Administration Staff
Meet our faculty and staff. Click on a profile below to learn more.
Director of Finance and Operations
Fun Fact:
In January of 2015, I made the decision to lead a healthier lifestyle and lost 30 pounds in 4 months. Cardio workouts were a big part of this for me and I began to enjoy running, something that I had never liked to do previously. On December 27, 2015 I ran my first 10K race and have run one per month since then and plan to continue this into the foreseeable future. I love the excitement at the start, the challenge of giving it my best at each race and the feeling of accomplishment when I cross the finish line.
Education:
Bachelors in Computer Science, State University of New York at Oswego
Masters in Software Development and Management, Rochester Institute of Technology
Registrar
Sara Fisher joined AGS as our new Registrar on June 1, 2017. She has served the Emory University School of Medicine, the Art Institute of Atlanta, and the University of Kentucky in the roles of Program Director, Associate Registrar and Veteran’s Affairs Certifying Official, and Undergraduate Assistant Registrar respectively over the past fourteen years.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky and a Master of Arts degree in Arts Administration from Savannah College of Art and Design. In addition to her professional contributions, Sara created the first UK Minority Affairs student organization communication for prospective students and was co-founder of the UK’s minority female mentoring program.
Director of Upper School
Little Known Fact About Me:
I have watched the movie “Brooklyn” more than 20 times.
Why I Teach:
I teach to share the joy of discovery and the celebration of knowledge. At AGS we are engaged in a mission larger than any one of us. We encourage students to hear the voices of others and to discover their own. Here we work to integrate all the disciplines so that our girls are fully engaged in the contemplation of the human condition and see themselves reflected in the arts. At AGS we work to empower our students with the knowledge and skills necessary to direct their own lives, make their own choices from a myriad of options, and connect to a larger world. I teach here because of my fellow teachers who bring to the classroom an energy and enthusiasm born of affection and nurtured by commitment. I teach at AGS because our students inspire all of us to lead lives of purpose.
Education:
Master of Education English, Georgia State University
Front Desk Assistant
Front Desk Receptionist
Head of School
Ayanna Hill-Gill is affectionately known as Yanni. Prior to joining AGS in 2014, Yanni worked at Purnell School, a boarding school for girls in New Jersey, where she was the Head of School since 2007.
Yanni holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from Dickinson College and a master’s degree from Columbia University Teacher’s College with an emphasis on Private School Leadership. She has been a yearlong Klingenstein Fellow and an EE Ford Fellow for NAIS’ Aspiring Heads Program. Prior to her tenure at Purnell, Yanni worked at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden building their community outreach program and developing curriculum for children’s educational programs. In 1992, Yanni lived in Costa Rica while studying sustainable development and conducting independent research in water quality. It was these two experiences that led Yanni to teaching, particularly science.
Yanni currently serves on the Board of the Heads’ Network and the National Coalition of Girls’ Schools. She serves locally as a member of the Advisory Board of the Global Village Project, an all girls’ school for refugees in Decatur, GA. Yanni is a member of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2017, and a Trustee on Emory University’s Board of Visitors this fall. As a graduate of an all girls’ school in Philadelphia, Yanni has committed her career to creating opportunities for girls and young women to discover their voices, achieve success and become leaders in the fields of their choice.
Education:
Masters of Education in Organization Leadership, Teachers College, Columbia University
Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry, Dickinson College
Director of Internships & Global Travel
Library Media and Technical Support Specialist
Little Known Fact About Me:
When I was in elementary school I wanted to be a teacher, a photographer, a chef, and a marine biologist. Not bad for 3 out of 4!
Why I Teach:
Nothing is better than to see a student’s eyes light up and say, “Oh, I finally get it.”
Education:
Johnson and Wales University, Miami Florida
School Nurse
Little Known Fact About Me:
I worked as a flight nurse for Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, caring for trauma and ICU patients on helicopters, small planes and lear jets.
Education:
BSN University of Florida MSN University of Texas, Arlington
Associate Head of School and Director of Strategic Initiatives
Sylvia Rodríguez Vargas, Ph.D. is currently the Associate Head of School at Atlanta Girls’ School, where she also serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives. She began serving independent schools over twenty years ago and has been a Teacher, Department Chair, Division Director, Communications and Marketing Chair, Academic Dean, Assistant Head, and Head of School. She has directed language programs in Spain and Mexico and traveled to China as the World Language Task Force Chair prior to instituting curricular changes and adding Mandarin, Chinese at a previous school. Most recently, she traveled to seven cities in China as part of international student recruitment efforts at AGS.
Active in independent school leadership, she co-chaired the NAIS People of Color Conference in Atlanta in 2016 and has offered several workshops throughout the years at both the NAIS and PoCC annual conferences. Dr. Rodríguez Vargas completed her doctoral research investigating the lived experience of women of color heads of schools. Her published work, Women of Color Heads of Independent Schools: A Framework of Culturally Relevant Leadership, includes the experiences of ten women and their journeys in school leadership.
In addition to her work in independent schools, Dr. Rodríguez Vargas has served as an instructor and adjunct professor at The Ohio State University and the City University of New York, completed a seminar on school leadership at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and was an NAIS E.E. Ford Fellow for Aspiring Heads. Most recently, she was invited to serve on the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP) Principals’ Panel Standing Committee with the U.S. Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics. She has also served on advisory boards, was a mentor with the Hispanic Chamber of Columbus, and has published several articles on school leadership.
Little Known Fact:
I made my television debut at age five and my first regional commercial when I was nine years old.
Why I Teach:
I believe in the transformative life opportunities afforded through education and have enjoyed my service as an educator over the past 25 years.
Education:
B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature, and Latin American and Caribbean Area Studies (double major), Binghamton University—State University of New York
M.A. in Latin American Literature and Literary Analysis, The Ohio State University
M.Ed. in Educational Administration, Private School Leadership, Columbia University
Ph.D. in Educational Administration, The Ohio State University
Technical Management Services
Director of Advancement
Paige Smith joined AGS as our new Director of Advancement beginning June 2017. She comes to AGS from the Alliance Theatre, where she served as the Associate Director of Development, Individual Giving & Special Events. Paige was been a key member of the Alliance advancement staff since 2012, when she joined their team as a Corporate Relations Officer. In addition to directing individual fundraising efforts aligned with strategic planning initiatives, Paige was also instrumental in coordinating strategic marketing plans for fundraising efforts, working with the Board of Directors and Development Committee, managing major gifts and fundraising events, and growing the Alliance corporate partnerships and sponsorships.
Prior to her work at the Alliance, Paige worked for Modern Luxury Media in Atlanta – publisher of The Atlantan, Jezebel, The Atlantan Brides & Men’s Book Atlanta – for six years. She launched the Atlanta division of Modern Luxury in 2006 and in the following years managed marketing strategies, business development, event conception and implementation, and established partnerships with many Atlanta non-profit organizations and philanthropists.
Paige is an active member of the Junior League of Atlanta and a member of the Arts Leaders of Metro Atlanta, Class of 2013. She received her bachelor’s degree in family studies and a graduate certificate of elementary education from Texas Tech University.
Athletic Director
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation, Georgia State University
Database Manager and Advancement Associate
Little Known Fact About Me:
When I was in college, I found a endangered species of darter fish called a Cherokee Darter in our streams while doing an independent study. The local fishery was then able to track them and help them to hopefully be able to grow the species!
Education:
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Reinhardt University
Faculty
Science and Math Department
Suzy joined the math and science departments at AGS in 2016. Her teaching experience began as an Assistant Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology, where she taught chemistry for 11 years. Suzy’s two daughters, Lucy and Molli, and her stepdaughter Audrey all currently attend AGS.
Little Known Fact About Me:
I have snorkeled on The Great Barrier Reef.
Education:
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, Stanford University
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Davidson College
World Language Department, 11th Grade Dean
Education:
Bachelor of Education History and Geography, Catholic University (Caracas, Venezuela)
World Studies Department, 9th Grade Dean
Why I Teach:
I teach because I believe the purpose of education is to create a better world. I teach World Studies because I find joy in sharing my passion with others and hope, in turn, to help my students find and develop their passions. I teach girls because, as a product of an all girls’ school, I know first-hand the benefits of single-gender education. I teach at AGS because it is the best place for girls.
Little Known Fact About Me:
I am currently pursuing a master’s degree in Teacher Leadership from Mount Holyoke College.
I performed at Carnegie Hall when I was in college and I married the same person (my husband) twice in one year.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in History, Saint Mary’s College
STEAM Interdisciplinary Specialist
James Campbell joined AGS as the new STEAM Interdisciplinary Specialist in summer 2017. He has been teaching World Studies since 2003 and has served as a design thinking consultant and coach for over four years. He was most recently with Mount Vernon Presbyterian School and holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from the College of Charleston and a Master of Arts in teaching from Morgan State University. In addition to teaching and coaching faculty, James has served as a JV and Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach and has also coached football, cross country, and baseball.
James has been a part of The Teachers Guild and has worked closely with IDEO team members designing and facilitating design thinking, brainstorming, and prototyping workshops. As part of this work, he has coached teams of teachers to develop high quality, scalable, and innovative solutions for classrooms and schools. James completed the Design Thinking K-12 Education Workshop at the Stanford University d.School and also served as Keynote Speaker for the first annual Make Monterey Conference.
English Department Chair
Jenny has taught at AGS for 14 years and has long incorporated an interdisciplinary approach and design thinking in to her classroom. From using art and engineering to solicit thoughtful character analysis from ninth graders reading The Secret Life of Bees, to collaborating with colleagues in the World Studies Department to provide contemporary cultural movements to explore literature, no discipline is off the table to help her students understand the relevance and significance of literature in their lives. Jenny highly values the importance of inclusive collaboration among her learners and why the discussions about controversial and important texts need to happen on site and in real time. This, she says, gives students the platform to ask questions, relate characters and events to their own experiences, and have supportive and challenging teachers guide them to deeper analysis.
Little Known Fact About Me:
I secretly loved having to wear a uniform in high school because I found the task of putting an outfit together tedious.
Why I Teach:
To steal a line from John Steinbeck–I teach because it is the greatest of the arts. “I have come to believe that a great teacher is a great artist and that there are as few as there are any other great artists. Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit.”–John Steinbeck
Education:
Master of Education in Language Arts, University of Georgia
Math Department
Little Known Fact About Me:
I love watching action movies with my husband. We have one daughter, Kami, who is the light of the family.
Why I Teach: I am excited about joining the awesome community of learners at AGS. I have taught high school math for 11 years in the public school setting. I believe that teaching is an art that is ever changing and that educators should always be ready for the change.
Education:
Doctor of Philosophy in Education with a Curriculum and Instruction Specialization, Capella University
Master of Education in Mathematics Education (K-12), NovaSoutheastern University
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education (6-12), Florida State University
PE Department Chair
Little Known Fact About Me:
I was in Sports Illustrated for setting 4 NCAA Division I softball records.
Education:
Master of Arts in Education Administration, Chapman University
Bachelors of Physical Education, Manhattan College
PE Department
Little Known Fact About Me:
I love musicals, “Phantom Of The Opera” being one of my all time favorites.
Why I Teach:
I teach because the reward of watching a student develop into a young adult is always worth it.
Education:
Masters, Physical Education with a concentration in Adapted PE, SUNY Cortland
Bachelors, Physical Education, SUNY Cortland
Fine Arts Department Chair
Littlle Known Fact About Me:
I lived in a bamboo hut in a rainforest in India for 6 months.
Why I Teach:
I believe education is the most powerful tool for social change.
Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics, Georgia State University
Science Department
World Language Department Chair
Little Known Fact About Me:
I love to hike and camp in North Georgia.
Why I Teach:
I teach because it brings me hope for the future of our world!
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in French and English, Indiana University
Science Department Chair
Little Known Fact About Me:
I, on a team of 9 women, represented the United States in the 2008 Aesthetic Group Gymnastics World Championships in Toronto, Canada.
Why I Teach:
In what other profession can you go to “work” and climb trees with girls on Sapelo Island? …Or find yourself barely breathing as you are so still surrounded by Coatimunidis in Belize? …Or see the spark of discovery when a girl sees a salamander embryo that she collected from our little stream move under the microscope? Pure joy and wonderment in the world is the truest currency.
Education:
Master of Arts in Teaching, Georgia State University
Bachelors of Ecology Degree, University of Georgia
Math Department
Little Known Fact About Me: Reality TV is my absolute favorite! Turn on Survivor reruns (or Survivor podcasts) and I’ll be the happiest person around.
Why I Teach: First of all, math is cool. Secondly, there’s nothing quite like the lightbulb moment when a concept clicks with a student. Thirdly, I graduated from an all-girls school in Tennessee, and I love being able to give back the experience that was given to me!
Fine Arts Department
Little Known Fact About Me:
I’m an open book.
Why I Teach:
After years of working as a designer, teaching has given me an opportunity to share my knowledge and passion for the visual arts with another generation. I love watching my students discover their individual voices and artistic potential.
Education:
Bachelor of Fine Arts Illustration, Philadelphia College Art
Science Department
Erica joined the AGS science department in August 2017 from Saddle River Day School (NJ) where she taught all levels of biology, including AP, and served as the 9th grade class advisor. Prior to her position in New Jersey, Erica taught science (at middle, high school, and AP levels) in San Juan, Puerto Rico for 15 years–most recently at Academia del Perpetuo Socorro and the Episcopal Cathedral School.
She holds a Master of Science degree in museum studies/education (minor in biology) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Bachelor of Science degree in biology (minor in chemistry) from the Universidad de Los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia.
Mathematics Department
Little Known Fact About Me:
Why I Teach:
English Department, 6th Grade Team Leader
Little Known Fact About Me:
Before I became an English teacher, I was an airline flight attendant and international telecom meeting planner. I’m an adventurous traveler who loves meeting new people and visiting new places around the world. I have traveled to 21 countries on five continents and visited 48 states. Traveling brings out the best in me and helps me rely on all my experiences and internal resources to handle new situations.
Why I Teach:
What I love about teaching English (both language and literature) is that it gives me the ability to travel in someone else’s shoes and view the world from a different perspective than my own. I teach because I want to help girls open the door to seeing the world in a new way. While much of our traditional literature is about conflict, both internal and external, what we can learn is that we always have choices, and hope is always there if we seek to find it.
Education:
Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary English, Agnes Scott College
World Studies Department
Education:
Master of Public Health, University of Alabama
English Department
A native of Spartanburg, SC, Amber is also a published author of historical fiction (writing as Amber Brock). Her most recent novel, A Fine Imitation, was released in 2016. She is a passionate student of history, an avid traveler, and “mom” to three rescue dogs. She lives with her husband, a fellow English teacher, in Smyrna.
Little Known Fact About Me:
All of my great-grandparents were alive when I was a kid, so I got to know them all.
Why I Teach:
I teach because education is the path to a better life.
Education:
Furman University
MA, University of Georgia
Science Department
World Language Department
English Department, 12th Grade Dean
Why I Teach:
“We often tell people that teaching is rewarding, but we do not always see the reward of a day’s work in our profession. We do not see final products like the construction of a church or a successful surgery that has saved a life. As teachers, we might not immediately see the fruits of our labor because the work we do is gradual. We lay the foundation for a child’s growth by touching her heart, expanding her mind, and helping her find her voice. Teaching is a labor of love that requires us to believe that we are making a difference. We have to trust that the knowledge we impart, the skills we teach, and the behaviors we model will make lasting impressions on our students. I trust that I do this. It is why I teach.”
Education:
Master of Arts in Education, Grand Canyon University
World Studies Department Chair
Little Known Fact About Me:
I have traveled to more than twenty countries and hope to add to that in the coming years. My favorite trips were Bali, Peru, and France.
Education:
Master of Arts in Social Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University
Choral Director, MS Student Life Coordinator
Little Known Fact About Me:
I am a Pisces, enjoy long walks on the beach, and getting caught in the rain.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, University of West Georgia
World Studies Department
Education:
Master of Arts, Ohio State University
World Language Department, 10th Grade Dean
Little Known Fact About Me:
I have lived in four different countries and seven states.
Why I Teach:
I love to see the spark and watch the girls grow!
Education:
Bachelor of Arts, International Studies, Miami University
Director of Performing Arts
Barbara has worked on over 100 productions with Atlanta theaters such as Actor’s Express, ART Station, Aurora Theatre, Merely Players, OnStage Atlanta, Process Theatre, The Shakespeare Tavern, Synchronicity, and Theater Emory. Barbara graduated from Emory with a Major in Theater Studies and was lucky enough to work on the administrative side of things at Soul-stice Repertory, Horizon Theatre, Theatrical Outift, and GA Shakespeare Festival. In the media, she has been labeled as one of Atlanta’s Directing Super-stars, “always dependable” by Southern Voice, and “One of Atlanta’s most under-used actors” by Creative Loafing. She is a four-time winner of the Metropolitan Atlanta Theatre Award for Lead Actress in a Play.
Little Known Fact About Me:
Many may know that for 10 years I was the Artistic Company Manager and Young Performers Director at OnStage Atlanta. But what most people don’t know is that I have a passion for animals and worked as a veterinary assistant through high school and college.
Education:
Bachelors in Theater Studies, Emory University
Mathematics Department Chair
Ric has taught math at every level from 6th to 12th grade, as well as social studies and writing. Strongly interested in technology, he has presented at the Georgia Educational Technology Conference on how to better utilize technology in the classroom. Ric has also established a strong presence in the field of project-based learning and alternative assessments, and in recognition of his work, he was chosen as an NAIS Teacher of the Future in 2014. He was also chosen as a National Geographic Educator of the Week in August 2015
Little Known Fact About Me:
My wife and I love national parks and historic sites and have visited nearly a hundred in our six years of marriage.
Why I Teach:
I love helping students make sense of the world around them.
Education:
Masters in Independent School Leadership, Vanderbilt University
Bachelor of Middle School Education, University of Georgia