Carol Santos, Head of School

Carol Santos has over 20 years experience as an educator, having served as a teacher, varsity basketball coach, Assistant Director of Admissions, Dean of Students, Director of Diversity, Director of the Women In Science and Engineering Program, and Associate Head of School at reputable independent schools such as Westover School, Groton School and Miss Porter’s School. During that time, Carol has built science and engineering summer camps and effectively led schools through accreditation processes, internal and external department reviews as well as served on the founding board of the University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Residency Master’s in Teaching program.

With a B.S. degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Ed.M. in Private School Leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College, Carol has a strong background in organizational management and finance. Carol has been a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority since 1990 and has held numerous leadership positions, most notably as Budget and Finance Committee Chair and Treasurer at the State and Regional levels.    

Carol is the proud mother of two children, one of which, Nemahn, is a Centennial Academy Legend in the Class of 2017.

 

Tequila Lamar, Assistant Head of School

"Excellence with Caring" has been my personal and professional motto since graduating from Florida A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a masters degree in Elementary Education. As the Assistant Head of School, I am committed to embodying this motto as I work to achieve our core value of Excellence in academics, applied STEAM integrated learning, and ethical leadership. My entire career has been dedicated to education spanning from crib to college through my work as a Child Care Director for the YMCA to the Assistant Director of Upward Bound at Clark Atlanta University. I have also worked at nonprofits and government agencies all serving the children and families of Georgia. I am immensely grateful to work with the scholars of Centennial Academy, including my own two sons, Frankie, Hero '25 and Taj, Legend '17.

 

 

Keisha Blythers, Head of Elementary School Division 

Keisha Blythers began her educational career in the Atlanta Public School System in 1999 as a first-grade teacher. Keisha spent fifteen years within the district in various roles inclusive of an Instructional Coach, as well as a kindergarten, second, third, and technology teacher. She began her journey at Centennial Place Elementary which transitioned to Centennial Academy eight years ago where she continued taking on various positions both in and outside of the classroom. She held the position of an Early Intervention Program teacher, Lead Testing Coordinator, Instructional Coach and the Dean of Academics before accepting the Head of the Elementary School Division position in March of 2018. This year marks her nineteenth year in education.

Her educational experiences have afforded her the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people to meet the common goal of increasing scholar achievement and social and emotional well-being. Her educational philosophy is based on her uncompromising belief that all scholars have a right to a high-quality education. She leads with the mindset that through a proactive, informed, and engaged approach to teaching and learning any school can become a caring community of high achieving scholars.  A school where everyone feels valued, respected, nurtured, and supported. 

Keisha is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from the Tuskegee University in 1999. Later she attended Central Michigan University where she earned her Master’s Degree in Adult Education in 2005. After several years of teaching, Keisha obtained her Math Endorsement and Leadership Certification from Georgia State University. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, traveling, hanging at the beach, and trying a variety of new restaurants.

 

Alison Shelton, Head of Middle School Division 

I am the Head of Middle School Division at Centennial Academy.  During my tenure at Centennial Academy, I have also been the Associate Head of School for Academic Affairs, Interim Special Education Coordinator, and the former principal of Centennial Place Elementary School.  After receiving my undergraduate degree in Anthropology from DePauw University, I fell in love with teaching while participating in a Winter Term assignment.  I decided that my true ‘professional calling’ included teaching children.  I enrolled in the Master’s Education Program at Georgia State University. I have been fortunate enough to enjoy my calling for the past 21 years and I am truly excited about the 2018-2019 school year.

 

 

Alfreda Stinson, Director of School Operations

My initial appointment was the Extended Learning Coordinator providing extended support for Faculty, Staff and Students of Centennial Academy. I am now the Director of School Operations for our awesome school. Being the Director of School Operations is a very challenging yet rewarding job. My departments include maintenance, security, facilities, technology, safety, transportation and food services. My motivation as DSO is to make sure all of the groups we serve – students, parents, faculty, and staff –have what they need to maximize the value of their experiences here at Centennial Academy.

 

Erica Curry, Director of Student Support Services

I am Centennial Academy's Director of Student Support Services. After receiving my undergraduate degree in Public Relations and Education and a master's degree in Public Administration from Jacksonville State University, I went on to obtain an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Cambridge College. I began my teaching career in 2003 working for Clayton County Public Schools and then continued to educate students within the Atlanta Public Schools system at Centennial Place Elementary (2007-2010); prior to its conversion to a charter school. Over the span of my career, my experience includes having served as a Lead Special Education Teacher, assistant principal on both middle and high school levels, interim principal, Director of a Freshman Academy, and a Director of Special Education for one of the largest public virtual charter schools in Georgia. My work is driven by a desire to support and advocate for all students and families and more specifically in this capacity as Director, students with unique needs and specialized supports.