GA-EPH Instructors

Instructor Biographies

Kid Chess
Kid Chess is an 8 year old chess instructional company for kids. Our main focus is on keeping the game fun for children while teaching them lessons that are important in life such as sportsmanship, problem solving, critical thinking, concentration, patience, attention span and other skills.

The Children's PEACE Center
The PEACE Center is a special kind of museum that teaches character education, violence prevention and peacemaking skills with fun hands-on interactive exhibits for children in Elementary grades K-5th, but also provides an exciting learning experience for all ages. It's a challenging place of discovery, as well as a resource center for families, parents, teachers, and anyone interested in making a positive impact on the future of our children and our world. Andria Melham is the Founder/President.

Young Rembrandts
At Young Rembrandts of Cobb and Paulding counties, we share a common goal with you-enriching the lives of children. Our instructors have a passion for children and the arts. They have been thoroughly trained in the Young Rembrandts curriculum and methodology. Our training is complemented by their varied backgrounds which include experience in the arts and/or education.

Michelle Aycock
Michelle has been doing various needlework for the past 35 years: sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and counted cross-stich. She is currently learning how to spin yarn from raw wool. Recently, she has sewn costumes for Theatre on Main productions of Taming of the Shrew and Pride and Prejudice. Many of the garments she has knitted have been given as gifts to family and friends over the years.

Cathy Fletcher
Cathy has a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Real Estate from Georgia State University. She has been homeschooling her two children for two years. She began scrapbooking 10 years ago and has taught classes at several stores and in her home. Cathy began playing recorder in elementary school and continued studying music through learning to play the flute and bassoon. She was a member of the Georgia Tech band for 5 years and currently plays the bassoon in her church's orchestra.

Carolyn Choe
Carolyn has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Southern California and a Masters of Communication from Georgia State University. She has extensive training in various acting methods, as well as voice, movement, dance, and improvisation. Carolyn has had a long and expansive career in acting, directing and teaching in both professional and community theater in Los Angles and Atlanta and has appeared at the International Arts Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. She most recently worked at Northstar Church for their children’s productions The Attic and Family Life Live. She is currently appearing in The Diary of Anne Frank at Theatre on Main. Carolyn has been homeschooling her two sons for five years.

Bobbie Whorton
Bobbie Whorton holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a Master of Arts Degree in Professional Writing, both from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree at Georgia State University. She has two grown children, two darling grandchildren, writes children’s books, is involved in community affairs, and is a devoted animal lover.

Donna Eckert
Donna studied chemistry at Furman Univesity and received a MS in Environmental Engineering from UNC-Chapel Hill. She taught high school chemistry and physics at a private school for two years before deciding to 'retire' to stay home with her babies. She has homeschooled her 3 girls their whole lives. They are now 15, 13, and 10. Donna enjoys tutoring kids and helping them to really understand concepts.

CREATIVE MOVEMENT AND DANCE
Our ultimate goal is to provide the best possible dance program offered to childcare centers, enrichment programs and private schools throughout Georgia. We are committed to providing quality dance training taught by the most talented dance teachers in the South. The teachers are reliable and always prepared with well-planned, age-appropriate lessons. They enjoy the children and welcome parents to observe at any time. The classes are structured, yet flexible to meet the needs of young students who need to have fun while learning. We are very excited to welcome a superlative staff for the 2007-2008 sessions, and look forward to having your child in our program!

Teresa Barnes
I have always loved to work with children. I was even a pediatric registered nurse before trying my hand at "art". I first tried basket weaving, which still comes in handy. Did you know you can weave "clay"? After a visit to an arts and crafts fair, a friend said "YOU can do that"! I signed up for pottery lessons. After three years of lessons, I bought my own equipment and spent some time trying a variety of techniques. After winning some awards in local art shows, I was ready to share some of my knowledge with others. Since I liked children, I started there and have been teaching children as well as adults ever since.

Phillis Bostar
I always knew I was an artist and a teacher. With my ever present blackboard, my pets were my earliest students. The colorful leaves I glued to my bedroom wall were to me a Symphony of Autumn, although my mother wasn't impressed. Somehow, life intervened. I put away my blackboard and paints. I became a parent and a grownup. But I continued to create and was always making "stuff". As a mom, I loved my role as teacher. Now that my daughters are grown, my need to make "stuff", create art and teach however is as strong as ever.
I bring award winning colored pencil, graphite pencil artistic and teaching experience to all of my programs in graphite drawing and colored pencil technique classes and workshops. My commercial experience in community art classes and programs has helped me to hone my many craft skills and teach them in a fun, creative and educational way. I am highly referred by the Home School enrichment community.

YES!
YES! Youth Engaged in Science, is a Woodstock based educational enrichment program that strives to bring you engaging, hands-on technology classes and competitive team experiences for your children.

Megan Ruth Baxter
Megan is a woman with a passion for educating people. She is trained in Meisner Method acting and attended Creative Writing school at University Center for the Arts in Canada. Megan is a writer, actor and Director who also has extensive knowledge in healing arts as a yoga teacher and holistic consultant. She integrates positive thoughts, words and actions into her innovative programs. She has produced and facilitated Theatre and multi-media events in Canada, the United States and Europe. She has offered classes to all ages locally through the Kennesaw Community Center, Kennesaw State University and other schools and recreation centers in the Atlanta area. Megan is currently completing a full length play.

Barry Edelson
From Aerosmith to Zeppelin and Beethoven to Buffet, Barry is adept at teaching all styles and at all levels from the beginner to the aspiring professional. Since starting in the Ken Stanton-West Cobb store in 2004, he has taught over 350 students from ages 5 to 65 to play the guitar.

“My philosophy of education encompasses the practice of developing both the musician and the performer. Therefore, in teaching, I place a focus on music theory and sight-reading, as these skills will ultimately enhance the “performance chops” of the developing instrumentalist”.

Barry has over 20 years of playing and teaching experience including gigs with his own bands as well as composing and producing for numerous others in the New York area. He studied formally at the State University level in New York and the Manhattan School of Music with concentrations in composition and orchestration.

COMPUTER EXPLORERS
Since 1985, COMPUTER EXPLORERS has offered a wide range of technology education programs to children, teens and adults through classes offered in childcare centers, preschools, elementary public and private schools, recreation centers and other educational settings. COMPUTER EXPLORERS programs are exciting, interactive, and customized to meet the needs of both students and educators.

Suzanne Dawson
After receiving my Bachelor's in Math Education and my Master's in Mathematics, I have been teaching math over the last 14 years. I love working with students, and I believe math is an integral part of a student's education. Not only is math a tool needed in everyday life, but also it builds the thinking skills necessary for analysis in any discipline. I have enjoyed teaching math in the public schools, in several junior colleges, in private tutoring, and in my home to my two elementary age children for the last five years.


Instructor Biographies Kid Chess Kid Chess is an 8 year old chess instructional company for kids. Our main focus is on keeping the game fun for children while teaching them lessons that are important in life such as sportsmanship, problem solving, critical thinking, concentration, patience, attention span and other skills. The Children's PEACE Center The PEACE Center is a special kind of museum that teaches character education, violence prevention and peacemaking skills with fun hands-on interactive exhibits for children in Elementary grades K-5th, but also provides an exciting learning experience for all ages. It's a challenging place of discovery, as well as a resource center for families, parents, teachers, and anyone interested in making a positive impact on the future of our children and our world. Andria Melham is the Founder/President. Young Rembrandts At Young Rembrandts of Cobb and Paulding counties, we share a common goal with you-enriching the lives of children. Our instructors have a passion for children and the arts. They have been thoroughly trained in the Young Rembrandts curriculum and methodology. Our training is complemented by their varied backgrounds which include experience in the arts and/or education. Michelle Aycock Michelle has been doing various needlework for the past 35 years: sewing, knitting, crocheting, needlepoint and counted cross-stich. She is currently learning how to spin yarn from raw wool. Recently, she has sewn costumes for Theatre on Main productions of Taming of the Shrew and Pride and Prejudice. Many of the garments she has knitted have been given as gifts to family and friends over the years. Cathy Fletcher Cathy has a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction from the Georgia Institute of Technology and a Master of Science in Real Estate from Georgia State University. She has been homeschooling her two children for two years. She began scrapbooking 10 years ago and has taught classes at several stores and in her home. Cathy began playing recorder in elementary school and continued studying music through learning to play the flute and bassoon. She was a member of the Georgia Tech band for 5 years and currently plays the bassoon in her church's orchestra. Carolyn Choe Carolyn has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre from the University of Southern California and a Masters of Communication from Georgia State University. She has extensive training in various acting methods, as well as voice, movement, dance, and improvisation. Carolyn has had a long and expansive career in acting, directing and teaching in both professional and community theater in Los Angles and Atlanta and has appeared at the International Arts Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. She most recently worked at Northstar Church for their children’s productions The Attic and Family Life Live. She is currently appearing in The Diary of Anne Frank at Theatre on Main. Carolyn has been homeschooling her two sons for five years. Bobbie Whorton Bobbie Whorton holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a Master of Arts Degree in Professional Writing, both from Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. She is currently pursuing her Doctoral degree at Georgia State University. She has two grown children, two darling grandchildren, writes children’s books, is involved in community affairs, and is a devoted animal lover. Donna Eckert Donna studied chemistry at Furman Univesity and received a MS in Environmental Engineering from UNC-Chapel Hill. She taught high school chemistry and physics at a private school for two years before deciding to 'retire' to stay home with her babies. She has homeschooled her 3 girls their whole lives. They are now 15, 13, and 10. Donna enjoys tutoring kids and helping them to really understand concepts. CREATIVE MOVEMENT AND DANCE Our ultimate goal is to provide the best possible dance program offered to childcare centers, enrichment programs and private schools throughout Georgia. We are committed to providing quality dance training taught by the most talented dance teachers in the South. The teachers are reliable and always prepared with well-planned, age-appropriate lessons. They enjoy the children and welcome parents to observe at any time. The classes are structured, yet flexible to meet the needs of young students who need to have fun while learning. We are very excited to welcome a superlative staff for the 2007-2008 sessions, and look forward to having your child in our program! Teresa Barnes I have always loved to work with children. I was even a pediatric registered nurse before trying my hand at "art". I first tried basket weaving, which still comes in handy. Did you know you can weave "clay"? After a visit to an arts and crafts fair, a friend said "YOU can do that"! I signed up for pottery lessons. After three years of lessons, I bought my own equipment and spent some time trying a variety of techniques. After winning some awards in local art shows, I was ready to share some of my knowledge with others. Since I liked children, I started there and have been teaching children as well as adults ever since. Phillis Bostar I always knew I was an artist and a teacher. With my ever present blackboard, my pets were my earliest students. The colorful leaves I glued to my bedroom wall were to me a Symphony of Autumn, although my mother wasn't impressed. Somehow, life intervened. I put away my blackboard and paints. I became a parent and a grownup. But I continued to create and was always making "stuff". As a mom, I loved my role as teacher. Now that my daughters are grown, my need to make "stuff", create art and teach however is as strong as ever. I bring award winning colored pencil, graphite pencil artistic and teaching experience to all of my programs in graphite drawing and colored pencil technique classes and workshops. My commercial experience in community art classes and programs has helped me to hone my many craft skills and teach them in a fun, creative and educational way. I am highly referred by the Home School enrichment community. YES! YES! Youth Engaged in Science, is a Woodstock based educational enrichment program that strives to bring you engaging, hands-on technology classes and competitive team experiences for your children. Megan Ruth Baxter Megan is a woman with a passion for educating people. She is trained in Meisner Method acting and attended Creative Writing school at University Center for the Arts in Canada. Megan is a writer, actor and Director who also has extensive knowledge in healing arts as a yoga teacher and holistic consultant. She integrates positive thoughts, words and actions into her innovative programs. She has produced and facilitated Theatre and multi-media events in Canada, the United States and Europe. She has offered classes to all ages locally through the Kennesaw Community Center, Kennesaw State University and other schools and recreation centers in the Atlanta area. Megan is currently completing a full length play. Barry Edelson From Aerosmith to Zeppelin and Beethoven to Buffet, Barry is adept at teaching all styles and at all levels from the beginner to the aspiring professional. Since starting in the Ken Stanton-West Cobb store in 2004, he has taught over 350 students from ages 5 to 65 to play the guitar. “My philosophy of education encompasses the practice of developing both the musician and the performer. Therefore, in teaching, I place a focus on music theory and sight-reading, as these skills will ultimately enhance the “performance chops” of the developing instrumentalist”. Barry has over 20 years of playing and teaching experience including gigs with his own bands as well as composing and producing for numerous others in the New York area. He studied formally at the State University level in New York and the Manhattan School of Music with concentrations in composition and orchestration. COMPUTER EXPLORERS Since 1985, COMPUTER EXPLORERS has offered a wide range of technology education programs to children, teens and adults through classes offered in childcare centers, preschools, elementary public and private schools, recreation centers and other educational settings. COMPUTER EXPLORERS programs are exciting, interactive, and customized to meet the needs of both students and educators. Suzanne Dawson After receiving my Bachelor's in Math Education and my Master's in Mathematics, I have been teaching math over the last 14 years. I love working with students, and I believe math is an integral part of a student's education. Not only is math a tool needed in everyday life, but also it builds the thinking skills necessary for analysis in any discipline. I have enjoyed teaching math in the public schools, in several junior colleges, in private tutoring, and in my home to my two elementary age children for the last five years.