In 3D art, students will learn about different forms of three-dimensional art. Students will be exposed to different 3D art mediums, and they will build their creative skills through the elements and principles of design. Students will design and construct realistic and abstract sculptural forms using a variety of materials, tools, and techniques. Projects will include Lego art, recycled art, and ceramic art using our pottery wheel.

Carrington Nasoulis
Sixth Grade - Math

carrington.eley@barrow.k12.ga.us

Mrs. Nasoulis teaches Sixth Grade Math and the 3D Art Mini-Academy at AIM. She graduated with a B.A. in Business Economics from Wofford College and received her Masters in Education from the University of Georgia. She is certified in middle grades math, middle grades social studies, and gifted education. Mrs. Nasoulis loves integrating the arts into the math curriculum! 

Kristin Fuqua
Special Education - Language Arts

kristin.fuqua@barrow.k12.ga.us

Mrs. Fuqua has 15 years of teaching experience in Science and Language Arts. At AIM, she uses her Special Education experience and supports students in Language Arts classes. One of her favorite things to do is work with students in the school garden and the MakerSpace. When Mrs. Fuqua is not at school, she enjoys hiking, working in her yard, and reading.  Mrs. Fuqua believes that she has found the best place to work and is thankful for her amazing students and colleagues that make every day an adventure. 

Jamie Hardy
Seventh Grade - Math

jamie.hardy@barrow.k12.ga.us

My name is Jamie Hardy. I have taught in the Barrow County School System since 2004. I have taught 2nd Grade, 7th Grade, 6th grade, and 4th grade. I attended Brenau University for both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, both of which are in Middle Grades Education.

I married my college sweetheart in 2005. I am a mom to 3 girls, who are enrolled in the AHS cluster. In my spare time, I enjoy tending to my chickens and garden on the family farm.  In the summers you can find me at our local farmer’s market, selling plants.

Creative writing is a form of writing that encompasses a number of different genres and styles outside the more formal scope of technical writing or academic writing. Creative writing focuses on elements such as character development, narrative, and plot, infusing its structure with imagination and personal stories. Students will explore the hero's journey as well as find their own voice in poetry and free verse.

Joshua Sullivan
Eighth Grade - ELA

joshua.sullivan@barrow.k12.ga.us

Hello! My name is Joshua Sullivan. I teach 8th Grade Language Arts and the Creative Writing Mini-Academy here at AIM. I am a resident of Barrow County and love nothing more than to spend time with my wife, Patricia, and my two kids, Graham, and Forrest. We all love to hike, read, and hang out together in our backyard garden taking care of our dogs and chickens.

Can't wait to get started with this amazing school year!

Samantha Stroup
Gifted / Eighth Grade - Math

samantha.stroup@barrow.k12.ga.us
Mrs. Stroup is the Eighth Grade Math Teacher. She has been teaching for 8 years and is certified in Elementary Education and Middle Grades math and science. Mrs. Stroup completed her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education at Truett-McConnell University and her Masters in Education from Brenau University.

At the Arts & Innovation Magnet Program, students will have the opportunity to learn basic dance and choreography skills from our passionate teacher, Mrs. Wood. During this mini-academy, students spend 45 minutes each day for four consecutive weeks engaged in an experience that develops key knowledge, understandings, and success skills related to dance and choreography. During the student's time in the dance room, they will not only study and learn various styles of dance (jazz, ballet, hula) but also take time to understand the purpose and meaning of choreography and how choreographers go about creating their unique pieces using the elements of dance (BASTE - body, action, space, time, energy). Dance is an integral part of the AIM experience and through this Mini Academy, students will discover new ways to express their individuality, discover more of his or her creativity and self-confidence through the art of dance.

Julie Wood
Sixth Grade - Science

julie.wood@barrow.k12.ga.us

Mrs. Wood teaches 6th Grade Science and the Dance and Choreography Mini-Academy at AIM. She is certified in early childhood education, middle grades math, and middle grades science as well as gifted and ESOL education.

She received her B.S. in Molecular Biology from Auburn University and her M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education from Piedmont College. She has proudly been part of the AIM Program for six years and has taught in Barrow County for the past nine years.

Jazmin Gosen
Seventh Grade - Social Studies

jazmin.aguilar@barrow.k12.ga.us
Hello! My name is Jazmin Gosen and I teach 7th grade Social Studies and Digital Art mini academy. This is my 4th year teaching and my second year at AIM! I graduated from the University of North Georgia and I have a bachelor’s degree in History Education. In my spare time, I love traveling, working on my Cricut, making jewelry and playing video games. I am happily married to my husband, Nick. I love all things musical theatre and Disney!

In the Engineering Mini-Academy, students will explore the basic properties of both series, and parallel circuits, by creating artist paper circuits. Students will have numerous opportunities to build different circuits challenges (creating radios, disco lights, and more). For their final project, student will design and create an artist drawing that has a simple circuit light incorporated into it. After circuits, students will spend the remaining time, explore and creating using the 3D printers in the Marker Space. Students will be able to learn valuable skills using the program Tinker cad, as well as Thingiverse design site. Students will complete this portion of our Mini-Academy with their own custom 3D-printed object - designed, created, and printed by them!

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The makerspace and robotics lab at CFIT, dedicated to former BCSS Innovator Ed Morrison, is a facility unlike any other, and is the envy of many other school systems. This enormous 5,400+ square foot space is dedicated to the encouragement of invention and discovery through tinkering, making, and engineering. The space is equipped with:

• Eight 3D Design & Printing Stations
• Standard, Large Format, and Resin 3D Printers
• Two Mac Design Stations
• Vinyl Cutting Machine
• Four FLL Robotics Dual Competition Fields
• One FTC Robotics Competition Field
• Lego EV3 Mindstorms Robotics components
• REV Robotics components
• Construction Tools & Materials
• Electronics & Microprocessor Supplies and Materials
• Project Tables

Students will participate in a fun and energizing mini academy full of heart rate raising activities. Use of technology, like the Oculus and Blaze Pod, will be introduced to further engage students in active play. Students will also learn the importance of teamwork through team sports and group relay races. While in this mini academy, students will learn to enjoy being active and participating in physical activities.

Allie Randall
Eighth Grade - Science

allie.randall@barrow.k12.ga.us

The Journalism Mini-Academy focuses on fostering our students' ability to communicate through a variety of mediums. During each rotation, students are responsible for creating AIM's daily morning announcements. The goal is a finished product for each day that is fully student created, from the script to the filming to the editing process.  Students must collaborate with their group to plan and realize their vision for their assigned day. It is their responsibility to gather necessary information, plan a script and filming outline and finally publish an edited version to share with the rest of the school. Each group works to put their own unique personality into their creations. Students will also participate in special projects such as taking photos for possible inclusion in our annual yearbook.

Jenny Stockwell
Sixth Grade - Language Arts

jennifer.stockwell@barrow.k12.ga.us

Jenny Stockwell will be teaching 6th Grade Language Arts as well as the Journalism Mini-Academy this year. She is a proud graduate of Wofford College and earned her Masters at Mercer University. She lives with her husband and twin boys in Dacula. This is her 12th year teaching and fourth year in Barrow County. Mrs. Stockwell loves being a part of all the amazing things happening at AIM!

The oratorical arts mini academy will prepare students for public speaking in a variety of settings. They will gain confidence and skills as they prepare not only for school, but for future, academic and professional endeavors.

April Balenger
8th Grade Team Leader/Social Studies

april.balenger@barrow.k12.ga.us

A student of history, April Balenger always knew she wanted to do something that combined her love of the past and teaching. Having taught for almost three decades, she brings history alive in her Georgia Studies classroom. Ms. Balenger prides herself in making history relevant and immersive.

Ms. Balenger received her Undergraduate, Masters, and Specialist degree in education from Brenau University located in Gainesville. She is a presenter with GCSS (Georgia Council for Social Studies), works as a mentor with UGA’s teacher preparation program, represents Barrow County as a Champion and Cheerleader for Social Studies instruction and is on the advisory board with KSU’s Holocaust Education program. For the past 22 years she has served as Beta club sponsor, and is currently the sponsor for Aim’s Jr. Beta club, an academic organization focusing on leadership, achievement, service and character.

In her free time she enjoys roaming through the state looking for historical treasures to share with her class, traveling, crafting, and spending time with family and friends.  

Jonathan Berry
Seventh Grade - Language Arts

jonathan.berry@barrow.k12.ga.us
678-425-2858

Mr. Berry teaches 7th Grade Language Arts and the Theatre Arts Mini Academy. He has been teaching since 2020 exclusively here at AIM! He earned his B.A. in Theatre and M.A.T. in Secondary Education at Georgia College & State University (go Bobcats!). He has taught middle school drama at the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta and at English workshops held in Guatemala City. Mr. Berry co-coaches the AIM Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl team and hosts the popular Board Game Club. Mr. Berry is arguably the geekiest teacher as he proudly displays his new-in-box Funko Pop collection in his room. Get ready to hear a lot of jokes that he thinks are funny, but you won't (and that's okay!). 

In Visual Arts, students learn elements of art through hands-on applications. Our students have the opportunity to explore and create using different mediums and learn techniques such as blending, shading, color theory and much more!

Laura Payne

Sixth Grade - Social Studies

Mrs. Payne teaches 6th Grade Social Studies and the Visual Arts Mini-Academy. She gradu...

laura.payne@barrow.k12.ga.us

Mrs. Payne teaches 6th Grade Social Studies and the Visual Arts Mini-Academy. She graduated from The University of Georgia in 2010 and returned her alma mater, Barrow County, for her teaching career. She is certified in early-childhood education, language arts and social studies for middle grades, and gifted education.