SOCIAL STUDIES
Paul McKown, Social Studies Department Chair -- email
Paul McKown is the chair of the social studies department. Mr. McKown is a twenty-six year veteran teacher of Fulton County Schools. After graduating from the University of Georgia with a B.A. in History and M Ed in Education, Mr. McKown started his career at Ridgeview High School teaching social studies and coaching a variety of sports. After Ridgeview's conversion to a middle school, Mr. McKown moved to Crestwood High School, where he continued his teaching and coaching careers. With the inclusion of Crestwood into Chattahoochee High School's opening, he moved once again. When the opportunity to become chairman of the CHS social studies department became available, Mr. McKown took it. He served in that capacity for the past ten years. Alpharetta High School's opening affords another challenge in his teaching career.
When not teaching, Mr. McKown enjoys the outdoors (hiking, biking, whatever) and reading (primarily military history and historical fiction). He and his wife Laura have three children; one daughter and one son at the University of Georgia (3rd generation Bulldogs!) and a second daughter who is a high school junior.
Angela Anderson -- email
Sara Ashley -- email
Sara Ashley is a native of Pittsburgh, Pa. Ms Ashley graduated from Miami University (OH) with a BS in Secondary Social Studies Education and minors in Political Science and History in 2001. Since then, she has been teaching various disciplines of the Social Studies in Fulton County. She spent 3 years teaching World History, United States History, and Political Science at Milton High School before making the transition to AHS. Ms. Ashley has enjoyed being a charter member of AHS and looks forward to encouraging more students to develop an appreciation for Political Science. Sara is also involved in the Girls Lacrosse program, as the JV Head Coach this season. Ms. Ashley is very proud of her current and former students and athletes. She is looking forward to a fantastic year at Alpharetta High School.
When she is not at school, she enjoys spending time with friends and playing multiple sports. She is also a member of various alumni organizations, including the Miami University Alumni , as well as, the Alpha Phi Fraternity Alumnae organization.
Ms. Ashley is engaged and will marry Mr. Jay Cantrell this summer.
Kurt Davies -- email
Jason Dukes -- email
Rodney Floyd -- email
Rodney Floyd teaches World History and AP World History. He has been a teacher for 23 years and was active as a wrestling coach and football coach for 25 years. He graduated from Auburn University cum laude with a double major in History. Mr. Floyd has taught in Florida and Georgia over the course of his career. He is married to Monica (24 years) and has three dogs and one cat. He enjoys the outdoors, especially tournament bass fishing.
Kathryn Houghton -- email
Kathryn Houghton teaches both World and US History. She grew up in Atlanta and is actually a product of Fulton County Schools. She recently graduated from Georgia State University with her Masters in Education and graduated from Georgia State University with her BA in History. Kathryn also coaches JV Volleyball at Alpharetta, who had a fantastic season this year.
When not at work, Kathryn enjoys cooking, running and basically anything outdoors, especially if it involves being in the mountains or at the beach.
Christy Jolle -- Mrs. Jolle's Website -- email
Teaching is a second career for Mrs. Jolle having spent 15 years in property management as a manager and national trainer. She then began teaching Social Studies, an avocation previously, at Taylor Road Middle School for 15 years. During her teaching career she has presented teaching workshops at the Georgia Middle School Conference and the Georgia Council for Social Studies Conference. She has won recognition as a Teacher of the Year and the D.A.R. Outstanding History Teacher of the Year.
Mrs. Jolle volunteers as a docent at the Smith Plantation in Roswell demonstrating antebellum open hearth cooking. She is also is a Georgia certified bird breeder and nature enthusiast. Her husband is a business owner. One son is an archaeologist, another son is a comedian and her daughter is finishing college at Georgia State.
Ashley Konter -- Ms. Konter's Website -- email
Michael Nance -- email
Michael G. Nance (“Mike”) is a long-time Atlanta resident, having attended both elementary and high school here (DeKalb Co.), where he developed an interest in soccer as it was just emerging as a high school sport in Georgia. His awareness of the shortage of knowledgeable coaches contributed to his desire to become a high school teacher and coach. Returning to the DeKalb County school system after graduating from the University of Georgia in 1979, Coach Nance spent the next twenty-five years as the head boys' soccer coach at Cedar Grove (1979-1983) and Druid Hills (1983-2004). Prior to coming to Alpharetta he complied a won-loss record of 205-128-14, making him the winningest active coach in DeKalb and third on the all-time list. His Druid Hills teams had but one losing season in twenty-one, while making eight state playoff appearances. His Alpharetta teams improved from a 5-10-2 inaugural season to 8-9 last year.
Coach Nance prizes success in academics as much as athletics and has high expectations for students and student-athletes. He has taught AP U.S. history since 1989 and has been an AP U.S. history “reader” for the College Board the last eight years. He also teaches AP European history.
Coach Nance is married to the former Melanie Snyder and they live in the Alpharetta area with their daughter, Renee.
Michael Sepsey -- email
Michael Sepsey earned his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and a Masters in Education from the University of Georgia. He has been teaching for eight years and is currently teaching World History, Economics and AP Economics.
Amy Waldman -- email -- US-History Blog -- Poli-Sci Blog
Amy Waldman is long-time Atlanta resident, having attended elementary, middle, and high school within Fulton County. She recently graduated from Brown University with a Master of Arts in Teaching in Social Studies Education/History and the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Amy is also a co-sponsor of AHS’s Mock Trial team and the lead advisor for Peer Diversity. When she is not in the classroom, Amy enjoys swimming, reading, watching her favorite television shows, and hanging out with her family and friends.
William Waters -- email