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Support Staff

Ms. Danly Abella

Hello Trip family, my name is Danly Abella and this is my eight year working at Trip. I love to help our families with any needs they might have. My favorite hobbies are gardening and hiking. My husband and I live in Buford and love to spend time with our family, visiting new restaurants and traveling.    I was born in Cuba so yo hablo Español!  I left Cuba when I was 15 years old , lived in Spain for 2 years and came to United States when I was 17, where I met my husband and had two boys.  Come and meet me at the Parent Center!

Ms. Colleen Allen

I have taught Kindergarten, First Grade, Second Grade and Reading Recovery. I am originally from New York and my husband is from England. We love to go and visit our families as often as we can. Of course, I love the visits to England! I have two girls who keep me busy. Both girls love to play soccer. Their names are Madelyn and Stella. Madelyn attends Brookwood High School and Stella attends Kennesaw State where she plays soccer. I enjoy spending time on the weekends with my family and friends. Go Rams!!!!

Ms. Kristina Beck

Hello Ram Families! I am super excited to be working at Trip Elementary this school year!   I am originally from Youngstown, NY but have live in Chicago, Illinois, New York City and Dallas, Texas before moving to Snellville, Georgia in 2012.   I graduated from The University at Buffalo with a BA in Public Relations and Advertising.   After working in advertising for a couple of years, I realized my true passion was for teaching.  In 2006, I graduated with a Master's in early childhood education from Niagara University.

I love spending time with my husband Jeff and two children Ava and Hayden.  We love going on trips together, but we never leave home without our three dogs Penelope, Layla, and Luke.  This is going to be an AWESOME school year!

GO RAMS!!!!!!!!!

Ms. Jenny Berent

Hello Ram Family, My name is Jenny Berent, and I am one of the stellar sub's here at Trip.  I graduated from Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in Administrative Management, Go Tigers!  I am so excited to be here at Trip.
 
I am originally from Northern Virginia, outside of Washington D.C.  My husband and I met in college, and we moved here from Connecticut with our two sons back in 1999. We live in the Brookwood Cluster. 
 
I enjoy all sports and love being outdoors.  I am an avid runner and distance walker.

Ms. Marcy Brown

Hey! My name is Marcy Brown and I love teaching! I love kids so much I went back to school to become a teacher. I used to be an accountant but I couldn’t have as much fun as teachers do so I stopped. I have a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education along with my Gifted Endorsement and a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.
My totally awesome husband, Paul, and I have 2 beautiful children: Aspen and Maverick. We love hanging out together as a family.

Ms. Hillery Cambre

I am an educator at heart! I've taught 4th grade, 5th grade, and 3rd-5th grade gifted pullout.  At previous schools I've been the Data Coach and Gifted Program Coordinator, and now I am an Instructional Coach. I have a passion for learning and love helping people realize their potential. Nothing energizes me more than seeing others grow and succeed, especially when it makes a positive impact on our students. 
 
I have a bachelor's and master's degree in Elementary Education from Georgia State University. Go Panthers! I also have a gifted, coaching, and middle school science endorsement. 

Ms. Christy Coyle

I am excited to be a part of the Rams family.  Both of my adult sons were raised in the cluster.  I am married and together we enjoy riding our bicycles around the area.  We have two dogs, a Greyhound and a Rat Terrier.  I received my master's degree in education with a major in Communication Science and Disorders.  As a Speech Language Pathologist, I have experience working in the hospital system but switched to the school system when my boys began school.  I love working with children to improve their language and speech skills in small groups.  
 

Ms. Chasity Dotson

Hello! My name is Chasity Dotson, and I’m extremely excited to be the PBIS Coach at Trip Elementary. 

I am the proud mother of two young men and the wife of a wonderful husband! I love traveling, spending time with my family and friends, and watching baseball (Braves) and basketball (Lakers) games.

I hold a degree in Early Childhood Education. I’ve been working in education for over 20 years, and I have loved every minute of it! My passion is meeting students where they are by building meaningful relationships and helping them grow academically and socially. 

Ms. Mallory Duncan

Hello Trip family! My name is Mallory Duncan, and I am very excited to be a part of the Trip team and community. I am originally from South Georgia, and moved to Gwinnett County in 2018! I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education for math and social studies from Georgia Southwestern State University. Additionally, I graduated with my Master's degree in Math Education from Kennesaw State University, and I have a Specialist degree in Instructional Technology from the University of West Georgia. I have taught special education in language arts and social studies in the past in middle school. I love the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs. I enjoy spending time with my husband, Matt, and our Goldendoodle, Bear. 

Ms. Deena Evans

I have been working as a speech-language therapist for 19 years. I have been working in Gwinnett County for the past 16 years and this is my fourth year at Trip Elementary. I live in the community and my children attend school near the Grayson Cluster. I received my bachelor's and master's degrees from Valdosta State University and my specialist's degree from Nova Southeastern University. I also hold the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. I have been married for 19 years and have a 17 year old son and an 12 year old daughter. I enjoy helping children improve their communication skills so that they may experience greater academic success and self-confidence.

Ms. Teisha Francis

Hello Ram Fam! My name is Teisha Francis! I am so excited to be a member of this dynamic faculty as a K-5 ESOL Teacher! I am originally from New Orleans, La. I attended college at the University of South Florida in Tampa and taught in Hillsborough County Schools for several years. I relocated to the metro Atlanta area in 2018 and have enjoyed teaching here in Georgia. I have taught children of all ages, from elementary, middle and high school….but elementary students are my favorite! My husband Donald and I have a three-year-old daughter named Nola and a future son, Donald III (Baby Duck) on the way! I look forward to a great year here at Trip….It’s always a GREAT DAY to be a RAM!

Ms. Jennifer Geyer

I love teaching and want to inspire a love of learning in each of my students. I love seeing how much my students learn and grow over the course of the year. I have a master’s degree from the University of Georgia and am a huge Bulldogs fan. My favorite hobbies are reading and shopping. My husband and I live in Bethlehem with our children Kailey and Kaden. As a family we love going to the beach, playing games, watching movies, and just spending time together.

Ms. Aimee Litt

As a 33-year teacher in Gwinnett, I am excited to join Trip as an Instructional Coach. 
I have worked in multiple schools teaching and supporting Kindergarten through Fifth Grade
including teaching ML, EIP, Reading Recovery, Gifted, Coaching and as an Administrator. 
 
I started school in New Jersey, then moved to Roswell, GA in late elementary school.  
I love traveling (I have spent time and slept on all 7 Continents), reading,  sitting on the beach 
and spending time with my family. I am always planning an adventure.
 
Currently at home, my husband and I are "being trained" by our very energetic Boxer mix, Camilla.
So you may find us at Alexander Park Dog area!

Ms. Mary Ann Marcus

My husband and I have lived in the Grayson area for over two decades.  I have 3 girls, 2 in college and 1 at Grayson High School.  I have been a part of the Trip family from the day it opened!  

I love Mickey Mouse, and I am a huge BAMA fan!

Roll Tide!!

Ms. Lisa McKenna

Greetings! Mrs. McKenna here! Welcome to Trip Elementary!

I grew up with a love for teaching and reading.  I still remember the days of playing school in my bedroom back in New Jersey when I was 5 years old.  My walls were my chalkboard, and my friends were my students.  I cherished all the teacher editions of textbooks that I could get my hands on.  So, it was no surprise to my family when I became a teacher. 

In 2002, I graduated from the University of Central Missouri and began teaching 2nd grade.

Then in 2003, my husband and I moved to Georgia, where I taught 1st grade for the Atlanta Public School District.

A move to Gwinnett County in 2004, brought me to Chesney Elementary where I taught 2nd grade and Computer Specials.

When we purchased our home in Monroe in 2008, I began teaching 1st grade at Trip Elementary.  As a charter member of Trip, I have been blessed with so many friendships with fellow teachers, parents and students!  I’ve been fortunate enough to teach both 1st and 5th grade here at Trip. 
 
One of the most memorable moments I’ve had was being selected as Trip’s Teacher of the Year in 2018.  It was such a privilege because the staff I work with is the best of the best!

My husband and I have truly embraced living in Georgia, with all its wonderful traditions and southern hospitality.  I’ve also become a huge UGA football fan, Goooo Dawgs! 

In my spare time, you can find me going to the movies (the previews are my favorite part), cooking, visiting the public library, reading on my back patio, or digging into a True Crime show!  We also love our two spoiled cats, Martie McFly, and Charlie. 

I hope to see you around Trip this year!

Ms. Deb Mercier

My name is Deb Mercier, and I LOVE teaching!! I have taught Kindergarten, 2nd grade, and I am now a Reading Recovery/ Literacy Lessons Reading Teacher, which is essentially a reading specialist who instructs grades 1-5. I attended the University of Georgia to obtain my Early Childhood Education degree and received my Master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University. I am also ESOL certified, Gifted certified, and have my Special Education certification as well. I have three beautiful children, and two grandchildren, all of whom I am so very proud!! I am thrilled to claim Trip ES as my home school since it opened in 2008, and can not imagine teaching anywhere else! 😊

Ms. Briana Santos

Hey Ram Family! My name is Briana Santos! I am a K-5 ESOL Teacher here at Trip! I am very excited to be a part of the Trip Elementary team! I am originally from California. I moved to Atlanta in 2005 to attend Clark Atlanta University. After graduating, I decided to make Georgia my home! I later received my Master’s degree in Education Policy Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. I have taught children of all ages, from toddlers in a private childcare center to high school students in DeKalb County Schools. I also enjoyed working as an Early Education Librarian here in Gwinnett County. I love teaching kids and seeing their worlds light up when they learn new things! I have four wonderful children of my own; Caden, Jeremy, and the twins, Isabella and Aubrielle. I enjoy spending time with family, traveling, and attending my kids’ sports games (especially baseball!). Let’s go Rams! 

Ms. Angie Skinner

Hi! My name is Angie Skinner. I 'm a product of Gwinnett County Public School and a graduate of Georgia State University. I've also taught at Norton Elementary and Cooper Elementary and have been teaching since 1993.

My husband David and I live in Loganville with our two children Makayla and Addison. We love going to baseball games, eating Mexican food, and playing games together. In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, reading, and working in my yard.

Ms. Hailey Walden

Information Coming Soon!

Ms. Tomi Waldrop

Trip is an exciting place to work, learn and grow!!!  I am thrilled to continue to work at Trip, even after retiring!!  This year, I will enjoy and am so excited to be excited about my role as the Play 2 Learn teacher in addition to providing support for other students. 

I am a Georgia native who grew up a short distance from here in Monroe, GA. My undergraduate college years were spent at Georgia College in Milledgeville where I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. I taught in Walton County before taking off 14 years to spend raising my two delightful daughters.  In 2006, I returned to public school teaching after home schooling my children through elementary school. In 2012, I completed my Master's Degree online through Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL and then immediately began my Specialist Degree at Lincoln Memorial University in Tennessee which I completed in 2013.  

I enjoy spending my free time at home- working in my yard or playing games with my family.  I especially enjoy playing, reading and just spending time with my grandson!!! Otherwise, you may find me out and about with friends at festivals or just having fun enjoying a nearby park walking or hiking. Church and community service activities help keep me busy too. I am happy to be at Trip Elementary School again this year; the teachers, students, parents and administrators are THE BEST!