Colvin Idol: B.A. in Political Science.  M.S. in Counseling Psychology. National Board Certified Counselor. Broadcasting and Broadcast Journalism for 32 years.  Therapist two years with Child & Family, Tennessee, working with adolescents; Psychotherapist at Alternative Counseling Center working with adults, families and adolescents with special emphasis in domestic violence issues.  Classes: psychology, ethics, philosophy, English, broadcasting, news-writing, independent study.  Principal.

Kelly Brown: B.F.A., Auburn University; M.F.A. at UT Knoxville; Has taught Fine Arts and Art History at Pellissippi State Community College, Roane State and Oak Ridge Art Center. Winner of the 2005 Unsung Hero Award from Metro Pulse, Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year Award, and numerous art and climbing awards; commissioned artist. Classes: drawing, sculpture; 3-D art, film, videography, wilderness skills, camping, climbing, U. S. history, cooking. Lead Teacher.

Beatriz Galindo Fernandez: B.F.A. in Studio Art, UT Knoxville. Completed Equipment Operator courses at RTVE (Radio Television of Spain). Professional Formation in Image and Sound under the specialty of Audio Visual. Completed course in Cinematography Operation and certified in Video Production. Photography instructor at N. I. U., Valencia, Spain. Has been living in the U. S. since 1996. Classes: Spanish, art, yoga.

Jeff Kilgore: B.S. in Engineering Physics, UT Knoxville; Graduate courses in Education, UTK. Lab instructor and teaching assistant, Dept of Physics and Astronomy UTK; teaching assistant for the Tennessee Governor's School for the Sciences; was the Astronomy consultant to the UTK Athletic Department. Classes: math, physics,;rocket” science, history, biology, philosophy, literature, SAT preparation, world history, U. S. government.

Kristina Corbitt: B.S. in Natural Resources, Cornell University; M.S. in Computer Science (in progress) New University/UTK. Senior Applications Programmer/Analyst for 18 years at Cornell University, NYU, and Nova Information Systems. Design team member, development of the first multi-currency credit card processing system. Has taught in middle school and high school. Classes: Computer Science (A+ Certification, web design, Flash, Photoshop).

Laura Tallent: Laurel School Manager and Registrar. Previous experience includes Assistant to Dean of Students at Webb School; Admissions Coordinator for National College of Business and Technology. Photos published in the Amateur Photography Society 2005 and 2006 annual publications. Has two cats, one puppy and a terrific daughter, Tasha. Tasha frequently volunteers her services at Laurel.

Paul Laudeman: M.S. in Cultural Studies in Education, UTK, graduate research in the history and culture of alternative schools; supervising teacher interns in Knox County elementary schools. B.A. in Asian Studies and Holistic Health, UT Knoxville. State teaching certification for Special Education, Industrial Arts, Biology, General Science, and Drivers Education. Machinist and Combination welders certifications. William Gribbon Award recipient from the American Musical Instrument Society. Laurel faculty from 1986-2000, Knox County schools, North Carolina schools, TN School for the Deaf and counseling/mental health for children. Volunteer work includes Docent at the Knoxville Museum of Art, Habitat for Humanity, Knoxville Country Dancers, Jubilee Community Arts, East Tennessee Foundation and The Highlander Center. Classes: Biology, Pre-Algebra, Drivers Education.
 

Paula Roper: B.A. in English Literature, Fisk University; M.A. in English Literature, Northwestern University; Ab.D. in English, UTK. 25+ years experience teaching in English at Fisk University, Knoxville College, Roane State and UT Knoxville. Has received awards and fellowships for English; is a published and commissioned poet. Classes: literature, composition, creative writing.

Gary Woody: B.A. and Ab.D. in Chemistry UT Knoxville; graduate work in Physics, UTK. Teaching assistant, UTK Chemistry Department. Ham radio operator; native Knoxvillian; Classes: chemistry, astronomy, photography, metallurgy, woodworking, “rocket science.”

Honorary Staff:

Tanner Brown
Magdalena Laudeman

(Two of our staff have wonderful children under 2 years old. They often attend class with their parents and should have a high school degree before they reach kindergarten.)

AND

Belle (Kelly’s dog)