Administration

  • Photo of Ms. Cooke
     

    Karen Cooke, Principal

     
    Karen was born and raised in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and received her Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan. She spent the first half of her career working in Canada, Japan, and Korea, before arriving in Georgia in 2003 to assume a teaching position in Cobb County. She earned her Masters Degree in Linguistics from the University of Southern Queensland and her Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia.  Karen made the move to Fulton County eight years ago as the Assistant Principal of Medlock Bridge Elementary School before becoming the proud principal of Dolvin in 2017.

    In her spare time, Ms. Cooke enjoys reading, crafting, travelling, and spending time with family.  She lives in Smyrna with her husband, Eddie (an educator in Cobb County), and her absolutely perfect rescue dog, Maggie.  She is the proud step-mother of Ayanna and Ahmed.
     
     
     
    Photo of Mr. Stein

    Andy Stein, Assistant Principal

     
    Andy grew up in Alpharetta, in a neighborhood just down the street from Dolvin.  After graduation from Milton High School, he went to Clemson University for his undergraduate degree and the University of Georgia to obtain his master's degree in education leadership.  Andy lives in Cumming with his wife and their 3 children.  He is a huge football fan - Clemson is his number one team, followed by UGA; and he also loves the Falcons.  
     
    He started his teaching career in Athens, Georgia, as a special education teacher before moving back to Atlanta where he taught both general education and special education at Lake Windward Elementary.  His leadership experiences include Behavior Intervention Coach at Esther Jackson Elementary, Assistant Administrator at Holcomb Bridge Middle; and, most recently, Instructional Support Teacher at Heards Ferry Elementary.  His family is very involved in Fulton County.  His wife is a speech therapist at Birmingham Falls Elementary, his mom is the secretary at Ocee Elementary, and his dad is IT Support at Wilson Creek Elementary.  
     

     Photo of Ms. Fisher
    Amber Fisher, Counselor

    Amber grew up in Coal Valley, Illinois, and moved to Cumming, Georgia, in 2017.  This will be her thirteenth year as an Elementary School Counselor.  She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Maine - Farmington in Rehabilitation Services and later returned to graduate school to obtain a master's degree in School Counseling at Western Illinois University. 

    She lives at home with her husband, Jon, their 3 children (one girl and two boys) and 5 rescue animals.  When she is not running her children to their many sports and activities, she enjoys camping, cookouts, and watching the Chicago Cubs (even when they lose).  

     

    Photo of Ms. Halron

    Carrie Halron, Curriculum Support Teacher

    Carrie grew up in Brookings, South Dakota, and graduated from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion with majors in elementary education and special education as well as endorsements in science, social sciences, and language arts.  She received her MEd in Teaching and Learning from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. 

    During her 23 years in education, Carrie has taught children in 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th grade, 6th grade, 7th grade, and 8th grade.  She has taught in general education and special education classrooms.

    Carrie currently lives in Peachtree Corners with her husband, Kevin.  They have three children, Caelyn, Kieran, and Keegan as well as a golden retriever named Millie. 

     

    Photo of Ms. Noles

    Shelley Noles, Literacy Coach

    Shelly Noles grew up in the New Orleans area and graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.  After graduation, she moved to Central Asia where she taught English as well as learned the local languages for 2 1/2 years.  After Shelley returned, she began a teaching position with the Jefferson Parish School System in Metairie, Louisiana and completed her master's degree in cultural studies.  

    Ms. Noles relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2015 and began teaching at Dolvin Elementary.  Since then, she has received her Reading Endorsement and has begun her new role as a Literacy Instructional Coach.  In her teaching career, she has taught 1st through 3rd grade in both the general and special education settings.  

    Shelley currently lives in Sandy Springs with her husband, Rob. They love spending time with family and hope to get a dog one day soon. The great adventures of growing, learning, and trying new things continue.  Roll Tide and Who-Dat!!!

     

    Allison Polaski, Instructional Support Teacher

    Allison grew up in Linden, New Jersey, and moved to Johns Creek, Georgia, in 2001 where she lived just down the street from Dolvin for 20 years.  Allison received her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and her master's degree in Special Education from Liberty University.  While home with her children, she taught dance for 25 years.  A part of the Dolvin Family for the past eight years, Allison started her teaching career in Special Education as a paraprofessional before transitioning to a teaching role.  Allison has been the recipient of School Employee of the Year for her work as a paraprofessional in 2016 and recently was Teacher of the Year in 2020 - 2021.  In addition to teaching K - 5th special education, Allison has had roles including co-chorus director, a member of Dolvin's Leadership Committee, and the school's Wellness Ambassador.  

    Allison is the musical choreographer for both Johns Creek High School and Chattahochee High School.  She is married with three children, currently lives in Cumming, and recently became a grandmother.  

     

    Photo of Ms. Shaffer

    Jenn Shaffer, Administrative Assistant

    Jenn Shaffer grew up in Marietta, Georgia, and graduated from Pope High School.  She attended the University of Alabama where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. After completing her student teaching in Melbourne, Australia, she began her first teaching position in Cobb County in the fall of 2002.  She then taught in Oconee County near the University of Georgia.  While there, she received her Master's Degree in Elementary Education and then went on to get her Special Degree in Teaching and Learning.  At that point, Jenn and her husband moved back to Atlanta and she began teaching in Fulton County.  

    Jenn has been working for Fulton County since 2011.  She has taught grades 1 - 5, worked as a Project-Based Learning Coach, and led the Discovery Lab.  She was Teacher of the Year at Dolvin Elementary School in the 2017-2018 school year and Professional of the Year in 2022-2023.  Jenn has worked as a mentor for new teachers and student teachers from a variety of universities and high schools.  Jenn and her husband live in Alpharetta, Georgia, with their 3 children and small dog.