Consultants

Georgia Accrediting Commission Consultants

Mr. Sam Adkins
508 Pine Needle Road
Waynesboro, GA 30830
(706) 466-0007
Email:   bearden508@gmail.com

Qualifications: 35 years of teaching and administrative service in Georgia with additional years of teaching, coaching, and administrative experience in both Virginia and Tennessee. A graduate of East Tennessee State University and Augusta University. Teaching experience at the elementary, middle, high, and college levels. Has served as a graduate assistant, high school football, baseball, wrestling, and track coach, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal, and Principal at both the elementary and high school levels. Recognitions include PBIS Distinguished School, 5-Star CCRPI Climate Rating, State Superintendent’s Distinguished Achievement Award, Title 1 Distinguished School, Georgia No Excuse School, USDA Healthier Choice Gold Level School, and Future Farmers Honorary Degree. Presentations and seminars include “The Development of a Cohort Design Model for Effective School Turnaround”, “Where Do We Go from Here…A Model to Effectively Guide School Improvement”, “Collaborative Walkthrough Monitoring”, “House Bill 244 – TKES and LKES” presented to the Georgia House of Representatives Education Sub-Committee. Publication entitled; “School Improvement Grant Practice: Changing Leadership Practices for Improvement” American Institute for Research- U.S. Department of Education. Received the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association Volunteer Award, Outstanding Graduate Student (Augusta College), and served as the Assistant Director of the United States National Wheelchair Games. Volunteers as an Upward basketball coach and serves as a Camp Director and a board member of the Georgia Baptist Youth Camps. Has served on North American and international mission teams.
Approved for: Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies with Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers.

Dr. Edie Baxley
1361 Dunns Lake Road
Baxley, GA  31513
H 912-367-5261     C 912-278-0471
email: ediebaxley@hotmail.com
Qualifications:  Bachelor Degree in Psychology/Biology and a Master Degree in Behavioral Science Education from Georgia Southwestern College. She completed her Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction, Education Leadership, and Doctor of Education from Valdosta State University and Argosy University.  Taught students in grades seven through twelve at Taylor County High School (2.5 yrs.), Deerfield Windsor Academy (10 yrs.), and Appling County Middle School (18 yrs.).  Assistant Principal and Instructional Supervisor at Appling County High School for 3 years and Principal of Altamaha Elementary School for 6 years.
Approved for: Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies With Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers

Mr. J. Robert (Bob) Chambers
1041 Wild Azalea Court
Athens, GA  30606
706-255-9632
email: jrchambers@athensacademy.org
Qualifications;   BS and MEd degrees from the University of Georgia; 50 years of experience in independent schools, including positions in teaching, coaching, principal, assistant headmaster during his 20 years at Pace Academy and headmaster for 30 years of Athens Academy. He has served as President of the Georgia Independent School Association; member of the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees of the Georgia High School Association; member of the Executive Council and the Independent School Representative on the State of Georgia Committee of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; member of the Board of Trustees and Chairman of the Accreditation Committee of the Southern Association of Independent Schools; member of the Board of Directors and member of the Commission for Accreditation for the National Association of Independent Schools.
Approved for: Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies With Special Purposes and Non-Traditional Educational Centers.

Dr. Edie Baxley
1361 Dunns Lake Road
Baxley, GA  31513
H 912-367-5261     C 912-278-0471
email: ediebaxley@hotmail.com
Qualifications:
  Bachelor Degree in Psychology/Biology and a Master Degree in Behavioral Science Education from Georgia Southwestern College. She completed her Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction, Education Leadership, and Doctor of Education from Valdosta State University and Argosy University.  Taught students in grades seven through twelve at Taylor County High School (2.5 yrs.), Deerfield Windsor Academy (10 yrs.), and Appling County Middle School (18 yrs.).  Assistant Principal and Instructional Supervisor at Appling County High School for 3 years and Principal of Altamaha Elementary School for 6 years.
Approved for: Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies With Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers

Dr. John DeCotis
185 Ridge Way
Fayetteville, GA 30215
770-461-0924
Email:  john.decotis@gmail.com                                             
Qualifications: Middle school teacher, college graduate teaching assistant, coach, assistant high school principal, elementary school principal, system director of elementary education, executive director of k-12 curriculum and instruction, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction and superintendent of schools for 11 years. During his years in education, he participated in numerous SACS committees, was Chairman of the SACS State Committee, led an elementary school to be chosen as one of 36 Georgia Schools of Excellence, served on the initial AdvancEd Board of Directors and was honored as “Educator of the Year” by the Georgia Association of Educational Leaders.  Doctorate Degree in Education, University of Georgia.  Dr. DeCotis is currently working as the School Improvement Coordinator at Griffin RESA.
Approved for:  Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies with Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers.

Dr. E. H. Harris 
P.O. Box 257
Barnesville, Georgia 30204
H 770-358-1205     C 770-468-1560
eehharris@aol.com
Qualifications: 40 years in public education as assistant superintendent, interim superintendent, principal at the elementary, middle, and high school levels; classroom teacher in Laurens, Pike, and Lamar Counties; coordinator of SACS self study for 14 years and past member of the Griffin RESA Board.
Approved for: Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies with Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers.

Dr. Josephine Jackson 
484 Ivey Court
Mableton, GA 30126
H 770-739-8869     C 678-524-8177
jjack@bellsouth.net
Qualifications: Serving in a variety of roles Dr Jackson has devoted more than 40 years to education. She has served as teacher, instructional coordinator, alternative school administrator, principal of an elementary school in Atlanta Public Schools, chairperson of the student support team, and new teacher monitor. She has received honors and awards for youth motivation, innovative school partnerships, and outstanding contributions to special education. She earned a B.S. in French, a M. Ed. in Reading education, the Education Specialist in Leadership and the Doctorate in Leadership.
Approved for: Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies with Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers.

Ms. Candace Kindberg 
7014 Dovefield Way
Columbus, GA 31904
H 709-322-1025     C 706-888-3945
c.kindberg@mchsi.com
Qualifications: High School Physical Education and Biology teacher for 21 years and Facilitator of the Gifted Child for 12 years for a total of more than 30 years of service to the children of Muscogee County School District in Columbus, GA.  Exercised leadership by leading and serving on a variety of efforts of the MCSD, including service on the Leadership Committee from 1997 – 2003; co-chairing the Committee for six years. Member of the District Discipline Committee, Technology Committee, Teacher Advisory Committee. Chaired the School Safety Committee, School Improvement Instructional Materials Target Team, and Section V of the SACS 10 Year evaluation. Recipient of the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation Grant.
Approved for: Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies with Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers

Dr. George (Dusty) Kornegay
1508 Valwood Avenue                                (Cell) 229-221-5025
Thomasville, Georgia 31792                      (Home) 229-225-1962
(Email) georgekornegayjr@gmail.com           
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in English and Christianity from Mercer University; Master of Education and Education Specialist Degrees from Valdosta State University; Doctor of Education Degree from NOVA Southeastern University. Thirty-four years of public school experience as a high school English teacher, high school and elementary assistant principal, elementary principal, assistant superintendent, and superintendent. Public school experience includes work in the Burke County, Thomasville City, and Thomas County Schools; also served as Adjunct Professor at Thomas University.
Approved for:  Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies with Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers.

Dr. Dwayne S. Lawyer
224 Arthur Drive
McDonough, GA  30252
Cell:  678-410-4361
Email:  lawyerdwayne5@gmail.com
Qualifications: 33 years of public and private school education work experience in grades prek-12. Served as district level coordinator of Title 1 and Title IV federal programs collaborating extensively with private schools and neglected and delinquent facilities, high school vocational supervisor, prek-12 assistant principal, high school department chairperson, and middle school teacher of technology education. Served as SACS committee chairperson, testing coordinator, Professional Standards Commission committee member for technology education certification, and online graduate and undergraduate faculty and faculty mentor at the University of Phoenix and Ashford University.  Doctor of Educational Leadership degree from Nova Southeastern University, Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in technology education from Georgia Southern University.
Approved for: Pre-Kindergarten, kindergartens, elementary schools, junior/middle schools, high schools, private schools, Educational Agencies with Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers.

Mr. Dewey W. Moye
706-864-6200 – Home
706-429-7310 – Cell
dewey.moye@yahoo.com – Email
105 Cane Mill Lane
Dahlonega, GA  30533
Qualifications: 46 years as an educator in both public and private schools. Service included 12 years as superintendent of Lumpkin County schools, 17 years as a public school principal, 3 years as private school headmaster, 10 years as assistant principal and 3 years as a classroom teacher. Many awards and activities including; chair of SACS accreditation teams, Superintendent’s Professional Development Program, Governor’s School Leadership Institute, Lumpkin County Citizen of the Year (1984, 1989).
Approved for: Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies with Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers.

Leslie C. Pledger, Ed.D                                                         470-819-9499
4321 Bridgehaven Drive,
Smyrna GA 30080                                      lesliepledger4321@gmail.com               Qualifications: 
Founder and Principal, Solid Foundation Christian Academy, Stone Mountain, GA 2003 – Present Facilitate strategic thinking and serve as a catalyst for change, and articulating, implementing, and sustaining a vision of teaching and learning for the total school program.
Adjunct Professor, Georgia Military College, Stone Mountain, GA 2015 – 2016, Taught English 097 & 099 and Reading 099. Helped struggling students pass the class and the College Reading Exam (Compass) so that they could enroll in college level courses, 98% pass rate consistently.
Instructional Liaison Specialist/Curriculum Specialist, Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta, GA 2001 – 2004 Building level leader only direct to the school Principal (under limited supervision) (600+-students). Directed all aspects of school operations, including instructional leadership, grant writing and management, program planning and implementation, staff selection and observation, student placement and discipline, school finance, evaluated lesson plans,
Fourth and Fifth Grade Classroom Teacher, Atlanta Public Schools, Atlanta, GA 1994 –2001 Taught the Quality Core Curriculum (QCC’s) and looped for 4 years.
Teacher of the Year in 2000
Leadership Team Chairperson for 4 years; developed and monitored the School Improvement Plan
Served on district’s Principal Steering Panel to represent school in selecting new school Principal.

Mr. Johnny N. Smith
706-468-0012 Home
706-476-9620 Cell
191 Amelia Drive
Monticello, Georgia 31064
johnnyneilsmith@att.net
Qualifications: School administration for 33 years, serving as headmaster. With 43 years’ experience in education service includes bandmaster, head football coach, basketball coach, track coach, and guidance counselor in public and private schools.
Approved for: Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools, Educational Agencies with Special Purposes, and Non-Traditional Educational Centers.

Dr. Rhonda Ware                                                    C- 404-316-3288
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
e-mail:  dr.rware3@gmail.com
Qualifications: Dr. Rhonda Ware is a strategic and results-oriented educator whose accomplishments began as a private daycare owner, elementary school classroom teacher and site director for an afterschool program and summer camps.  She served as an administrator in the Atlanta Public School System for 21 years, 19 of those years as an Elementary School Principal.  Presently she serves as a Substitute Interim Administrator. She has a Doctorate Degree and Specialist Degree in Administration and Supervision from Clark Atlanta University, and a master’s degree from Georgia State University.  Dr. Ware has served on the Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent’s Advisory Board and a member of the Georgia State University College of Education & Human Development Alumni Principal Network.  She has served on several interview teams selecting Instructional Leaders and on Instructional Audit teams providing feedback to principals.  She is a Board member for the Healthy Babies Project in Washington D.C. and the Secretary of SUMMECH Community Development Corporation in Atlanta Georgia.
Approved for: Pre-kindergartens, Kindergartens, Elementary Schools, Junior High/Middle Schools, High Schools