Special Education

School Phone: (770) 887-7749

Jennifer Elwood

 Facilitator

Bio Coming Soon!

  ext. 74531

Email Mrs. Elwood

Taffiny Cherico

I am a Forsyth County native, and I graduated from North Forsyth High School. I attended the University of Georgia and received a dual degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. This will be my fifth year teaching at Cumming Elementary, and I absolutely love it here! When I’m not at school, I love spending time with my family, which consists of my husband, a little girl, a baby boy on the way and a maltipoo. I am so excited for all the adventures that this school year is going to bring!

  ext. 740712

Email Mrs. Cherico

Wendy Coile

This will be my 7th year at CES. I am originally from Ohio, but I have been living in Georgia for over 19 years. I have been teaching for over 18 years 3rd, 4th and 5th grades. This year will be my first year as an IRR teacher. I graduated from The Ohio State University and John Carroll University with a Masters Degree in Elementary Education. I am married and have two children that are both in high school.

   ext. 740712

Email Mrs. Coile

Madison Johnson

Hello! My name is Madison Johnson. I graduated from the University of North Georgia in 2017 with a degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. I grew up in Forsyth County and am so excited to be at Cumming Elementary for my 3rd year! I look forward to meeting all my students and their amazing parents!

  ext. 740303

Casey Goelz

Hello! This is my second year at Cumming Elementary. I am a graduate of Old Dominion University and prior to coming to Cumming Elementary, I taught Pre-Kindergarten for six years. I have also spent a year assisting with a skills-based autism class. My husband and I live in Forsyth County along with our twin 13-year-old boys. I love teaching and working with children! I am looking forward to another wonderful school year!

   ext. 740903

   Email Mrs. Goelz

Carly Gordon

Hello Cumming Cougar Families! I am so excited to join the Cumming Elementary staff family. I just graduated from the University of North Georgia and completed my student teaching here at this astounding school. I feel very lucky to be able to work for such a great school district and look forward to an amazing year. Go Cougars!

 ext. 740903

Email Ms. Gordon

Tonya Hanks

Hello, my name is Tonya Hanks. This is my 7th year teaching at Cumming Elementary. I graduated from the University of North Georgia with my Masters in Education and received my Educational Specialist degree from Piedmont College. My family is a very busy bunch! We love the outdoors and you will often find us hiking, spending time on the lake or playing sports. I look forward to another wonderful year with the fantastic students and staff at CES!!

  ext. 740903

 Email Mrs. Hanks

Casie Jennings

This is my second year at Cumming and I am very excited to be a part of such a wonderful school.This year I will be spending most of my time in kindergarten and 1st grade. Before transferring to Cumming, I taught special education at Silver City Elementary and Daves Creek Elementary. I am a graduate of the University of North Georgia. My husband and I live in Forsyth, and we are blessed with two precious children and expecting another in September. I am looking forward to a fantastic school year!

 ext. 740303

  Email Mrs. Jennings 

Mary Longoria

Hello, my name is Mary Longoria. This is my fourth year at Cumming Elementary. My husband and I moved to Georgia with our four children in June 2016 from San Antonio, Texas. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio in Interdisciplinary Studies with a focus on General Education, Special Education, and Kinesiology. I also have a Master of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Phoenix. I have been teaching for 21 years in various grade levels (Pre-K to young adults through age 22). I absolutely love being in Georgia and look forward to another great year working with the remarkable students that attend Cumming Elementary!

 ext. 740914

 Email Mrs. Longoria

Jenny McClain

I am beginning my 20th year as an elementary school educator! I have taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, 2nd grade, and Special Education. I received my bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from UNG. I am currently working on my Curriculum and Instruction Specialist degree at Piedmont College. I love Cumming Elementary and I am looking forward to an amazing school year!

 ext. 740537

 Email Mrs. McClain

Sandy Schuster

Hello Cougar Nation! This will be my 22nd year of teaching and 4th year at Cumming Elementary. I am from New York where I received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a Master's Degree in Special Education. I am married with two grown children and enjoy spending time on the lake, hiking, and traveling. I am excited to be part of Cumming Elementary and look forward to an amazing year!

 ext. 740712

 Email Mrs. Schuster

Kathy Davies

 Parapro

I have been employed by Forsyth County Schools for 20 years. I have worked as a classroom teacher, long term substitute, and a paraprofessional. I earned an associate degree from Reinhardt College, a bachelor’s degree from Tift College, and Master of Education degree from the University of Georgia. I absolutely love working at Cumming Elementary and believe it’s a wonderful environment in which children can grow, learn, and succeed.

 ext. 74023

 Email Mrs. Davies

Mary Muliero

 Parapro

I am originally from Indiana. I am the 5th of 9 children. I have 2 children, Collin who is attending UGA and Aubrey attending UNG. I my free time I enjoy reading, trying new foods etc.

 ext. 740423

 Email Mrs. Muliero

Rita Rickett

 Parapro

This is my 22nd year in education. My degree is from the University of North Georgia. I will have been married for 40 years in March. I have 2 sons, 2 daughters-in-love, and 2 beautiful granddaughters. My oldest son is a teacher at West Forsyth High School, his wife is a teacher at Chestatee Elementary and my other daughter-in- love is a para in Dawson county schools.

 ext. 740423

  Email Mrs. Rickett

Laura Miranda

 DHH Pre K- 1st

Hi! This is my 29th year teaching Deaf and Hard of Hearing and it is my love! I have taught at several schools in GA and FL, but Cumming Elementary is by far the best school! I have degrees in Education for DHH and Elementary Education with PREK Special Needs, ESOL and Reading endorsements added. I love teaching and fostering a love for learning and self in my students. I live with my husband and 3 daughters in Cumming, where we love to go camping, hiking and watching Marvel movies together! I'm looking forward to another wonderful year of learning and growing!

  ext. 740203

Email Mrs. Miranda

Marilouise Tozier

DHH Pre K-1st Para

I have been married for 22 years and am mom to 4 children. My children are boy/girl twins who are 20, a 16 year old daughter and a 13 year old son. We have four cats and a bearded dragon. This is my 7th year as a DHH Para at Cumming Elementary.

  ext. 740203

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Andrea Helms

DHH 2nd-5th Teacher

This will be my 13th year of teaching and my 7th year at CES! I have degrees in Communication Disorders and Deaf Education from Auburn University and Valdosta State University. I am married and have one daughter, Abby, who is in 4th grade here at CES. When I am not teaching, I enjoy working out, watching football, hiking, biking and going on adventures with my family. I look forward to another great year of teaching and helping our students realize their potential! War Eagle!

   ext. 740808

 Email Mrs. Helms

Kimberly Hamby

DHH 2nd-5th Para

This is my fourth year as a Paraprofessional. I went Georgia Perimeter College and studied Sign Language and Interpreter Training. I have been married 38 years. I have three children and five grandchildren.

  ext. 740808

  Email Mrs. Hamby 

Allison Jones

SID/PID Teacher

My name is Allison Jones and this will be my third year teaching. I have a B.S. in Early Childhood/Special Education from UNG and am also working towards my M.Ed in Special Education from Georgia Southern. I am so excited to continue my career as the SID/PID teacher here at CES! I love what I do & am extremely passionate about serving my students and their families in this population! If there is ever anything I can do to help you inside or outside of the classroom, please don't hesitate to ask. I'm looking forward to another incredible year together!!

   ext. 740204

   Email Mrs. Jones

Heather Caltrider

SID/PID Para

This is my second year at Cumming Elementary School as a SID/PID Paraprofessional. I have a Bachelor’s in Child and Family Development as well as a National Certification in Pharmacy Technician. I have 2 daughters: Halle, 15 and Katie, 10. We have been a resident of Cumming for 3 years

 ext. 740204

Email Mrs. Caltrider

Cindy Redd

SID/PID Para

I am very excited to be at Cumming Elementary! This is my 3rd year here and I love serving our students! I truly believe we can make a difference in the lives of these children. I am married to Stan and have 3 sons who all attended Cumming Elementary (Malcolm, Austin and Jameson). I have lived in this community for 40 years!

  ext. 740204

  Email Mrs. Redd

Clara Waldmann

SBA Teacher

My name is Clara Waldmann and this is my second year teaching Skills Based Autism at Cumming Elementary! I graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Special Education. I am currently working on a Master's degree in Special Education with an endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorder at Georgia Southern University. I am looking forward to a fun year! Elementary School. This is going to be a fantastic school year!

 ext. 740214

  Email Mrs. Waldmann

Betty Kellenberger

SBA Para

Hi, my name is Betty Kellenberger and this is my second year working at Cumming Elementary. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education and taught for 15 years. My husband and I reside in Cumming and have a wonderful 13 year old son named, Daniel, and a 3 year old goofy Golden Retriever named, Rocky.

 ext 740214

 Email Mrs. Kellenberger

Cyndi Bridgewater

SBA Para

I have a Masters in Elementary Reading and Literacy. I previously taught in Douglas County for 13 years. I am married and have 4 children who are all students in Forsyth County Schools. This is my first year at Cumming and I couldn’t be more excited!

 ext 740214

 Email Mrs. Bridgewater

Sherry Lopez

MID Teacher

Hi! My name is Sherry Lopez and this will be my ninth year at Cumming Elementary. I have a Masters Degree from Valdosta State University in the area of special education. I recently obtained my Reading Endorsement and look forward to helping students who struggle in the area of reading and writing. I am challenged by helping students develop strategies which will enable them to succeed academically and socially. I am looking forward to another successful, productive, and fun year at Cumming Elementary!

 ext 740912

 Email Mrs. Lopez

Susan Brady

MID Teacher

I am Susan Brady. This is my eighth year as an educator, and my first year as a Special Education teacher. I’ve had experience at the middle grades, preschool, and elementary levels. I have a Bachelor degree in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and Art, Master of Education degree with a focus in middle grades, Reading endorsement, Adapted Special Education certification, General Special Education certification, and Early Childhood certification. My husband and I have two teenage girls, and I enjoy spending time with them, traveling, and being outdoors. I enjoy seeing students overcoming obstacles and enjoying success! I am looking forward to a great year with Cumming family!

 ext 740812

 Email Mrs. Brady

Manjit Erdey

MID Para

This is my second year as a paraprofessional at Cumming Elementary School. I have bachelor of science degrees in mathematics and computer science from Southern Illinois University. Formerly, I worked as an IT professional for eleven years for telecommunications companies. My husband and I live in Forsyth county with our 14 and 16 year old sons. We love traveling, hiking, biking and camping. I am excited to be a part of Cumming Elementary family, and look forward to an amazing school year!

 ext 740812

 Email Mrs. Erdey

Alicia Kemptner

MID Para

My name is Alicia Kemptner. I have worked at Cumming Elementary for 16 years. I will be working with fifth grade this year and I am excited about what this year will bring.

 ext 740912

 Email Mrs. Kemptner

Dawn Lowe

MID Para 

This is my 15th year as a paraprofessional at Cumming Elementary. I have been married for 32 years and have 2 daughters. In my spare time I enjoy running and just recently became a certified run coach. I look forward to a wonderful school year.

 ext 740912

 Email Mrs. Lowe

Kathy Lyons

I am Kathy Lyons and I am Speech-Language Pathologist. This is my 11th year at Cumming Elementary and my 22nd year working in Forsyth County. My husband and I celebrated our 33rd anniversary in June. We have 2 daughters and one granddog. Our girls graduated from South Forsyth High School and The University of Georgia.

  ext. 740427

Email Mrs. Lyons

Laura McCormack

I love working with students' communication skills at Cumming Elementary! I have served at CES for 17 years and in the field of speech and language for 29 years. I earned a dual bachelor's degree in Deaf Education and Elementary Education from Flagler College and a Master's degree in Speech/Language Pathology from Penn State. I also obtained an Educational Specialist degree from Lincoln Memorial University. My husband teaches science at Denmark High School and we have three children, all CES graduates!

  ext. 740666

Wendy McGinnis

I work with students to improve communication skills. This is my 6th year at CES and I have been working in schools for 15 years. I have a B.A. in Communication and a M.Ed. In Communication Sciences and Disorders, both from Georgia State University. I have been married to Jeremy for 22 years. We have 3 children and 2 dogs. When I am not at school, I enjoy reading, watching movies, and spending time with family and friends. I’m looking forward to another great year at Cumming Elementary!

   ext. 740678

 Email Mrs. McGinnis

Karen Greco

I am originally from Orlando, Florida where I graduated from University of Central Florida. My husband and I currently live in Gainesville. I love the beach, shopping, and chocolate! I am very excited to be starting my 8th year at Cumming Elementary and my 16th year in elementary education. I will be working with ESOL students in grades Kindergarten through second as a speech therapist.

  ext. 740431

  Email Mrs. Greco

Mariah Murphy

This is my second year at Cumming Elementary School. I am originally from South Carolina. I received both my Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Speech-Language Pathology from South Carolina State University. I currently work with grades Kindergarten through second.

   ext. 740432

   Email Mrs. Murphy

Lindsey Holmes

Hello! My name is Lindsey Holmes and I am so excited to be an SLP here at Cumming Elementary, where I attended school as a little girl! I received my Bachelors of Science in Communication Disorders, as well as my Masters in Communication Disorders from Auburn University- War Eagle! I have been in the school setting for the last three years, and in private practice before that. I love cooking, reading, being outdoors, watching football, collecting antiques, and spending time with my husband Jonathon, our dog Duke, and our cat Bella. I am looking forward to another awesome year here at CES!

 ext. 740676

Email Mrs. Holmes

Wendy Maehr

I absolutely love my job! Being a sign language interpreter is a fantastic job. I have the wonderful opportunity to work with students in various of grades. I graduated from GSU (Dekalb College) in 1998 with a degree in Sign Language Interpreting. I have worked in Forsyth County at various schools since 1999. At each school, I have had the wonderful opportunity to teach a sign language class after school for students interested in learning to sign. On a personal note, I have a wonderful family. My fiancé and I will be getting married at the end of September. So my last name will change to Barefoot. We have two very sweet fur-babies (Cooper & Daisy).

  ext. 740304

Email Ms. Maehr

Martha Perdomo

Bio Coming Soon!

  ext. 740667

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Kaitlin Swenson

My name is Kaitlin Swenson, and I am a Sign Language Interpreter. This is my second year in Forsyth County and my first year at Cumming Elementary. I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in American Sign Language and English Interpreting at Valdosta State University. I am excited to be at Cumming Elementary School this year! 

   ext. 740304

 Email Mrs. Swenson

Amanda Tate

Hello! My name is Amanda Tate and I am excited to start my third year at Cumming Elementary! I have been interpreting professionally for 10 years. I also interpret in the community at hospitals, churches, and theatre! In my spare time you will catch me on the golf course or playing with my sweet dog Zoey!

  ext. 740314

  Email Ms. Tate

Mary Andrews

Bio Coming Soon!

Katie Sulka

My Hi, I'm Katie Sulka and this is my 14th year in the Forsyth Co. School System as a contract occupational therapist! I graduated from UNG then received my Master's at Brenau University. My two children are proud to be Cumming Cougars, so we all love this great school. I'm really looking forward to a great, fun year with my students!

Bio Coming Soon!

Heidi Beck

Marsha Skinner

Bio Coming Soon!

Rebecca Knoras

I am Rebecca Knoras, and I teach children with visual impairments.  I have a degree in visual disabilities from Florida State University, and a master’s degree in special education from Georgia Southwestern State University.  Cumming Elementary School is a great school, and I am so happy to be able to see students here!  When not in school, I love spending time with my family, including our three dogs and five cats.