OUR FACULTY

CHLOE KOH   
Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Koh was born in Korea but raised in China for 12 years. She graduated from Asbury University and has served in the Children's ministry at her church. Chloe has traveled to many Southeast Asian countries on mission trips and hopes to visit other places to provide Christian education. She has received a private Christian education her entire life and loves to share what she's experienced with her students.

SARAH MONARCHIK    
Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Sarah graduated from the University of Georgia in 2023 and spent a year teaching English in Spain. She has experience working with various learners and strives to establish a warm, welcoming classroom. Sarah aspires to help students build a firm foundation in Christ. In her free time, she loves to read and explore nature. A Dunwoody native and a graduate of Marist School, Sarah is excited to return to the area.

CHRISTI DEARBORN     
1st Grade Teacher

Christi relocated to Georgia six years ago from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. With over 30 years of teaching experience, most recently teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade. Married to her husband Jason for 14 years, they find joy in singing in the Dunwoody Baptist Church Worship Team, taking walks with their dog, and cherishing quality time with their loved ones. Their unique path led them to embrace a non-traditional form of parenting by hosting 12 exchange students, while their dog Lily contributes as a therapy dog with Canines for Christ.

MINDY YOUNG  
2nd Grade Teacher

2024 Best Teacher, Best of Perimeter

Mrs. Young brings a wealth of experience teaching younger elementary students to DCS. She previously taught in the Spring School District, and at Second Baptist School in Houston, TX. With a deep passion for nurturing children's curiosity and fostering their faith, she is dedicated to inspiring lifelong learning and guiding students to follow Christ. Mrs. Young is a member of First Baptist Atlanta and also actively participates at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church, where her son serves on the praise team. She enjoys reading, traveling, photography, engaging in Bible Study Fellowship, and cherishing moments with her family in her leisure time.

ESTHER SPENCER 
3rd Grade Teacher

Ms. Spencer has taught elementary school (PreK-5th Grade) for eleven years. Her greatest mission is for her students to know that God has a plan and purpose for their lives, and to help each child seek and trust Him wholeheartedly. She encourages a lifelong love of learning and the pursuit of wisdom, relying on Proverbs 4:7. She enjoys reading, writing, researching, and implementing evidence-based instructional strategies. In addition, she loves to travel, and has studied in Oxford, England; Edinburgh, Scotland; and Kigali, Rwanda. She is a member of First Baptist  Atlanta and has loved volunteering with its children’s ministry.

GRETA NEWMAN   
4th Grade Teacher

Ms. Newman has a solid background in education, having previously taught at Victory World Church School, Eastside Christian School, and Faith Christian Academy before joining DCS. Alongside her teaching career, she dedicated herself to planting a ministry in Canada and serving as a children's minister for Faith 4 Life ministry. As a devoted Christian and student-centered educator, Ms. Newman is committed to fostering a well-balanced, supportive, and engaging learning environment for her students.

DENNIS BRYAN     
5th Grade Teacher

Mr. Bryan has spent twenty-two years as a classroom teacher and a soccer coach. He has taught both locally and internationally, and he has taught fifth graders for six of those years. He is a graduate of Columbia International University, where he received an MA in Education, and Luther Rice College and Seminary, where he received an MA in Religious Education.

For much of his career, he has served in the classroom and served as a chaplain in the US military.  He has been married for twenty-nine years and is the father of three children. Mr. Bryan is an active member of Gwinnett Bible Chapel and loves to read, work in oil paintings, and experience world travel.

STEPHEN COLANGELO   
Middle School Science and Bible Teacher

Dr. Colangelo has served as a Pastor, Bible Professor, University Chaplain, and Christian educator. He is excited to join DCS to teach Bible and Science. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Biblical Studies and believes in lifelong learning. Steve has taught secondary Physical Science, Biology, and traditional and conceptual physics. He and his wife Beth have been married since 1986. He is a musician who loves the guitar, a computer technician, and a certified martial arts instructor who holds black belts in several disciplines. He is also a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and is the undisputed master of the “Dad Joke.”

EVELYN JOSEPH      
Middle School English Language Arts Teacher

Middle School Reading Specialist

Born and raised in metro Atlanta, Ms. Joseph received her higher education from Geneva College in Pennsylvania, where she pursued studies in the humanities, including English literature, writing, philosophy, and Bible. Through a study abroad program, she lived for several months in Rome, Italy, where she continued her studies in the humanities, including architecture, church history, and foreign culture. After returning to GA, Ms. Joseph taught high school English at a local Christian school for several years, helping students to develop their critical thinking skills and love for Christ through literature and writing. Ms. Joseph is an active member of Perimeter Church, where she serves as co-lead in a discipleship group and as a volunteer in the Kidsrock ministry. She loves to read, listen to audiobooks, enjoy nature, follow the Braves, and foster relationships with family and friends.

RHONDA SELLS     
Middle School Social Studies Teacher

Mrs. Sells, a Georgia native, brings a rich background in Christian education to her role as a Social Studies teacher at DCS. Her family, known for their passion for history and books, shares her excitement about learning. With a strong foundation in education, Mrs. Sells has served at Victory World Christian School and Perimeter Christian School. Beyond her educational experience, she attributes her readiness for this position to her service as the Co-Director of Women & Family Outreach at Perimeter Church and her 8-year tenure as a leader for Bible Study Fellowship groups in the Dunwoody area and at City of Refuge.

MELISSA UPCHURCH GIBSON   
6th Grade Math Teacher

Math Specialist

Mrs. Gibson brings an impressive 37 years of teaching experience, specializing in mathematics throughout her elementary and middle school career. She devoted 31 years to the public education sector before transitioning to private schools for the past six years. Melissa and her husband share a deep passion for music, and were both members of the renowned Georgia Redcoat Marching Band. Additionally, Melissa's involvement extended to the Georgette Dance team, and she is a talented flutist in the Georgia Wind Symphony.

SHERRILL WEIHE      

7th Grade Math Teacher
STEM Teacher

 After working in computer sales for six years, Mrs. Weihe felt called to return to school to become a teacher. Since her first love as a student was math, she chose math as her first subject to teach. During her career in public education, Mrs. Weihe taught math, science, and STEM in all grades, and served as a district math trainer. She is certified in middle school math and holds a gifted endorsement in P-5. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Management Science and Computer Science and an MBA from The University of Tennessee. She is a member of Dunwoody Community Church, where she teaches children's Sunday school and volunteers in the ladies' ministry. She also attends the Bible Community Fellowship at DBC.

CHRISTY COATES   
8th Grade Pre-Algebra and Algebra 1 Teacher

After nine years teaching math in Gwinnett County and taking time off to raise her children, Mrs. Coates is excited about returning to the classroom to teach mathematics again. She graduated from Georgia Tech and spent a short time in the banking industry before being led to pursue her dream of becoming an educator. She received her teaching certificate and Masters in Middle Grades Education, with a concentration in math, from Mercer University. Mrs. Coates has been married to her husband for 23 years, and they cherish spending time traveling with their three teenagers, walking their dog, and doing anything outdoors. She and her family have been devoted members of Dunwoody Baptist Church for 12 years, and they are grateful to serve and worship there. Mrs. Coates strongly desires to bless her students by helping them grow not only in their confidence and ability as math students, but also in their faith in Christ.

MEGAN HILTON   
Art Teacher

Mrs. Hilton brings a unique background to her role as an art teacher, with experience teaching P-7th grade in the private Christian sector after a 13-year career in Marketing. She earned a BA in Animation from the Savannah College of Art & Design, and has an extensive list of contract design work in graphic design and animation around the Atlanta area and nationwide. An Atlanta native residing in Sandy Springs, she shares her life with her twin daughters and their rescue dog, Kona. Alongside her dedication to the school and church, Megan enjoys engaging in art projects with her daughters, pursuing gardening, participating in Zumba, and exploring her culinary skills.

ERIKA SUNDAY   
Music Teacher

Hailing from Arlington, Texas, Ms. Sunday is a proficient pianist with a decade of experience and a vocalist since age five. Currently, she holds the position of DCS Music Teacher and Preschool and Elementary School Piano Teacher at Dunwoody School for the Arts. With a diverse piano, voice, and guitar background, Ms. Sunday's musical talents extend beyond teaching. She utilizes her gift of singing to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, serving as a worship leader and piano director at her local church. Passionate about fostering a deep appreciation for music, Ms. Sunday envisions guiding students toward diligent learning and a true understanding of the beauty of music.

DEVONTA' WHITE   
Physical Education Teacher

Coach White brings an extensive background as a teacher, coach, and accomplished professional athlete to DCS. His basketball career began at Georgia State University, where he earned recognition as one of the university's finest basketball players. Coach White pursued a professional basketball career in Europe following his collegiate years. Upon his return to the United States, he dedicated his time to coaching and training youth athletes.

DEIRDRE DONAHUE     
Spanish Teacher

Deirdre Donahue brings over 15 years of experience teaching foreign languages, primarily in private religious schools in Atlanta and her hometown of New York City. Previously teaching at schools such as Our Lady of the Assumption School in Brookhaven, Marist School, Saint Peter's Prep in Jersey City, and De La Salle Academy in Manhattan, Deirdre emphasizes the development of oral and listening comprehension skills in her students' Spanish language learning journeys. Deirdre's expertise and experience as an interpreter and ESL teacher in various countries, including France, Italy, Ecuador, and Chile, enrich her teaching approach. Deirdre and her spouse, Steve, are proud parents of four children and reside in Peachtree Corners. Her educational background includes a B.S. in foreign languages from Georgetown University's School of Languages and Linguistics and a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia. Fluent in Spanish and proficient in French and Italian, she brings diverse language skills to our school community.

SUZY BESSON-MARTILOTTA   
Lower School Reading Specialist

Dr. Besson-Martilotta joined DCS following her retirement from the Forsyth County school system, where she achieved a distinguished career as a first-grade teacher. Her achievements include being named Forsyth County Teacher of the Year in 2008 and being recognized as a finalist for Georgia Teacher of the Year in 2010. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a woman of deep Christian faith, known for her boundless energy and unwavering passion for teaching.