Support Staff
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Deana Anderson
EIP/ESOL
Welcome to BES! My name is Deana Anderson, and I’m proud to be entering my 30th year in education. Teaching has always been close to my heart — I was raised in a home full of educators, where the value of learning was instilled in me from a young age. My parents were not only my first teachers, but also my greatest role models, guiding me toward a path that has become my lifelong passion.
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of teaching First Grade, Second Grade, Pre-K Special Education, Kindergarten and First Grade EIP and ESOL. Each role has given me a deeper appreciation for the growth and joy that young learners bring into the classroom. This year, I’m excited to continue working with our Kindergarten EIP and ESOL students. I truly love teaching little ones — there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing the spark in a child’s eyes when they accomplish something they once thought was impossible. Helping children build confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning is what inspires me every single day. My greatest joy is my family. I’ve been married to my husband, Kent, for 40 years. We’re blessed with two amazing sons, their lovely wives (my daughters-in-loves), and five precious grandsons who light up our lives. When I’m not teaching or spending time with family, I enjoy traveling, attending church, shopping, walking, cheering on the Buford Wolves, Auburn Tigers and Atlanta Braves, and relaxing by the water at Lake Lanier. It’s a joy and an honor to be part of this wonderful school and community. I’m looking forward to another great year of growth, discovery, and learning with our kindergarten students. Go Wolves! EDUCATION Troy University - Early Childhood Education Endorsements - ESOL & Pre-K Special Ed. |
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Emily Bryant
Occupational Therapist
Hi! My name is Emily Bryant, and I am so excited to return for my second year at Buford City Schools! I earned my Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Brenau University and love working with students to help support their success and participation in the school environment. Building meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff has been such a rewarding part of my time at Buford, and I look forward to another great school year. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, exploring new places, and finding
a cozy spot to read a good book. EDUCATION
Georgia College and State University - Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science Brenau University - Masters of Science in Occupational Therapy |
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Brie Delgado
EIP/ESOL
My name is Gabrielle Delgado and I am excited to make even more memories at BES as an ESOL/EIP teacher! This is my 17th year teaching & working with Kindergarten students! I am passionate about instilling confidence and pride into our Kindergarten students, and consider it an honor to get to teach those students who are learning English! My Wonderful Husband and I have been married for 14 years and have eight-year-old Twin Daughters! We enjoy family time, serving at church, good food, and all things Disney! EDUCATION
Georgia State University - Bachelors in Early Childhood Education Georgia State University - Masters in Reading, Language, & Literacy University of Georgia - Specialists in Educational Technology |
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Kim Donegan
EIP/ESOL
[email protected] Hello Buford Elementary families! I am absolutely thrilled to be working as your child's Early Intervention Program (EIP) teacher this year! This marks my wonderful thirteenth year teaching right here at Buford Elementary School, and my heart is truly in the classroom. I absolutely love working with kindergarteners because their excitement for learning is incredibly contagious. There is nothing sweeter than seeing the world through their curious eyes year after year—they are such a joyful, fun group to teach! Family is everything to me! I have three amazing children who grew up right here in the Buford City School System. My daughter is a senior at Georgia Tech majoring in Chemical Engineering, and my twin sons are officially kicking off their senior year at Buford High School. I am also blessed with two fantastic bonus children: Kylie, who is a senior at Kennesaw State majoring in Integrated Health Sciences, and Jake, who is following in his dad’s footsteps working in commercial real estate in Atlanta. I can't wait to partner with you and your little learner for a fantastic, growth-filled school year! EDUCATION
University of Georgia - Early Childhood Education University of Georgia - Master's in Education |
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Lindsay Gettman
SPED Coordinator
[email protected] Welcome to Buford! My name is Lindsay, and I am honored to partner with you and your family during this important stage of your child's educational journey. For more than a decade, I have had the privilege of working in early childhood special education, and each year my passion for serving young children and their families continues to grow. I truly believe that every child has unique strengths and endless potential, and I am committed to helping each student grow, learn, and thrive in an environment where they feel valued, supported, and celebrated. My goal is to build strong relationships with families, work collaboratively with our dedicated team, and ensure that every child has meaningful opportunities to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.
Outside of school, my husband, Luke, and I stay busy with our two wonderful children, Levi and Lula. We enjoy spending time together swimming, playing board games, drawing, and riding bikes. When I have a little quiet time to myself, you'll usually find me curled up with a good book, working on an embroidery project, or enjoying the outdoors.
I look forward to getting to know your family and working together to make this a positive and rewarding experience for your child. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your journey!
EDUCATION
Coming Soon! |
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Tracy Gilmore
SPED/Interventionist
With over 30 years of experience in education, I’ve had the joy of combining my passion for teaching with a deep love for working with children. For 26 of those years, I served as a special education teacher—an experience that shaped and prepared me for my current role as an interventionist at Buford Elementary School. It is a true privilege to work alongside our exceptional Kindergarten team to ensure that every student receives the support they need to begin their educational journey with confidence and success. My teaching career has taken me from Georgia to California, but for the past 20 years, I’ve been honored to call Buford Elementary home. Serving the incredible students and families in our community continues to be the highlight of my career. There’s no place like BES—the BESt school in the world!
EDUCATION
Georgia State University – Bachelors of Social Work Georgia State University - Masters in Special Education Piedmont University – Specialist’s in Curriculum and Instruction University of West Georgia – Educational Leadership Gifted Endorsement Dyslexia Endorsement |
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My name is Cara Leigh Nash, and I am excited to serve our speech students this year at BES! I have been a speech-language pathologist for 15 years, and have worked in a variety of settings including elementary school, developmental preschool, early intervention, private practice, inpatient rehab, and acute care. I received both my Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Ga. I am certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and also hold a Georgia state SLP license. I have two wonderful teenagers, Hallie Kate (15) and Connor (13), and an adorable toddler, Madeline (2).
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the lake or beach, walking, reading, and cheering for the Atlanta Braves!
Early language development is my passion as an SLP, and I can't wait to get to know all of these precious kids and families!
EDUCATION
Coming Soon!
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Katie Rope
Media Specialist
Welcome! I’m Mrs. Rope, the Media Specialist at our school. This is my 16th year in education, and I’ve had the joy of teaching Pre-K, Kindergarten, and now serving in the media center. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and a Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology. I’m passionate about combining the worlds of reading and technology to create engaging, hands-on experiences for students. From STEM challenges to maker space adventures, I love designing lessons that inspire curiosity and creativity. Nothing makes me happier than seeing students excited to explore, learn, and check out new books!
EDUCATION
Georgia College and State University - Early Childhood Education
Georgia Southern University - Masters in Instructional Technology
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Jenna Schemm
Click HERE Schemm's Class Schedule- Coming Soon
[email protected] Before joining Buford Elementary, I taught in Forsyth County in a variety of roles, including kindergarten teacher, IRR teacher for grades K–5, and specialized instruction teacher for grades K–3. These experiences have given me the opportunity to work with students across many ages and learning styles, and have strengthened my love for both elementary and special education.
I live in Buford with my husband and our daughter, Eliana. Outside of school, I enjoy reading, baking, and traveling whenever I can. I’m looking forward to a wonderful year partnering with students and families at Buford Elementary!
EDUCATION Coming Soon! |
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Leslie Sheppard
Click HERE Sheppard's Class Schedule- Coming Soon
[email protected] Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to teach in both special education and general education settings. I strongly believe that early intervention is key, and I am passionate about building positive relationships with all students. My goal is to create a loving, positive, and structured classroom environment where every child feels safe, supported, and encouraged to shine in his or her own unique way. When students leave my classroom each day, I want them to know they are valued and loved.
I am married to my husband, Lyle Sheppard, and we will celebrate 29 years of marriage this summer. We have two children who both began their school journeys at the BCSS Daycare. Our son, Max, is a senior in the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, and our daughter, Mara, is a current senior at Buford High School. Buford City Schools has been such an important part of our family’s life, and we are grateful for this amazing school system and community.
As a family, we enjoy sports, and you can often find me cheering on the Michigan State Spartans, Buford High School athletics, and my daughter’s club soccer team.
I am looking forward to working with your child during their Kindergarten year here at BES. Welcome to Buford!
EDUCATION Michigan State University – Dual Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education – with an endorsement in Emotional Impairments. Lincoln Memorial University – Education Specialist in Leadership and Administration |
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Julia Six
[email protected]
Speech Therapist I am so blessed to have spent 22 years working with children with disabilities, and this is my fifth year with Buford City Schools. I have a Master's Degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Florida State University, and my Bachelor's studies were in Psychology at the University of West Florida. I am certified by the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) and also hold a Georgia state SLP certification. My previous work has been in Autism clinical research diagnostics and consulting at FSU, as well as early intervention, private, and hospital settings. My sweet daughter, Eva, attends Buford Middle School, and we have a King Charles Spaniel, Bear who is our sunshine. My work is my passion, and I’m elated to be able to serve our precious kiddos at BES!
EDUCATION
Florida State University - Masters in Communication Science and Disorders
University of West Florida - Bachelors in Psychology
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