Staff Members
Displays Staff Members
Kristen Hollis
Hello! I am your school counselor Mrs. Kristen Hollis. I began my career in school based mental health in 2020. I am a lifelong resident of Etowah County. I reside in Rainbow City with my husband Brandon and our two sons Hayden and Hudson. My passion is working with students and ensuring that every student
Catherine Walker RN
Mrs. Walker has been a nurse with the Gadsden City School System since 2018. She is a graduate of the University of Alabama with a BS in nursing in 2001. She has worked in many different areas of nursing including PACU, day surgery and ICU. She is married to her husband, John Robert, and has
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Christy Borgersrode
Mrs. Christy Borgersrode has been teaching since 1998. She began her career teaching elementary school. She has been at Gadsden Middle since the fall of 2012, teaching 6th grade math from 2012-2015. Mrs. Borgersrode then taught 8th grade math and Algebra I until the spring of 2022. She has returned to 6th grade where she is
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Shannon Campbell
Mrs. Shannon Skipper Campbell taught math at Gadsden Middle School for 11 years before going to Floyd Elementary School to teach Pre-K 4 for several years. After spending a year in the position of Gadsden City School system-wide math coach, her love of children and the classroom brought her “home” to Gadsden Middle School in
Tony Entrekin
I’ve been teaching for 25 years and have taught at Westbrook Christian School, BB Comer School in Sylacauga, Summit Academy of Mountainview Hospital, Duran Junior High in Pell City, Gadsden City Alternative School, Gadsden City High School, and now Gadsden Middle. Seeing Robin Williams in the movie Dead Poets Society is what motivated me to
Brittany Harbison
Mrs. Brittany Harbison is excited to be teaching 6th grade Social Studies at Gadsden Middle School. A proud graduate of Jax State, she holds a degree in Secondary Education. Before returning to the classroom, Mrs. Harbison worked as an Academic Advisor at JSU, where she guided college students on their educational journeys. She also pursued
Meg Williams
Mrs. Williams teaches 6th grade Science at Gadsden Middle School. She has been teaching in the Gadsden City Schools system since graduating from Auburn University in 2011. Mrs. Williams holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and a 4-8 Grade Middle School Science certificate. She lives in Southside with her husband, Ike, and
Bruce Beasley
My name is Bruce Beasley. I am a Social Studies teacher. I am from Talladega, Alabama. I graduated from Jacksonville State University. I have a Bachelors of Arts in History. I also have both a Masters of Arts in History and a Masters of Science in Education in Social Studies. I have been teaching since
Sue Bliss
Dr. Sue Bliss currently teaches 7th grade regular and PreAp math. She also sponsors the GMS Scholars Bowl. Dr. Bliss received her Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ed.S from JSU and her Doctorate in Instructional Leadership from Samford University. Dr. Bliss and her husband, Roy have 7 grown children and 9 precious grandchildren. She lives in Southside
Christina Ford
Christina Ford currently teaches 7th grade science. She is dual certified in Elementary Education and Secondary General science. She holds a BS from Auburn University and MS from JSU. She and her husband, Craig, have two daughters and live in Altoona. She is a member of First BaptistChurch in Ashville, AL. She enjoys spending time
Dwayne Hawkins
Mr. Hawkins has been part of GMS Staff since Fall 2022. He started teaching in the Fall of 2024 after a successful career with Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. He is originally from Virginia where he attended Virginia Commonwealth University and earned a BS Degree from Averett University. He has lived in the Rainbow City
Pangela McGee
Ms. Pangela McGee is a 7th grade math teacher at Gadsden Middle School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from Tuskegee University, master’s degree in mathematics education from the University of Alabama, educational specialist degree in mathematics education from the University of Alabama, and certification in educational administration from the University of Alabama.
Amanda Wall
Mrs. Amanda Wall began teaching Language at Gadsden Middle School in 2019. She grew up in Fort Payne, AL, where she graduated high school. She currently lives in Glencoe with her husband and three children. Mrs. Wall holds a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in English Language Arts from Jacksonville State University.
Wes Beck
My name is Wesley (Wes) Beck and I am a 6-12th grade Social Studies teacher. Currently, I teach 8th grade World History. I earned my associate’s degree from Gadsden State Community College (2017), my bachelor’s degree from Jacksonville State University (2020), and am currently pursuing my master’s degree with The University of West Alabama. I
Benjamin Kocian
Mr. Benjamin Kocian has been teaching since 2007 and has spent most of that time at the high school level, including more than a decade as an Advanced Placement instructor in both Language and Literature. He holds a degree in English Language and Literature from Columbus State University in Columbus, GA. He has lived and
Megen McCright
My name is Megen McCright, and I am proud to be a Gadsden Middle School Tiger! I am from Attalla, and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education from Jacksonville State University. I have a true passion for science and helping our young learners see science in everyday life. When I am not teaching I
Michael O’Brien
Coach Michael O’Brien has been at Gadsden Middle School since 2005 and is the 8th-grade math teacher. He is the math department chair and head football coach. He is a 2004 graduate of Jacksonville State University with a concentration in secondary math. He spent six years in the U.S. Navy, being honorably discharged in 1994.
Kevin Peterson
Mr. Peterson has been at Gadsden Middle School since 2004, where he received the honor of Teacher of the Year for the 2012-2013 school year. In 2017, Mr. Peterson became the Media Specialist after teaching 8th grade Physical Science for 13 years. In addition to being the Media Specialist, Mr. Peterson sponsors the GMS Disney
Brian Bankston
“After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible, is music” ~Aldous Huxley~ Brian Bankston – composer, educator, saxophonist and guitarist – has been the Band Director at Gadsden Middle School and Jazz Band Director at Gadsden City High School since 2002. He is a staff composer for RWS music and his concert
Lesley Guthrie
Mrs. Lesley Guthrie has been the girls physical education teacher at Gadsden Middle School since 1999. In addition, she sponsors the SGA (student government association) and co-sponsors the Tiger Ambassadors. She earned her master’s degree in educational leadership from Jacksonville State University and bachelor’s degree in physical education from Auburn University. She lives in Gadsden
Kaelyn Hester
Mrs. Hester began her teaching career as the Choir Director at Gadsden Middle School in 2024. She also teaches elementary music at Striplin Elementary and Thompson Elementary. Mrs. Hester graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education from Jacksonville State University. During her time at JSU, Mrs. Hester enjoyed being involved with the Marching
Leigh Ann Johnson
Mrs. Leigh Ann Johnson teaches Family and Consumer Science at Gadsden Middle School. In addition, she is the sponsor for both FCCLA and JUNA. She is married and has two children.
John Paul Madrigal
For 15+ years, I’ve shaped young minds as a physical education teacher. A Jacksonville State University alum, I balance my passion for fitness with my greatest joys: my wife and daughter.
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Aleesa Parnell
Ms. Aleesa Parnell has spent the majority of her life in the music world having taken private lessons from Susan DiBiase, Dr. Steven DiBlase, Thomas Maternik, Dr. Yi-Wen Zhang, Dr. Suren Petrosyan, and world renowned child prodigy Dr. Yi-Min Cai. She grew up performing with the Etowah Youth Orchestras and has continued to perform in
Austin Reynolds
I am very excited to be teaching at Gadsden Middle School. I graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and a Masters degree in Business & Marketing Education (War Eagle). I am the assistant basketball coach for the Varsity basketball team at Gadsden City High School.
Jamie Self
My name is Jamie Self. I have been teaching Art since 2012. I have a degree in graphic design as well as a Masters in Art education. I am mom to 3 daughters and 2 dogs, and we all live in Boaz, AL. I have a passion for not only teaching Art but also making
Kendall Batista
Mrs. Kendall Batista started her teaching career at Gadsden Middle School in 2015. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education collaborative from Jacksonville State University. Mrs. Batista lives in Gadsden with her husband, Matt, and their three children, Emma Jane, Etta Jae, and Brooks.
Meredith Snow
Mrs. Snow is a 7th grade resource teacher. She is new to Gadsden but previously taught with the Pell City School System. Prior to that she was a children’s counselor with the mental health system. Mrs. Snow received a B.A. in Human Development and Family Studies from Samford University, a M.S. in Community Agency Counseling
Morgan Chambers
Mrs. Chambers has been teaching since 2014. Mrs. Chambers taught special education at Attalla Elementary School and Etowah High School. She is a graduate of Jacksonville State University with her B.S. in Elementary Education/Collaborative Education K-6. She then went on and pursued her M.S. in Teaching Visual Impairments from the University of Alabama at Huntsville.
Amanda Fordham
Mrs. Amanda Fordham has been teaching since 2004. She began her career teaching elementary school and then taught middle school. In 2022, she came to Gadsden City Schools as an ESL teacher. She received a bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Jacksonville State University and a master degree in English as a Second Language from the
Mr. Chance Goodwin
I am honored and humbled to serve as the principal of Gadsden Middle School. I am very passionate about education and look forward to partnering with you to provide our students with a rigorous, engaging and high quality education. Most of all, I look forward to working with our students and continuing the strong history
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Ms. Catina Wadley
Ms. Wadley joined the GMS family as Assistant Principal in August 2022. She started working in the Gadsden City School system in 2004 at Litchfield High School. From 2006-2013, she was the Business Education teacher at Emma Sansom Middle School. In 2013, she joined Gadsden City High School as a Business Education teacher. She was
