Jessica Muller 4th Grade
Hometown: Memphis, TN Degrees: BFA & MAT, Univ. of Memphis Family/Pets: Husband Will; Pets Cali and Riley (dogs) and Spike (bearded dragon) First job: Receptionist at a hair salon. Worst job: Retail at the mall. Fun fact: I have been skydiving! I wanted to teach because... I realized how awesome kids are and wanted a career that made me happy every day! Favorite moments with students: When I learn something from them. Last week my kiddos taught me how to sync our four iPads to iTunes! Favorite thing about GSL: The tight-knit community. This is my first year at GSL, but I already feel at home!
Nicole Murphey
Senior Kindergarten Assistant Hometown: Tallahassee, FL Degree: BA from Colorado College Family: Husband Lance; son Ian (JK) First job: Working for the Chicago Children’s Museum. Favorite film: A documentary film called Nobody that I helped my husband Lance make before our son Ian was born. And more recently, I enjoyed a film called Beasts of the Southern Wild that was co-written by a student from my high school in Tallahassee. Favorite thing about GSL: The emphasis on the arts and the Midtown/Downtown community that the school serves.
Linda Niell
Interim Lower School Head Hometown: Memphis, TN Degrees: BS in Elem. Ed;. MS in Early Childhood, Univ. of Memphis Family: Husband Barry; Kids Tracy and Will; stepsons Paul and Jonathan (all went to GSL); son-in-law Ashely, and granddaughter Hazel (Little Luker) First job: Teaching with the Memphis City School System Worst job: Temporary services one summer in Knoxville counting cars at meters to see if they needed to build a parking garage Last book read: Flora for my book club. (My book club started as a tennis group.) Favorite thing about GSL: The people.
Kim McCullough Norris 7th Grade Math
Degrees: BS and MAT, Univ. of Memphis Hometown: Millington, TN Family: Husband Johnny; kids Spencer (3rd) and Preston (SK) First REAL job: Teaching geometry at Bartlett High School
Worst job: Summer job after freshman year in college at DuPont, in the sodium cyanide division. I had to wear a hardhat and learn to drive a forklift…haha! Fun fact: I love to sing and dance I wanted to teach because… tutoring classmates during my high school study hall, I discovered that I had a knack for explaining algebra in a very simple way. Favorite moments with students: Running into former students years later when they tell me that I made a significant impact on their lives. Favorite thing about GSL: Its very nurturing atmosphere and the close knit school/church community in the heart of Midtown
Renee Norris
Senior Kindergarten Assistant Degrees: BA Psychology; I’ll finish in December with my Masters in Teaching Hometown: Memphis, TN Pets: 4 dogs, 2 cats First job: Collierville Animal Clinic Fun fact: I can wiggle my eyes! I wanted to teach because… I am passionate about working with kids and love seeing those lightbulbs go off in their heads when they have learned something! Favorite thing about GSL: The people I work with; it is such a fun and close-knit environment.
Sarah Ranson
6th Grade History Degrees: B.A. in history and political science from Univ. of Memphis ; Master of Liberal Studies from Washington Univ. in St. Louis Hometown: Memphis, TN Family/pets: Husband Mike Martin; kids Ruby and Liam (1st graders); Maggie, Pluto, and Piper, the canine trifecta First job: Coffee shop barista Before GSL: I was the editor of Church Health Reader, Church Health Center’s national health ministry magazine I wanted to teach because… I wanted to share my love of history. Favorite thing about GSL: Emphasis on the whole child.
Shantih Smythe
Preschool Fun & Fitness Hometown: Memphis, TN Family/pets: Husband Bert; kids Paxton and Holden; dogs Charlie & Etta First job: Hostessing at Gonzales and Gertrudes when I was 12 Worst job: Washing dishes at Anne’s Place (restaurant preceding Bogie’s Deli) Fun fact: I am very competitive Favorite moments with students: I love seeing a student fully engrossed in what we are doing. Favorite thing about GSL: Best community in the city!
(continued on page 14)
fall
2013 •
The Anchor
• 13