Courtney Cook
Courtney Cook has been a teacher at Mountain View since 1999! She began her teaching career here and feels fortunate to be a part of the Mountain View community! Mrs. Cook graduated from UGA and has a Masters in Education, an Educational Specialist in Administration and Supervision and a Teachers Support Specialist Endorsement. She has taught Kindergarten, 1st grade and been an Interventionalist. With her husband Derek, they have 2 children who went through Mountain View and are now graduated. Mrs. Cook enjoys being outside, walking the family dog Rocky, going to football games and is passionate about setting the foundation for young learners.
"What we see depends mainly on what we look for" ~ John Lubbock
"What we see depends mainly on what we look for" ~ John Lubbock
Vanessa Fennell
Vanessa Fennell began her educational career in 2009 as a kindergarten teacher and has since taught grades K-2. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education K-6 and a Masters in Reading Education K-12. Although she began teaching in 2009 her love for teaching began long before. Since she was in high school, she volunteered in the classroom and even spent two years as a reading tutor for Americorps while in college. She is relocating from the state of Maryland as her husband embarks on a new journey at Kennesaw University as a professor in their school of business. They have boy girl twins who are excited to be a part of the Mountain View family. In their free time they enjoy hiking, reading, and playing board games.
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
Abigail Gunter
I am Abigail Gunter, and I am thrilled to be at Mountain View Elementary School. I have spent one year in first grade and eight years in kindergarten. Kindergarten is my favorite place to be, and it brings me a lot of joy to get to spend my days working with this age group.
I am a mother of three children. My oldest is a senior at UGA, and the middle child is a rising sophomore at Auburn – yes, my house is divided! My youngest is a rising sophomore in the International Magnet Program at North Cobb High School. I am married to my college sweetheart, and teaching is a second career for me. However, I have always worked with children, starting out my career as an adoption and foster care specialist. I also worked as a youth health educator before I stayed at home raising my own children. I have worked for Cobb County Schools for the last nine years. I completed my undergraduate degree in England, where I was born and raised. I then finished my first graduate degree in education at UGA and my early elementary graduate degree at Georgia Southern.
In my spare time, I love to exercise and go for walks with my family. I love to read, travel, learn about new cultures, and meet new people.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
I am a mother of three children. My oldest is a senior at UGA, and the middle child is a rising sophomore at Auburn – yes, my house is divided! My youngest is a rising sophomore in the International Magnet Program at North Cobb High School. I am married to my college sweetheart, and teaching is a second career for me. However, I have always worked with children, starting out my career as an adoption and foster care specialist. I also worked as a youth health educator before I stayed at home raising my own children. I have worked for Cobb County Schools for the last nine years. I completed my undergraduate degree in England, where I was born and raised. I then finished my first graduate degree in education at UGA and my early elementary graduate degree at Georgia Southern.
In my spare time, I love to exercise and go for walks with my family. I love to read, travel, learn about new cultures, and meet new people.
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
Melanie Roman
Hi, my name is Melanie Roman! I am very excited for this upcoming school year and love being a part of the kindergarten team. I have been teaching since 2011. I am from Mobile, Alabama and attended The University of Alabama – ROLL TIDE!! I graduated from Alabama with a degree in advertising and graphic design. After graduation, I moved to Atlanta where I fell in love with taking classes at a kickboxing and karate school in Buckhead, which led to a full-time job at the gym. (Yes, I do have my black belt!) It was there I realized my true passion was in teaching. In 2009, I went back to school at Georgia State and receive my master’s in education with an ESOL certification. My husband, Mike, is a Captain in the City of Atlanta Fire Department. We have twin boys named Ethan and Parker, and an adorable little girl named Anna Kathryn. When I’m not at school, I love traveling, being in or by the water, watching my kids play ball, working out, watching the CRIMSON TIDE PLAY FOOTBALL, and spending time with family and friends. I am looking forward to a fantastic year at MVES!
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
Shelby Russell
My name is Shelby Russell. I am going onto my 8th year teaching Elementary, and this will be my second year at Mountain View! Prior to here, I was a first grade teacher at another school within Cobb County, and prior to that I taught Kindergarten in Alabama. This year I’ll be teaching Kindergarten, and I’m very excited to be starting a new journey on this team!
In my free time, I love to shop at Target and Starbucks, spend time outdoors, travel, and relax with my daughter, Natalie (2) and my husband of four years. In my classroom, I always continue to build a positive community where students feel safe at school. I will always do my best to make sure that my students are loved, cared for, heard, and supported. I look forward to an amazing school year with your kids!
“Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” -Rita Pierson
In my free time, I love to shop at Target and Starbucks, spend time outdoors, travel, and relax with my daughter, Natalie (2) and my husband of four years. In my classroom, I always continue to build a positive community where students feel safe at school. I will always do my best to make sure that my students are loved, cared for, heard, and supported. I look forward to an amazing school year with your kids!
“Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” -Rita Pierson
Emily Smith
Hello! My name is Emily Smith. Teaching is a passion of mine and working with children is something I truly enjoy. It is my mission to instill a love for learning in my students and to develop life-long learners. I graduated from Kennesaw State University and have my Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. I have been teaching at Mountain View since 2018. Prior to Mountain View, I worked in the preschool environment for six years. I am the mother to the sweetest little girl. She is my heart and keeps me super busy in my time away from school. I look forward to a wonderful school year!
“Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” –Rita Pierson
“Every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” –Rita Pierson
Crystal Bentley - Para
I am Crystal Bentley and I’m thrilled to help your precious child this year as their paraprofessional. I have had the honor of being part of the dedicated Mountain View staff since 2007. After spending five years as an office clerk and textbook administrator, I found my true passion in the classroom, where I have been a paraprofessional since 2013!
I studied nursing at Eastern Michigan University way back in the dinosaur ages (the 80's). I am also the author and illustrator of an Amazon best-selling children's book, Sun and Stork: A Contemporary Folktale, which debuted on Amazon’s top 100 Fairy Tale/Folklore list at #33! I hope to instill my passion for reading and writing to your children as well!
I am celebrating my 34th wedding anniversary this year with my husband, Edward Bentley. We have 3 beautiful daughters (2 dedicated son-in-law’s) and 3 grandchildren! Life is wonderful!
"Wisdom begins with wonder" - Socrates, Greek philosopher
I studied nursing at Eastern Michigan University way back in the dinosaur ages (the 80's). I am also the author and illustrator of an Amazon best-selling children's book, Sun and Stork: A Contemporary Folktale, which debuted on Amazon’s top 100 Fairy Tale/Folklore list at #33! I hope to instill my passion for reading and writing to your children as well!
I am celebrating my 34th wedding anniversary this year with my husband, Edward Bentley. We have 3 beautiful daughters (2 dedicated son-in-law’s) and 3 grandchildren! Life is wonderful!
"Wisdom begins with wonder" - Socrates, Greek philosopher
Sabrina Kolwaite - Para
My name is Sabrina Kolwaite and I have been an educator since 2014. I am originally from Michigan and I have a BA in Humanities from Arizona State University. I am lucky to be married to my husband, Steve. We are lucky to have two wonderful sons, Spencer and Mitchell and two dogs, Duke and Bella. My hobbies are traveling, gardening and reading.
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them – Walt Disney
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them – Walt Disney
Leslie Moore - Para
My name is Leslie Moore and I am proud to say I am a Cobb County native. I have been a paraprofessional at Mountain View Elementary since 1999. I always knew I wanted to help others grow and learn. When I’m not at school I enjoy spending time with my husband whom I’ve been married to since 1982, as well as our two daughters and two grandchildren.
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Zig Ziglar
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Zig Ziglar
Holli Rodriguez - Para
My name is Holli Rodriguez. I have been a CCSD paraprofessional since 2016. During that time, I have had the privilege of working with students in preschool, special education, and most recently STEM. I enjoy supporting students through their educational journey and watching them achieve academic growth. I am excited to be returning to Mountain View and joining the kindergarten team.
“A strength-based classroom is a place where students with all sorts of labels come together as equals to form a new type of learning environment.” Thomas Armstrong
“A strength-based classroom is a place where students with all sorts of labels come together as equals to form a new type of learning environment.” Thomas Armstrong
Renee Robbins - Para
Hello, my name is Renee Robbins. I am so honored to be part of the exceptional team here at Mountain View Elementary. My husband and I and our German Shepard “Maggie” relocated from Oconee Country (Athens area) to be closer to our daughter and son-in-law and two precious grandchildren. After owning my own business for 27 years, my love of children and creativity led me to enter the school system. I went to work as a kindergarten Paraprofessional and was home. It has been a perfect fit for me and a job I truly love. I feel that children are the most magical creatures on Earth and I am the luckiest person to be able to spend my days with them. I can’t wait to meet you!
Sandi Smith - Para
Hello! My name is Sandi Smith and I am so excited to be joining the staff at Mountain View Elementary. I am originally from Illinois but have lived in Georgia for years. I graduated from Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and spent most of my career in the mortgage banking industry but have always had an interest in education. I have worked as a substitute teacher and a kindergarten supply teacher in Cobb County. I enjoy spending time with family, traveling and going to concerts.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela