Graceville School Welcomes 12 New Staff Members

Graceville School is starting a new school year with several new faces on campus including a couple of school alumni. Kayla Wilson will be taking lead as Principal this year and next to her is Mrs. Lori Lucien as the Assistant Principal. Both are excited to welcome all back with a fun and successful year planned for Graceville School.

Lori Lucien is excited to help lead the Graceville Tigers. She is a graduate of Daleville High School and continued her education at Alabama State University, Troy University, and University of West Alabama where she earned her Masters’ degree in Instructional Leadership. This will be her 20th year in education and third year as an administrator. Mrs. Lucien has taught a plethora of subjects and grades including second and third grade as well as RTI Intervention, Middle School, and Debate. Her goal as the new AP is “to bring the pride back to Graceville. I’ve always heard that Graceville has a rich history, a rich heritage, and I want to make sure that shines. I’ve fallen in love with the families, children, and community, and I just want other people to see that as well.” She continued that her main goal is “for people to look at Graceville the way I’ve always heard it to be.” She and her husband of 13 years, Pierre, have three children who all attend Graceville School and she attends Harvest Church in Dothan.

Deputy Ballay is the new face that will be protecting the school campus. She graduated from Malone High School before continuing her education at Thomasville University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. She has been a school SRO for seven years. Deputy Ballay is a mother, and her hobbies include reading as well as arts and crafts. She finished that she is “happy for the opportunity to be here and everybody’s been so welcoming.”

Christina Bryan graduated from Graceville High School before continuing her education at Chipola College where she received her Bachelor’s degree. She is in her sixth year in education and will be on campus as an Elementary ESE Paraprofessional. She commented that she is there to help in anyway she can and her main goal is to help the students continue to grow in their education and love for learning. Mrs. Bryan and her husband have one child and her hobbies include spending time with family. She finished commenting, “I love being here at Graceville. It’s my home and I’m just glad to have the opportunity to work with the kids here.”

Lacresha Bryant is another new face on campus but not to the area. She graduated from Cottondale High School and attended Chipola College where she earned her AA degree in Elementary Education. She has been in the education sector for two years as a substitute and this will be her first year as a full-time paraprofessional where she will assist as a paraprofessional in the gymnasium. She plans to finish her Bachelor’s degree and is currently attending Grand King University. Her goal is to work in the classroom for several years before making her way into administration. She attends Saved by Grace and Faith in Marianna and in her spare time, she enjoys reading and traveling. She finished, “I’m excited to be here. I fell in love with Graceville my first-year subbing and I can see myself being here permanently. I love the children and I love the atmosphere.”

Annalaura Collins is a 2013 graduate from Graceville High School. She earned her Associates from the Baptist University of Florida and will have her Bachelor’s degree from the University of West Florida in December. She has been in the education sector for seven years and has been in the Pre-K classrooms for five years and will be one of the Pre-K teachers at Graceville this year. She has two children, Asher and Banks and attends Bethel Baptist Church in Graceville. She finished, “I’m so excited to be back at my alma mater! I am so excited for this upcoming year. It is going to be great! Go Tigers!”

Madison Davis is a new face many will recognize as she just finished interning at the school last year. She is a graduate of Ashford High School and attended Chipola College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree. She has previously completed her teaching internships under the guidance of last year’s third grade teachers Ms. Barbee and Ms. Douglas. She continued, “I love Graceville, so I wanted to be here.” She will be teaching Science to grades sixth through eighth. Her goal is “to really become involved as much as I can with the community and get to know the community as well. That’s going to benefit me in knowing the students and knowing how to better assist them in their learning needs and their overall wellbeing.” She is a member of Cowarts Baptist Church and enjoys reading and spending time with her poodle, helping him run out energy. She will also be helping as the Assistant Softball Coach.

Kylie Harvey is a graduate of Cottondale High School. She continued her education at Chipola College where she earned her Associates and Bachelor degrees in Elementary Education. This will be her first-year teaching after graduating in May and receiving her ESE certification in July, however she interned at Graceville under Mrs. Rhonda Kanes. She will be teaching K5 ESE this year at Graceville. Her goal for the school year is “for the kids to show improvement and then that will help school growth too.” She is engaged to be married and her hobbies include singing, dancing, and playing Fortnite. She finished, “I’m excited to be here and it feels like home.”

Judy May is the new face in the front office as the school Secretary as well as Bookkeeper. She graduated high school from Frisco City High School in Alabama and continued her education at Coastal Alabama Community College (formerly Patrick Henry State Junior College) in Monroeville Alabama. Her goal is “to help us in any way I can to become a ‘B’ school.” She is married to Reverend Jerry May who is the pastor at Graceville First United Methodist Church. Her hobbies include reading, watching movies, kayaking, and enjoying any outdoor sport. She finished, “This is going to be the best year ever. Go Tigers!”

Danelli McDaniel received her high school education online before continuing at Panhandle Technical College in Chipley. She has certifications in CPR and Plebotomy and is currently working on earning her Associates in Education. This is her second year in the education sector and she will be helping with Pre-K ESE. Her goal is to further her career in education focusing on ESE. She commented that as a mother of a son who is autistic helping all kids being able to learn is important to her. She and her wife, Graceville alumnus Madison McDaniel, have three children Lyah, Tijerina and Liam. She attends Rivertown Community Church in Marianna and her hobbies include riding dirt roads, fishing, swimming, and being a sports parent. She finished, “I’m just excited to be a Tiger this year!”

Sebrina Sanchez received her GED from Marianna’s Adult Education before continuing her education at Liberty University where she earned her degree in Interdisciplinary and Education Students as well as Exceptional Studies. She is in her third year in the educational sector and will be teaching Intensive Reading and ninth grade English. Her goal is for everyone to pass their PM3. She and her husband have been married 15 years and have three beautiful children. Her hobbies include going swimming and spending time with her children.

Stephen Tsukuda graduated from Northview High School before continuing his education at Troy University where he earned his Bachelor and Masters’ Degree in Elementary K6 and Instructional Leadership K12. He has taught for many years in both Alabama as well as at Graceville Elementary School under Lawrence Pender. He will be teaching Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Math for College Algebra Success. He currently runs a STEM nonprofit called Wiregrass Best Robotics which is under the national umbrella of Best Robotics. He is a member of Bethel Church in Jacksonville and his hobbies include golfing, traveling, reading, listening to music, and shopping. He finished, “I’m just happy to be back in Graceville… I’m excited to be the senior sponsor and ready to see what this year holds.”

Tammy Yates is another new face on campus. She is a graduate of Milton High School before continuing her education at Troy State University where she earned her degree in Biology. She has been in the education sector since 2001 teaching at Jackson Alternative School. She will be teaching Science at Graceville and holds multiple certifications. Her hobbies include gardening, swimming, and reading.

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