MEET OUR TEAM
Ashley Scott
Head of School
Head of School
Ashley Scott serves as the Student Development Coordinator at Midtown International School. In this unique role, Ashley’s work is centered around student experience as he assists with the admissions, matriculation, and onboarding processes for new students; and coordinates and executes all travel experiences for current students. Ashley’s passion for experiential student learning is demonstrated through his intentional planning and collaboration with all teachers to embed the curriculum in field trips, domestic, and international student travel. This commitment to student experience also comes through in his admissions work, where he learns about and develops a relationship with each potential new student at MIS, ultimately finding the right fit for their personal and academic strengths.
Ashley has vast experience in education, teaching in public, private, and charter settings for students ranging from grades Pre-K to 8th. In addition to his undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern University, Ashley received a School Master Gardener Certification from the University of Georgia to provide students with a hands-on opportunity for learning through cultivating raised beds, shade, bog and pollinator gardens; and caring for chickens.
Ashley’s passion for student travel also applies to his own life – since launching his international travel program for students, he counts 32 countries and 94 international cities on his personal travel résumé. His lifelong learning is equally as immersive as his students’ – he spends a few weeks in Guatemala each summer, volunteering to teach English while learning Spanish. Ashley holds a title of Global Education Ambassador for Education First, and owns his own travel company, Abiri Tours, in order to facilitate meaningful travel experiences for individuals and families outside of the MIS community.
Ashley has two sons, DJ (22) and Amir (15).
Ashley has vast experience in education, teaching in public, private, and charter settings for students ranging from grades Pre-K to 8th. In addition to his undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern University, Ashley received a School Master Gardener Certification from the University of Georgia to provide students with a hands-on opportunity for learning through cultivating raised beds, shade, bog and pollinator gardens; and caring for chickens.
Ashley’s passion for student travel also applies to his own life – since launching his international travel program for students, he counts 32 countries and 94 international cities on his personal travel résumé. His lifelong learning is equally as immersive as his students’ – he spends a few weeks in Guatemala each summer, volunteering to teach English while learning Spanish. Ashley holds a title of Global Education Ambassador for Education First, and owns his own travel company, Abiri Tours, in order to facilitate meaningful travel experiences for individuals and families outside of the MIS community.
Ashley has two sons, DJ (22) and Amir (15).
Administrative Support
Lourdes is the MIS Senior Accountant with over 30 years of accounting experience. She worked as an accountant for several small corporations after moving to Atlanta, GA. Prior to her move to Atlanta, she lived in New Jersey where she worked as an accountant for multiple multinational corporations. She grew up in Puerto Rico and graduated from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. Lourdes believes in the potential of every human being and loves to be part of the community. Humility and integrity are among the values she believes and practices. She is detail oriented, always ready to help, support and respect others. Lourdes enjoys spending time with her family and friends and whenever possible she flies to Puerto Rico to see and help her big family and enjoy some time at the beach. |
Karen Roth
Director of Human Resources Karen comes to MIS from Evansdale Elementary, where she worked for 21 years as an administrative team. She is very detail oriented and efficient with deadlines. Karen worked as a bookkeeper and registrar but her favorite job is meeting people and problem-solving with students, staff and parents. Her favorite pastimes are reading and walking. She and her husband, Dave, have one daughter, Melissa, who is a special education teacher at Evansdale. |
Maeretha Smith
Wellness Coordinator Maeretha is excited to begin her 3rd year at MIS as the Wellness Coordinator. One of her goals this year is to enhance the processes and procedures for illness and injury incidents for students and staff. Maeretha has a background in pre-hospital healthcare management with experience in personnel development, customer relations, disaster management and special event planning. She holds certifications in Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) from the American Heart Association. Away from MIS, Maeretha enjoys traveling, going to the Theater, bowling, and walking/running. She participated in her 19th race at the 50th AJC Peachtree Road Race last July. She volunteers as the coordinator for the Next Generation Drama/Dance Team ( K-5th) and as a Biblical Counselor at her church. |
Lynn Thatcher
Community Relations Coordinator Lynn is the Executive Assistant for the leadership team at MIS. She also supports the parents as MIP (Midtown International Parents) liaison. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Prior to working at MIS, Lynn served in many volunteer capacities in both schools and community and enjoys being able to bring that experience to her current positions. When she is not at MIS, Lynn enjoys spending time with her two sons, working on her house, gardening, and binge watching home improvement, cooking, and Hallmark shows. She loves animals (except snakes) and is always looking for ways to help them in any way possible. She currently has 5 rescue pets – a Royal Bahamian Potcake, 2 cats, and 2 rabbits. |
Administrators
Laura Szymanski
Instructional Coordinator Laura is entering her eleventh year in education and holds a Bachelor’s degree in mass communication/journalism, a Master of Arts degree in elementary education (K-8), and a gifted endorsement. Laura is excited to enter her fourth year with MIS as the Junior High Coordinator, English, and National History Day teacher. She had the unique opportunity to spend her career focused in gifted education by creating a gifted program for a private school south of Atlanta, and has served as the Educational Specialist for Gifted Education in Baltimore City Schools where she created gifted programming for the district. In her spare time, Laura enjoys reading, hiking, kayaking, and working out with her husband Ben (also a teacher at MIS). They have a full house with three boys, Alex, Matthew, and Zach, three dogs, and two cats. |
Katie Mathews
K-8 Principal Katie Mathews serves both middle school (5th-6th grade) and junior high (7th-8th grade) students and families as the Middle Grades Coordinator. The middle grade years can be a wild and wacky place, but she loves to watch these students form communities that feel like family and knows that organization, communication, and, most importantly, intentional relationships and support grounded in respect are key to helping bring this group to life each year. Katie has Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Science in English Education degrees, both from the University of Georgia. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree with an emphasis in Secondary English from the University of Southern California and received her gifted endorsement and certification from the University of North Georgia. Katie is in her fourth year at MIS and her thirteenth year of teaching. She has experience teaching students from 4th through 10th grade, with the majority of that time spent teaching language arts at the middle school/junior high level. Katie loves traveling globally and exploring locally with her husband, Jackson, and her dogs, Leon and Gus. Katie’s favorite book is always changing, but she agrees with Harper Lee that “the book to read is not the one that thinks for you, but the one which makes you think.” |
Munib Rezaie
High School Principal World citizenship has always played a central role in Munib’s life: he was born in Belgium to Iranian parents and grew up in Brazil, Macau, China, and the United States. Munib received both his Bachelor’s in Film Studies & Creative Writing as well as his Master’s in Film Studies from the University of Miami in Florida, and holds a PhD in Communication with a concentration in Film and Media Studies from Georgia State University. He has presented original research in a number of regional and national conferences, including ones held by the Society for Cinema and Media Studies, the Association for Asian Studies, the American Men’s Studies Association, the Association for Bahá’í Studies, and the Popular Culture Association. Munib has also worked as a script reader and editor for a number of media projects. When not writing about himself in the third person, Munib enjoys playing drums and the ukulele, watching movies, playing video games, and exploring Atlanta with his wife Melanie and their two sons, Tristan and Thornton. |
Counselors
Talia Auslin
K-8 Counselor Talia is a Jersey native who strongly believes all students deserve to feel a sense of belonging and connectedness at school! She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Ramapo College of New Jersey, and a Masters of Education (M.Ed) degree in Professional Counseling from the University of Georgia. For the past two years, Talia has worked as a Middle School Counselor for Gwinnett County Public Schools, and this is her first year at MIS. Prior to starting her counseling career, Talia was a 4-year collegiate athlete for the Ramapo College Women’s Soccer team, and later worked for the UGA Athletic Department as an academic mentor for student athletes. Additionally, she received a federally funded grant to undergo biopsychosocial-multicultural evidence-based trainings and delivered behavioral health services to at-risk students in grades K-12 in Northeast Georgia Regional Educational Service Agencies (NE GA RESA) school districts. Currently, Talia is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and is in the process of obtaining her Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) certification. Talia understands the importance of self-care, especially in the field of education! In her spare time, Talia enjoys going for runs with her dog, traveling and exploring new cities, and attending social gatherings in the Atlanta area! |
Kierstin Streitel
Director of College Counseling Kierstin received both her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Master's degree in Counselor Education at The Ohio State University. She has worked as a high school counselor for the past nine years, serving students in Ohio, Georgia, and Virginia. Most recently, Kierstin served as a college counselor at a selective high school for gifted youth. Passionate about her job, Kierstin loves working with students and families and is thrilled to be joining MIS. Kierstin and her husband recently relocated back to Atlanta and are excited to explore the area with their two children, Alex and Anna. Outside of work, Kierstin loves to travel, read, hike, try new foods, and spend as much time as she can outdoors! |
Faculty & Staff
Lisa Hammett
Science Team Lead Lisa is passionate about teaching students scientific literacy within the context of real-world issues. This will be Lisa’s sixth year as a member of the MIS science team, having joined the faculty in the school’s first year. Over the last six years, she has had the privilege to teach all ages K-10. She has previously taught biology, genetics, and microbiology, and will teach high school chemistry this year. Lisa is native of Charlotte, NC, but grew up in the Atlanta area and graduated with a B.S. in Microbiology from Auburn University. After working for one year at the Auburn Vet School, she completed an M.S. in Microbiology at Auburn in 1998. She worked at a small biotech company in Huntsville, AL for two years until 2000, when she then went to work in a forensic biology lab. Lisa and her husband moved to Maryland in 2002 to work at The National Institutes of Health. She has also held adjunct faculty roles at three community colleges where she taught biology and microbiology. Lisa returned to Atlanta in 2005 with her family. When she is not at school, she enjoys reading science fiction, playing her flute in a quintet group, working out, and traveling internationally as much as possible. |
Jordan Byrd
Faculty Jordan is in her 5th year as an MIS Science Lab Instructor. She is the K-4 STEM Coordinator, 5th/6th grade Robotics Instructor, HS Marine Biology Instructor and Director of MIS Summer Camps. Her holds a Master's of Science in Science Education from Montana State University where her research focused on using executive function in the 2nd grade mathematics classroom. Jordan earned her Bachelor's of Science from North Carolina State University, a Specialized Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education from San Diego State, and her teaching certification form West Florida University. She has presented at The Center for Gifted Education at the College of William and Mary on Executive Function in Gifted Learners as well as the Georgia Association for Gifted Children on problem-based learning and atthe National Association of Gifted Children on underrepresented populations in STEM. Jordan also directs the STEM Club afterschool program with fellow NCSU alum Grace Ward. Go Pack! Additionally, Jordan loves all things weird and wacky as well as talking to her cats. She is a mom to rising MIS fourth grader, Michael, and rising second grader Katie. |
TanNecia Clark
Faculty TanNecia is ecstatic to be joining the MIS team. She enjoys providing students with strong foundational skills needed to be successful not only at the start of their education but also as they matriculate throughout their schooling. TanNecia is a native of Georgia and attended the University of Georgia where she received a Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science. In 2016 TanNecia underwent a year long rigorous program with KIPP DC where she received training and mentorship to assist her in becoming a quality teacher. She continued on to teach as a Lead ELA Teacher for 2 more years in the District of Columbia. In her spare time she enjoys creating lasting memories with her family. |
Mariaelena Buresh is excited to be entering her 6th year at MIS as the 6th grade Math and Science instructor, as well as, the 7th Grade Life Science instructor. She graduated from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and has a Specialized Certificate in Gifted and Talented Education from San Diego State. She teaches 4th Grade PSR, completed training to teach Catechesis of the Good Shepherd to students 3-6 years old, and attends Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Mariaelena enjoys spending her summers working with Middle and High School students as a summer church leader. Mariaelena was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico to a Spanish father and French mother. Her diverse cultural upbringing helped to instill a great love of travel and a fascination with different cultures. As a child, she would often visit her family in France and Puerto Rico, as a result, she is fluent in Spanish and French. After she graduated from high school with honors, she traveled to Eastern and Western Europe, as well as the Soviet Union. These experiences afforded her a unique global perspective that is inherent to her teaching style. She is married to Scott Buresh, entrepreneur and CEO, and has two beautiful daughters. It was her love of her children, and all children, that prompted her to pursue a rewarding career in education. Mariaelena has committed herself to inspire each student to be their very best while continuing to further her own education. Mariaelena loves biking, baking, swimming, meditating, playing with her dogs, and above all spending quality time with her family. |
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Tierra earned her B.A. in English from Clark Atlanta University. She continued to further her education while working for Dekalb County Schools, and eventually attained a M.A. in Political Science. Since then, her focus has been on engaging and transforming students in the classroom. In her spare time, she runs her online-clothing store and looks forward to pursuing her Paralegal Certification from Atlanta Technical College. |
Ayana Mayers
Faculty Hi, my name is Ayana Mayers “Coach A”. Along with teaching, I am full-time, busy mother of 4 and I absolutely love it. I was born in Alaska but grew up in the Virginia Beach, Virginia area. I attended Virginia State University where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a Master of Science in Sports Management. While in college I had the opportunity to travel abroad and live in Italy during the summer. As a result of that exposure, I really started to enjoy traveling and learning from other cultures and using those experiences in my everyday life and teachings. I started my career in the DMV area and then moved to Georgia. Growing up I enjoyed playing sports from lacrosse, field hockey, on the swim team, and my all-time favorite basketball. Coming from the recreation world for the last 10 years I am excited to bring those experiences to MIS. TEAMWORK makes the dream work and together we can accomplish anything. I am excited to join the MIS team and continue to help grow our students socially and emotionally through physical education. |
Marcus Taylor
Faculty Marcus G. Taylor graduated from Georgia State University with a B.A. in Religious Studies. He is an author of two self-published books and chapbooks. Marcus is a content creator using YouTube and podcasting platforms. He also is an online and on-site event curator. His favorite dessert is anything red velvet. |
Richard Pettypiece
Faculty Born in Caracas, Venezuela, and raised in small-town Ontario, Canada, Richard has volunteered and taught at international schools on three different continents—MIS marks his fourth. After high school, he volunteered for a year at an international boarding school in the Czech Republic, cementing his desire to teach in international contexts. He studied for two years at Queen’s University in Canada and three at the University of Toronto, double-majoring in English and French Literatures and earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Education. Upon graduation he worked as an educational consultant in Beijing for two years and then spent five years in Tianjin, China, where he worked as a Humanities and English teacher in an international secondary school. It was there that he met his future wife—also a teacher—and where their two children were born. In 2018, the young family moved to Kampala, Uganda, where Richard worked as an English Language Arts teacher for three years. In both Uganda and China, he has centered his professional learning on effectively seizing the opportunities latent only in the dynamism of middle school classrooms. He is currently working towards a Master of Social Science degree virtually through the University of Glasgow, specializing in education and student voice. In his spare time, Richard enjoys cooking, hiking, playing board games, and reading a good book. |
Amy Cutts
Math Team Lead Amy is thrilled to be teaching math to middle and high school learners this year! She believes that learners are most likely to take risks and try new things in an environment where they feel comfortable and accepted, and she cultivates a classroom environment that values kindness and respect above all else. Amy is a native Georgian and attended Auburn University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Over the past twelve years, she has taught a diverse group of learners, including two summers spent in Uganda and twelve years teaching in grades ranging from 5th-9th. She has enjoyed opportunities to continue her learning by becoming a Google Certified Educator, a Project Lead the Way trainer (a STEM based curriculum), and learning to build and program robots using Vex IQ kits and RobotC programming software. In her spare time, Amy enjoys being outdoors, horseback riding, spending time with her two dogs, reading, and traveling to just about anywhere. |
