Administration

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    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, in teaching capacities before arriving in Georgia in 2003 to assume a teaching position in Cobb County. She earned her Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia (Go Wolves!) and made the move to Fulton County four years ago as the Assistant Principal of Medlock Bridge Elementary School.

    Currently, she lives in Smyrna with her husband, Eddie (also an educator), and her rescue dog, Maggie. She is the proud step mother of Ayanna and Ahmed.
     
     

    Andy Stein, Assistant Principal

     
    Andy grew up in Alpharetta, in a neighborhood just down the steet 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 masters 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 specal 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 Barnwell Elementary.  
     

     
    Janelle Layton, Counselor

    Janelle earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Georgia Southern University and her master’s in school counseling from Columbus State University. This is her sixth year in the school counseling role. She is excited to be returning to Dolvin this year and is dedicated to developing a comprehensive school counseling program that supports the development of academic, social emotional and career skills to help each student succeed at Dolvin and in life.

    Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and going to a beach whenever she can.

     

     

    Carrie Halron, Curriculum Support Teacher

    Carrie grew up in Brookings, South Dakota, and graduated from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion with a double major (elementary education and special education) and 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 21 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 the general education setting as well as in the special education setting in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Georgia.

    Carrie currently lives in Peachtree Corners with her husband, Kevin (PE teacher at Simpson Elementary School).  They have a daughter and two sons. 

     

    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 Unversity.  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 trasitioning 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.  

     

     

    Jenn Shaffer, Adminstrative Assistant

    Jenn Shaffer grew up in Marietta, Georgia, and gradated 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.  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.