Meet the PDS Teacher Candidates

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is Kylie Rene Campbell, and I am twenty-one years old. I am happily married to my best friend, John, and we have a cat named Dude. I graduated from Bremen High School, and I enjoy spending time with family and friends, music, and being involved at the First Baptist Church of Villa Rica. At the University of West Georgia, I am a proud PDS member, and I am greatly enjoying my experiences. The PDS program has been very beneficial because it provides more in class experiences with children. Also, the PDS program ensures a family atmosphere between mentor teachers and teacher candidates, and I feel that it is helping to best prepare me for my upcoming career.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is Toni Bertoldi and I am 20 years old. I am happily engaged to my high school sweetheart and best friend, Josh. We are planning our wedding for January 2009. We have a puppy named Spike. I enjoy being outdoors doing anything from hunting to off road to swimming. I am very excited about being a part of the PDS program and enjoy being in the elementary school four days a week. I look forward to becoming a second grade teacher and incorporating all of these experiences into my career.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is James Hayes and I am a non-traditional student studying Early Childhood Education. My goal is to be an educator in an elementary school. I'm a military veteran and a father. I believe education is the key to a successful future.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is Michele Knepper. I grew up in Douglasville, GA and now live in Villa Rica. I believe that PDS will provide me with the information and experiences I need to become a professional elementary school teacher. I cannot wait to graduate and have a classroom of my own.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• Hello, my name is Ronda Stapleton. I have been married for over fourteen years to a wonderful and supportive husband, Steven. We have two handsome boys, Justin and Kenny. Some of my hobbies include: reading, playing cards, riding motorcycles, camping, and working with my husband leading our youth group at Victory Baptist Church. The PDS program at the University of West Georgia has been an outstanding program for me. I love how we all work together as a family for the common goal of being successful future teachers. This program provides additional classroom time that will help us be better prepared for our own classrooms when we graduate. The additional time with the students not only aids us, the teacher candidate, but also aids the children, which is one of our main goals. If I had to decide to participate in this program again, I would choose to definitely join this outstanding program.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is Jennifer Neumann and I live in Bremen, GA where I am married to my husband, Scott Brooks. Our daughter was born in February, 2007. At The University of West Georgia, I am currently in the early childhood program as a part of the Professional Development School. I feel that my experience in the PDS program has already greatly benefited me. I have become part of a group of my peers and mentors that I consider family who offer me continuous support and motivation. Also, I will have the opportunity to observe in four different schools in Carroll County. I am looking forward to my remaining time in the PDS program.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is Kriston Hunt, I was born in San Diego, CA. but grew up in Florida. I moved to Georgia in 2000 and look forward to being a teacher. I enjoy the PDS program and believe it will be a huge benefit for myself in the future by offering valuable experiences I would not have gotten in a traditional program. It not only gives me more class time but teaches us to collaborate with the other candidates. The mentor teachers work with their candidates and we have a sense of family.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is Katrina Schultz and I am from Dallas, Georgia. I look forward to teaching elementary school students. The PDS program is great because it gives me the opportunity to have a lot of time and experience in the classroom.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is Kerrie Spence and I'm currently a junior. I was born and raised in Duluth, Georgia where I enjoy outdoor activities and spending time with my family. The PDS program has opened my eyes to the wonderful world of education and I look forward to teaching the future generations!

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is Callie Coons and I am from Alpharetta, Georgia. I plan to teach there one day to be closer to my family. I am so happy to be involved in the PDS program at the University of West Georgia. I learn so much everyday and I would not trade my experience for the world.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• Hi, My Name is Ashley Hardin. I’m 21 years old and I grew up in a very small town, known as Rockmart, Georgia. This is my third year at the University of West Georgia. Over the past three years, I have won two National Championships on the all-girl cheerleading squad. I have had wonderful experiences with the PDS program and I look forward to graduating in the spring of 2008. I feel that PDS has provided me with countless unique experiences. Each day that I spend in the classroom is exciting and rewarding!

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• Hello my name is Christopher Joseph Cunningham. I am originally from Decatur Georgia. I graduated from McNair Senior High School in Atlanta Georgia. I have a mother and one brother at home. My time in this program has been wonderful and informational. I really enjoy the PDS program because it allows me the constant hands-on experience we need to become successful teachers. The program allows and encourages a feeling of family because we all work so closely together. The mentor teachers are so supportive of us being there so we feel wanted every time we enter the school buildings.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

My name is Jenny Ellingson and I grew up in the small town of Social Circle. I currently reside in Carrollton, Georgia. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family. Being part of the PDS program has given me the chance to collaborate with a group of inspired teacher candidates. It has offered me the opportunity to become a well rounded future teacher.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is Katie Johns. I am originally from Alpharetta, Georgia but I currently reside in Carrollton. I enjoy spending time with my friends and family as well as shopping and listening to music. I am in the PDS Cohort program and I absolutely love it. The best part of the program in my opinion is getting to experience what life is like in the schools and classrooms everyday.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• Hello! My name is Emily Brown and I am from Acworth, Ga. I love working with children and have been for the past 10 years. I enjoy singing, playing softball, or just reading a book. Outside of school, I spend most of my time with my boyfriend Rob. The PDS program has been such a great experience for me. I enjoy working in the classroom and learning the best ways to work with children. This program has and will continue to prepare me to be the best teacher I can be, and I cannot wait to have my own classroom.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• Hi, my name is Sarah McClendon. I am a teacher candidate in the PDS program here at the University of West Georgia. I am from Bremen, Georgia and I graduated from Bremen High School in 2003. I am currently living in Carrollton, Georgia. I plan to graduate in May of 2008 and begin my teaching career. The PDS program has allowed me to be very involved in the classroom. I have the opportunity to learn a great deal from these experiences.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• Hi, my name is Tracie Bell. I am from Douglasville, Ga. I am married to Stacey Bell, and we have 2 daughters Morgan age 10, and Payton age 7. I have been a substitute teacher for 6 years. The PDS program allows you to get a better understanding of what being a professional teacher is really about. Observing different grade levels, working with different mentor teachers, and being in different schools are priceless experiences. The PDS program has also allowed me to form a special friendship with the other PDS participants. I look forward to many more memories from this program.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• Hello, my name is Katie Rentz. I am 20 years old and happily engaged to Jacob. We will be getting married on December 15, 2007. I love being a part of the PDS program because I feel it is helping me to become a great teacher. I love the extra classroom experience that we have. The PDS program also provides a family atmosphere. It allows you to know your peers better as well as your mentor teachers and classroom children.

PDS Teacher Education Candidates

• My name is Sabrina South. I am looking forward to becoming a teacher and helping students achieve their goals. I am impressed with the PDS program. It has given me opportunities to experience the classroom in various ways. The teachers, parents, and supervisors have been wonderful mentors!

PDS Teacher Education Candidates