MICHAELA STEELE
Instructional Support Teacher
Ms. Steele
LYZ MEYERS
Pre-K Special Education Teacher
Ms. M
LINDSAY PADGETT
Pre-K Inclusion Teacher
I am originally from Southeast Alabama and grew up in a small town named Abbeville. My mother is a retired Speech-Language Pathologist and my father owns a few furniture stores in the Wiregrass area. I have an older brother who currently works at Turner as a television editor here in Atlanta.
I attended Auburn University for both my Bachelor and Masters degrees. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Collaborative Special Education (K-12) and then went on to receive my Masters in Early Childhood Special Education (birth -9). I’ve lived in Atlanta for 12 years and am beginning my 13th year teaching. Time flies! I began my teaching career in Gwinnett County as a preschool special education teacher. I had a wonderful 6 years before I made the transition to Fulton County Schools. I was the lead teacher in the PSE classroom here at Medlock Bridge for 3 years before moving to the Inclusion classroom. This will be my 4th year as the PK Inclusion teacher! My husband and I have been married for 6 years and we have two precious children, Henry (3 years) and Corinne (3 months), as well as a spunky pup named Ellie Bean.
My mission is to provide your child with a loving and positive environment that facilitates learning and growth in every area of their development. I feel very fortunate to have a career that brings so much joy to my life. Thank you for sharing your children with us and we look forward to a wonderful year of fun and learning!
ILENE TINDALL
Kindergarten Special Education Teacher
Mrs. Tindall
BROOKE MAYNOR-RAYFIELD
Autism Support K-2 Teacher
I grew up in both North Carolina and then later in Virginia. After primary and secondary school, I attended college in Johnson City, TN. I graduated from East Tennessee State University with my bachelor’s degree in communications and from Western Carolina University with my Master’s degree in Special Education K-12. I am currently pursuing a Doctorate degree from Capella University in Teacher Leadership. I have been married for 6 years and have one son, Kaiden who is 9 and is in 5th grade. I also have a fur baby named Bailey who is an 8 pound “Shorkie”. I love all things to do with music, theatre, dance, and reading. I play piano and ukulele, and I am a trained vocalist. You can find me singing and dancing any time! Teaching is my passion and I am so excited to be a part of the Autism Support team at Medlock Bridge Elementary School this year.
https://rayfieldbl.wixsite.com/mrsbrookeskclass
DEBORAH CASTEL
Autism Support 3-5 Teacher
My name is Deborah Castel. I was born and raised in Miami, Florida. I relocated to Georgia in July 2018 with my daughter and dog. I have two daughters who are 26 and 7 years old. My eldest daughter decided to remain in Florida and is currently training to become a police officer. This is my 19th year of teaching students with disabilities. I attended The Union Institute and majored in education, with a concentration in Special Education/Varying Exceptionalities. I obtained my M.S. at Florida International University in Psychology/Mental Health. I continued my education and obtained an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) in Curriculum and Instruction. In Florida, I taught at the high school, middle school, and elementary levels. I have always taught students with disabilities and I am very passionate about what I do. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and friends. We enjoy the outdoors, the movies, relaxing at home, and traveling when possible.
CAROLINA AVILES
Interrelated Resource Teacher and Department Chair
Hello! My name is Carolina Aviles. I have been teaching students with and without disabilities for over 16 years. I earned a Masters Degree in Special Education, from Florida International University, in Miami Florida. I am a Florida native, moving to Georgia just last summer. I have two children, Liliana and Charlie, who also attend Medlock Bridge Elementary. I absolutely love my students and believe that no matter what challenges face them, success can be theirs. I believe “You can only go as far as you push,” and I and try to instill this in my students. I fill my classroom with structure, positivity, and a little fun! Keeping my students engaged is key to their achievement! Together we are going to have an AMAZING year!
LEIGH ANN WATSON
Interrelated Resource Teacher
My name is Leigh Ann Watson. As a native Floridian, I attended University of Central Florida where I earned a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters in Varying Exceptionalities. I am entering my 20th year in education and have enjoyed working with students in grades K-5. In my current role at MBES, you may find me working with small groups of students in my classroom or collaborating in the general education class. I love working with kids and educators, so this job suits me perfectly!
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time hiking, swimming, and paddle boarding. My husband and I are so lucky to live in Georgia to enjoy all the outdoor activities. When it gets too cold to be outdoors, I love to read and listen to music. This is going to be an amazing year at Medlock Bridge and I am so excited to be here with you all!
AINSLEY KURTZ
Interrelated Resource Teacher
I graduated from Ohio University in 2011 with a degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders. After graduation and still living in Ohio, I worked with students with autism as a paraprofessional. I went back to school and earned a graduate degree in Special Education from the University of Toledo. After graduating in 2015, I moved to Atlanta with my boyfriend Garrett.
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, biking, traveling, cooking, binging on Netflix, going to concerts and watching Braves baseball!!! This past summer, I went to Charleston and Savannah. I also spent a weekend with my family at a lake house in Michigan.
This is my fifth year at Medlock Bridge. I worked in the autism support (gr. 3-5) classroom for three years before I switched to IRR last year. Currently, I work with students in both the pull-out setting, as well as pushing into the general education classroom. I am excited for the year ahead.
DEIDRE MERINE
Interrelated Resource Teacher
Ms. Merine
MARY BETH EBY
Occupational Therapist
Mrs. Eby
AMANDA CURD
Physical Therapist
Ms. Curd
MICHELLE PENN
Speech Language Pathologist
I have lived in Atlanta since I was two years old. I got my B.S. in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Maryland and my M.Ed. in Speech Language Pathology from the University of Georgia. I met my husband, Michael my freshman year of college and we have been married for 25 years. We have four amazing children. Jacob is a senior this year at Florida State University. He is studying hospitality management. Bryan and Evan are identical twins. They are separated this year for the first time and going to colleges very far apart! Bryan is studying musical theatre at the University of Alabama, and Evan is going to Northeastern University in Boston. My daughter Allie is the only one still home with me, besides my dog Teddy. She is in the 7th grade at Autrey Mill Middle School. In my free time, I love to take walks, play tennis, go on hikes, and travel when I can. I feel so fortunate to have worked at Medlock Bridge for the majority of my 23 years in Fulton County. I love working with the preschool and kindergarten children, and I love being a part of this amazing school.
BRITANI ASHKEBOUSSI
Speech Language Pathologist
Ms. Ashkeboussi
JENNIFER BRISKIN
School Psychologist
This is my seventh year at Medlock Bridge and I feel so fortunate to work in such a warm community! As a school psychologist, I consult with parents and teachers about the academic and social well being of our students. I complete psychoeducational evaluations in order to identify disabilities and to identify learning and emotional strengths and weaknesses of our students. Although I work very closely with our wonderful special education department, I am also heavily involved in working with general education teachers to identify interventions and strategies to support the success of all students.
I am an Atlanta native and grew up in Sandy Springs. I received my B.A. in Psychology from The University of Michigan (GO BLUE!) I have my Masters in Psychology from Boston University and my M.Ed. and Ed.S. in School Psychology from Georgia State University. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and our one-year-old son. I am thrilled to be back at Medlock Bridge and look forward to another exciting year of getting to know your children!
BRITTANY TAYLOR
Music Therapist
Mrs. Taylor
BRITTANY LONG
Adapted Art Teacher
Ms. Brittany is our Adaptive Art teacher. She teaches art to students with special needs in all grade levels at 8 schools in North Fulton. She grew up in metro Atlanta and received her bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Georgia State University. Her master’s degree is in Special Education with a concentration in Autism. Ms. Brittany likes green, the outdoors, to cook, and especially loves making art with her students and teaching them new ways to be creative.
DIANE MILAK
Adaptive P.E. Teacher
This is my 4th year as an Adapted PE Teacher in Fulton County Schools. I serve students at Medlock Bridge, Findley Oaks, Ocee and Johns Creek High School.
I graduated from The University of Georgia with a Health and Physical Education degree.
I love working with the students and look forward to a wonderful year.