Meet the Staff

Welcome! This is my fifth year teaching in a hybrid environment, and am looking forward to teaching Improv and MS Social Studies in the upcoming academic year. I am particularly drawn to teaching in a hybrid setting because I love watching students who may have had trouble in other school settings thrive in an environment where full understanding comes first. When I'm not teaching I enjoy books, video games, camping, and spending time with my family and pets. I grew up in Tucker and graduated from Agnes Scott College. I am beyond thrilled to be launching Hybridge Academy with the help of Aris Winger and our wonderful community!

I have taught math for the last 25 years pretty much non-stop including the summers.  It is a big passion of mine. I teach at multiple levels and different modalities.  The Hybrid model is one that allows kids to  have the opportunity to have classes in important areas of study and also learn at home. I wanted to continue this Model in the Greater Atlanta area as a way for kids to thrive in their education.

I am a lifelong Atlanta art lover and creator. My main areas of focus include painting (acrylic, gouache, watercolor, you name it!), sculpture, and fiber arts. I am primarily a folk artist, but have experience in several realms of the art world. I am a hybrid high school graduate, and take frequent courses at the Rhode Island School of Design. Outside of art, I enjoy traveling with my partner, working part time at a coffee shop, and raising my cat daughter to be the best little lady she can be.

The 2024-25 school year is my 13th teaching literature and composition. I love the creative students, the hybrid education model, and all the learning that takes place! I'm originally from Raleigh, NC, and have been in North Fulton since 2007. I'm married to Jared Minor and we have two children. I love 90s music, Braves baseball, NCAA basketball, reading, baking, traveling, and the beach. Welcome to Hybridge Academy!

Hi, y'all! I moved to Atlanta from western North Carolina in the 1990s, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and teaching certificate from Agnes Scott College in 1999. Since then, I've taught in the public school system, utilized my degree in marketing, public relations, and creative writing settings, and watched my two kids graduate from a hybrid program very similar to Hybridge.

I love talking about all things creative, reading (especially Southern American authors), and encouraging new creative writers. When I'm not teaching or writing, I like to find adventures with my family, paint or collage, and take long walks, ideally with a dog. I like coffee at any time of day, the smell of cut grass, and a satisfying afternoon nap. I'm excited to work with middle and high school students as we read and write together! 

Samantha Walls (she/her)

Chemistry

Hello!  I am excited to be part of Hybridge Academy as I have two children educated through hybrid programs. I’m originally from Atlanta but have also lived in New Jersey, Virginia, Iowa, and Hawaii. I earned degrees in Biology/Microbiology from Virginia Tech and Computer Science from the University of Iowa, and I have worked as a research scientist and in the consulting industry. I am excited to bring my love of science to the classroom teaching chemistry at Hybridge. My husband, Terry, and I live in Gwinnett County with our children and four rescue dogs. I love college sports, reading, the beach, Disney, and especially traveling, having visited 47 states and 23 countries. 

Steve got his BS in Physics and MS in Electrical Engineering from Georgia Tech. He got hooked on Atlanta and has worked in the tech industry here ever since. He has worked in many different domains including digital signal processing, embedded programming, mobile app development, and cloud development. In his spare time he likes to make all kinds of fun tech stuff like telescopes, robots, electronic art pieces, keyboards, and AI simulators. On the weekend you might find him running, riding his bike, or at his local maker space trying not to shoot his eye out with the laser cutter. 

I’m Anita Mclane and I teach science. I retired after 30 years with Gwinnett County Public Schools. I started with HEGA about 5 years ago and I’m looking forward to our next adventure! I like the flexibility for the students and the staff, as we’re able to have a more personalized approach to our curriculum using this hybrid model for education. 

My husband and I live in the Grayson area with our two dogs. I love to cook, travel, read, mess with my garden and to play golf! We also have 5 grandchildren (3 nearby) to keep us busy. 

Andrea Hermitt homeschooled her two children from 2003 until 2013 when the youngest entered college. She wrote for numerous websites and homeschool blogs.  Since graduating her children (who currently hold Bachelors's and Masters's degrees), she has been immersed in theatre arts and working with homeschooling families. She has a track record of getting homeschooled and traditionally schooled students into college with scholarships. Her list of college acceptances for homeschoolers includes dozens of Arts Conservatories including Boston Conservatory and SCAD, Public colleges such as UGA, GA State, and Kennesaw, private colleges such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and international colleges such as The University of Essex in England and LAMDA.  She holds a Paralegal degree and BA in Fine Arts from the New York State University System (SUNY). She has most recently earned a Master's in Education from the University of the People.  

World History, US History, and Government/Economics

Hello!  I am a retired Social Studies Teacher who taught for 21 years in Clayton County and Atlanta Public Schools.  I have a passion for history --both in viewing the past from multiple perspectives as well as how our present view of history shapes our current worldview and future. I am originally from western Tennessee, but I also grew up in New Jersey and New York City before returning to Memphis to finish High School.  I graduated from Emory University and also received a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Georgia. 

I am married to my wife JoEllen–we just celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary and we have a 27 year old son who is pursuing a career as an opera singer in Houston.  I enjoy living in Tucker and pursuing interests such as hiking and being in nature, playing guitar, songwriting, and advocating for social justice.