Governance

Greetings I am Todd Pipkin, School Director at Susie King Taylor Community School. I love building and designing model trains.

I choose SKTCS because of the intimate school setting, the potential for growth, the opportunity to develop and build a comprehensive school program, and the staff’s commitment to teaching our students.

Hello I am Dr. Medina and I am the Director of Academics at SKTCS. I chose SKTCS because of our staff’s amazing commitment to our student’s success! SKTCS really is the best place to be!

Hello! My name is Q. Aikens and I am the Director of Operations . I have worked in education for a very long time. I enjoy getting to know the children and parents and supporting the school’s administrative and teaching teams so that they may focus on academic achievements. I chose SKTCS because it’s a community not just a school.

Greetings SKTCS families! I am Tanika Johnson, a native of Savannah, GA, and a mother of two. I will be serving as the Middle School Assistant Principal. I enjoy spending time with my children, learning, traveling, and cooking. I joined Susie King Taylor Community School to fill my desire to serve teachers, students, and their families in a charter school environment. The new experience coupled with learning about the functions, goals, operations, and the autonomy of teaching in a non-traditional public school was exciting. This new experience will allow me to aid in the efforts of improving academic achievement through a holistic growth model for all students and teachers.

Hi! My name is Calandra Ervin and I am the Executive Administrative Assistant and PowerSchool Liaison. I have been working in education for many years. I enjoy working closely with our families to make sure they have a great school experience. I chose SKTCS because they have shown what a family looks like when we all stick together.

Hi SKT Families! My name is Sean Patterson and I am the Dean of Social Emotional Learning. I moved here from Denver, Colorado in 2021 with my wife and 2 kids. I am looking forward to bringing my experience and passion for helping children to this school. In my free time I love spending time with my kids, going to the beach, traveling the world, and eating good food with great friends. I chose SKTCS because they focus not just on teaching kids reading, writing and arithmetic, but also how to be a well-rounded, happy and healthy human being.

Hi SKTCS Family!!

My name is Anna Loudin and I am a second grade teacher here at Susie king taylor community school. I chose this school because of the social justice based learning that the school follows. If I am not at school I am definitely with my dog Miso.

Hi, My name is Chantelle Smith. I am a third grade teacher at SKTCS. I have previously taught both fourth and fifth grades in New England. I am so grateful to be a part of our community and have the opportunity to serve our students. I chose SKTCS because we put our students first.

Hi, I am Chaquita Bush. I am a Kindergarten Paraprofessional at Susie King Taylor Community School. I first fell in love with SKTCS as a parent, and then as an employee. My daughter has been attending SKTCS since its opening. At SKTCS she not only gets an education, she has gained a family as well. I joined the SKTCS family because I enjoyed working with the children, and I loved how everyone worked together to build the community we have at Susie King Taylor. I look forward to watching the children grow and learn the SKTCS way.

Happy School Year! My name is Christy Caughran and I am a math teacher for middle school. I am a native of Savannah (May Howard, Anderson Street School, Myers Middle, and Sol C. Johnson High, and Armstrong State College) and have 5 children that have/are attending public schools in Savannah. I recently completed my Specialist in Education degree from Georgia Southwestern State University. I chose Susie King Taylor Community School because I believe it is important to learn about our community to help adolescents find out who they are.

Hello! My name is Megan Ruff. I’m very excited for year two of reading, social studies, and 4th grade! I originally chose to work at Susie King Taylor Community School because of the social justice work and the emphasis in restorative practices. These are still important to me, but the community is what really brings me back to SKTCS!

Hey! My name is Lea Jones and I am the Middle School SpEd Para. Although I am originally from the North, I’ve spent the majority of my life in the South. I’ll take the warm weather over snow anytime. I chose SKTCS because of its focus not only on education, but also on building and nurturing the whole child.

Hello! My name is LaQuandra Bundrage but I go by Ms. B and I am currently one of the first grade teachers here at Susie King Taylor Community School. I love working with children and watching them learn and grow everyday. Fun fact, I am from a VERY small town in Ga, so small that there’s only one red light. I chose SKTCS because it reminded me so much of home. Everyone really is family.

Hello! My name is Keysha Dukes and I am A Kindergarten Paraprofessional at SKTCS. I have worked in education for many years. I enjoy getting to know the children as well as helping them anyway I can. I chose Susie King Taylor because it’s not just a school , we’re all Family here.

Greetings and Salutations SKTCS Family! My name is Kendra Chapman and I am an Instructional Coach at the Lower School. A proud mother of a 6 year old daughter, I am one of twenty-one females (and two males) in my immediate family. This means my weekends and holidays are always busy, but enjoyable!

I chose SKTCS because of the positive family and community, action- oriented environment and culture built within the school. I strongly believe in the ideologies and practices shaped around teaching the “whole” child and creating a safe space where everyone belongs. I am super excited to be a part of the greatness circulating at SKTCS!

My name is Jean’ne Townsend. I began my professional career in the music business. I used to be an art teacher.I chose Susie King Taylor Community School because I teach in the Marvel Room where social justice issues and graphic novels are of great interest.

Hello. My name is Jawan Johnson and I serve as the Middle School Social Studies teacher at SKTCS. I am a native of Savannah, and obtained my Bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University! I have a great love for history and education! I am excited to join the SKTCS family! I choose SKTCS because of the familial atmosphere, and the social justice program!

Hello, my name is Heather Fireall. I am the Special Education Paraprofessional for grades fourth and fifth. I enjoy traveling and trying different foods. I chose SKTCS because we are like a close- knit family and not just a school!

Greetings, I am Geneva Gadsden and I am a Kindergarten teacher. I love teaching kindergarten
as it is the foundation of the students; education career. Students grow so much academically and socially, and it is truly amazing to experience their love for learning. In my past career I enjoyed working with this age group so much I would always teach swim lessons ages 3-6. I chose SKTCS because we are truly a small community and only want the best for each student that walks through the door.

I am a Savannah native known to the students as Mr. Dee. I am a professional songwriter and producer with over 25 years of experience in entertainment business and music theory. I trained and studied Piano Performance at Armstrong Atlantic State University. My artistry is heavily inspired by the strong musical genres of jazz, classical, gospel, soul, country, r&b, rock, and hip hop. I am a member of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) and from 2007-2009 served as the A&R Executive for rising independent label, Sound Walk Music Group, overseeing marketing and public relations for explosive national recording artist Mali Music, who is now signed to a major mainstream label, Bystorm, RCA. I am also the CEO of Digistar World Wide Entertainment LLC, which is a full service multi-media company, and is home to National Recording Artist “RLW”.
I chose SKTCS because I love seeing young children explore and create music.

My name is Whitney Shearman and I am excited to be joining the SKTCS team as a Third Grade teacher! I have lived and taught on three continents. I chose SKTCS because I love the commitment to student-centered education.

Greetings! My name is Venicia N. Richardson-Brooks. I am a native of Savannah, GA. I am the Special Education teacher for Kindergarten through Third grade. I believe that it
is important to provide well-rounded learning experiences that will strengthen the skills of students beyond their school years. I love music, songwriting, and creative arts. I am passionate about helping students reach their developmental milestones. I have worked as a Pre-K Teacher, Adaptive Curriculum Teacher, and a Child Advocate over the years. I chose SKTCS because it allows students to learn through exploring the community!

Hello! My name is Monica Brown and I am the Family Engagement Facilitator. I enjoy working with children and their families and getting everyone involved in their child’s school and community. I chose SKTCS because their mission aligns with my passion for children in the community.

My name is Tatum Weber, LPN and I am your school nurse. I am so excited to start my first year at SKTCS! My nursing background is in pediatrics and public health for the last 13 years. I graduated with my diploma in Practical Nursing from Brown Mackie College in Findlay, Ohio in 2008. My husband Jeff, and I have 2 little boys, Everett(6)and Bennett(4), and a sweet pup named Finnlay. I enjoy grilling outside, spending time with family, reading and looking up recipes on Pinterest. I choose SKTCS because of the excellent educational model and culture for development students with a sense of purpose and belonging. I am honored by my duty to keep the students healthy, engaged, and ready to learn.

Greetings! My name is Ms. Ager and I am the middle school English Language Arts facilitator at Susie King Taylor Community School. Education is my second career, but I wish I had chosen it as my first. I chose Susie King Taylor because I believe that students are creative critical thinkers and Susie King Taylor is designed to foster creative thinkers and critical thinkers.

Hello! My name is Ms. Sherrylynn Burney. I am the Special Education teacher for grades 4-5. This is my third-year teaching at Susie King Taylor Community School. I have a theater background which I’ve learned comes in handy as a teacher. I chose SKTCS it affords me the opportunity to return to my teaching roots,working with elementary students affirming the motto below which inspires me every day.

Hello! My name is Sherrell Bell and I am a part of the fabulous 1st grade team at SKTCS. I enjoy
working with children and supporting my families and community. After living my entire life in NYC, I decided to pack my bags and moved to the beautiful Savannah Georgia. I chose SKTCS because of its strong commitment to the families and students they serve.

Hi! My name is Miriam Mikell-Bennett. I am the K-5 Reading and Math Interventionist. I enjoy digging into assessment data to construct effective instructional goals and plans. Collectively, I have taught in South Carolina and Georgia for about a decade now. I chose SKTCS because I felt that this school would provide the perfect environment and opportunities to explore my passion for academic improvement. I’m looking forward to a successful school year!

Habari!  I am Nikole Baker, the Lead Gifted Teacher.  I work with students in grades K-8, as well as their teachers, but you may know me from cool (educational!) events such as the Spelling Bee, Oratorical Contest, or STEAM Festival.  I chose SKTCS because I get to help ALL of our students discover and develop their talents so that they can shine even brighter!

I am Coach Smitt, a military brat from every southern and eastern state of America. I chose SKTCS because the school aligns with my vision for the students to be academically and physically fit, research suggests physical activity and fitness improves academic performance. I foster meaningful and positive interactions with students while, simultaneously, teaching sports, games, and other physical activities that promote physical and mental readiness for their lifetime. Promoting sports and activities that can keep them fit and active outside of their school age and school setting.  When I am not with my school family, I often enjoy running, biking, working out, playing all sports, going to the beach and spending time with friends and my own family of 5. 

Greetings! My name is Mrs. Loraine M. Bush. I am the K-8 Academic Coach. One interesting fact about me is that I played center on my high school basketball team. I chose Susie King Taylor Community School because I believe in educating the whole child. SKTCS’s unique student-centered and community-focused approach to education ensures that learning extends beyond the classroom.