Welcome back Cougars! I’m so excited to be starting my 5th year at Cumming! This will be my 8th year teaching! Outside of school I enjoy going on the lake with my husband, Mr. Dean, our baby girl Adaline and our two dogs, Maggie and Millie! I’m looking forward to an amazing year in 1st grade!

Hi! My name is Kara Billington and this will be my 7th year teaching first grade at Cumming Elementary! I graduated from the University of North Georgia with a degree in early childhood and special education and am currently pursuing my Masters of Education and ESOL endorsement. I love to spend time with my husband and baby boy, Andrew, who will turn 2 years old in August! We are also expecting our second baby boy in November! First grade is my favorite grade to teach and I am looking forward to meeting all of my new students and parents this year!

I am so excited to be teaching first grade at CES, again! This will be my 3rd year teaching first grade and my 10th year teaching. I have previous experience in Pre-K and Kindergarten. I graduated from Forsyth Central High School and went to Dalton State College where I earned a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education with an ESOL endorsement. My husband and I love spending time with our 3-year-old daughter, Embree, our 10 month old daughter, Blakelynn, and our Boston Terrier, Wrigley. Thank you for entrusting me with one of your most precious gifts!

My name is Megan Geren and this will be my 15th year teaching at Cumming Elementary! I am so proud to be a part of Cougar Nation! I graduated in 2008 from Berry College with a degree in early childhood education, a minor in Spanish, and an ESOL endorsement. In 2011, I completed my master's degree at Piedmont College. I enjoy spending time with my family! I have a five-year-old daughter, Josie, and a very chatty Miniature Schnauzer, Oliver. I cannot wait to share my love of learning and sense of adventure with my students this year!!

Hello Cougar Nation! I am excited to be teaching first grade this year and look forward to the amazing things planned. I just graduated with my master’s degree this past Spring, so I am ready to apply the depth of knowledge I have learned. Let’s have a sun-sational year Cougar Nation!

My name is Marcela Mazurkiewicz and I was born and raised in Costa Rica. I graduated from South Forsyth High School and got my bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Kennesaw University with an endorsement in reading. I have been living in Cumming for 25 years and I have two beautiful girls. I love reading, dancing, and working out. This is my fourth year as a first-grade DLI teacher and my fifth at Cumming Elementary. I love teaching first grade and I can't wait to start our new adventure!

Hi there First Grade Cougars, I am Michelle Merrell and this is my 17th year teaching at Cumming Elementary and taught in Orlando, FL for 15 years. I graduated from the University of Central Florida with my degree in elementary education and earned my master’s in early childhood from the University of North Georgia and have certifications in gifted and ESOL. I have three grown children: Lindsey, Allison, and Teddy. My daughters both have teaching degrees from UNG, and my son is at UNG for marketing and business. I am also a Mimi to my precious one-year-old grandson, Hawk. We love camping, traveling, and spending time with family and friends!