Bear Bits about our teachers:

• Brian Boardman is from North Carolina and is a U. S. Navy retiree. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Georgia State University in 2003 and his Master of Science degree from Walden University in 2007. In addition to teaching, Mr. Boardman coaches the Berkeley Lake Running Bears, the school’s running club. He has been teaching for eight years and was recognized by his peers as Teacher of the Year for the 2010-2011 school year. When not teaching, Mr. Boardman enjoys playing with his three granddaughters, two of whom attend our school, and reading his Kindle. Mr. Boardman feels there is no better job in the world than teaching and helping students reach their fullest potential.
  
  

• Karen Dicks was born in Charlotte, NC. She graduated from the University of North Carolina Charlotte with a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education. She also has her ESOL endorsement from the University of Georgia and a Masters Degree in Reading and Literacy from Walden University. She taught Chapter One in Charlotte for two years before moving to Georgia. Mrs. Dicks taught 3rd grade in Cobb County for 3 years. She took off 11 years to be a stay at home mom. Mrs. Dicks taught ESOL at Hull Middle School for two years and third grade at Jackson Elementary for 4 years. She is excited to be a Berkeley Lake and is looking forward to working with her students.
  
  

• Dawn Frazer grew up in Flint , Michigan. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BS in Elem. Education. Dawn moved to Atlanta in 1993 and taught for Atlanta Public Schools for 10yrs. She is married with 2 children, who both attend BLES. Dawn started working at BLES in 2008 , as an EIP teacher and is thrilled to be on the 4th grade team. She loves to read, travel and scrapbook. Mrs. Frazer has led our school and students with the Green Team this year and we have recycled over 19 tons of paper this school year, saving 334 trees!

• Cyndi Houser was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  She graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Mrs. Houser taught 4th and 6th grade in West Virginia and moved to Georgia in 1995. She is returning to teaching after staying home to raise her three children, Josh, Abbie, and Luke. She is excited about teaching again and her goal is to develop students that have a passion for learning that lasts a lifetime.
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• Rebecca Kelleher
  
  

• Mindy Lehman was born in Cleveland, Ohio. She spent her childhood years in New Jersey and Indiana, and moved to Georgia when she was in high school. Before becoming a teacher, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Georgia and worked in marketing and advertising. She later received her teacher certification from Mercer University. Mindy previously taught fourth grade in Fulton County, and then joined Berkeley Lake in 2006 when her daughter started kindergarten at Berkeley Lake. She looks forward to watching her students and her own child learn and grow at Berkeley Lake each year.
   

• Lorraine Mack is originally from New York City. She moved to the Berkeley Lake area in 1990 and her 4 children have attended Berkeley Lake Elementary over the past 14 years. Mrs. Mack began her education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. After taking off 17 years to raise her family, she returned to school and received her degree in Elementary Education from Brenau University. She graduated with honors and is a member of the National Honors Society of Educators. Lorraine also has her Masters in Education from Piedmont College.

  A classroom where students become part of a community of learners is important to her. The class motto is , "Teachers open the door, but you (the student) must enter by yourself." It is Mrs. Mack's hope that her students leave her classroom having the confidence to strive to become the best they can be!