Talented and Gifted (TAG)
Jared M. Rashford, TAG Department Chairman -- email
In 2006-07, Jared begins his seventh year teaching in Fulton County (3 rd at Alpharetta High School ). He received an undergraduate degree in Biology and Spanish from Duke University and a master's degree in science education from Wake Forest University . He has earned his gifted endorsement and received National Board Teacher Certification in Science in 2004. Jared also has several years experience from both the National Institutes of Health and Georgia Tech in cell biology/genetics research. Currently, he is pursuing a doctorate in science education from Georgia State University . At AHS, Jared serves as the Department Chair for the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program and teaches honors biology. He and his wife, Amanda, have three young children and are expecting number four this January.
Please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Rashford with any questions you may have regarding TAG eligibility and gifted services at AHS.
Meredith Anderson -- email
Meredith Anderson is coming from two years of teaching at Northwestern Middle School. She spent time in Atlanta as a child and was a product of the Fulton County System through the ninth grade (Spalding Elementary, Ridgeview Middle School, Riverwood High School). At that time her family relocated to Billings, Montana, where she finished high school. She is a graduate of Montana State University-Bozeman. She received her B.S. in History and English Secondary Education. She also completed extensive coursework in psychology, sociology, geography. Meredith is also a coach for JV volleyball in the fall and lacrosse in the spring. When Meredith is not in school, she enjoys traveling, mountain biking, and attending live musical and arts performances. When asked what her pet peeve is she responded, “… writing bios about myself in the third person.”
Eric Cain -- email
Mr. Cain graduated from Furman University with a B.A., cum laude, in history and political science and a concentration in Latin American studies. At Furman, he was inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society) and Quaternion, Furman’s oldest honorary society for men. While in college, Mr. Cain traveled and studied abroad in Cuba, Thailand, Italy, Greece, and the Holy See (Vatican).
Mr. Cain received a Master Teacher Fellowship to study at Wake Forest University, where he earned an M.A.Ed., concentrating in secondary social studies education. His graduate research focused on creative thinking questioning in the social studies classroom.
Mr. Cain has experience working with various education and youth development programs. He has served at the North Carolina Governor’s School as both a teaching assistant/counselor and Area III instructor. He has also served as a faculty advisor for the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC.
Outside of school, Mr. Cain enjoys traveling, hiking, going out on the lake in his kayak, cooking, and spending time with family and friends. He also enjoys cheering on his favorite sports teams.
Mr. Cain is really excited to be a part of the Alpharetta High School family. He coaches the Raider mock trial team and serves as a peer diversity advisor.
Randy Gingrich -- email
Randy Gingrich comes to Alpharetta High School from North Gwinnett High School where he taught AP Language and Composition, as well as 11th, and 12th grade Honors, College Prep, and Technical Language Arts. He spent 3 years as a supervising teacher, methods course instructor and research assistant at Ohio State University. He also taught in Cincinnati in the International Studies Academy, Paideia School, and Coalition of Essential Schools.
Randy received his B.A. from Michigan State University in English and History, his M.A. from Miami University in English, and his Ph.D. in English Education from Ohio State University. He has given presentations and published articles for the National Council of Teachers of English, Conference on College Composition and Communication, and the American Educational Research Association. He was the chief rater for his district's portfolio and writing assessments and designed district end of course exams.
Randy's wife is an occupational therapist with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; their daughter, Jordan, turned two recently.
Ben Hedrick -- email
Ben Hedrick is a Pennsylvania native who graduated from Penn State University in 2000 with a major in Mathematics/Statistics and a minor in Spanish. From there he took the next natural step and spent 3 years teaching English in Japan, followed by a year of traveling around the world. Ben returned to the US to spend a year earning a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Duke University before moving to Alpharetta. The 2005-6 school year was his first at Alpharetta High School, as well as his first in Georgia . This year Ben continues to coach the math team and is also the sponsor of Junior Civitan.
Jane McAlister -- email