Greetings!

I am Tabatha Ridley, your EIP(Early Intervention Program) teacher and MTSS (Multi-Tiered Support System) Co-Chairperson at Oakland Elementary School in McDonough, Georgia. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh. I was also a Lady Panther of Pitt's D1 basketball team where I earned a full athletic scholarship from 1985-1989. I also hold a Master's degree in Teaching from Saint Peter's University and a Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Nova Southeastern University. 

I currently attend Grand Canyon University, where I am working towards earning a Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership. I hold a certificate in Elementary Education(P-5)(4-8), a gifted endorsement(K-5), a mathematics endorsement (K-5), and middle school (4-8) in all subject areas. From 2018-2021, I held a position as Oakland Elementary School's Product Manager and led a pilot program of Personalized Learning. Under my leadership, I was responsible for the implementation of the Personalized Learning program. I tirelessly worked at 5-grade levels to roll out the pilot program for over 100 students.

I have played a major role in education. I am a mentor of the HEART program and served as a Georgia TAPP mentor, a sponsor of Challenge 24, a summer school teacher, a PTA Vice-President, and a part of the School Improvement Leadership Committee. I have a deep love for educating children. I believe that it is my calling because I never want to stop. My adrenaline flows when students, especially struggling students, set goals and achieve them. Establishing relationships is one of the most important parts of teaching.

Last but not least, I will serve as Oakland's Elementary School 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year! I'm super excited about this honor and will continue to put students first.

Thank you