NATASHA B RACHELL, ED.S.
Natasha Rachell was born in Birmingham, England and raised in Southern California. She has been in the field of education for 14 years. Natasha began her career as a substitute teacher and became alternatively certified through the Georgia TAPP program, earning her certification in Broad Field General Science, grades 6-12 and taught for 7 years. After leaving the classroom, Natasha took a position with the Department of Professional Learning as the science coach for the Math and Science Transition to Teaching program. Currently, Natasha works for Atlanta Public Schools where she has served as an Educational Technology Specialist and most recently, the Science Digital Learning Specialist. Natasha has immersed herself into the instructional technology space and has earned several certifications, awards and accomplishments, some of which include: Google Certified Trainer, Microsoft innovative Educator, Apple Teacher, Surface Educator, Flipgrid Ambassador, and Star Discovery Educator. Most recently, Natasha was selected to take part in the Our Voice Academy through EdTechTeam, a group of minority educational technology leaders from across the nation.
Mrs. Rachell has furthered her education to earn her master’s degree in Educational Administration, her specialist’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Effective Schools. Mrs. Rachell is a recent contributor to Dr. Sonja Hollins-Alexander’s, Online Professional Development Through Virtual Learning Communities. She is ecstatic to lead the work as we transition into 21st century classrooms through blended learning opportunities, BYOD, STEM initiatives, professional learning for instructional technology and digitally connected classrooms. She is a lifelong learner and strives to be the change that she wishes to see.
CASSANDRA R STEWART, DDS
Cassandra Stewart was born in Detroit, Michigan and raised in various suburbs of Detroit until graduating from high school. She went on to earn her Bachelors of Science in Psychology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and her Masters of Public Health (Health Management) from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Cassandra then worked as a Special Education/Science teacher in a Title I school for six years before deciding to attend dental school.
Cassandra was accepted at Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry in 2012. Throughout dental school, she was the recipient of various scholarships, awards and notably inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society during her fourth year of dental school. She was also heavily invested in research where she presented at various dental meetings, received recognition, and published her research manuscript in the Journal of Periodontology. Cassandra then obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2016.
Cassandra is currently a second year pediatric dental resident at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, Florida where she serves as chief resident. She is expected to graduate in June 2018 and return to Georgia to practice. In her spare time, she enjoys being with family and friends, eating a lot, and traveling when time permits.
