Katy Hines
Mrs. Katy Hines received her dual bachelor’s degree in Special Education/ Learning and Behavior Disorders and Elementary Education from Eastern Kentucky University and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. She began her journey in 2006 as a special education teacher in Kentucky and has since taught in Florida and now Georgia. She has been a part of the Mountain View Elementary staff since 2017. She has worked with various learners ranging from preschool to 8th grade in diverse settings in written expression, math, basic reading, social/adaptive skills, and reading comprehension. Mrs. Hines is dedicated to learning the most recent research-based approaches to aid in remediation and accommodations by attending out-of-school conferences, researching current strategies, and collaborating with teachers. She has most recently completed her specialist degree from the University of West Georgia in special education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two children, exercising, traveling to museums, and voraciously reading adult and children's literature.
“Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connections and insists that hey become the best that 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 connections and insists that hey become the best that they can possibly be.” -Rita Pierson
Dr. Tommie Ann McDonald
My name is Dr. Tommie Ann McDonald. I have a Masters in Early Childhood Education, a Specialist degree in Teaching and Learning, and a Doctorate in Teacher Leadership. I have been teaching at the elementary level since 2005. I am currently a second-grade inclusion teacher at Mountain View Elementary. I moved to the East Cobb area about 11 years ago and I love my community and Cobb County Schools. I have two children in the Cobb County school system, a sixth grader and a twelfth grader. My hobbies include boating, travel, and golf. I look forward to the 2023-2024 school year and the adventure it brings.
Favorite quote: Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
– Benjamin Franklin
Favorite quote: Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
– Benjamin Franklin
Shelly Taylor
Shelly Taylor has been teaching since 1996 and especially loves to help children learn to read. She has a Master of Education in behavior and learning disabilities and a reading endorsement from Georgia State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from the State University of NY College at Buffalo, where she is originally from. Shelly is certified at the associate level in Orton Gillingham from the Academy of Orton Gillingham of Practitioners and Educators in NY (AOGPE).
Shelly has two sons, Kyle and Ian. They are a lacrosse family and play in Woodstock. Ian is attending IGrad Academy in Cherokee County, and Kyle is attending Chattahoochee Tech for a welding degree. Spending time with her family, camping, swimming, hiking, reading, and lacrosse are some of her favorite things.
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. - Joseph Addison
Shelly has two sons, Kyle and Ian. They are a lacrosse family and play in Woodstock. Ian is attending IGrad Academy in Cherokee County, and Kyle is attending Chattahoochee Tech for a welding degree. Spending time with her family, camping, swimming, hiking, reading, and lacrosse are some of her favorite things.
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. - Joseph Addison
Michelle Sloan
My name is Michelle Sloan and I have been teaching in Cobb County since 2016, and I am thrilled to be a part of the MVES family. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Liberty University, as well as a master’s in special education from Mississippi College. Currently, I am pursuing my Specialist degree in Special Education. My passion lies in working with students and helping them reach their full potential. Outside of work, I enjoy moments with my husband and three daughters, enjoying activities like traveling, watching movies, and spending quality time together.
“Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things”- Walt Disney
“Happiness is a state of mind. It’s just according to the way you look at things”- Walt Disney
Susana Allen
My name is Susana Allen. I have been teaching grades kindergarten through eighth since 1997 and feel blessed to be at Mountain View teaching special education. I’m originally from Los Angeles, California and a graduate of Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. I am a proud mom of two boys who attend Lassiter High School. In my free time, I coach mountain bike student athletes, garden, and run trail races. I am bilingual in English and Spanish.
"Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t." - Rikki Rogers
"Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once thought you couldn’t." - Rikki Rogers
Heather Correll - Pre-K Para
Heather Correll resides in Kennesaw and started as a substitute teacher in 2021. After being a substitute teacher at Mountain View, she was called in frequently to different age groups but it was the children from the Autistic programs that made her want to become a full-time para pro. With her degree in child and family development from the University of Georgia, she has found her niche helping and guiding these students. She loves watching them learn and helping them work through the challenges that they face each day.
Heather has lived in this area for over 40 years and is a graduate from Lassiter High School. In her spare time, Heather likes to garden, refinish furniture, and work on sports related documentary videos. She also likes spending time with her four grown daughters (adult).
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." — Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh
Heather has lived in this area for over 40 years and is a graduate from Lassiter High School. In her spare time, Heather likes to garden, refinish furniture, and work on sports related documentary videos. She also likes spending time with her four grown daughters (adult).
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." — Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh
Lisa Devine - Special Needs Prek
Lisa Devine has been with Mountain View since 2020. She began her teaching career in the UK in 1994, following her postgraduate teaching studies at the University of Leicester. Mrs. Devine has taught Gen Ed Kindergarten, Prek and Early Years Special Education in a variety of teaching roles. Following a move to the US in 2013, she began teaching in the Cobb County Special Needs Preschool program in 2015. Mrs. Devine is a firm believer in the importance of early intervention and strives to provide a nurturing, fun and supportive learning environment for her students.
Mrs. Devine enjoys cooking, painting, and spending time in the North Georgia Mountains. She also loves to travel and takes every opportunity to visit Europe to visit family and friends.
‘If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change’ Wayne Dyer
Mrs. Devine enjoys cooking, painting, and spending time in the North Georgia Mountains. She also loves to travel and takes every opportunity to visit Europe to visit family and friends.
‘If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change’ Wayne Dyer
Matthew Baker
Hello! My name is Matthew Baker and I have been with the Cobb County School District since 2014. I have been working with students with Autism since 2017, including grades K-8. I am thrilled to be a part of the Mountain View family and look forward to achieving success as a team for all of our students.
Brittany David - AU
Hello! My name is Brittany Hirschfield. I have been teaching Special Education-AU in Cobb County since 2016. I have my master’s in Special Education, and currently working towards my Specialist in Early Childhood Education. I spent 5 years prior to teaching working for an Early Intervention Behavior Therapy Center that provided 1:1 service to children diagnosed with Autism. I have two children of my own, Palmer Grace (three) and Mason (seven). My passion has always been making a difference in the lives of my students and supporting the families in any way possible. My hobbies include sports, outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and traveling. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to teach here at Mountain View Elementary!
“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
Hannah Medhurst
Hi, my name is Hannah Medhurst! I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in special education general curriculum. I have working in CCSD since 2019 first as a substitute teacher, then as a paraprofessional, and now as a teacher! I am very passionate about what I do, and there is no better feeling than watching my students reach their goals. I married my high school sweetheart in 2021 after being together for seven years. I love hiking, traveling, crocheting, and baking! I am so excited to be a part of the Mountain View family, it is going to be a great year!
“Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney
“Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Walt Disney
Tracey Lofton - AU Para
My name is Tracey Lofton; I have an amazing husband and daughter. I graduated with a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. I have worked for Cobb County Schools since 2005; first as a substitute teacher, and now as a parapro. I love what I do, and I am especially proud of my students, and all that they accomplish. In my spare time, I enjoy making art, being in the outdoors, and watching swimming.
Life's too short, live a little.
Do what you love, and love what you do.
Life's too short, live a little.
Do what you love, and love what you do.
Cheryl Russell - IRR Para
My name is Cheryl Russell, I am originally from Roseville, MN. I began my special education career in 2006 in St. Petersburg, FL. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in 2007. I feel lucky to be part of the MVES family since 2021. I am married to my amazing husband, Jonathan, with two boys, Hunter & Jameson, and a yorkie named Chewy. I love spending time exploring the outdoors paddleboarding, running, hiking, and camping. I also enjoy writing music, singing, and playing guitar. I believe in being true to yourself, having a fun sense of humor, making others laugh, and keeping it simple.
“Don’t let others opinion of you, become you.” Les Brown
“Don’t let others opinion of you, become you.” Les Brown