Brandy Phillips is originally from Cumming, Georgia. After graduating from Forsyth Central High School, she obtained a Bachelor degree in Education from the University of North Georgia. She later attended Brenau University where she obtained a Masters degree in Interrelated Special Education. In 2019, she obtained a Specialist degree from Piedmont College in Curriculum and Instruction. She was worked in the field of education for 19 years as a middle school language arts and social studies teacher. She and her husband currently live in Dahlonega with their two daughters who attend the University of North Georgia.
Meet Our English Faculty
Mrs. Alena F. Sudduth
Teacher and ELA Co-Department Chair
Mrs. Sudduth grew up in Cumming, Georgia. She attended Valdosta State University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education in 2015. After teaching in Forsyth County for two years, she decided to become certified in Middle Grades Reading, Language Arts, and Social Studies. Since then, she has taught 6th ELA for four years and is Co-Department Head for ELA at LCMS. Today, Mrs. Sudduth is in her 7th year of teaching and has found her "tribe" in Lumpkin County Schools!
Mrs. Jennifer C. Kirk
Eighth Grade ELA teacher
Mrs. Kirk is in her fourth year of teaching at Lumpkin County Middle School. Prior to teaching in Lumpkin, she taught elementary PE, Spanish, and middle school, high school, and college English in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Georgia. Mrs. Kirk has bachelor's and master's degrees in English from Mississippi College. She lives in Dahlonega with her husband Billy and their four sons. In her spare time, she loves to run and cheer on the Indians at all of their activities.
Ms. Alexandra Valdez
7th Grade English Language Arts Teacher
Alexandra Valdez is a Georgia transplant of 4 years and a native of San Antonio, TX. She received her BA in Classical Education Studies from Belhaven University, with an Art minor & an emphasis in Music. She began her teaching career in 8th Grade ELA in Jackson, MS, and then taught international ESOL classes online for a year while completing her Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from Belhaven University. After relocating to Georgia in 2018, she found her home in the 7th Grade ELA department at Lumpkin County Middle School.
Rachel Kenney
6th Grade ELA Teacher
Ms. Kenney has a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy, an MAT degree in Instruction and Curriculum, and is ESOL certified. She has taught in the Peace Corps in Kiribati, in Atlanta, and in Dahlonega. In the 21 years she has been teaching, she has taught grades K, 2, 3, 4, and 6.
Casey Rhodes
7th Grade ELA Teacher
Casey Rhodes is a 7th grade Language Arts teacher entering into his 3rd year at Lumpkin County Middle School. Mr. Rhodes began his teaching career at Claxton Middle School in the Spring of 2017 after earning a bachelor's degree at Georgia Southern University. During his time at LCMS, Mr. Rhodes completed his master's program for Curriculum and Instruction at Mississippi College. Today, Mr. Rhodes continues to love teaching 7th grade Language Arts and is looking forward to impacting more students through the skills of reading and writing.
Ms. Shelby A. Forrester
English-Language Arts Teacher and ELA Co-Department Chair
Shelby A. Forrester was born and raised in Banks County, Georgia. She attended the University of North Georgia and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English. Ms. Forrester went on to complete her Master's in Secondary English Education. The 2021-2022 school year marks Ms. Forrester's ninth year teaching and eighth year teaching 8th Grade English-Language Arts at Lumpkin County Middle School.
Mrs. Brandy M. Phillips
6th grade English Language Arts Teacher
Mrs. Alicia J Gordon
8th Grade ELA Teacher
Alicia J. Gordon is a native of South Georgia who joined the TRIBE last year. Mrs. Gordon received her Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communications from Valdosta State University. Later she received her Master's Degree in Foundations of Education from Troy University. Mrs. Gordon serves as an 8th grade ELA teacher at Lumpkin County Middle School.
Mrs. Megan Walden
7th Grade ELA teacher
Mrs. Walden lives in Dahlonega with her husband and two sons. She grew up just down the road in Cleveland. Mrs. Walden attended The University of North Georgia for both her Bachelor's Degree in Middle Grades Education and Master's Degree in English Education along with her Reading Endorsement and Gifted Education Endorsement. She later attended Piedmont College where she earned her Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction. Mrs. Walden has been teaching at Lumpkin County Middle School for the past 16 years. She loves her community and being able to be a part of such a wonderful school system.