The LIFE School is an innovative school in Atlanta, where students learn through passion projects and hands-on academic work.
As a LIFE Learner, our students start businesses, intern with companies, take project-based courses and partake in off-site experiences, allowing them the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma in a non-traditional and nurturing environment.
The mission of The LIFE School is to overhaul the traditional learning model and equip students to discover and pursue their interests and goals by putting the student in the driver's seat, engaging them in dynamic learning experiences, and developing them as leaders and thinkers.
We have a dynamic team with a passion for education innovation.
Khabral is an experienced educator, who brings a wide variety of skills in STEM and the arts, as well as a deep understanding of how important it is to instill a love of learning in children.
Daly discovered a love for mathematics while studying engineering in his early college years. He possesses an enthusiasm for solving difficult problems and a love of teaching.
Sachiko has taught Japanese all over the world and brings an enthusiasm to share the Japanese language and culture with our students.
Katherine Martinez was born in Chile and has been teaching Spanish and English since 2003 in the U.S. as well as the United Kingdom, Chile and currently in France. She likes creative, hands-on activities where students can learn by doing.
Anissa Picard, born in the United States, showed a passion for French at a very young age, and was lucky enough to study in Lyon, France and afterwards to live and teach English there for several years. She likes to integrate projects that include cultural activities, music, art, and cuisine from Francophone countries.
As an educator, her goal is to empower students to become self-directed learners while learning through their particular cultural lens.
With her Masters in Literacy and Childhood Education at Bank Street College of Education, NYC, and her B.A. in African American Studies at Georgia State University, Mama Kiri brings years of experience to the program.
As an educator, her goal is to empower students to become self-directed learners while learning through their particular cultural lens. With her Masters in Literacy and Childhood Education at Bank Street College of Education, NYC, and her B.A. in African American Studies at Georgia State University, Mama Kiri brings years of experience to the program.
Carla is a professional visual artist with a passion for education. She came to Atlanta in 2016 to pursue her Masters degree in Fine Arts at SCAD. "I believe that knowledge, experience and acquired skills are only relevant and transcendent when you share them with others. As an art teacher, I strive to sow in the minds and hearts of my students the importance of art, its role as a powerful and transformative practice to communicate ideas, and its beauty in the process of learning different ways to experience, understand and cope with the world around us."
Abike E. Johnson is an early childhood education provider in Atlanta, GA. She graduated from Georgia State University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in English Education. She is certified in both "Bright from the Start" and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Her love of children led her to her chosen profession. As an undergrad, she gained experience while interning at the L. Suttles Child Development Center and professional experience from Sheltering Arms Child Development Center. She specializes in both the social and emotional development of children, and applies her skills and experience to help the youth she works with, to better understand and prepare for the world around them.
Keicha Barnum is a freelance graphic designer, graduate of Lincoln University, PA and Founder and Director of BCR TechED. Her pursuits as an entrepreneur, Educator and STEAM Curriculum Creator has led her to design a more impactful framework for STEAM education that teaches students to learn by “doing”. For more than 10 years she has partnered with talented instructors, created innovative hands-on curriculum and brought the coolest technology to students who have never used a 3D printer, coded a drone, or even dreamed of creating a 3D animation. The result – a blueprint for a uniquely geeky educational community equipped to inspire the next generation of STEAM professionals.
Olabisi Thompson is the Office Manager and self-proclaimed “glitter-glue” of The LIFE School. A published children’s book author, illustrator and an overall master problem solver, Olabisi has worked with students for over 10 years as a mentor and creative arts instructor. Areas of interest that Olabisi is passionate about include mental health and wellness, team building, the superpower of self-awareness, and creating environments that encourage expansive thinking. Any day of the school week, you will find Olabisi at the front desk with her pug puppy Nebula. As a bonus, Olabisi’s daughter attends The LIFE School Zucchini’s program and loves it! In addition to her work with The LIFE School, Olabisi is Marketing Director for CARES Consulting - a consulting firm for families of children with autism. In the near future, Olabisi intends to achieve a master’s degree in psychotherapy to better support young people through challenging and stressful times.
Olabisi Thompson is the Office Manager and self-proclaimed “glitter-glue” of The LIFE School. A published children’s book author, illustrator and an overall master problem solver, Olabisi has worked with students for over 10 years as a mentor and creative arts instructor. Areas of interest that Olabisi is passionate about include mental health and wellness, team building, the superpower of self-awareness, and creating environments that encourage expansive thinking. Any day of the school week, you will find Olabisi at the front desk with her pug puppy Nebula. As a bonus, Olabisi’s daughter attends The LIFE School Zucchini’s program and loves it! In addition to her work with The LIFE School, Olabisi is Marketing Director for CARES Consulting - a consulting firm for families of children with autism. In the near future, Olabisi intends to achieve a master’s degree in psychotherapy to better support young people through challenging and stressful times.
Keicha Barnum is a freelance graphic designer, graduate of Lincoln University, PA and Founder and Director of BCR TechED. Her pursuits as an entrepreneur, Educator and STEAM Curriculum Creator has led her to design a more impactful framework for STEAM education that teaches students to learn by “doing”. For more than 10 years she has partnered with talented instructors, created innovative hands-on curriculum and brought the coolest technology to students who have never used a 3D printer, coded a drone, or even dreamed of creating a 3D animation. The result – a blueprint for a uniquely geeky educational community equipped to inspire the next generation of STEAM professionals.
Shikita was an undergrad student at Georgia Southern University when she realized she would enjoy teaching. As an autodidact or person who has a passion for lifelong learning, she taught herself human anatomy and physiology through visual presentation. Driven by personal and professional milestones like this, she has gone on to earn two Masters: one in Secondary Education and the other in Special Education. Passionate about teaching with love and creativity, there is a level of depth and richness in her teaching style that supports students where they are at, and engages them in a collaborative, meaningful, and sustainable way.
Abike E. Johnson is an early childhood education provider in Atlanta, GA. She graduated from Georgia State University in 2012 with a Bachelor’s degree in English Education. She is certified in both "Bright from the Start" and English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Her love of children led her to her chosen profession. As an undergrad, she gained experience while interning at the L. Suttles Child Development Center and professional experience from Sheltering Arms Child Development Center. She specializes in both the social and emotional development of children, and applies her skills and experience to help the youth she works with, to better understand and prepare for the world around them.
Carla is a professional visual artist with a passion for education. She came to Atlanta in 2016 to pursue her Masters degree in Fine Arts at SCAD. "I believe that knowledge, experience and acquired skills are only relevant and transcendent when you share them with others. As an art teacher, I strive to sow in the minds and hearts of my students the importance of art, its role as a powerful and transformative practice to communicate ideas, and its beauty in the process of learning different ways to experience, understand and cope with the world around us."
As an educator, her goal is to empower students to become self-directed learners while learning through their particular cultural lens. With her Masters in Literacy and Childhood Education at Bank Street College of Education, NYC, and her B.A. in African American Studies at Georgia State University, Mama Kiri brings years of experience to the program.
Anissa Picard, born in the United States, showed a passion for French at a very young age, and was lucky enough to study in Lyon, France and afterwards to live and teach English there for several years. She likes to integrate projects that include cultural activities, music, art, and cuisine from Francophone countries.
Katherine Martinez was born in Chile and has been teaching Spanish and English since 2003 in the U.S. as well as the United Kingdom, Chile and currently in France. She likes creative, hands-on activities where students can learn by doing.
Sachiko has taught Japanese all over the world and brings an enthusiasm to share the Japanese language and culture with our students.
Daly discovered a love for mathematics while studying engineering in his early college years. He possesses an enthusiasm for solving difficult problems and a love of teaching.
Khabral is an experienced educator, who brings a wide variety of skills in STEM and the arts, as well as a deep understanding of how important it is to instill a love of learning in children.
Denise is a finance professional and academic with over 30 years of experience in accounting, economics, and finance. She teaches business courses to students of all ages, in various formats, and has done so on three continents.
Hassan is an immigrant, engineer, investor and startup coach. He loves data and dumplings - and is always curious about new models for youth to take the reins of their learning.
Heather is a human-centered innovator. By day, she works on Nationwide's innovation team and by night, she develops platforms to spread design thinking tools to the masses.
Jarrett Coger is an educator and entrepreneur working with startups and companies in banking, e-commerce, fashion, education, and telecom.
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