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Lakeside Middle School's Learner Profile seeks to create a clear path to success for all students. We strive to support this vision through our English/Language Arts Curriculum. Through reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language instruction, we encourage our students to seek knowledge and understanding and to pursue continuous learning. Our instruction is designed to help students learn to read independently and think critically as they reflect on and adapt to an ever-changing world. We also want to prepare our students for the future by teaching them the communication skills necessary to engage and compete in a global environment.
English/Language Arts (ELA) teachers maintain an expectation that all students will read novels of their choice outside of school as well as any in-class novels assigned during the school year.
Language Arts Literacy Classes are designed to help our students become critical readers, effective writers, efficient users of resource materials, and confident speakers.Academic Language Arts Enrichment ( ROAR):Vision: A school - wide community of independent, lifelong readers who share their reading experiences with each other.Mission: To inspire students to become lifelong readers by promoting choice, providing opportunities to engage in independent reading, and creating an environment that encourages the sharing of ideas and experiences.Goal: Students will independently read 25 books of their choice during the school year.
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Katie Shamblin Conger
Room: 3012
Email: f38474@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Ms. Shamblin is a 7th grade English teacher, and this is her 8th year teaching and has a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary English. Because of her undergraduate degree in Journalism, she has a passion for building writing skills in students. She loves plants, salty snacks, and music. In her free time, she loves traveling, hiking with her dogs (Pippa and Indy), reading, and trying new recipes.
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Makayla Collins
Room: 2129
Email: f38298@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Hi! I am Mrs. Collins and this is my 6th year as a Lakeside Lion. I graduated from the University of North Georgia in 2019 with a bachelors in Middle Grades Education. In my free time, I love shopping, listening to podcast, and watching reality TV. I love building relationships with my students and being in their corner as they grow into young adults. Teaching is my passion, and I am so excited to see what this year brings!
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Karen Echols
Room: 3011
Email: f10863@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Karen Echols enters her 19th year teaching middle school, and she is super excited about being a part of Lakeside. She loves to read, garden, ride her motorcycle, volunteer at her dad’s assisted living and travel with her fiancé, Bill! An interesting fact about her early years, she spent several summers working on a cruise ship in Alaska and the San Juan islands of Washington! She looks forward to meeting everyone!
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Valerie Holbert
Room: 3011
Email: f43738@forsyth.k12ga.us
Mrs. Holbert graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in special education and obtained her master's in teacher leadership from Walden University. She taught for 14 years at Twin Rivers Middle School in Gwinnett County as a language arts teacher. This will be her 2nd year at Lakeside. She has a passion for connecting with students and helping them grow and achieve. Mrs. Holbert is married to Dan, and they have five adult children and three grandchildren between them. She loves reading, gardening, and her wonderful family. Mrs. Holbert loves being a Lakeside Lion!
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Adam Karnowski
Room: 3009
Email: f44797@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Welcome! I'm Mr. Karnowski and this is my first year with Forsyth County Schools and Lakeside Middle. I'm originally from Maryville, Tennessee. I attended the University of Tennessee where I received a bachelor's degree in history with minors in geography and education. While at UT, I also earned a master's degree in education. The majority of my teaching career was spent at Clinton Middle School where I taught 8th grade social studies for seven years. During my time at Clinton, I decided to go back to school and earn my Education Specialist degree in instructional leadership at Lincoln Memorial University. I also spent three years coaching wrestling and four as a wrestling official. I love teaching history and sharing my passion with my students.
Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my fiance and our dog, Miller. We love to go to concerts, try new places to eat, and spend time at the lake. I'm so excited to be a part of the wonderful community here and being a part of the family!
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Valerie Kistler
Room: 3011
Email: f36874@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Mrs. Kistler is so excited to begin her 8th year of teaching and 3rd year at Lakeside. She graduated from Georgia College and State University with her Bachelors in Special Education. She also graduated from Georgia Southern University with her Masters in Special Education with an emphasis on Autism. She enjoys reading, spending time with family and friends, and watching her students grow!
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Amy Petrella
Room: 2137
Email: apetrella@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Amy Petrella is a 7th grade Enrichment teacher. She has spent two decades teaching 5th grade in elementary school and is thrilled to make the transition to middle school! She holds two degrees from the University of Georgia (Gooooo, Dawgs!) – both a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood and a Specialist’s Degree in Learning, Design, and Technology. She also obtained her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
Amy is co-sponsoring both Academic Bowl and Math Counts at Lakeside Middle School. She loves spending her free time with family and friends. She also has ten nieces and one nephew – and they keep her entertained! Her hobbies include reading, trivia, and watching UGA football in the fall.
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Laura Steiger
Room: 2117
Email: lsteiger@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Laura Steiger is a 7th grade enrichment teacher. After 27 years as an elementary school teacher, she decided to “graduate” and join Lakeside Middle! She holds a BSED from The University of Georgia, and a middle school reading endorsement. Mrs. Steiger is married with 4 children. In her free time, she loves to run, read, cook, travel, and spend time with friends and family. She has a passion for not only teaching kids but also being a mentor for them.
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Robin Ryan
Room: 2124
Email: rryan@forsyth.k12.ga.us
My name is Robin Ryan, and this is my 24th year teaching in Forsyth County. Every year has been exciting and memorable, as I have been lucky to teach such wonderful students. Lakeside Middle School is a great place where I truly enjoy being around such enthusiastic students, staff, and parents.
In my classroom, I promote an atmosphere of safety, trust, and respect. I work hard build a sense of community among my students, and I emphasize the idea of teamwork. I value cooperation and collaboration both in my classroom and as I work with my peers. I believe that great things can happen when we work together! Lakeside is a place where I really feel like part of a strong community and part of a winning team. I am committed to teaching your child in a positive, supportive, and loving environment in which every child is successful! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my love for learning with your child. It’s going to be a great year!
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Sara Young
Room: 2113
Email: f38516@forsyth.k12.ga.us
Mrs. Young teaches 7th grade ELA. She graduated from the University of North Georgia with a bachelors in Middles Grades Education with focuses on ELA and Social Studies. This is Mrs. Young’s second career; she was an accountant for 12 years. In her free time, you can catch Mrs. Young reading a good book, shopping for Christmas decorations (year-round), or spending time with her family.
