Beacon Hill SLT Candidates 25-26

Nine parents have stepped up to run for the two open spots on the Beacon Hill School Leadership Team (SLT)! Below, you'll find the bios for all nine candidates, listed in alphabetical order by last name.

• You can cast your vote via a Google Form that will be shared on Monday, August 11, 2025. The polls will be open from 8:00 a.m. on Monday and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August 14.
• Important: Each student at Beacon Hill Middle School gets one vote. If you have multiple adults in your household, please coordinate to ensure only one vote is submitted per student. The candidates with the highest number of votes will be our new parent representatives on the SLT.
• The election results will be announced on Monday, August 15. Please take some time to read the candidate bios below so you're ready to vote!

Bio: Iris Alcantara, MPH is a public health researcher and evaluator, with expertise in chronic disease prevention, community engagement, health disparities, and program management. Ms. Alcantara received a Master in Public Health from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from San Diego State University. She has over 15 years of experience working in academia and federal, state, and local public health agencies.

Statement of purpose - I am interested in using my skills and expertise to make data driven decisions. I am committed to collaborating with staff, parents, and students to promote a positive environment and a culture of excellence. I aim to support BHMS in ensuring students have what they need to achieve their educational goals and reach their potential.

My name is Aichuan Kwong (she/her), and if elected, I would be honored to serve on the Beacon Hill Middle School Leadership Team. My spouse, Richard, and I have four children in the district: a 9th grader at DHS, a 7th grader at BHMS, and twin 5th graders at Talley Street.

Professionally, I’ve spent much of my career working with small to midsize businesses in finance and operations, with specific experience in data analysis, establishing operating procedures, developing + managing budgets, and recruiting + interviewing at all levels. In 2021, I co-founded Readers To Dreamers®—a nonprofit created alongside a CSD educator—to expand access to diverse author and illustrator visits (and their books) to schools that have traditionally lacked those opportunities.

As a parent member in this community, I’ve served in various volunteer roles, including several years on the board of our cooperative preschool and seven years of involvement at Glennwood Elementary. My roles there included PTA Treasurer and member of the DEI and yearbook committees. I also contributed to the CSD Strategic Planning Team, helping to shape the district’s current five-year strategic plan. Most recently, I served on the Talley Street Upper Elementary SLT from 2023 to 2025, acting as chair in my second year. During my time on the team, I helped strengthen the school’s interview process by developing a more streamlined rubric and recommended changes to improve equitable outcomes for candidates—several of which are now in effect.

I believe the School Leadership Team is an essential space to bring together multiple stakeholders and bridge different perspectives which allows decisions to be made collaboratively and thoughtfully. I believe the SLT plays a vital role in identifying and addressing the specific and nuanced needs of our school—needs that may not always be visible at the district level but may be felt by our students and staff. Beacon Hill Middle School is a special community, and I believe everyone in it deserves to feel seen, valued, and connected. It would be an honor to serve as one of your SLT representatives.

I am the parent of Elsa Guy, a new sixth grader at Beacon Hill Middle School. I would appreciate the opportunity to serve on the Beacon Hill Middle School Leadership Team. My experiences as an educational leader and my perspective as a parent will provide a unique and valuable lens to the team’s work.

I have been an educator in Gwinnett County for the past twenty years. I hold a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Mercer University, as well as an educational leadership certificate and coaching endorsement. Over the course of my career, I’ve served in various roles including fourth grade teacher, elementary literacy coach, and assistant principal. I spent twelve years as an assistant principal, during which I oversaw programs and responsibilities such as all elementary grade levels, the Title I program, school safety planning, testing coordination, data analysis, and school-wide professional development.

Currently, I serve as a Coordinator of Assessment for Gwinnett County Public Schools. In this role, I lead the development of our district writing assessment, Gwinnett Writes, and facilitate professional development across elementary, middle, and high schools. My work focuses on integrating formative writing assessments into content areas like language arts, science, and social studies. Our goal is to build assessment literacy among educators and empower students to actively engage in the evaluation process.

I believe my strong educational background, combined with my fresh perspective as a parent new to Beacon Hill, would be a meaningful asset to the Leadership Team. I am especially passionate about helping schools create equitable, data-informed, and student-centered learning environments. While I have only experienced City Schools of Decatur as a parent, I have been impressed by its commitment to community, diversity, and academic excellence. I would be honored to support that vision and collaborate with fellow team members to serve all students and families at Beacon Hill.

Thank you for your consideration.

I am deeply motivated to serve on the Beacon Hill Middle School (BHMS) Leadership Team (SLT), where I can contribute to the continuous improvement of the school by leveraging my extensive experience in academic leadership, service, and mentoring. My professional journey as an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at Emory University School of Medicine, coupled with my role as Co-Scientific Director of the Robert P. Apkarian Integrated Electron Microscopy Core (IEMC), has equipped me with the skills and perspective necessary to positively impact school governance, student achievement, and family engagement at BHMS.

Throughout my career, I have actively participated in leadership roles within various academic and

student organizations. As a graduate student at Florida State University, I served as Vice President,

President, and Senior Consultant of a student organization, which allowed me to foster student

engagement and leadership. My experience as a Trainee Committee member in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology at Harvard Medical School further enhanced my ability to contribute to professional development and strategic planning within educational settings. Additionally, my tenure as a Board Member, Co-Chair, and Secretary of the Harvard Medical Postdoctoral Association involved significant responsibilities in governance and advocacy. These experiences are directly relevant to the SLT’s objectives.

At Emory University, I have continued to refine my leadership abilities through various roles. As Co-

Director of the Biochemistry Departmental Seminar Program and a member of the Faculty Search

Committee, I have been involved in shaping the academic and research environment to ensure it aligns with the institution’s goals of excellence and innovation. My work on recruitment, executive committees, and faculty development advisory committees has further solidified my commitment to enhancing educational programs and supporting the academic community.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been my involvement in mentoring students. Since joining Emory, I have launched and led the Regular Research Program (RRP) and Summer Research Program (SRP), through which I have mentored over 100 students, including undergraduates and high school students from diverse backgrounds. These experiences have provided me with a deep understanding of the educational needs and aspirations of younger students, insights that I am eager to apply to support the mission of BHMS. My efforts to redesign curricula and implement online programs during the COVID-19 pandemic exemplify my adaptability and commitment to ensuring that educational opportunities remain accessible and equitable.

My educational philosophy encourages critical thinking, stimulates scientific discovery, and fosters

effective communication. I believe these principles are essential not only for postdoctoral fellows and university students but also for middle school students as they begin exploring their academic and career interests. I am passionate about creating an educational environment that nurtures curiosity and inspires students to pursue STEM careers starting from a young age. Joining the BHMS Leadership Team represents an opportunity to apply my leadership experience, academic expertise, and passion for education to support the school’s continuous improvement. I am confident that my background will enable me to make meaningful contributions to the SLT. I am excited about the possibility of working collaboratively with other committee members, school staff, and the broader community to achieve our shared goals.

Hello, Beacon Hill families!

I’m Jessica Murdock, proud parent of a 6th grader, and I’m excited to introduce myself to you. My interest in joining the School Leadership Team comes from a heartfelt desire to give back to this wonderful school and community, while also getting to know the amazing staff, students, and families that make Beacon Hill so special.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the SLT and PTA at Westchester Elementary, and I organized the Summer Camp Expo event at F.Ave from 2022 to 2024. These experiences were incredibly rewarding, and I truly enjoyed working alongside other passionate parents and educators. Now, I’m eager to continue that journey here at Beacon Hill.

At Principal Glenn’s Meet and Greet, she spoke about the importance of helping kids feel connected to their school community, and that message really struck a chord with me. Every child deserves to feel seen, heard, and supported by someone who believes in them. I hope to work closely with Principal Glenn and the SLT to build those meaningful connections so that every student feels like Beacon Hill is a place where they truly belong.

Being an advocate for others is something I deeply value, and I want to ensure that every parent or guardian has the chance to share their voice in the decisions that shape our school. I thrive in collaborative environments and love being part of a team where we can support each other, tackle challenges, and celebrate successes together.

Thank you for considering me for the School Leadership Team. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve and connect with all of you!

My name is Ellen Narain and I am beginning my 3rd year as a Beacon Hill Parent & 10th year in CSD. My daughter, Naya, is an 8th grader at Beacon Hill and my son, Desmond, is a 5th grader at Talley. My background is in Corporate Sales, but my passion the last 13 years has been investing in my children and our community. I just finished a two-year term on the Talley SLT. I have been consistently involved in the PTO (Spirit Wear, Room Parent Coordinator, DEI committee member), the Volunteer Food & Sponsorship Coordinator for the MLK Service Weekend, a Deacon at my church, and most recently I’ve joined the advisory board for Out of Hand Theater and Equitable Dinners. As the parent of biracial children, I have a heart for diversity, equity and justice. Last year I worked with the Talley extended day tutoring team and the Decatur Housing Authority to create a weekly book club for kids to encourage a love of reading. I would be honored to continue to serve on the School Leadership Team and look out for the interest of all of our families.

I believe in Beacon Hill—and in doing the work to continuously improve. That means supporting our teachers, communicating with families, and making thoughtful decisions about resources. I bring years of hands-on experience in education systems, financial operations, and HR, along with a commitment to showing up and getting things done.

I’m a native Atlantan and 20+ year Decatur resident. My kids (now in 7th and 9th grade) have attended CSD schools since preschool, and I’ve held leadership roles on the PTOs, PTAs, and councils at each of their schools.

Professionally, I serve as Director of Operations at Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, a nonprofit focused on education equity and child well-being. We work statewide on issues that affect teachers, students, and families every day—like school climate, safety, behavioral health, and support for students with disabilities. In my role, I lead finance, HR, and operations—core functions of the SLT—regularly evaluating plans and budgets, overseeing hiring, and using data to guide decisions.

Earlier in my career, I spent eight years as an independent small business consultant and five years with an education-focused consulting firm, partnering with school systems nationwide. I love data analysis, financial reports, and complex systems—but I care most about the people behind the numbers.

If you’ve known me through PTA/PTO work or around town, you know I’m a consistent, vocal advocate for:

• Teachers, counselors, and other school staff
• Responsible, mission-driven use of resources
• A supportive, equitable school environment for all students

Middle school can be tough—for kids, families, and staff. I want to help make it easier—so Beacon Hill functions at its best, educators feel supported, families feel heard, and kids have what they need to succeed. Thank you for your consideration.

I am passionate about contributing to the success and growth of Beacon Hill Middle School and am eager to serve on the School Leadership Team.

Strong schools are built through collaborative leadership, transparent decision-making, and active family engagement. Joining the SLT would enable me to support key priorities, including school improvement planning, academic achievement, and strategic resource allocation. I’m committed to being a thoughtful and engaged voice for our parent community and to helping shape a learning environment where every student can thrive.

I’m especially committed to encouraging and supporting children who are eager to learn and grow, while ensuring that both student and family voices are heard and valued in all decisions. I would be honored to serve as a thoughtful and engaged advocate for our parent community and to help shape an educational environment where every student can thrive.