Meet our dedicated faculty and staff
At Better Green Academy, Inc., our exceptional team is the heart of our success. Discover the passion, experience, and commitment that drives our faculty and staff to inspire and educate every scholar.
From modest beginnings, we've grown through unwavering dedication and a commitment to continuous improvement. Each step has reinforced our core belief in the power of collaboration and the importance of integrity. We're passionate about what we do, and we're excited to share our story with you.
We are a dedicated team committed to crafting exceptional experiences. Our focus lies in providing reliable and innovative solutions, driven by a deep respect for quality and a genuine desire to exceed expectations.
Ms. Batiste-Pereira is a highly respected leader, military veteran, child advocate, and community servant whose life has been dedicated to empowering individuals, strengthening families, and creating opportunities for future generations. Her distinguished career spans military service, public service, political leadership, caregiving, human resources, and educational administration, reflecting a lifelong commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
A proud United States Army veteran, Lorette honorably served her country for more than 21 years, from January 1979 through April 2000. Throughout her military career, she held numerous leadership and administrative positions, including Personnel Sergeant, Recruiter, Medical Supply Non-Commissioned Officer, and Administrative Specialist. Entrusted with the management of personnel, operations, logistics, and organizational readiness, she earned a reputation for integrity, discipline, accountability, and excellence. Her military experience provided the foundation for the exceptional leadership, strategic planning, and problem-solving skills that continue to define her professional career today.
Following her retirement from military service, Ms. Batiste-Pereira expanded her commitment to public service through civic engagement and political leadership. She played a significant role in the historic presidential campaign of Barack Obama, serving in leadership positions across twelve states, including Assistant Regional Field Director, Organizer, County Conversion Leader, and Assistant State Director. Through grassroots organizing, voter education, volunteer development, and community outreach, she helped mobilize thousands of citizens and contributed to one of the most transformative political movements in modern American history.
Driven by a deep passion for serving others, Lorette later dedicated herself to caregiving through Leta' Home Care LLC, where she provided compassionate support and advocacy for individuals and families facing life's challenges. Her work reflected her unwavering belief that every person deserves dignity, respect, and quality care.
In 2022, Lorette brought her extensive leadership experience to the field of education and child development by joining iKids After School Care. Since that time, she has served in multiple leadership capacities, including Assistant Teacher, Director, and Human Resources Administrator. She has successfully managed and maintained more than 400 student and family accounts while ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and exceptional service delivery. Her accomplishments include developing comprehensive parent and staff handbooks, overseeing employee recruitment and background screening, maintaining personnel and compliance records, coordinating staff development and training initiatives, and implementing systems that support organizational growth and accountability.
Throughout her career in childcare administration, Lorette has built strong collaborative relationships with key agencies and organizations, including Atlanta Public Schools, Quality Rated, Bright from the Start, the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL), the United States Department of Homeland Security, and numerous state and local partners.
Her ability to navigate complex regulatory environments while maintaining a child-centered and family-focused approach has earned her the trust and respect of colleagues, parents, educators, and community leaders alike.
What truly distinguishes Lorette is her unwavering commitment to service. Whether leading soldiers, organizing communities, supporting families, mentoring staff, or advocating for children, she approaches every responsibility with compassion, integrity, and purpose. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in the belief that strong communities are built through service, education, accountability, and empowerment.
Today, Ms. Batiste-Pereira continues to serve as a champion for children, families, and communities. Her life's work stands as a testament to the power of servant leadership, and her legacy continues to inspire others to lead with courage, compassion, and an enduring commitment to excellence.
Mrs. Delise Garcia- Kindergarten /1st Grades Teacher and holds a Master of Arts in Education Elementary Teacher Education degree from University of Phoenix
Mrs. Garcia has a strong passion for helping young learners grow in confidence, literacy, and critical thinking skills. She holds a master’s degree in Elementary Education and is certified in Elementary Education in the state of Georgia.
Mrs. Garcia brings valuable experience teaching in early elementary classrooms, with a focused interest in literacy instruction, vocabulary development, reading comprehension, and differentiated learning strategies to support diverse learners. She is highly skilled in curriculum planning, student engagement techniques, and standards-based instruction.
Her professional experience includes designing lessons aligned to state standards, integrating educational technology, facilitating small-group instruction, and implementing data-driven teaching practices. Mrs. Garcia is especially dedicated to helping students build strong foundational reading skills while creating a classroom environment where every child feels safe, encouraged, and capable of success.
Mr. Malcom Brown
Assistant Principal,
4th to 6th Grades Social Studies (Sciences) and English Language Arts Virtual/Online Students at Better Green Academy Inc.
Mr. Brown, is a retired turnaround principal with a distinguished career transforming education and strengthening school communities. Successfully led the turnaround of five failing and unsafe schools over a 15-year span, while also contributing to the successful improvement of a sixth school as a School Improvement Officer. Demonstrated visionary leadership and a commitment to student achievement, school culture, and organizational excellence throughout a multifaceted career in education and public service.
Mr. Brown's professional experience includes serving as Interim Superintendent, football coach, bus driver, United States Army soldier, Residence Hall Director during graduate school, and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor following college. Dedicated educator with classroom experience teaching 7th Grade Social Studies (2001–2005 and 2021–2023), 12th Grade Economics and U.S. Government (2023–2025), and 6th Grade Social Studies during the 2025–2026 school year.
Mr. Brown holds the following degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Law, M.Ed. in Social Science, M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Supervision from Delta State University.
He holds certifications in Educational Leadership, Political Science, Economics, History, Geography, Psychology, and Behavioral Sciences. Recognized for building strong relationships with students, faculty, families, and communities while fostering academic growth, safety, discipline, and leadership development.
Mrs. Twana Harris Lewis Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher
Mrs. Harris Lewis serves as our Pre-Kindergarten Educational Specialist, bringing over 30 years of experience with the Clayton County Head Start Program in Clayton County, Georgia and The Goddard School. Her extensive background has been instrumental in laying a strong foundation for early childhood development at Better Green Academy.
Mrs. Harris holds certifications in Early Child Development.
Her commitment to nurturing young minds ensures that our youngest learners receive the best possible start, fostering a lifelong love for learning and growth. Mrs. Harris Lewis is deeply dedicated to helping others grow, reflecting the core values of our organization.
Ms. Danielle Amal Gay, PhD. Candidate
4th/5th Grade Teacher
Georgia State University
The University of Arizona -Global Campus
Elementary Educator | Naturopathic Practitioner | Herbalist | Founder of Fate & Flow
Danielle is an educator, Naturopathic Practitioner, herbalist, and lifelong learner who is passionate about helping children discover their unique gifts and reach their fullest potential. She believes every child deserves a classroom where they feel safe, valued, encouraged, and inspired to grow both academically and personally.
Danielle earned her Bachelor of Science from Georgia State University and her Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Ashford University. She is currently pursuing her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Organizational Development and Leadership with a specialization in E-Learning, where her research focuses on resilience, leadership, workforce development, and creating meaningful learning experiences that empower individuals to succeed.
Above all, Danielle Amal Gay is a devoted mother to her amazing son, who inspires her every day to lead with love, purpose, and intention. Motherhood has shaped her perspective on education, wellness, and leadership, reinforcing her belief that every child deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered to reach their fullest potential. Whether at home, in the classroom, or within her community, Danielle strives to create environments where children and families can thrive together.
Before transitioning into education, Danielle spent nearly a decade building a successful career in healthcare, specializing in Human Resources, Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, and Organizational Development within the long-term care industry. She recruited, trained, coached, and developed healthcare professionals while partnering with organizational leaders to strengthen employee engagement, improve performance, cultivate leadership, and build high-performing teams. Throughout her career, she became passionate about helping individuals recognize their strengths, develop new skills, and achieve their personal and professional goals.
Those experiences naturally prepared Danielle for the classroom. The same principles she used to develop and mentor adult professionals, building confidence, fostering growth, creating engaging learning environments, and meeting individuals where they are, now guide her work as an educator. She believes that effective teaching, like effective leadership, is rooted in encouragement, meaningful relationships, continuous growth, and helping every learner realize their potential.
Danielle strives to create engaging, student-centered learning experiences that encourage children to ask questions, think critically, solve problems, and believe in themselves. She teaches her students that mistakes are opportunities to learn, kindness is a strength, perseverance builds confidence, and education opens doors to endless possibilities.
Outside the classroom, Danielle is the founder of Fate & Flow, a holistic wellness brand dedicated to helping individuals and families embrace healthier lifestyles through handcrafted herbal teas, sea moss gels, botanical wellness products, and intentional self-care experiences. As a Naturopathic Practitioner and herbalist, she believes that physical wellness, emotional well-being, and academic success are deeply connected.
Whether she is teaching in the classroom, mentoring students, creating natural wellness products, or leading initiatives that develop people and organizations, Danielle is driven by one mission: to empower others to learn with confidence, lead with purpose, and live healthy, meaningful lives.
Her personal motto, “Guided by Fate. Grounded in Flow.” reflects her belief that while purpose may guide our journey, it is through balance, resilience, intention, and faith that we truly flourish. Danielle encourages others to trust where life leads them while remaining grounded in who they are and the values that shape their lives.
Mrs. Erica Summerlin
2nd/3rd Grade Teacher
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix
Welcome!
I'm Erica Summerlin.
I'm an early childhood educator with 30 years of experience dedicated to helping young children learn, grow, and believe in themselves. My career includes 29 years as a paraprofessional and one year as a kindergarten teacher, and I hold a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Phoenix.
I believe every child deserves a classroom where they feel safe, valued, and excited to learn. My mission is to create engaging, nurturing learning experiences that help children develop academically, socially, and emotionally while building the confidence they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
My Philosophy
"Every child can learn and succeed when given the support, encouragement, and opportunity to shine."
I believe children learn best when they are encouraged to explore, ask questions, make mistakes, and celebrate their successes. Every child learns differently, so I strive to meet each student where they are and provide meaningful instruction that supports their individual needs. Through patience, compassion, and positive relationships, I work to create a classroom where every child feels seen, heard, and capable of achieving great things.
What I Bring to the Classroom
- Over 30 years of experience in elementary education
- Strong classroom management and student engagement
- Developmentally appropriate lesson planning
- Creative and hands-on learning experiences
- Curriculum development and educational technology integration
- A nurturing, inclusive classroom environment
- A commitment to building positive partnerships with families
My Goal
My greatest joy as an educator is watching children discover their abilities, gain confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning. I am committed to helping every student reach their fullest potential while creating memories that make learning meaningful and enjoyable.
Years of inspiring excellence
Our faculty and staff bring many years of experience in teaching and inspiring scholars, creating a lifetime impact. Their dedication goes beyond academics, shaping well-rounded individuals ready for future success.
A team that changes lives
The faculty and staff at Better Green Academy, Inc. have been changing the lives of scholars for decades. Their unwavering commitment ensures every student receives the support and guidance needed to thrive academically and personally.
Collaboration for scholar success
Our team plans well, works hard, and does their absolute best for all scholars to succeed. We foster a collaborative culture where every member is committed to creating an optimal learning environment for every student.
"The dedication of the Better Green Academy, Inc. team is truly remarkable. They not only teach but also nurture Christian growth, making a profound impact on every child."
A satisfied parent at Better Green Academy, Inc.