Mock Trial Team
Faculty Sponsor: John Whitehurst
The Mount Pisgah Mock Trial Team competes in the Georgia Mock Trial Competition. Sponsored by the State Bar of Georgia, the Competition puts students into the roles of lawyers and witnesses in arguing a fictitious case in a courtroom setting. The team begins organizing in September in preparation for competitions with other schools in February and March.
Please visit this site for more information.
The Honor Council
Faculty Chair: Shane Tomashot
Faculty Advisors: Greer Dover and Andrew Perry
The Honor Council works to uphold the academic integrity of the Upper School. To join, prospective members must obtain the recommendations of three faculty members and write an essay describing their aptitude for and commitment to academic integrity. Essays are reviewed by the faculty sponsors, who then meet to select the students deemed most qualified. Students must be honest and trustworthy. Moreover, they must uphold a vow of confidentiality regarding cases and sessions. Once a student is accepted as an Honor Council member, they may continue to serve for the remainder of their high school career.
Health Sciences Club
Faculty Sponsor: Alison Cuppia
Assistant Faculty Sponsor: Andrew Perry
The Health Sciences Club provides students with opportunities related to Health Sciences through Service Projects, Networking, and Community Connections. The Health Sciences Club aims to provide service opportunities like volunteering at an assisted living facility or organizing a community blood drive with the Red Cross. Networking and Community Connection opportunities might include shadowing athletic training staff or lunch-and-learn sessions with health care professionals. To join the Health Sciences Club, please contact the Faculty Sponsor.
B.A., History and English, Georgia Southern University
Who was the most influential teacher/coach/instructor when you were growing up? What was it about him/her that impacted you?
Mr. Patterson’s teaching is what inspired me to become a teacher. He was an talented raconteur whose knowledge and love of history was deep. Every day he was able to connect incidents of the past to today’s problems.
What is your fondest Mount Pisgah memory?
In January of 2013 I was able to accompany a group of students on an amazing tour of Italy. Seeing so many historical sites for the first time with a group of students seeing them for the first time was inspiring and energizing.
Why do you teach or work at a school?
I was in high school when I realized that I was called to be a history teacher. It is a career that is different every minute of every day.
Education
PhD: Modern World History;
MA: Political Science;
BS: Secondary Social Studies Education
Why do you love teaching or working at Mount Pisgah?
I love both! The students are eager to learn, respectful and hard working. My fellow teachers are kind, helpful, welcoming and dedicated to their craft.
Who was the most influential teacher/coach/instructor when you were growing up? What was it about him/her that impacted you?
I have been lucky to have numerous influential teachers and coaches in my life. Mr. Williams, my seventh grade history teacher, helped me love both history and teaching. My high school basketball coach, Coach Morris, helped me develop a strong work ethic. I recall his adage daily: "You either get better or you get worse, but you never stay the same."
What is your favorite Bible verse? Please include the full text of the verse, as well as the book and verse.
"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." -Proverbs 11:3 "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." -James 3:13
Upper School Science Teacher
M.A., Teaching, Emory University
M.S., Cell Biology, Northwestern University
B.A., Biology, Washington University, St. Louis
What is your teaching style?
I teach students a variety of science courses - Biology, Honors Biology, Physical Science and Environmental Science - in the upper school. I teach with the Mount Pisgah "college prep, life ready" mission in mind. I encourage students to be more independent and to model science by gathering information, asking questions, exploring ways to find answers to questions and analyzing results. In science just as in life, we learn so much when things don't go as planned; what might be thought of as failure gives us very important information. Whether looking at results from a laboratory investigation or considering how well their study skills helped them learn material, students analyze results from situations so they can move forward equipped with new information to inform future decisions. I focus on these and other important skills to help our students be prepared for college and ready for life.
Who was the most influential teacher/coach/instructor when you were growing up? What was it about him/her that impacted you?
My high school biology teacher was a very influential teacher in my life. He encouraged us to model science in all aspects of life by continually asking questions. That foundational idea has allowed me to be true to who I am and who God wants me to be instead of following the crowd.
What is your fondest Pisgah memory?
At the end of the 2014-2015 school year I accompanied the rising 10th graders on their Southern Road Trip Pisgah Passage through Chattanooga, Birmingham, New Orleans, and Selma. I had a wonderful time exploring destinations in the South with the group of faculty and students. We visited locations that had meaningful history, interactive nature, and great beauty. I loved seeing how engaged students were while experiencing education firsthand and watching them develop independence learned while traveling.