The FAST Flyer

Reminder that we will stop accepting bus lottery requests on Wednesday, July 12th. The drawing will take place on Friday, July 14th and families will be notified shortly thereafter. Selections will be based per family so that siblings will not be separated. FAST will keep a waitlist in the event that seats remain open. Click HERE to enter bus lottery.

We have identified two different shuttle services that can transport to FAST as well.

Prestige Transportation Services

Phone: (404) 552-4924

Email: lpicart@lcptransportationservices.com

Optimal Reliability Transportation

Phone: (470)258-8114

Email: ceo@optimalreliabilitytrans.com

I am eager to begin my tenth year teaching as your new 8th Grade English Language Arts

(ELA) Teacher at FAST. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a BA in English, I

worked in college bookstore management. However, when my daughter Olivia was born, I knew that a career change was in order. I moved back to Georgia and acquired my teaching certification, and as they say, ‘the rest is history.’ Having worked in the corporate world I learned what skills make for effective, productive employees. This knowledge helps me prepare my students not only for high school and college, but for their future careers.

In my classroom we focus on the four domains of ELA (Reading, Writing, Speaking &

Listening, and Language) as well as building executive function skills and learning how to use our voice to make a difference in our communities. I have a passion for applying our language arts standards in real world scenarios and using technology to enhance student learning and publishing their work. My curriculum includes:

● Writing: autobiography, informational/explanatory, creative, poetry, narrative

● Public Speaking and Presentation Skills

● Reading Genres: autobiographies, plays, vignettes, dystopian literature, mythology,

and fiction

● Project based learning and learning excursions

One of my favorite aspects of the teaching field is the opportunity to continue learning. I am

certified in Middle Grades ELA and 9-12 Grade English and will be completing my Gifted

Endorsement in the fall of 2023.

When I am not teaching, I am spending time with my 10 year old daughter Olivia, and our

rescue Pomeranian, Jack who is 3. Fun facts: Olivia is currently a blue belt in karate and Jack has three legs! We enjoy attending festivals, traveling, as well as going to the beach and lake with our extended family. My hobbies include reading, painting (by numbers), renovating my older home, and hanging out with family and friends.

I am proud to be part of the FASTK-8 Family and cannot wait to meet our students and their

families.

I am Manjusha Ushakumari, and I am very excited to be a part of the FAST family this

academic year as a Computer Science Coding teacher. I am from India and have lived in Cumming, Georgia for 6 years. I am a certified coding teacher and had been in teaching field for more than 4 years, mentoring and tutoring students on various computer programming technologies and concepts. I had been a part of several academic computer science projects, workshops, and seminars during my career. I love to explore more on technological aspects in computer science and very much passionate about teaching and inspiring the young minds on technical knowledge and ethics.

I have a Bachelor’s in IT and Master’s in Computer Science & Engineering.

I always motivate my students to be respectful, enthusiastic, grateful and be a better person day by day. I love to create a positive learning environment and stick to the goals of the institution.

During my leisure time, I love to be with my family and do painting, reading, and listening to

music. I like to travel and explore places and love nature and gardening. Also, I love to do

mediation as it helps me to stay positive, grateful, and motivated.

Contact: manjusha.ushakumari@fastk8.org

I just got married in September 2022, and my husband and I enjoy being cat parents to our two little loves, Ollie and Soda. I also adore being an aunt to my sweet 3-year-old niece, Caroline. In my free time, I like cooking new recipes and spending time outside. This upcoming school year, I’m excited to join FAST as the K-5 Gifted Teacher/Coordinator.

This is Afifa Rahman, and you can call me Ms. Rahman. I will teach math in middle grades. As a math teacher I will cultivate a positive and productive learning environment where each student will reach to their full potential. I am very excited to start my journey in FAST and excited to meet with you all.

A little background about me:

I was born and raised in Bangladesh. I did my undergrad there. I completed my master’s degree from Lamar University, Texas, USA.

Favorite things I like to do include travelling, listening to music, singing and spending time with my family and friends.

My name is Janet Broad. I will be teaching 7/8 grade math and science.
While this my first year teaching at FAST, it is not my 1st rodeo. I have been teaching for over 35 years (which is interesting because I’m only 40). Both of my parents were teachers/administrators, and I don’t remember a time when I wanted to do anything else.
I grew up in Brooklyn, NY, got my BA at SUNY at StonyBrook, and went to NYU for graduate school. I am licensed to teach middle grades math and science. I have 4 children and 2 grandchildren (the loves of my life).
I am very old fashioned when it comes to writing lesson plans (no templates - all hand written), teaching study skills and how to take notes. My actual lessons, though, are anything but. I constantly look for new and interesting ways to teach a concept, addressing multiple learning styles. Whenever possible, I include hands on experiments and projects. I also use real life experiences (ie. Build-a-Baby, buying land in the Rainforest, investing in the Stock Market, and joining Fantasy Football leagues).
I view my job as a teacher to be much more than teaching the curriculum. My job is to teach the whole child - to make sure that each child is happy, kind, confident, and successful. My job is not to prepare them for something. It’s to help them prepare themselves for anything.

My name is David Haines, and this will be my nineteenth year teaching. Before moving to Georgia a few years ago, I taught in South Florida. When not teaching, I enjoy writing and filmmaking. However my true passion is education, and I am excited to be a part of the FAST family.

Jonathan Ajagbe was born and raised in Miami, Florida. The 2023-24 school year is his first year at FAST as an Innovation Teacher. He comes from the Georgia Afterschool sector having served nearly 13 years. His education and training is in art earning both a BFA in illustration, and a MFA in sequential art (comics).

My name is Cheryl Addison and I am so excited to teach Third grade this year!! I grew up in Birmingham, Alabama and attended Auburn University for my undergraduate degree and University of Montevallo for my Master’s degree. I have two girls. My oldest is Addie. She went to Georgia Tech and works for UPS. My youngest is Maggie. Maggie just graduated from The United States Naval Academy and is headed to Pensacola to begin flight school to become a Naval Aviator! I love working out, traveling, gardening and college football (War Eagle!). I am looking forward with working with all of the great parents and staff at FAST!

Hello! My name is Chalsy Romero and this will be my 4 1/2 school year as a teacher. I was a teacher for the Cherokee County School district for 3 1/2 years. I graduated in December of 2019 from Kennesaw State University. I taught resource for half of a school year and kindergarten for 3 years. My family is from Honduras and my favorite place to be is the beach. A fun fact is that I have been vegan for 12 years this upcoming August. Another fun fact is that my husband is also a teacher. I can't wait to teach the best grade ever!

Hi There, I'm Gail Cadogan, I am a mom of four and have a very rambunctious cat. I have been in the education field for over 15 years. I am a English teacher who has taught 6 - 12 as well as college. I believe all children can read and find a least one specific content that they will indulge in. In my spare time I watch my twins play college basketball, read books and workout at the gym. I am looking forward to working with my new community to enriching young lives.

July 19: NEW Student orientation (Elementary)

July 19: Used Uniform Sale

July 20: NEW Student orientation (Middle School)

July 20: Used Uniform Sale

July 25: Popsicles with the Principals

August 7: All Student Orientation

August 8: First Day of Class

A printable version of the 2023-24 school calendar can be found HERE

To keep up to date with the most recent information available from our district offices, please click on the image below.

Email: info@fastk8.org
Website: www.fastk8.org
Location: 11365 Crabapple Road, Roswell, GA, USA
Phone: 678-321-1100
Facebook: facebook.com/FASTK8.School/
Twitter: @fastk8charter

The FAST Flyer is the electronic newsletter at FAST. Feedback is always welcome. If you have any questions, please call the school (678-321-1100) or email the FAST Communications Director at marie.emerson@fastk8.org.