Teacher Bios
 |
Shea Bayreuther
Click HERE for Bayreuther's Class Schedule - coming soon
[email protected] Hello Buford families! My name is Shea Bayreuther, and I am SO excited to be your child’s kindergarten teacher this year. As a Buford (3rd-12th) graduate, I am honored to be able to give back to this wonderful school system and community. Since I graduated, I have dreamed of coming back here to teach, and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to do so.
This will be my second year here at BES. I can not wait to build a family in our classroom and have a year full of learning and growing. I look forward to partnering with all of you and making this year great! When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, walking, traveling, reading, playing pickleball, and photography. I can't forget going to Georgia football games!! Go Dawgs!! I am so happy to be a part of the Buford family, and I am looking forward to a great school year! Go Wolves!! EDUCATION
Young Harris College - Early Childhood Education
University of Georgia - Master's in Elementary Education
Endorsements: Autism, Gifted, and Reading
|
 |
Holly Campbell
Click HERE for Campbell's Class Schedule - coming soon
[email protected] Hi, my name is Holly Campbell and I can’t wait to be your child’s kindergarten teacher! This will be my seventh year teaching at Buford Elementary School and my 15th year teaching. I spent three years teaching Georgia Pre-K and the rest have been wonderful years in kindergarten. I was born and raised down in Vidalia, Georgia and now live in Sugar Hill with my husband, Jared, and our son, Jackson. Jackson will be in second grade at Buford Academy this year. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family and relaxing!
I am honored to be able to work with and learn from your child each day. I look forward to making relationships with each one of them and you all in order to make this year a success!
EDUCATION
Georgia Southern University – Early Childhood Education
Georgia Southern University – Master's in Early Childhood Education Endorsements - ESOL
|
 |
Kacy Claxton
Click HERE for Claxton's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hi!! My name is Kacy Claxton. I am so excited to be your child’s kindergarten teacher this year!!
I have been teaching kindergarten for 11 years and I am so excited to be back at it again! This is my 7th year teaching at Buford Elementary. I grew up in the Buford area and I am so blessed to be a part of the Buford school system. My husband, Andrew, and I have been married for 11 years. We have two little girls, Karsyn is 10 and Harper is 8. They both attend Buford as well. They are our pride and joy! If I am not at school, you will find me cheering on my girls at the softball fields, spending time with my family and friends, walking or watching Braves baseball!
I am so excited to have your child this year! It is going to be a great year! Go Wolves!!
EDUCATION
Gainesville College - Early Education Endorsements - Reading & ESOL |
 |
Libby Cleveland
Click HERE for Cleveland's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] My name is Libby Cleveland. I am so excited to be starting year 10 at BES! I taught first grade in Barrow County for 7 years. I took a few years off to be a full-time mommy. While my boys were young, I also taught for 9 years in preschool before becoming part of the Buford family.
I have been married to my husband, Todd, for 27 years. We have two boys and both are proud BHS graduates. Harrison is a senior at the University of Georgia! Parks will be a freshman at Brevard College in North Carolina, where he will play baseball. In my free time, I love spending time with family and friends. I also love watching the Braves and Georgia football...GO DAWGS!
I believe every child can be successful in a positive, encouraging, challenging, and loving environment. Kindergarten is so rewarding to teach, and I love teaching this age. I am so blessed to be teaching in the BEST school system in Georgia and being a part of the Buford family. I look forward to being your child’s teacher this year. It’s going to be an amazing, awesome, fabulous year!
EDUCATION
Emmanuel College - Early Childhood Education |
 |
Amanda Cochran
Click HERE for Cochran's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hi! My name is Amanda Cochran and I am excited to be your child’s kindergarten teacher this year! I have had the privilege of teaching kindergarten at Buford since 1998. Teaching at this level is my passion! I love watching how the students grow, mature, and begin to read. I cannot imagine a job more rewarding. I was raised in the Buford area and still call it home with my husband Sterling, our amazing son Gavin and our sweet Westie named Eevee. I love spending time with my family, reading, and crafting. I am excited about the opportunity to grow with your child this year. Go wolves! EDUCATION Gainesville College and North Georgia College and State University - Early Childhood Education Piedmont College - Master's in Early Childhood Education |
 |
Camille Cowherd
Click HERE for Cowherd's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hello Buford families! My name is Camille Cowherd and I am SO excited to be teaching Kindergarten at my alma mater! As a Buford (K-12) graduate, I am so excited that I am able to give back to such a wonderful school and community! This will be my third year teaching kindergarten and third year at Buford. I cannot wait to teach, inspire, grow, and most of all love on your sweet students!
When I am not teaching, I enjoy reading, exercising, and golfing! My favorite form of exercise is walking my two dogs Obi and Bayleigh! There is nothing a little sunshine can't fix!
I am honored to be able to teach here at Buford and I am looking forward to such a fantastic year!
EDUCATION University of North Georgia - Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood and Special Education with a Reading Endorsement |
 |
Shannon Davis
Click HERE for Davis' Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hi! My name is Shannon Davis. I am excited to be your child's teacher this year! This is my 2nd year teaching at Buford Elementary School. Prior to coming to Buford Elementary, I taught for 11 years in the Autism Program Grades K-3 in Gwinnett County Public Schools, and most recently I taught for 5 years in the Autism Program Grades K-3 in Forsyth County Schools. My husband Kyle is a 4th Grade Teacher in Gwinnett County, and we have a cat, Chloe. My passion is advocating for my students, empowering them, teaching them empathy and kindness, and teaching them accountability for their actions and choices. My goal is creating a positive and loving learning environment where my students learn how to be independent, successful individuals in all aspects of their lives. Watching my students succeed is one of my greatest blessings! I am looking forward to an amazing school year!
In my free time I enjoy exercising/working out; spending time with my husband, family, and friends; and cheering on the Atlanta Braves, Auburn Tigers, and the Tennessee Titans!
EDUCATION Auburn University - Bachelor's Degree in Special Education K-12 Auburn University- Master's Degree in Autism and Emotional Behavior Disorders
|
 |
Kim Donegan
Click HERE for Cheek's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hello! My name is Kim Donegan, and I am so excited to be your child's kindergarten teacher. This is my twelfth year teaching kindergarten at Buford Elementary School. I love working with kindergarten children because they are so excited to learn new things. I feel so grateful to see the world through the eyes of kindergarten students year after year. They are such a fun group to teach.
I have three children of my own who have been through the Buford City School System. My daughter is a junior at Georgia Tech majoring in Chemical Engineering. My twin sons are starting 11th grade this year at Buford High School. I have gained two bonus children this summer when I got married to my new husband, Kevin Donegan. Kylie is a junior at Kennesaw State, majoring in Integrated Health Sciences, and Jake will graduate from Georgia State with a degree in Real Estate. I look forward to meeting you! EDUCATION
University of Georgia - Early Childhood Education University of Georgia - Master's in Education |
 |
Amanda Douglas
Click HERE for Douglas' Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hello! My name is Amanda Douglas. I am so excited to be your child’s kindergarten teacher this year! This is my seventh year at Buford Elementary and I absolutely love teaching kindergarten. I bring both international and local teaching experience to the classroom. I’m passionate about helping young learners grow and thrive.
I live in Buford with my husband and our son, Chase, who is a rising 8th grader at Buford Middle School. As a family, we enjoy spending time outdoors, traveling, and cheering on Alabama football!
We are proud to be part of this amazing school district and the Buford Wolves community. I’m looking forward to a wonderful year of learning, growth, and fun with your child!
EDUCATION
Georgia State University - Early Childhood Education |
 |
Becky Dudish
Click HERE for Dudish's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hi! My name is Becky Dudish, and I am so excited to be your child's Kindergarten teacher at Buford Elementary! I have been teaching since 2002, with most of those years spent in Kindergarten—a grade I truly love. My husband, Tony, and I have been married since 2002, and we have four wonderful children: Hudson, Walker, Finley, and Sawyer. We also share our home with the sweetest Goldendoodle named Bella and a cat named Oreo.When I’m not at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, crafting, and learning how to make new things. I’m looking forward to a fantastic school year—go Wolves! EDUCATION Emmanuel College-Early Childhood Education
Walden University-Master's in Reading and Literacy
ESOL endorsement
Gifted endorsement
|
 |
Valerie Farrar
Click HERE for Farrar's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hi! I enjoyed working at Gwinnett County Public Schools for 10 years before receiving the opportunity to join the Buford Elementary family. I am really excited to call BES home since 2015. A few of my favorite things include spending time with my husband, Casey, and our daughter, Savannah. I enjoy traveling, crocheting, reading, camping, being outdoors, Diet Dr. Pepper, Reese's, peanut M&M’s, and Christmas ornaments. :-) I am excited about our upcoming school year! I believe that each child is a special treasure that will bloom with confidence and love in our classroom. I believe in a loving and positive, yet strict environment where students will know that they are safe, loved, and encouraged inside and outside of the classroom. I am so excited to meet you and the opportunity to pass along my love of learning to your child!
EDUCATION Piedmont College - Business Administration Mercer University - Masters in Early Childhood Education Endorsement - Gifted |
 |
Hollie Fuller
Click HERE for Fuller's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] I have wanted to be a teacher since I was in Kindergarten at this very school! I am honored to share a smiling face and a warm heart each day with your child. As a BUFORD (K-12th grade) Alumni, I absolutely LOVE Buford City Schools! When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my son, Eli Thomas, my husband, Austin, family, and fishing! It is a privilege to teach your child here at the B.E.S.t Elementary School.
EDUCATION
University of North Georgia - Early Childhood Education Piedmont College- Master's in Early Childhood Education Endorsements - Reading, ESOL, & Gifted |
 |
Kerri Griffin
Click HERE for Griffin's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] I absolutely LOVE teaching Kindergarten here at Buford Elementary School! It's such a magical place of learning & growth, and we are going to have the most fabulous year together as a classroom family! This will be my 22nd year teaching Kindergarten! My husband, Derek, and I have been married for 21 years and we live in Buford with our three sons, Jack (16), Reed (12), & Luke (6). All three boys attend Buford City Schools & we are proud to be Wolves! We love spending time together with friends & family at the boys’ Buford football & baseball games, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs! We also love traveling & going on new adventures.
EDUCATION
Toccoa Falls College-Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education
The University of Georgia- Master's in Early Childhood Education
The University of Georgia- Education Specialist in Early Childhood Education
Endorsements-ESOL
|
 |
Lindy Holton
Click HERE for Holton's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] This is my 13th year teaching at BES! I absolutely LOVE teaching at Buford Elementary School! I previously taught third grade for six years with Gwinnett County Public Schools. I am truly honored and blessed to be a part of our community, our school system, and BES- Believing in the Excellence of Students! I have four beautiful children who attend/ have attended Buford City Schools: Mackenzie, Makayla, Tucker, and Maci. We are huge sports fans (Go Wolves and Go Dawgs!), and we enjoy spending as much time as we can at the lake and the beach as well as traveling! =) My family and teaching children are my passion! I am so excited to teach your children this year! My family and I are SO very proud and blessed to be a part of the Buford family! Go Wolves! EDUCATION
Georgia State University - Psychology Brenau - Master's Early Childhood Education Brenau - Education Specialist Early Childhood Education Endorsements - Gifted |
 |
Violeta Jaramillo
Click HERE for Jaramillo's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hello! My name is Violeta Jaramillo, and I am so excited to be your child's Kindergarten teacher this year! As a Buford Alumna, I am so happy to be back in the school system that encouraged me to become an educator. Buford City Schools has always provided
me with positive experiences that I hope to create with your child. This will be my third year teaching Kindergarten at Buford Elementary School. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. When I am not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé, Wilson, and my toddler, Allison. I also love watching movies, painting, and trying out different cooking recipes. I cannot wait to meet you and your child. I know that we will have the best year ever!
EDUCATION
University of North Georgia - Early Childhood Education and Special Education
Endorsements - Reading
|
 |
Kathy King
Click HERE for King's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hi! My name is Kathy King. I have been teaching kindergarten at Buford Elementary for the past 16 years. I taught kindergarten for 6 years in Gwinnett County before having my children. I was so fortunate to be able to stay home with my boys for 10 years.
I always knew that I wanted to teach kindergarten from a very early age. I would set up my stuffed animals and younger brother as my classroom. My dream certainly came true!! I have been married to my high-school sweetheart, Kevin, for 31 years. We have two wonderful boys. Taylor graduated from Georgia Southern University last December. Jackson graduated from University of Georgia in May. I am looking forward to us working together to make this a successful school year. Please feel free to contact me, should you have any questions/concerns regarding your child’s kindergarten experience. Welcome to the Buford Family!!! We call our Class "408 FAMILY! GO WOLVES!! EDUCATION
West Georgia College - Early Childhood Education |
 |
Melissa Minore
Click HERE for Minore's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hi! My name is Melissa Minore and I am overjoyed to be your child’s kindergarten teacher! I pride myself on creating a classroom environment that is loving, positive, and fun. I want to begin the year by building wonderful relationships with you and your children so please come to me if you need anything at all. Your child will learn so much this year but the most important thing to me is that they love to be here at school! This will be my second year at BES but 21st year teaching. I spent most of my career teaching Georgia Pre-K in Tifton (South Georgia), Johns Creek, and most recently in Jackson County. This allowed me to learn how to teach all of the foundational skills needed for beginning students. Then, I found Buford Elementary and now I feel home. I was born and raised all over but spent most of my time growing up in Cumming, where I graduated high school. I live here in Buford with my amazing husband, Josh, our upcoming 1st grade son, Manning, and my 2-year-old, Everly. We are so thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful community. Welcome to Buford Elementary and Goooooooo Wolves!!
EDUCATION
Valdosta State University-Early Childhood Education
Grand Canyon University-Master's in Elementary Education
|
 |
Lynn Perkins
Click HERE for Perkins' Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hi! My name is Lynn Perkins and I am excited to be your child’s kindergarten teacher this year! I have had the privilege of teaching kindergarten at Buford Elementary for 29 years. Teaching is my passion! I love watching how the students grow during this year. This job is very rewarding. I live in Buford with my husband Daren and we have 3 amazing children who all graduated from Buford.
When I am not at school I love spending time with my family, attending sports events and traveling. I am excited to be your child’s teacher this year. We are going to have a fabulous year as a classroom family. Go wolves! EDUCATION
Georgia Southwestern - Early Childhood Education Piedmont College - Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Piedmont College - Specialists in Curriculum and Instruction |
 |
Catherine Roach
Click HERE for Roach's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] I have been teaching kindergarten and 1 st grade with Buford City Schools since 2005. I graduated with a degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of West Georgia. Additionally, I earned my Masters Degree in Early Childhood from The University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!) and a Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont University. I have endorsements in Reading and ESOL. I enjoy spending time with my husband Dustin, daughters Hannah Rae, Brynn, & Andi, my bonus son Ty, and our Goldendoodle Doc. We spend our days at dance or on the baseball field. We love being outdoors and being active. I look forward to partnering with you to make your child’s kindergarten year fun, exciting, and successful. EDUCATION
University of West Georgia - Early Childhood Education University of Georgia - Master's in Early Childhood Education Piedmont University - Specialists in Curriculum and Instruction Endorsements - Reading and ESOL
|
 |
Tysha Roberts
Click HERE for Robert's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hi! My name is Tysha Roberts. I am excited to be your child's teacher this year! This is my 19th year teaching Special Education in Georgia. My passion is working with students, making a difference in their lives by inspiring them to embrace their potential both academically as well as socially and emotionally. Celebrating my students' successes is what drives me to find ways to reach each and every student.
My husband and I have 3 amazing grown children and a grandson who attends Buford Schools. When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family, and my two French Bulldogs (Maulie and Major). I enjoy traveling and spending time on the water boating and fishing. I also enjoy cheering on SEC football, specifically my alma mater, the University of Florida Gators! EDUCATION Coming Soon! |
 |
Kryslyn Sosebee
Click HERE for Sosebee's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] Hi! I am so excited to be teaching your child this year! I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2019, go dawgs! I fell in love with teaching when I was in the Education Pathway class at Buford High School. There is no better community to be a part of than Buford City Schools! This will be my 6th year in kindergarten and my 4th year teaching Kindergarten at Buford Elementary School.
I love spending time with my family whenever I have the chance. My husband, JD, and I have a beautiful 2-year-old daughter, Lailah, who loves to keep us on our toes. When I am not teaching, you can usually find me helping the Buford High School gymnastics team as one of their assistant coach. I also love watching movies, watching sports (gymnastics and football), and spending time with family. I can’t wait to be your child’s teacher this year! Go wolves!
EDUCATION University of Georgia - Early Childhood Education Endorsements - ESOL
Kennesaw State University - Master's in Instructional Technology
|
 |
Leanne Tarleton
Click HERE for Tarleton's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] I have wanted to be a teacher since I was six years old. I can't think of doing anything else. I absolutely love spending the day with 5 and 6-year-olds. Every single day brings something different! My favorite day of the school year is when I look around our room and every single child is reading independently. It is an amazing sight! Every day in kindergarten brings unexpected joy and learning. The growth children make in this year is amazing! I love teaching and am so thankful I am at BES.
My family is my greatest blessing. I am married to Bryan and we have two sons, Connor and Cole. Both are Buford "lifetimers" and still love Buford!! Connor is married to Madison and thankfully, they live right near us. Cole is a teacher and football coach at South Hall Middle School My favorite thing to do is to spend time with them. We enjoy sports-Go Georgia Bulldogs and Braves, games, and anything outside. If I am not with them, I enjoy shopping, reading, and cooking.
EDUCATION West Georgia College - Early Education University of Georgia - Master's in Education Endorsements - Reading |
 |
Melanie Watson
Click HERE for Watson's Class Schedule - Coming Soon
[email protected] I am thrilled to be your child’s teacher this year! This is my 16th year of teaching and Kindergarten is my passion. It is the most exciting, magical age. You will be amazed by what your child accomplishes this year! My husband Brian and I have been happily married for 29 years and have been blessed with 3 children - Noah (25), Abbey (22) and Caleb (18), who is a Senior at Buford High. When I’m not teaching, I love to read, watch college football, go to the beach, work in my yard, and go camping. I am looking forward to an amazing school year and will love your child as if they were my own. Please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime with any questions or concerns. It is my goal to partner with you to help your child reach their full potential as well as develop a love of learning!
EDUCATION
University of Georgia - Early Childhood Education - Go Dawgs!!! |