Van Wert Elementary

Faculty Spotlights: Please join us in welcoming Collette Nale, Elizabeth Pierson, Sonia Brownlow, and Taylor Harris to Van Wert Elementary. We are thrilled to have you all at Van Wert!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Collette Nale a paraprofessional to Van Wert. I have been with Polk School District for 6 years. I have been working with children for over 20 years. This will be my first year in kindergarten. I am looking forward to my new adventure at Van Wert.

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Elizabeth Pierson paraprofessional to Van Wert Elementary. Hi! This is my first year as a paraprofessional but I have previous childcare experience in preschool and daycare. I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling, and all things outdoors with my dogs. I’m so excited to be apart of the Van Wert family!

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Sonia Brownlow to Van Wert Elementary School as our ESOL teacher. Hello, my name is Sonia Brownlow. I am very excited to be the ESOL teacher at Van Wert Elementary! This will be my 11th year teaching and my first year teaching ESOL. I have taught pre-k, 1st grade, and 2nd grade. I worked as a pre-k paraprofessional for five years while working on my teaching degree. I graduated from Shorter University in 2013 with a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. When I am not at school, I love spending time with my family enjoying the outdoors. I also enjoy watching sports, especially Georgia Tech and Falcons football and Atlanta Braves baseball.

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Taylor Harris to Van Wert as our Speech Teacher. I am a Speech Language Pathologist and have been working as an SLP for the past 13 years. I graduated from the University of West Georgia, recently adding my Specialist in Special Education. My husband and I moved to Rockmart 10 years ago. We have two girls, who currently attend Rockmart schools. I am so excited to join the Eastside family! I am passionate about giving everyone a voice to have the freedom to express themselves.

Need to Enroll Your Child? See Below. July 29 to Aug. 1 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 2 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Aug. 6 to Aug. 7 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. *No enrollment changes will be made on August 5th due to Open House. We will resume enrollment duties on August 8th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Enrollment Dates: Junly 29 to 1st from 8 am to 3 pm August 2nd from 8 to 12 pm and august 6 and 7th from 8 to 3 pm. Reminder: No enrollment changes will be made on August 5th due to open house. We will resume enrollment duties on August 8th from 9 to 1 pm.

Faculty Spotlights: Please join us in welcoming Amy Oswalt, Emma Huff, Lisa Scott, and Rebecca Palermo to Van Wert Elementary. We are thrilled to have you all at Van Wert!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Amy Oswalt 5th Grade Teacher - I have 32 years experience…22 in Georgia and 10 in Missouri. My interests are anything sports related and spending time with my teenage boys.

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Emma Huff Paraprofessional - I have previously worked two years in an after school program at an elementary school, this will be my first year as a paraprofessional! In my free time I love to be at the barn with my horse and around all my animals in general!

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome, Lisa Scott Counselor Van Wert Elementary - I’m so excited to serve the Van Wert family! This will be my 24th year as a school counselor. I have served students at all grade levels (15 years-elementary, 4 years-middle and 4 years-high school). I am blessed with a wonderful husband named Mike who works for Delta Airlines. Our 21 year old son, Daylan, is currently stationed in Japan with the US Navy. In our free time, we enjoy camping and traveling the world. Again, I look forward to getting to know the wonderful staff, students and families that make Van Wert an amazing place to be!

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Rebecca Palermo Exceptional Students Teacher - 6 years teaching special education. Self contained EBD for two years, a semester in resource/inclusion. 3.5 years in self contained preschool. I enjoy spending time with my family and making designs in canva.

Faculty Spotlights: Please join us in welcoming Allison Pace, Chase Bostwick, Cynthia Carter, and Virginia Kersey to Van Wert Elementary. We are thrilled to have you all at Van Wert!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Allison Pace to 4th grade teachers at Van Wert Elementary School I have taught in 3 different school districts and under 6 different administrators during my 19 yrs of teaching. I have my gifted endorsement, a Masters degree in Early Childhood, a Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction, and a second specialist degree in Educational Leadership. I love antiquing, online shopping, and spending time with my 2 1/2 yr old nephew, Tucker.

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Chase Bostwick to 2nd grade at Van Wert. This will be year 3. I have taught in carroll county douglas county and now here. This is my first year in second grade. I love being outside and going on adventures. I love all things sports. I race dirtbikes. I will be getting married in September.

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Cynthia Carter to teaching 3rd grade at Van Wert. I have taught in various education settings. I have taught 8th grade BD, Homeschooled various levels from 2yr old through High school, taught both private and public Pre-k, 4th and 1st grade at a private Christian School, as well as a charter school (grades 2nd, 4th and 5th). I am excited to finally teach 3rd grade, which I have never taught in a school setting. I love reading, organizing and hanging out with friends and family.

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Virginia Kersey to teaching 3rd grade at Van Wert. My name is Mrs. Virginia Kersey, and I am looking forward to being your child’s third-grade teacher this year. This will be my first-year teaching and I am thrilled. I do have many years of experience within the school setting as a substitute teacher and a paraprofessional. I graduated from Grand Canyon University with a degree in elementary education. I share my life at home with my husband David of nineteen years and two of our three children, Baileigh seventeen, and Levi five years old. Our oldest daughter Makayla, nineteen, lives back home in Florida. We enjoy being on the water and in the woods every chance we get. I cannot wait to learn more about my sweet students and their families.

Faculty Spotlights: Please join us in welcoming Jasmine Irvin, Katherine Ring, Kennedy Garner, and Kristen Baxter to Van Wert Elementary. We are thrilled to have you all at Van Wert!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Jasmine Irvin to Van Wert Exceptional Services This is my first year as a Special Education Teacher and I am so excited! I love working with children and seeing their eyes light up when they discover something new. I have my bachelor's in psychology and am looking forward to completing my master's in special education. I was also an RBT and have experience working with both verbal and non-verbal children with ASD and many behaviors of varying degrees. I have 3 children of my own that keep me on my toes, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. In my free time, I enjoy reading psych thrillers, traveling, and making memories with my children.

Van Wert Elementary Please Help Us Welcome Katherine Ring 1st Grade teacher at Van Wert Elementary School My teaching career started twenty five years ago in Florida. I taught kindergarten until moving to Georgia, eight years ago, when I started teaching first grade. Spending time with family and friends is one of my favorite pastime activities. I enjoy traveling, going to concerts, and live sporting events. I frequently go to Florida to visit my daughter and granddaughter. I also find reading very relaxing.

Van Wert Elementary School Please Help Us Welcome Mrs. Kennedy Garner 4th Grade Teacher at Van Wert Elementary School This will be my third year teaching! In the past, I taught middle school science, and was a parapro in an elementary school. I started teaching in Paulding County but moved back to Polk when there was an opening. PSD is my home! ❤️ My favorite way to spend my time is getting baby snuggles and soaking up every ounce of family time I can get!

Van Wert Elementary School please help us welcome Ms. Kristen Baxter our Records Clerk to Van Wert Elementary School. I have about 20 years of office experience and I enjoy all kinds of music and spending time with my family.

Faculty Spotlights: Please join us in welcoming Randall Cummings, Nicole Porter, and Rebecca Waldrop to Van Wert Elementary. You may already know these educators. All have had prior experience at Van Wert. Welcome back to Van Wert!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Van Wert Elementary Please Help Us Welcome Randall Cummings as a computer lab paraprofessional at Van Wert. Hi there! I’m Randall but the kiddos call me “Mr. C.” This will be my third year with PSD and I’m glad to be here. I drive a school bus “Birdie” if you see her at the bus port. This year I will also be the Computer Lab Parapro! I’m currently in school to become a teacher after working in finance for twenty years. In my spare time I enjoy time with family, the beach, and wreath making.

Van Wert Elementary Please Help us Welcome, Nicole Porter back to Van Wert as a 2nd grade teacher.Hello! My name is Nicole Porter and I am excited to officially become part of Van Wert Elementary this upcoming school year as a second-grade teacher! I am a UWG graduate with a degree in Elementary Education. My favorite things include my family, all animals, and traveling. I am so happy that I get to teach within the county I grew up in and I hope to make it as rewarding to my students as it was for me. I can’t wait to join this team and make it a fulfilling year!

Van Wert Elementary Please Help Us Welcome, Mrs. Rebecca Waldrop back to Van Wert as a kindergarten teacher.I am happy to be back at Van Wert. This is my 21st year teaching. I taught at Van Wert for 19 years including kindergarten, 2nd grade, and EIP.

Faculty Spotlights: Please join us in welcoming Cailey Willbanks, Holly Painter, and Tabitha Burch to Van Wert Elementary. We are thrilled to have you all at Van Wert!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

An experienced childcare worker of 2 years providing staff support in an educational environment. Biggest interest is to help with cognitive and social development they will need to reach to their full potential.

My name is Holly Painter. I am the mom of three boys and married to a fireman. I love the beach, spending time with my family, singing on our praise team and Alabama football. Roll Tide! I have my Masters of Education in Elementary Education. This will be my eighth year teaching and I am excited to be apart of the Van Wert Family!

My undergraduate degree isn't in education but in Economics. However, I've dedicated the past seven years to the field of education, and this upcoming year marks my eighth. I obtained my P-12 Special Education Certification through the GATAPP program. During my initial five years, I had the privilege of working in the GNETS Program here in Polk. Thereafter, I transitioned to the resource and inclusion setting for grades K-5, with most of my caseload being Kindergarten. These roles have been incredibly fulfilling. Two summers ago, I earned my Masters in Early Childhood Education and I'm just three classes away from completing my Tier I Leadership certification, a goal I'm eagerly pursuing. Outside of work, I cherish spending time with my family and enjoy any outdoor activities. I reside in Polk with my husband and two beautiful daughters. I am thrilled to be joining the Van Wert family and look forward to contributing to its vibrant community!

Join us as we wish our wonderful principal, Mr. Zwingmann, a Happy Birthday today!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Faculty Spotlights: Please join us in welcoming Longergon Honoré, Jamie Gamel, and Cassie Spurlin to Van Wert Elementary. We are thrilled to have you all at Van Wert!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Van Wert ELementary School - Please help us welcome, Mr. Longergon Honoré to Van Wert as a 4th grade teacher. I have been teaching in for the past 9 years. I have taught grades K-6 with the exception of 3rd grade. I currently coach wrestling for the Rockmart Takedown Club and have been coaching for 11 years. I am an artist. I received an opportunity to attend an art school, but I decided to focus of my regular school classes and athletics. I attended Shorter University where I received the Bachelor of Science degree in education while playing football. I received gifted endorsement, and I will finish my master's in elementary curriculum and instruction at the end of the summer.

Van Wert Elementary Please Help Us Welcome, Jamie Gamel paraprofessional to Van Wert Elementary School - This is my first year as a Paraprofessional. I love spending time with my husband and two boys, camping and traveling.

Van Wert Elementary - Please Help Us Welcome, Cassie Spurlin to Van Wert. 3rd grade teacher - I taught Fourth Grade for four years, Kindergarten for four years, and Fifth Grade for one year. I enjoy teaching the younger grades and integrating STEM into my classroom. In the next couple years, I want to become ESOL certified. I earned my Gifted Certification this year.

Faculty Spotlights: Please join us in welcoming Vaneka Canty, Kerri Newby, and Madison Graves to Van Wert Elementary. We are thrilled to have you at Van Wert!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

I have taught for 18 years in Georgia and Florida. I have taught all grade levels in elementary school. I have my Reading and ESOL endorsements. I am a bright Disney fan. I love all kinds of sports and love to watch my students play.

I recently graduated from Western Governors University and I will be beginning my first year teaching! I am so excited to be joining the family at Van Wert Elementary.

Hi! My name is Vaneka Canty. I am a first year teacher and I am thrilled to be teaching second grade at Van Wert Elementary! I received my Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Kennesaw State University, and I am certified to teach Special Education general curriculum. I have worked for an enrichment program for eight years and I love helping kids learn and have fun while doing it. I have one child, who keeps me busy! We love to ride bikes together, read, and garden. Any beach is my favorite place to be. I enjoy all sports, especially basketball and volleyball. My goal as a teacher is to help students reach their full potential towards developmental milestones. I am excited to create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment, and I look forward to working with you on your child’s growth and development this year!

Faculty Spotlights: Please join us as we spotlight our new Instructional Coach and Intervention Specialist. Welcome to Van Wert, Mrs. Leah Redden and Mrs. Jennifer Whitaker!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Hello! I am Mrs. Leah Redden. I am very excited to be the instructional coach at Van Wert This year. I have 33 years of experience including working with all elementary grade levels as an EIP teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Post Retirement, I have been a District Leader, Intervention Specialist, and Instructional Coach.

I'm super excited to kick off my 12th year in education! Prior to education, I worked in marketing/public relations, which is my undergraduate degree. I absolutely love my family, our two Goldendoodles, Dr. Pepper, UGA Dawgs, Pizza Farm spaghetti, electric blankets, decorating, and traveling for trips/vacations (HUGE difference between the two)!

Faculty Spotlights: Who's ready to meet some of our new faculty and staff members? Please join us as we spotlight those who are new to Van Wert. Our first post is dedicated to our two wonderful assistant principals, Mrs. Holly Petty and Mrs. Tanya Woods! Welcome to Van Wert!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Welcome to Van Wert Mrs. Holly Petty our new assistant principal In my 20.5 years in Education, I have earned a Bachelors and Masters Degree in Early Childhood, a Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Leadership Add-On. After serving 10.5 years in the classroom, I have experience as Evaluation and Assessment Coordinator, Assistant Principal, Principal, and Intervention and Assessment Coordinator. My husband, Shane, and I love to travel and share experiences together with our boys, the beach and lake are our favorite! Rockmart Yellow Jackets, Georgia Bulldogs, Atlanta Braves, Church, and naps are always part of our weekend plans throughout the year! I'm honored to be Assistant Principal at Van Wert and I'm looking forward to a great year! GO Jackets!

Please help us welcome Mrs. Tanya Woods as our new assistant principal and SPED Coordinator I have worked as a speech-language pathologist for over 20 years. During much of this time, I supported teachers with phonics and literacy instruction. I developed an assistive technology program in another district as Assistive Technology Specialist for 3 years. This past year, my role as Exceptional Student Specialist included supporting instruction in both the general education and special education classrooms. I have a Dyslexia endorsement, which helps my passion FOR ENSURING ALL students have the resources they need to be successful. I enjoy analyzing data, learning more about curriculum and instruction, and reading books to become a better leader. I love spending time with my husband and 3 children, including hiking, rafting, and making memories. I am honored and excited to serve as Assistant Principal and Exceptional Student Specialist this year at Van Wert!

Pre-K parents and guardians: We are excited to welcome you to our Pre-K mandatory meeting on August 5 at 10:30 am. Students will meet teachers at our open house on the same day from 3:00 to 6:00 pm.

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Mandatory Pre-K Meeting Monday, August 5, 2024 at 10:30 am. This meeting is for parents. Students will meet teachers at our open house later that day.

We are excited to start another school year with our Van Wert students and families! We hope you have enjoyed a restful and relaxing summer. We would like you to attend our open house on August 5, 2024. Welcome back to our Van Wert HIVE!

12 months ago, Van Wert Elementary School

Open House info. Monday, August 5, 2024 from 3 pm to 6 pm.

📣 It’s almost TIME to CATCH THE BUS! Join Us for our Transportation Bus Rider Rally! 🚌 Is your student planning to ride the bus for the 2024-2025 school year? If so, don’t miss this IMPORTANT event! Please attend the designated meeting for your child’s school to obtain critical information, meet your driver, and much more! See the attached flyer for details. We look forward to seeing you there! 🚍

about 1 year ago, Polk School District

✂️✏️2024-2025 Elementary Supply List 📒🖍 Middle School and High School supply lists will be provided by individual teachers. #psdtheplacetobe ❤️🖤💛

about 1 year ago, Polk School District

📣🏫2024-2025 OPEN HOUSE INFORMATION📕✏️ We are SO EXCITED to welcome our students and families back to kick-off the 2024-2025 school year! Please be sure to check your schools' website and social media for additional procedural details regarding Open House.

about 1 year ago, Polk School District