Lakisha Odum Wade is the Professional School Counselor. She is a graduate of Ridgeway High School. She received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Memphis. She received a Master of Science in Special Education from Cambridge College and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Counseling from Freed Hardeman University. Ms. Wade has been with Memphis Shelby County Schools legacy Memphis City Schools for over 17 years. In her spare time she enjoys reading, traveling, fine dining and spending time with family and friends. Ms. Wade believes that all students should be treated equally, no matter their circumstances or challenges. 

Melinda Cummings is the 6th-12th grade English teacher at our Hope Academy west.She is a proud graduate of Southside High School, LeMonye College, and Strayer University.  Mrs. Cummings is married with two children. Mrs. Cummings has been teaching with Alternative Schools for 19 years. She loves helping children learn and is determined to make a positive impact on the world before she leaves here. 

Greetings, my name is Shantel Whitehead and I am proud to say that I have been teaching mathematics since 2002. A graduate of Kirby High School and the University of Memphis, I am a lifelong Memphian who has dedicated myself to giving back to the children in my hometown. As a young adult entering college, I thought about what was something that I could do that would allow me to solve math problems every day. When my older sister went up to the University of Memphis to complete lab work as a Biomedical Illustrator major, I would ask her to tag along so I could play teacher on the chalkboard in those college classrooms. I think of myself as well as my fellow educators as super heroes every day. Our job doesn’t only consist of educating, but we counsel, mentor, guide, protect, and even provide when needed. Our students keep us on our toes and are the reason we continue to come in each day and do what we do. When I am not surrounded by my students, I love spending time with family, friends and my two awesome kids, Robin and Landon. There is nothing better than a good southern fellowship.

Brook Davis is a Special Education teacher. She grew up in Memphis, TN and moved to San Francisco, CA to pursue her undergraduate degree in Communications at the University of San Francisco. She loved living in the bay area and worked for a brief time in the media industry. She moved back to the Memphis area shortly after she had her daughter, who is now a freshman at the University of Memphis. After working in the media industry, she decided to pursue a Masters in Special Education at the University of Memphis. She has taught both in the former Memphis City Schools and Shelby County Schools systems.  She also obtained her Masters in Educational Leadership and Administration from Christian Brothers University. Ms. Davis served in the United States Army Reserve as an Officer of Military Police and was deployed to Iraq in 2007-2008.

Dawn Weeks is our Alternative Educational Specialist. She is a 2005 graduate of East Side High School in Cleveland,MS. Ms. Weeks went on to attend Mississippi Valley State University majoring in Business Administrations. Ms. Weeks is the mother of two kids one son and one daughter. She has only been with Shelby County Schools a short time. She enjoys crafting, watching sports/reality tv, making unforgettable memories with her family and traveling in her spare time. She is a firm believer in everyone makes mistakes; but we all deserve a second chance.

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My name is Derrick Cubit and I am the English Teacher at Hope Academy Jail East. I attended Hillcrest High School but graduated from Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering in 2011. I attended Jackson State University and graduated in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communications and a minor in English. I love working with the younger generation and would like to have a positive influence on our students in order to prepare them for a successful life. In my spare time, I indulge in photography, playing basketball, being outdoors and physical fitness.

Mrs. Odie-Wright is currently the Special Education teacher for the Jail East location. 

Hi, my name is Courtney Sims, and I am the Financial Secretary for Hope academy. I was born in Vicksburg, MS and grew up in Memphis, TN. I am married to my best friend and wonderful husband; together we have two dogs named Max and Nova. I graduated from Sheffield High School, home of the Knights here in Memphis, TN. Once I started working here at Hope Academy around all these wonderful teachers, it motivated me to pursue a career as a teacher. So, I re-enrolled in college and now attend WGU. My hobbies are traveling and crafting. I believe that if you can at least save one life, it is an accomplishment. 

My name is Curtis Neal, and I am the Computer Lab Assistant at Hope Academy West. I attended Bolivar Central High School in Jackson, TN and graduated in 2017. I attend the University of Memphis currently working on a bachelor’s degree in mass communications. My goal is to be a speech pathologist. I admire working with the younger generation and would like to have a positive impact on our students to prepare them for a successful life. In my spare time, I indulge in shoe collecting. I pledged to Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in the fall of 2018.