Bear Bits about our teachers:

Kathy Bentley graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the State University of New York at Oneonta. She earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Virginia. Ms. Bentley has taught first, second, third and fifth grade and Title I Reading. Berkeley Lake colleagues chose Ms. Bentley to be Teacher of the Year in 1998, and she received the BellSouth Educator of the Year award. Ms. Bentley feels that educating children is one of the most meritorious professions a person can choose; for it is through education that mankind will achieve its potential.

Renee Birozes, PE, was born  in Toronto, Ontario Canada. She was accepted at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario Canada (ranked 2nd in Canada as the top PE program!). She graduated from there with an Honors Bachelor of Health and Physical Education degree. She earned an International Montessori Diploma. In Toronto, she taught 3 years at Montessori Schools and through that experience was offered to teach P.E. to Montessori Students. She discovered that P.E. was her first love. At that time in her life she moved to Georgia and taught P.E. for 5 years at the Davidson School.

After these 5 years, she began teaching P.E. at BLES and loves it! She loves to play tennis, volleyball and loves to keep fit by power walking, aerobics and dancing! She loves to read by the ocean on the beach, teach Sunday school and conduct outreach projects for her church.
 

Andra Burt, Music,was born in Oxford, N.C. and raised in Winston-Salem, N.C. She graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C. with a Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance.  Andra is married to John and they have a daughter, Erin, who recently graduated from Georgia State.  Andra spent 12 years in the financial industry working for large banks and several large, brokerage firms where she was a Registered Assistant for Brokers.  During that time she continued her education to become certified in several fields of education, including music.  Andra has taught music at Berkeley Lake since 2004.  Her music background includes performing in musical theater, operas and choirs as well as directing children’s choirs and theatrical performances.  She loves the outdoors and hiking. 

Lori VanBuskirk , Art

Melinda O'Herron, Media Specialist, received a BA in Language Arts from Dominican College in Racine, Wisconsin in 1971. She took off time to raise a family and worked several different jobs. She worked in Gwinnett for 9 years in the School Nutrition Program, 7 as a manager. In 1996 she earned a MA in Educational Library Media Technology from Georgia State University. In 2000 she earned her Specialist degree. In 2005, Ms. O'Herron became a National Board Certified Teacher. She has been a media specialist in DeKalb, Gwinnett, Hawaii, and is very excited to be back in Gwinnett and at Berkeley Lake Elementary.   

Clifford McGaughey, LSTC, was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio.  He graduated magna cum laude from Ohio State University with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration.  In addition, he also holds a Masters in Business Administration.  Mr. McGaughey has an extensive background in business.  Prior to entering the education field, he worked and consulted for several Fortune 500 firms.  He is an avid runner and enjoys training for and running in marathons.  His personal best time for the marathon distance is 2 hours 55 minutes.

Mr. McGaughey firmly believes that every child should have access to a world class education.  He is committed to doing his part to make this happen.

Neeka Hughes, ESOL, grew up in Tuscaloosa Alabama. She is a graduate of The University of Alabama. She has been teaching in Gwinnett County since 1986. In 1996 she received her ESOL Add-on Certificate from The University of Georgia Graduate Program. Mrs. Hughes enjoys the challenge of working with the children who are learning English for the first time. She finds this very rewarding and enjoys learning from her students about their homeland.

Lori Newman,  ESOL, was born in Atlanta, GA.  She graduated from the University of Georgia where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education in 1982.  In 1999 she added the ESOL Endorsement to her certificate.  She has taught in Gwinnett County since 1995, and has taught ESOL at Berkeley Lake since 1999. 

Susan Webb, ESOL, was born in Duluth, Georgia. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Georgia State University. Three years later she received her Masters in Elementary Education from the University of Georgia in Athens. In 1999 she added the ESOL Endorsement to her certificate. She has taught in Gwinnett County since 1974, and she currently teaches fourth and fifth grade ESOL students.

Karen Griffith, Counselor, grew up in the Atlanta area, graduating from Avondale High School in 1973. She attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama where she earned a B.S. in elementary education. She earned an M.S. in Special Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and worked as a special education teacher in Tennessee and Georgia. Karen completed an Ed.S. in School Counseling from Georgia State University and her Ph.D. at the University of Georgia. Karen has experience in the classroom, teaching fifth grade for two years and in a special education setting for six years. She became a school counselor in 1986 and has served in that role in DeKalb County and Rockdale County before coming to Gwinnett in 2005. Mrs. Griffith is a strong advocate for children. She partners with parents and teachers to help children realize their possibilities. 

Recognitions and Outstanding Achievements:

Outstanding Student of the Week, UGA/Student Affairs, 2010
Counselor Writer of the Year, GSCA, 2010
Top 10 - Counselor of the Year, ASCA, 2009
Adjunct Professor, University of Georgia, College of Education, Department of Counseling & Human Development Services
RAMP Certification, Berkeley Lake Elementary School, 2012-2015

Elementary School Counselor of the Year, GSCA, 2008
Region 2 Elementary Counselor of the Year, GSCA, 2008
Region 4 Elementary Counselor of the Year, GSCA, 2000
Region 4 Elementary Counselor of the Year, GSCA, 1999

Laura Marantz, Counselor, spent her formative years in Oklahoma and Alabama. In 1993 she graduated from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in Early Childhood Education. Upon graduation she went back to Alabama to teach preschool while earning a M.A. in Agency Counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She began her School Counseling career at a large elementary school in the Birmingham area in 1996. During the next 5 years she honed her skills as a school counselor, while also earning an Educational Specialist degree (School Counseling) and a Master level certificate (Psychometry), both from UAB. In 2001 she moved to a Washington, DC suburb and worked as an elementary school counselor in Montgomery County, Maryland for 3 years. Mrs. Marantz came to BLES in 2004. Her mission is to build a barrier free learning environment by teaching social, emotional, and academic skills to all children.

Recognitions and Outstanding Achievements:

2006-07  - GCPS School Counselor of the Year info
RAMP Certification, Berkeley Lake Elementary School, 2012-2015

Wendy Shaw, Writing Specialist, was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1991, earned a Masters of Elementary Education degree from West Georgia University in 1996, and completed an ESOL Endorsement in 2009.  She began teaching in Douglas County in 1991.  Mrs. Shaw transferred to Gwinnett County Schools in 1997.  She has been a fourth and fifth grade classroom teacher, EIP Reading teacher grades K-5, and currently teaches a Writing Special, grades K-5.  She is married and has two sons.  Mrs. Shaw loves spending time with her family, reading and enjoying the great outdoors!