MEET THE TEAM – ATLANTA

Meet Talandra.

Talandra comes to Effective Students with a history of impacting her community working with youth and young adults, with an emphasis on planning, focus, self-control, awareness, and flexibility in addition to technical and soft skills. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Clark Atlanta University in Marketing.  With experience in the business world in retail, technology, management and nonprofit leadership, she understands what is expected of students in the long term. Her experience as an innovator coupled with relatability to students enables her to lead them in solving the challenges they face academically helping them develop confidence to self-advocate and direct their own learning.

Talandra specializes in working with student athletes in middle and high school as well as students with ASD transitioning to adulthood.  She has been a part of the Effective Students curriculum and has helped develop many added components which include designing units, student competitions hosting the Grit and Growth Mindset Sessions.

Talandra enjoys spending quality time with her daughter, a former Tennessee Lady Vols basketball player (Class of 2020), semi-retired professional athlete, and entrepreneur. In her free time, she loves dining out, relaxing, traveling, and sharing laughter with close friends and family.

Meet Taryn.

Meet Danielle.

Throughout her career, Danielle has been committed to fostering engaging learning environments, building strong relationships, and supporting both student and teacher growth. She has extensive experience in curriculum development, instructional leadership, and professional learning, and has served as a curriculum writer, instructional coach, and facilitator for educators across a variety of school settings.

Danielle earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Furman University, a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from the University of Michigan, and a Tier I Educational Leadership Certification from Kennesaw State University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership for PK–12 Independent Schools at Mercer University. Her research explores how relational leadership fosters the development of communities of practice within independent schools, with a particular focus on collaboration, trust, professional learning, and teacher growth.

Meet Stephanie.

Stephanie draws from a background in educational psychology research, where she has worked with students, teachers, and families from Pre-K to high school in both conventional and alternative education settings, as well as community settings, to support the implementation of evidence-based academic interventions. She also has a background in psychoeducational assessment and has assessed students, from Pre-K to college-age, with a variety of academic and behavioral difficulties in school-based and clinical settings. She has worked with families and teachers of these students, providing individualized consultation and recommendations to best support their students’ development. Through her training as a school psychologist, Stephanie has implemented counseling, behavioral support interventions, and academic interventions at the individual, small-group, and class-wide levels in school settings. Stephanie is passionate about helping students, especially those with learning difficulties characterized by diagnoses such as ADHD, ASD, and learning disabilities, learn and grow. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to support these students and their families through coaching with Effective Students.

Meet Gillian.

Gillian Moody is beginning her 26th year in education and brings extensive experience working with students across K–12 grade levels. She holds both a Master of Education (M.Ed.) and a Specialist in Education (Ed.S.) in Education, and she is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in School Improvement through the University of West Georgia. Mrs. Moody currently serves as a high school counselor, where she is dedicated to supporting students’ academic, personal, and social growth.

A strong advocate for student success, Mrs. Moody is passionate about helping young people develop the skills of self-advocacy, organization, and self-discipline to prepare them for future opportunities in both academics and life. She also has a deep appreciation for athletics and enjoys encouraging student-athletes as they strive to achieve their goals both on and off the field. Over the course of her career, she has coached competition cheer and gymnastics, experiences that have allowed her to combine her love of sports with her commitment to student development.

Outside of her professional role, Mrs. Moody values time with her husband, Matt, and their three daughters, Mary Mattalyn, Hendley, and Clara Jack. She especially enjoys supporting her daughters in their various pursuits, often spending weekends at soccer games, pole vaulting meets, and cheer competitions. Whether at school or in the community, Mrs. Moody is devoted to fostering growth, resilience, and success in the lives of the students she serves.

Meet Keba

I am excited to join Effective Students as a team member, where I look forward to supporting students in achieving their academic and personal goals with my Interrelated Teacher experience. I am passionate about helping others, building positive relationships, and creating a supportive learning environment for all. I bring a strong work ethic, several years of teaching in exceptional education, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to making a meaningful impact. I am eager to continue learning, growing professionally, and contributing to the success of the students and the Effective Students team.