Administrators

McKenzie Smith is a dedicated Assistant Principal with 14 years of experience in education, having served as a classroom teacher, assistant administrator, and now a school leader. Grounded in the belief that relationships are the foundation of impactful education, Mr. Smith leads with a servant-oriented mindset, fostering environments where students and staff feel seen, supported, and inspired.

Driven by a powerful “why”—making the world a better place is the best job in the world. Mr. Smith champions the idea that knowledge is a universal right and that the innate desire to learn is essential to human growth and survival. With a deep commitment to nurturing that desire, Mr. Smith sees education as a transformative force for equity and excellence.

Guided by the mantra, “Excellence is not an event... it is a habitual behavior that must be acted upon daily, Mr. Smith works tirelessly to cultivate a culture of continuous growth, purpose, and possibility—for every learner, every day.

Tammy Cooke is a passionate educator with 19 years of experience, including 12 years in Atlanta Public Schools as a kindergarten and third-grade teacher, EIP teacher, and Reading Specialist. For the past 8 years, she has served in Fulton County Schools as a Literacy Coach, where she has led as the Extended Learning Program Coordinator and Beta Club Sponsor. Mrs. Cooke earned bachelor’s degrees from the Georgia Institute of Technology and St. Leo University, her Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of Phoenix, and Education Specialist degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Cambridge College.

Mrs. Cooke is deeply committed to fostering a love of Reading and developing lifelong learners. Her work is grounded in equity, literacy leadership, and student-centered growth, and she continues to inspire both students and educators through her dedication and expertise. With a strong commitment to educational excellence, she collaborates closely with school leaders and instructional teams to drive sustainable improvement and student achievement. Tammy brings a strategic mindset and a passion for equity in education, supporting schools in implementing data-driven practices, fostering professional growth, and cultivating positive learning environments.

Ms. Glynn is a passionate and dedicated educator with over 15 years of experience serving diverse student populations. She began her career in mental health after earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Mercer University and a Master's in Community Counseling from Argosy University. Her passion for working directly with children led her to transition into education in 2013.

Ms. Glynn taught in both DeKalb and Fulton Counties, with a strong foundation in general and special education, particularly in self-contained Autism classrooms. She brings a wealth of knowledge in inclusive practices, behavior management, and instructional support. She is particularly committed to enhancing reading achievement and ensuring equitable access to high-quality instruction for all students. Most recently, over the past four years, she has served as the Instructional Support Teacher at Conley Hills Elementary, supporting teachers in implementing effective interventions and guiding school-wide initiatives focused on social-emotional learning, data-driven instruction, and student engagement.

Ms. Glynn balances her professional commitment with her personal joys, including traveling, spending time with her twin daughters, and creating engaging learning experiences for students. She is thrilled to be part of the Briar Hills Elementary family and looks forward to working alongside staff, students, and families to help every child thrive.

Mrs. Hodge-Kelly is an accomplished educator hailing from the Bronx, New York. With a deep commitment to advancing education, she earned an undergraduate degree from Spelman College, where she developed a strong foundation in academic excellence and leadership. Her pursuit of knowledge continued at Central Michigan University, where she obtained a master’s degree, further enhancing her expertise in the field of education.

Since 2003, Mrs. Hodge-Kelly has dedicated her career to serving the county, passionately engaging in curriculum development and educational initiatives. She believes that a robust curriculum is essential for fostering a love of learning and empowering students to achieve their full potential. Her work reflects a steadfast commitment to creating inclusive and dynamic learning environments that inspire both students and educators.

With a wealth of experience and a fervent desire to champion educational excellence, Mrs. Hodge-Kelly continues to make a significant impact in the field, advocating for innovative teaching methods and lifelong learning.

Antoinette Patterson is a dedicated educator with 16 years of experience and a deep passion for supporting both teachers and students. Originally from Miami, Florida, I am proud to be a product of Fulton County Schools and now have the privilege of serving the Atlanta community, where my professional journey has continued to flourish.

I am a proud graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree, and of Nova Southeastern University, where I received my Master’s degree in Elementary Education. I am committed to lifelong learning and ongoing professional growth.

My career spans 14 years in the classroom as a teacher and the past 2 years as an Instructional Literacy Coach. In this role, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with educators to enhance instructional practices, support data-driven decision-making, and ultimately improve student achievement.

Outside of my professional role, I am a proud wife and mother of four wonderful children, three energetic boys and one amazing daughter. Balancing a busy family life with a career in education has strengthened my commitment to the meaningful work we do each day in schools.

As an Instructional Coach, I believe in the power of collaboration, reflective practice, and equity in education. I support teachers through modeling lessons, co-planning, coaching cycles, and facilitating professional development, all with the goal of creating engaging and effective learning environments.

My mission is to empower educators, build instructional capacity, and help every student succeed—one classroom at a time.

This is Ms. Stewart’s 20^th year in education. She is a dedicated and passionate educator committed to supporting student learning and empowering teachers. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction. Her career began in 2006 with Atlanta Public Schools, where she served in various roles including classroom teacher, mentor teacher, and Saturday School Coordinator.

In 2019, she transitioned to Fulton County Schools and has since served as an EIP teacher, team lead, and Literacy Coach at Conley Hills Elementary. This school year, she is excited to step into a new role as the Math Coach at Briar Hills, continuing her mission to strengthen instructional practices and student achievement.

Outside of school, she enjoys spending time with her family, purchasing new sneakers, solving word searches, exploring new restaurants, and listening to music. She looks forward to a fresh start at Briar Hills and is eager to work alongside staff, students, parents, and the community to “build the buffalo way!”

I am NeShasta Taylor, and I am excited to support our Briar Hills family as the School Counselor. With 12 years of experience in education as a teacher in both the general ed. and inclusion classroom setting, and now as a School Counselor, I look forward to serving our Buffalo community. Through partnership with students, educators, parents, and community stakeholders, The Briar Hills Elementary School Counseling Department believes and strives to prepare students to become productive members and leaders of society by providing students with the knowledge and skills to accomplish academic and career goals while fostering positive social-emotional development.

My name is Tasha Warren-Nears and I am the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and 504 Specialist. My work focuses on providing academic and behavioral support and interventions as needed. I work with students, staff, and families to ensure that ALL students have the support needed to participate fully in their education. I believe that all students can learn; It's up to us to make it happen!

I have 28 years of experience in education. My journey as an educator started as a paraprofessional in Dougherty County Schools (Albany, Ga.). Once I relocated to Atlanta, I became part of the Fulton County family. I’ve worked as a paraprofessional, classroom teacher, EIP teacher, PBIS Coach I and II, and my last 5 years as Student Support Team Chairperson.

I am excited about the opportunity to continue working in this capacity in the East Point Community. And look forward to making a significant contribution to the Briar Hills Family!