I am Mrs. Jacqueline Arigbede, U.S. History teacher with Hope Academy.   I am an educator of nearly 24 years, a wife of 22 years, mother of two sons and a daughter, author of three books, and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Incorporated.  I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and a Master’s in Education from Columbia College in Chicago. The first ten years of my teaching career, I taught in Chicago Public Schools. I have also taught with legacy Memphis City Schools. I formerly worked with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock, the Chicago Tribune in Chicago, and Consumers Digest magazine in Skokie, Illinois.  I have a passion for motivating others to learn and thoroughly enjoy reading and writing in my rare spare time.  Hope Academy remains the best educational institution I have ever had the privilege of engaging students.   

Hello, my name is Sharon Brown, and I am excited about embarking on this new journey here at Hope Academy. I am a Mitchell High School and Southwest Community College graduate who has dedicated her life to giving back to children. I not only educate, but I also counsel, mentor, lead, protect, and even provide when necessary. I work hard to make learning enjoyable, engaging, and accessible to all my pupils. I am a firm believer in student-centered learning and am constantly seeking new and creative methods to convey the curriculum. My goal is to inspire the next generation to believe in themselves and to develop life skills that will position them as productive citizens in the future.

Hello, my name is Lauren Carlson, and I am the 6th-12th grade Art Teacher at Hope Academy. I am a Memphis native, a graduate of St. Agnes Academy and University of Memphis. At Hope, I find purpose in providing a safe space for students to creatively express themselves. After close to twenty years of being an artist in Memphis, I find it exciting and rewarding to teach students about art history, the importance of art, and all the different ways we can make it.

Melinda Cummings is the 6th-12th grade English teacher at our Hope Academy East. 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. 

Brook Davis has been a Special Education teacher for over twenty years.  

My name is Coach Gant, but the kids call me Coach G.

I graduated from Kingsbury High School right here in Memphis, Tn. After finishing high school, I attended Dyersburg State Community College on an athletic scholarship to play basketball. I earned my associate’s degree in 2014 and transferred to the University of Memphis where I received a bachelor and master’s degree in physical education.

Mrs. Odie-Wright is a Special Education Teacher with Hope Academy.  

I was born in New York and raised in Memphis. I am a product of Memphis City Schools, having graduated from Ridgeway High School. I completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature at the University of Memphis, and my Master of Education at Christian Brothers University. I have been in education for 16 years, 9 of which I spent as an ELA classroom teacher. I am the mother of two amazing young men, Darius, who is 19 and will be playing baseball at Southern University in New Orleans (SUNO), and Mason, who is 13, also a baseball player, and in 8th grade at Snowden Middle. I love to read for pleasure, binge-watch shows, and spend time with my loved ones!

Shannon Shaw is the 6th-12th grade English teacher at Hope Academy. She is a graduate of Horn Lake High School and the University of Memphis. Mrs. Shaw has been married for 24 years and is the proud mother of two daughters.  She has been teaching for over 20 years in the Mid-South area. She enjoys reading, shopping, and spending quality time with those she loves.  Mrs. Shaw is passionate about teaching and helping her students achieve greatness. 

Hello, my name is Mrs. Smith, and it is with great pride that I introduce myself as the Science teacher at Hope Academy. I fell in love with Memphis after my high school sweetheart, who is now my husband, attended the University of Memphis on a track and cross-country scholarship. Since then, we have had two beautiful children who keep us busy and on our toes!

Over the past 20 years as an educator, I have worn many different hats, both in and out of the classroom and have grown through my experiences at the University of Memphis Campus School, legacy Memphis City Schools, Achievement School District, and Memphis-Shelby County Schools. Each of these roles has shaped me into a highly motivated and compassionate educator, who is happiest when engaged in service to others.

I believe that Science should be a creative and enjoyable endeavor, whereby students are encouraged to express their curiosities and are challenged and supported in their quest to figure out the world around them. I want learners to ask questions and to not be fearful of making mistakes, as I feel that these are integral aspects of learning. Working alongside the other dedicated individuals at Hope Academy, my goal is to contribute to the work of ensuring that all students have access to highly effective instruction that supports their continued academic as well as social-emotional development, regardless of circumstances.

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. 

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 children, 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 making mistakes; but we all deserve a second chance.

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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 superheroes 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.