner

Hello and bonjour! My name is JP Bittner and I am thrilled to teach music here at Trip Elementary. I was born and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina and earned my Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music at the University of South Carolina: Upstate. I also earned my Master of Arts in Teaching: Music (K-12) at Winthrop University. I learned French in high school and college and I continue to practice it every day. My primary instrument is the bass, both electric and upright, but I play almost every instrument I can get my hands on. I taught elementary music for 5 years in South Carolina before moving to Atlanta. I have played in numerous ensembles including jazz bands and bluegrass groups. When I’m not teaching music, I enjoy reading, hiking, camping, and playing gigs. I also have a cat named Roman who is the chillest pet ever.

Ms. Amanda Bryant

Hi! My name is Amanda Bryant and I am so excited to be working in P.E. again this year! I am a graduate of Gwinnett County Public Schools and Auburn University. War Eagle!   I live in the Grayson cluster with my husband and our three children.  We are an active family and we enjoy watching or playing many sports.  When I’m not at work, you might find me at a park somewhere enjoying the outdoors or attending a sporting event.  I am looking forward to having fun in P.E. this year!

Ms. Trista Clark

Mrs. Leslie Grubbs

Hello! My name is Leslie Grubbs, aka "The Drama Queen", and this will be my twenty-seventh year teaching young children. I have been teaching Language Arts Enrichment/Drama, now officially named ES Theatre Arts, for the past twenty-two years in several elementary schools around Gwinnett County including Dacula ES, Nesbit ES, and most recently Magill ES. Before that, I was a classroom teacher working as a Pre-Kindergarten Teacher in Dekalb County Public Schools and then a First Grade Teacher in Gwinnett. I am so excited to be a part of this amazing Trip Team and look forward to continuing to build and expand this great Theatre Arts program for the talented students here!

I just celebrated my twenty-ninth anniversary with my husband Tim, who is a Veterinarian at Lawrenceville Animal Care Center. We have two grown children, my youngest son Carson who is majoring in Film Editing with the Georgia Film Academy, and my oldest daughter Madison who just got married last year. I look forward to discovering the theatrical talents of all of the Trip ES students, and look forward to working together with the staff to create fabulous Art while supporting academic curriculum in Language Arts and Social Studies through my Drama classroom activities! I plan to once again sponsor an after-school Drama Team for fifth grade students and perform a full-length play production in the spring semester.

Ms. Rebecca Holbrook

Hello! My name is Rebecca Holbrook and I am very excited to be the art teacher at Trip Elementary this year.

I grew up in Gwinnett county in Lilburn before going to Kennesaw State University. I combined my love of art and teaching and got a Bachelors in Art Education. In my spare time, I create my own art as a photographer as well as spending time with my family.

I am looking forward to an amazing school year and helping every student at Trip find his or her inner artist!

Mr. Chase Middleton

Hello! My name is Chase Middleton and I'm so excited to be teaching Health this year! I was born and raised in Gwinnett County and went to school in the Brookwood District from K-12. I earned my Bachelor's degree at Georgia State University and I'm currently certified as a personal trainer through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). I have experience playing in the NFL with the Atlanta Falcons as well as the Canadian Football League. I love going to the beach, bowling, and working out! Looking forward to meeting you all this upcoming school year!

Mrs. Debbie Partrick

I am THRILLED to be the science specialist here at Trip.  I am very passionate about science and believe strongly that science should be taught with a “hands on” approach.  Students learn best by “doing” science. 

I am married to my college sweetheart, Stephen, and we have two beautiful daughters, Katie and Charlotte. I enjoy walking, hiking, travelling, playing tennis and volleyball. I also love to watch college football and ACC basketball!   But, when I am not teaching, what I love most of all is spending time with my family.

I received my Bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill, my Master’s degree from UNC-Greensboro, and my Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University.  I taught middle school math and science in North Carolina for 13 years and 4th grade in Augusta for 2 years before moving to Lawrenceville. I love teaching and I promise you will have a fun and exciting year in science!!! 

Ms. Courtney Smith

Hi there!  My name is Courtney Smith and I am so excited to be your child’s Music Teacher!  I was born and raised in Florida and received my Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Florida.  Needless to say, I am a huge Gator fan…  Go Gators!  I earned my Master’s Degree from Nova University and my Educational Specialist Degree from Lincoln Memorial University, both in Curriculum and Instruction.  I also have my Elementary Education certification.  I spend most of my summers in Florida visiting my family, enjoying being in and on the water, and relaxing.  I also love to craft, shop, and read in my spare time.  I can't wait to make music with your Ram this year! 

Mr. Larry Smith

I'm Larry Smith and I am your child's P.E. Teacher at Trip. Between Grayson and Trip Elementary, I've taught PE in this cluster over 20 years. I graduated from The University of Georgia so I'm a huge Dawg fan. I recently received my Master degree from The University of West Georgia. I am a total #girlsdad! I'm married and have 3 daughters and a dog (girl). I'm sure you can imagine how loud my house is! I love teaching PE because it gives me a chance to promote how important activity can be a the link to a lifetime of fitness.

Students need to understand you can have fun away from the tablet, computer, and TV. When I'm not at work, I love to play golf, softball, and tennis. I also love watching sports, especially when my girls play, and spending time with my family and friends.

Ms. Kristie Taylor

Hello! I'm excited to be a part of the Trip family and your child's i-Ready teacher.  I am a native of Atlanta and currently live in Lawrenceville.  I have taught in Gwinnett county for over 25 years. I received my bachelor's degree in early childhood education from Georgia State University, and my master's degree in reading and literacy from Walden University.
Outside of teaching, I love spending time with my family, reading, watching a good movie, and creating memories traveling the world.

I look forward to an amazing school year!

Ms. Kelly Valdez

Hi, I’m Kelly Valdez, and I am so excited to teach art at Trip! I started teaching in Tennessee over 20 years ago and have had the joy of working with students from high school all the way to elementary. No matter the age, I love helping students discover their creative voice and build confidence through the arts.

I hold a BFA in Studio Art and Art Education and an MSE in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University, a BA in Advertising from SCAD, and an Ed.S in Art Education from Piedmont University. In my classroom, we explore a mix of artists, cultures, and creative processes to inspire hands-on learning, skill-building, and problem-solving.

Art education is a big part of my family’s life—my husband teaches art at Grayson High School, my daughter Ava is a student at the University of Georgia (go Dawgs!), and my younger daughter Mia attends Grayson High School. When I’m not teaching, I love reading, writing, traveling, and having fun.