MEET OUR TEAM
Lindsey Hicks
Head of School Lindsey loves working with students and families and has truly found her school home in MIS. She has been working with students in a variety of facets for 22 years. Having worked as a professional school counselor for many of those years, Lindsey often finds herself partnering with various stakeholders to create innovative solutions. She has always believed that enthusiasm is one of her greatest strengths, and that was evident in her work with families. In the early years of MIS, Lindsey led MIS' admissions efforts to grow the student body. Lindsey brings a detail-oriented focus to her problem solving work and coaching MIS staff. Lindsey has Master's and Specialist's degrees in School Counseling from Georgia State University, and will earn her Doctorate in Education from Lipscomb University in 2023. |
Ashley Scott
Director of Student Development 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). |
Jason is our Director of Business Services and responsible for maintaining finance and accounting policies and procedures as well as reporting progress towards our stated goals. Jason is a graduate of the University of Virginia - Wise campus with a Bachelors degree and double major in Business Administration and Accounting. His experience includes financial statement auditing and tax consulting for publicly traded companies and non profit organizations including independent schools. Most recently Jason worked for a non-profit organization in Richmond, Virginia which specialized in the education of children with developmental disabilities. Jason has a passion for cultivating the intellectual ability of the next generation of adults and making sure they have access to the tools that will allow them to thrive. |
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 |
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. |
Aaron Bridges
Faculty Aaron hails from Perth, Western Australia where he received a Bachelor of Secondary Education and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in European Studies and History at the University of Western Australia. Aaron is currently our 7th and 8th grade Social Studies Teacher and is loving his time in the US. Having previously taught at international schools in Kuwait and Albania, Aaron has been fortunate enough to travel to over 80 countries throughout his career. He brings this experience to his classroom where he encourages students to approach everything from a global perspective, making sure to explore history from many different angles. Aaron believes in lifelong learning and regularly employs collaboration and problem solving within his classroom. Outside of the classroom, Aaron enjoys travelling as often as possible, photography, scuba diving and watching Australian Rules Football. |
Mariaelena Buresh is the 4th grade Science and Math teacher. 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 Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church. Mariaelena was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico to a Spanish father and French mother. Her diverse cultural up-bringing 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 travelled 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 child to be their very best while continuing to further her own education. When Mariaelena is not reading or creating fun lessons, she loves biking, baking, swimming, meditating, playing with her dogs, and above all spending quality time with her family. |
Angela Abdelnur Faculty |
Amy Cutts
Math Team Lead Amy is thrilled to be joining the MIS family this year to teach math to 5th and 6th grade learners! Amy believes that learners are most likely to take risks and try new things in an environment where they feel comfortable and accepted, and cultivates a classroom environment values kindness and respect above all else. Amy is a native Georgian and attended Auburn University where she was on the Dean’s List and received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. Over the past ten years she has taught a diverse group of learners, including two summers spent in Uganda, and eight years teaching fifth and sixth graders. 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, spending time with her two dogs, reading, crocheting, and traveling just about anywhere. |
Tone Lane
Faculty Tone has been in theatrical arts as both a seasoned entertainer and proficient educator for more than thirty years, and enjoyed the last seventeen years teaching Arts Education to children. At MIS, Tone brings his expertise to our gifted learners in two amazing programs, theatre and public speaking. Tone has enormous passion for civility, particularly where human communication and interaction take place. He will inspire our students this year in a course entitled “Civic Connectivity” that will engage students in a year long journey that will expand both their personal and student tool-sets. This year in particular, Tone has crafted a school wide endeavor that will take all of us on a journey to improve learning and relationships at MIS. “The Art of Consideration” (AOC) will engage our administration, faculty, students, and parents. This year-long journey will broaden self-awareness and help strengthen learning and relationships here at MIS. Tone is extremely active in his community and helped establish bylaws for his community. Tone enjoys fitness, cooking, music, journaling, graphic design, meditation, photography, publishing, painting, the company of family, friends. |
Greer Payne Faculty |
Sher Taylor Faculty |
Taylor Rowley
Faculty Taylor holds an undergraduate degree in German Language and Culture with a concentration in Business from Kennesaw State University. She is an active member of the Delta Phi Alpha National German Honor Society, and has spent two summer semesters studying abroad, attending local German courses in Münster, Germany. Aside from her passion for language, Taylor is also an experienced musician, and a local piano teacher. Joining the MIS faculty in Spring 2020, she is excited to engage and guide her students through their own cultural journey and language growth. "And now we welcome a new year, full of things that have never been" - Rainer Maria Rilke |
