Welcome to Grade

	Staff Biographies
	Candace Beachum Amber Blum Elizabeth DiBauda Terry Hancharik MK Huynh	Debbie Lutchen Abby Manchester Debbie Richardson Lisa St. Romain Beth Vogt

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Bear Bits about our teachers:

• Candace Beachum is married and originally from IL.  She graduated from Southern Illinois University in 2005 with her B.S. in Elementary Education. She then became Center Coordinator at Sylvan Learning Center in St. Louis, MO. She moved here in 2007 to teach at BLES and to live in a warmer climate! She loves dogs and has two dachshunds.  Candace has a daughter, Lizzy, who attends school here at BLES. Candace enjoys reading and trying new restaurants.
  
  

• Amber Blum is married and has two wonderful children, ages 5 & 8. She has taught Kindergarten, First grade, Third grade, and Fourth grade over a course of a 10 year teaching span. She is currently teaching first grade, in which she enjoys teaching children to have a love of learning in all aspects of life. Amber has a special love for teaching Math. She graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education from Georgia College and State University in 1999 and became Gifted Certified in 2000. She taught 5 years at Simpson Elementary and 5 years here at Berkeley Lake Elementary.
  
  

• Elizabeth DiBauda has been teaching at Berkeley Lake since 2004. She has experience in first and third grades. Elizabeth graduated from Agnes Scott College with a degree in Psychology and her certification in Early Childhood Education. She loves teaching language arts and strives to make lessons that are fun, engaging, and meaningful for kids. Elizabeth is married and has a 4 year old daughter, Caroline. She is also expecting her second child, a boy due in October.
  
   

• Terry Hancharik has been teaching in early childhood for 5 years. This is her 2nd year at Berkeley Lake. Teaching is Terry's second career; she has a graphic design degree from Kutztown University and discovered the love of teaching after having her own children. Terry uses her creativity in her classroom to reach all kinds of learners. She loves Berkeley Lake. She has 2 elementary children and 3 high school children.
   

• MK Huynh was born and raised in Georgia and graduated from Duluth High School. She went to Georgia State University and earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. She is currently getting her Master's degree in Early Childhood Education at Piedmont College. She started her teaching career at Berkeley Lake Elementary and loves being in first grade. MK is a fan of everything Atlanta including the Braves and the Falcons! She loves cats especially her kitty Squirt!
  
  

• Debbie Lutchen is originally from Statesboro, Georgia. She has lived in the Atlanta area since graduating from UGA ( GO DAWGS!!!) in 1992. She later received a masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Mercer University in 2001. She has taught Pre K and Kindergarten since 1993 and enjoys inspiring beginning readers and writers. She lives in Alpharetta with her husband and 3 yr. old son and enjoys baking chocolate chip cookies.
  
  
  

• Abby Manchester is a native of North Carolina where she graduated with a degree in early childhood education. Abby has taught first and second grades.  She is married and her son, a recent Parkview High graduate, is now attending college.
   
  
  

• Debbie Richardson was raised in Tucker, Georgia. She graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Elementary Education. She earned a Master of Education degree from Mercer University, Atlanta, in the field of Early Childhood Education. She began teaching in 1986, spending 13 of those years at Berkeley Lake. She has taught 2nd grade, 1st grade, kindergarten, Reading Recovery and physical education.
  

• Lisa St. Romain, is a Georgia native and grew up in Tucker. She has a Bachelors in Art Education from the University of Georgia, a Masters degree in Early Childhood Education from Oglethorpe University, and received a Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College. She began her teaching career in 1989. She has taught art, kindergarten, fourth, second, and first grades. She spent three years teaching in Kuwait and had the opportunity to travel to many different countries. She loves watching football, reading, the beach, and especially spending time with her daughter.
  
  

• Beth Vogt was born and raised in Ohio.  She recently graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Science and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. With an adventure in mind, Beth made the decision to move to Atlanta. She is very excited to begin her career at Berkeley Lake!