Hello, I'm Andrea Baker, and I can't wait to continue to build a community together at New Hope! 

I have a bachelor's of science degree in Early Childhood Education and have been teaching for many years. I have worked in several different states, in Gwinnett County for a few years, then helped open Sharon Elementary School here in Forsyth. I taught at Vickery Creek for several years where I was a kindergarten teacher. I continue to teach kindergarten here at New Hope.

I was born and raised in Massachusetts and upstate New York. My husband Todd and I have three children, a girl and twin boys. I LOVE crafting and playing around with technology to find fun and new things to teach students. 

I am so happy to meet all the new faces at New Hope, and I'm looking forward to this journey! 

Hi, there! My name is Katlyn Duffey and I am looking forward to being a part of the Nighthawk family!

I went to Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville where I received my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Early Childhood Education. I began my career  in Putnam County in August of 2018.

While I  was born and raised in Central Georgia,  I have recently moved  to Cumming with my boyfriend. We are settled into our new house along with our cat, Peaches. In my free time I enjoy shopping, running and spending time with friends and family.

I absolutely love teaching Kindergarten and cannot wait to meet my new students!

Hello, Nighthawks! My name is Kimberly Engebretson, and I'll be teaching Kindergarten.

I received my education degree from Texas A&M-Commerce in 2012. I most recently taught kindergarten at Crow Leadership Academy in Arlington, TX.

I am originally from Texas! My family and I relocated to the Cumming, GA area due to my husband's work. My husband Brad and I have two amazing kids, Auston and Norah and to complete our family, a chi-weenie named Bentley! I love spending time with my family; we enjoy being outside and golfing. When I find the time, I love to make crafts and read.

I am so excited about building relationships and being a part of the New Hope community!

My name is Nicole Gilreath and I have been in education since 2009, after I graduated from the University of Georgia. I have worked with students Pre-K-1st. I have recently moved from Fayette County to Forsyth County with my husband and three children. I love to spend time with my family and friends, cooking, reading, and traveling. In my classroom, I strive to create a nurturing and structured learning environment where curiosity and compassion grow and every student thrives. I am so excited to be part of the New Hope family!

Hi! My name is Wendi Guthrie, and I am so excited to be part of the kindergarten team at New Hope.  I graduated from the University of North Georgia with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and started my teaching career in Forsyth County in 2001.

I am a Georgia native and have lived in Forsyth County for over twenty years.  I have three amazing daughters, three sweet grandkids, a dog, and a mischievous cat. Outside of school, I love reading, exploring new places, taking long walks, and spending time with my family. 

I can't wait to meet all of our new Nighthawks and their families. I'm looking forward to a year full of learning and fun!

My name is Morgan Hicks. I earned my Bachelor's Degree in education at Dalton State College. I also received my ESOL (English Speakers of Other Languages) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) endorsements. I enjoy outdoor adventures, movies, and spending time with family. I look forward to being apart of the New Hope Night Hawks family. I can't wait to work with my students and watch them flourish. I hope to inspire my students and make learning fun for them!

Hello, Nighthawks! My name is Ashley Payne, and I am one of the kindergarten teachers at New Hope Elementary.

I earned my bachelor's and master's degrees in Early Childhood Education from Kennesaw State University. I also have endorsements in Reading and Teacher Leadership. 

I was born and raised in Winder, GA and lived in Buford briefly before moving to Cumming in 2020. I have two children, Ella and Camden. My husband’s name is Josh and we have known each other since 3rd grade! We have three dogs, Tucker, Chubb, and Darla, and one cat, Stella. We LOVE to spend most of our time at the lake on our boat. When not on the lake, I enjoy listening to podcasts while walking or riding my bike. We are also HUGE UGA fans! GO DAWGS!

I cannot wait to make memories with our kindergarten families and build a community together at New Hope!

I am so exited to be a New Hope Nighthawk. I have a Bachelor's degree in Child and Family Development. I have been working with children since 1997. I previously spent several years at Mashburn Elementary and was the Preschool Director at St. Brendan's Preschool. I have two amazing kids who both have attended Forsyth County Schools. My daughter is very active in sports, so we spend lots of time cheering her on. When we're not doing that, my husband and I love to travel and camp. Looking forward to an amazing year ahead!

Hello, Nighthawks! I'm Rosemarie Castillo, and I am a Kindergarten Instructional Assistant! Prior to joining New Hope, I used to work at Big Creek Elementary School. I have a bachelor's degree in Nursing and worked as a nurse abroad until I found my passion in working with kids. I received my certification in Special Education and a Reading endorsement from Georgia State University. I am originally from the Philippines. My husband and I lived in Dunwoody before moving to Forsyth in 2006. We have two girls and a Corgi named Hudson. We love taking beach trips, traveling, cooking, and eating with family and friends.  My love for cooking and trying different international cuisine stems from my fascination with gastronomy. I also like to listen to notable podcasts during road trips and watch different documentary genres.

I am honored to work alongside the many talented and dedicated educators in Forsyth county to enhance the learning experience of our Nighthawk students!

I am an Instructional Assistant in Kindergarten at New Hope.

I attended Shelby State College in Memphis, TN where my courses were focused on Early Childhood Education. I was a Pre - K and Kindergarten teacher at Little Creek Academy in Johns Creek from 2003-2021. 

I am originally from Lakeland, Florida and moved to Atlanta in 1996. My husband, Tom and I were married in 1997 and moved to Cumming in 1999. We have 3 adult children  who all attended Forsyth County Schools. My hobbies include cross stitching, scrapbooking, cake decorating, traveling, and spending time with my family and 2 dogs ( Rosie and Oaklee).

I love New Hope Elementary and the commitment the staff has to providing a fun, loving, and academic place for all kiddos to be.

Hello! My name is Isabella Jones and I am so happy to be here at New Hope!

I am from Cumming, GA. and received my K-12 education in Forsyth County. I graduated from The University of Georgia with a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Science and am working towards a masters degree in Elementary Education. Go Dawgs! In my free time I enjoy reading, exercising, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

I am looking forward to meeting our new Nighthawks and helping them learn and grow!

Hello! My name is Amy Kraft, and I am an Instructional Assistant in Kindergarten.

I grew up in Alexandria, VA and moved to Georgia in 1996. I have a bachelor's degree in Marketing from Georgia State University but have spent more than 10 years teaching Pre-K and Kindergarten.

My husband, Bob, and I live in Cumming with our daughters, Izzy and Chloe. We also have two adorably rambunctious dogs!

I am so excited to help grow a new community of learners at New Hope. Go, Nighthawks!

Hello! I'm Swetapadma Pattanayak (Lucy), and I am honored to be a part of the New Hope Elementary School family as a Kindergarten instructional assistant. It's hard to believe that I'm already entering my third year of teaching in this wonderful community, and each day brings new joys and discoveries in the classroom.

Before settling in the Cumming area, my family and I have had the pleasure of living in Augusta, GA, and Philadelphia, PA. These diverse environments have enriched my understanding of the unique needs and backgrounds of students, allowing me to create inclusive and welcoming spaces for learning.

As a mother of two boys, aged 14 and 10, I bring a deep understanding of the joys and challenges of childhood into my role as an instructional assistant. 

My time at New Hope Elementary School has been incredibly rewarding, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work alongside passionate educators, supportive families, and, most importantly, the bright and enthusiastic young learners who inspire me each day. Together, we are building a foundation for success that will last a lifetime.

Hello, I'm Catia Salehabadi, and I'll be joining the kindergarten team as an instructional assistant.

I have a bachelor's in Early Childhood Education and an Associate Degree in Business and Management,

I grew up in Brazil. I speak Portuguese and English. I have been married for 22 years and I have two daughters in high school

I am looking forward to getting to know all the new staff and families at New Hope. I can't wait to help make NHES an amazing school!