Faculty & Staff

Certified teachers committed to helping students grow to their full potential.

Reach for Excellence faculty members teach in the public schools of DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Rockdale counties, as well as independent schools. The overwhelming majority of the faculty returns each year to the program; 70% of Reach for Excellence teachers have worked with the program for five or more years.

Class sizes are small. For academic courses, the student-teacher ratio is 12:1. For recreational and supplementary courses, the ratio is 20:1. These class sizes allow Reach for Excellence teachers to focus on the needs of individual students and introduce innovative methods in the classroom. Sixty percent of Reach for Excellence teachers have advanced degrees.

Contact Us

Karen DessablesExecutive Director
(770) 936-6481
dessablk@reachforexcellence.org
Matt McGeeDirector of Development
(770) 936-6489
mcgeem@reachforexcellence.org

Reach for Excellence is governed by a separate board of directors.

2020-2021 Board of Directors

  • Rocco Testani – Partner, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
  • Salvador Arias – Retired IBM Strategy Consulting Partner
  • Norman M. Brothers – General Counsel And Corporate Secretary, UPS
  • Vicki Brewster – Retired SVP Human Resources, ARRIS
  • Natalie Childs – Community Volunteer Leader, Alumnae, Marist School
  • Katherine D’Amaro – Retired Attorney, Sidley Austin, LLP
  • Angela Dorsey – Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Marist School
  • Leroy Fails – Consultant, The College Board
  • Jennifer Gordon – Sr. Director, Chick-Fil-A, Inc.
  • Thomas A. Marshall – Athletic Director, Marist School
  • Lisa Maulding – Vice President, Coxe Curry & Associates
  • Kelly Miles – Retired Advertising Account Executive, Morrison Agency
  • Andy Monin – Partner, Pilotfish Capital
  • Marianna Patterson – The Patterson Family Foundation
  • Annamarie R. Robb – Director of Development, Christ The King School
  • Candace Rodriguez – Associate General Counsel, The Home Depot, Inc.
  • Rev. William Rowland, S.M. – President, Marist School
  • Jordan Snellings, Cohort 2007 E – Teacher, Coach, Marist School
  • Asbury D. (Major) Snow – Business Partner, The Benoit Group
  • Alison Thompson – Retired Southeastern Representative for Christie’s
  • John Utsch – Partner, Assurance Services, EY
  • Richard (Dick) S. White – Retired Bank Executive, SouthTrust Bank

2018–2019 Reach for Excellence Board and Staff

The Program

DIVERSE COHORTS

Our students attend middle schools throughout the Metro Atlanta area

CORE CURRICULUM

Focuses on critical thinking and problem-solving skills in language arts, mathematics, and social studies

SMALL CLASS SIZE

Averaging 12 students per class, allowing for more one-on-one instruction

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“As I watched my son finish his last day at Reach for Excellence, my eyes filled with tears of joy at witnessing his transformation. He has grown from a quiet little boy into a young man of confidence with aspirations to do more in life. The opportunities and experiences that the students at Reach are exposed to is mind blowing.”

ANGELINA OSEI, Parent of 2018 Graduate

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