who we are

Dave Berzack earned his B.S. of science in business administration from Washington University St. Louis MO. He is an industry veteran with 20 years of experience in web development, working at agencies, Fortune 50 companies, and at start-ups. He is teaching an online bootcamp for UNC Chapel Hill that turns complete newbies into professional web developers. And he is always working on interesting side projects, interactive art, web games, and music-related applications.

Mr. Berzack teaches computer science at Academe of the Oaks. The courses focus on JavaScript and other web technologies. In addition to building a solid foundation in computer science, students gain specific skills (and standard certifications) with the most in-demand programming languages. We’ll also explore using these powerful tools for creative expression. And we’ll broaden our mental horizons, in general, as communicating with machines and solving logic problems teaches us to think in interesting new ways.

Dr. Tara Buckley Wyman received her undergraduate degree in Chemistry from California State University, Los Angeles, and her doctorate in Organic Chemistry from UCLA. As a post-doctoral fellow, Dr. Wyman studied gene therapy at the University of California, San Francisco, before accepting a position as professor of chemistry at De Anza College, Cupertino.

Dr. Wyman lives in Atlanta with her husband, Greg, and their twin boys. Dr. Wyman completed the Waldorf high school teacher training program in 2007. At Academe of the Oaks since 2004, she teaches chemistry, physics, mathematics, and quilting. Dr. Wyman is a member of Academe’s Leadership Group; she coordinates the Governor’s Honors program for the high school; and she contributes mightily to the drama department’s wardrobe of contemporary and period costumes.

Prof. Martens was born and grew up in The Netherlands. He obtained a PhD (Cum Laude) from Utrecht University in theoretical astrophysics in 1983, and shortly thereafter started a Postdoc position at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center near Washington DC. It had always been his dream to work in space exploration, and now that became reality. In 1987 he started as a research scientist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics in Cambridge MA, followed by a staff position in 1990 at the Lockheed-Martin Solar and Astrophysics Lab in Palo Alto, CA. As such he participated in the operations of the joint Japanese, US, and UK Yohkoh satellite studying the Sun, which were conducted from the Japanese space center in Sagamihara, near Tokyo, where Dr. Martens spent a year.

Dr. Martens has taught courses in astrophysics, both graduate and undergraduate, at Utrecht University, Harvard, Stanford, the University of Buenos Aires, Montana State University, Sera Buddhist Monastery near Mysore in India, and now at Georgia State University. He also serves regularly on panels and boards, and consults with NASA, the National Science Foundation, and the American Astronomical Society, and works closely with NASA on space hazard forecasting for the Artemis project.

Dr. Martens has been married for 35 years to his wonderful wife Kathleen who is a teacher, professor, and a therapist. Together they raised five children, and their youngest child, Ellie, graduated from the Academe of the Oaks in May 2022. They now have two grand children as well in the Atlanta area. Dr. Martens enjoys teaching “Introduction to Astronomy” to non-physics majors at GSU, and the course at Academe of the Oaks is a natural extension of that.

TG Pelham received his B.A. in philosophy and history from Goucher College in Baltimore, MD, and his M.A. in rhetoric from Georgia State University. Mr. Pelham has taught in both public and private schools since 1995, specializing in literature and history, debate, and outdoor experiential education.

Mr. Pelham has coached both college and high-school debate teams for national competition. As a faculty member of Emory University’s National Debate Project, he helped establish urban debate programs for underfunded public schools. An outdoor enthusiast, Mr. Pelham has also created several outdoor education programs. For 20 years he directed youth summer programs at Turtle Island, a camp run by Eustace Conway and featured on the History Channel. Mr. Pelham teaches outdoor skills such as South Eastern American Indian technologies, backcountry and primitive camping, white-water canoeing, and rock climbing.

He lives in Decatur, GA, with his partner, Lesli, their two sons, and Sydney, their convenient travel-sized Mini Aussie.

Ilise Benshushan Cohen, Ph.D., received an undergraduate degree in Anthropology from Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, and a doctorate from California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco. Dr. Cohen is a scholar-activist on Israel/Palestine, specifically focused on Mizrahi Jews (from the Middle East and North Africa). She taught Jewish studies at Agnes Scott College, global issues of justice at Mercer University, international policy and perspectives, and socio-cultural concepts at Smith College’s School for Social Work, globalization, and social movements at California State University, Monterey Bay. She is active on Middle East, human rights, peace-building, and education and has led many delegations to the Middle East. She is committed to critical thinking, organizing, and educating for justice in the Middle East and to anti-racist activism and organizing locally.

Dr. Cohen is co-founder and co-coordinator of the Jews of Color, Sephardi and Mizrahi Caucus, co-founder and co-leader of Jewish Voice for Peace, Atlanta chapter, steering member of SEDQ: Global Jewish Network for Justice and a member of the newly formed International Jewish Collective for Justice in Palestine. She was co-vice chair of the national council of the Fellowship of Reconciliation (FOR), former chair of Interfaith Peace-Builders (Eyewitness Palestine), and member of FOR’s Latin American Task Force Colombia program committee among other commitments.

Dr. Cohen also teaches Hebrew and mentors young Jews and allies. For the last few years, she has been teaching Middle East history and current events at Academe of the Oaks.

Corrina Sephora Mensoff began her life-long interest in metalworking at the age of five in her father’s workshop. After receiving her BFA in Sculpture and Metalsmithing from the Massachusetts College of Art (Boston) in 1995, she moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where she created a self-guided journeyman’s apprenticeship. Two years later, she established Phoenix Metalworks, specializing in sculpture, furniture, and architectural works.

In 2005, Ms. Mensoff received her MFA in Sculpture from Georgia State University. Her metalworking awards include “Best in Show” from Annette Cone Skelton of MOCA, Silver Award from Icarus International, and a Silver Sculpture Award from NOMMA, among others. Her metalwork is on permanent display in Atlanta at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, Temple Sinai, the Martin Luther King Natatorium, and in many private collections nationally. She continues to exhibit in museums, galleries, and public art venues.

Ms. Mensoff teaches blacksmithing to the ninth grade at Academe of the Oaks.

Fran Carroll is the Director of Operations and Finance at the International Community School (ICS) in Decatur, GA. When not working at ICS, Ms. Carroll also serves on the Board Of Directors for The Ormewood School in Ormewood Park. Ms. Carroll has also served in multiple roles including President of the BOD for Inman Park Cooperative Preschool. She earned her BA in Spanish with a concentration in International Business in 2004, and her Masters of Business Administration from Georgia State University in 2010. Ms. Carroll is also a graduate of the Start: ME Southside Cohort, 2018 an entrepreneurship initiative through Emory’s Goizuetta Business School. She considers herself a lover of entrepreneurship having launched 3 businesses. Ms. Carroll also recently launched a movement called #tinyactivistsatl #tinyactivists. Tiny Activists responds to recent issues surrounding police reform, racial equality and race relations in our country. The goal of Tinyactivists is to provide a platform for children and their families to use their voices to affect change. When not working and volunteering, Ms. Carroll enjoys spending time with her family, her Husband Milton, and kids Addison 9, Nora 7, and Micah 4.

Marshall “Mac” Isseks is a musician and educator originally from Liberty, New York. He earned a BA in philosophy from Emory University and an MM in jazz studies from Georgia State University. He has studied and performed with many of Atlanta’s great jazz community members including: Gary Motley, Kevin Bales, Louis Heriveaux, Mace Hibbard, EJ Hughes, Audrey Shakir and Kermit Walker. Mr. Isseks’s undergraduate work in philosophy focused on French existentialism and jazz improvisation, both of which have remained lifelong passions. He performs regularly in Atlanta’s fertile music scene. Mr. Isseks teaches the Jazz Ensemble at Academe of the Oaks.

James Omedo is a passionate volleyball coach who values the life benefits and lessons of playing volleyball. He has been coaching volleyball for over 20 years at middle school, high school and college. James is a certified USAV level 1 coach, a certified FIVB level 1 coach, Impact certified USAV coach, member of the ACVA and developer of the celebrated Direct Impact coaching educational series. James Omedo is also the founder and director of Olympus volleyball club. As a Olympic qualifier player James played for his national team in the zone 5 olympic qualifiers and actively plays sand, grass and outdoor volleyball. James Omedo’s coaching philosophy are always give your best effort everyday and have fun doing what you love, the rest will take care of itself. James enjoys traveling, playing beach volleyball, designing and spending time with his wife and two kids.

Coach Durham fell in love with the game of basketball at the tender age of 5. Basketball fascinated him not just because of the athleticism of the game but most importantly it was the mental aspect of the game. Coach Durham has over 15 years’ experience coaching. In addition to coaching, he is an active member of NG3 where he facilitates character development and small group mentoring. Coach Durham is dedicated not only to the game, but also to seeing students succeed in every aspect of life.

Coach Durham attended Christian Life School of Theology, Athens Tech, and he’s currently a student at Luther Rice College and Seminary. Coach Durham has been married to his wife Carolyn for 24 years. Carolyn teaches 8th grade Studies at Carver Middle School in Monroe Ga. She is also the Head Coach of Carver’s Basketball Team. Coach Durham and Carolyn have 2 daughters Natyana and Natavia. Coach Durham hopes to bring a winning culture to Academe of the Oaks. He is looking forward to a strong season.

Originally from Maryland, and a graduate of East Carolina University with a BSBA in Accounting, Janice began her career in Washington, DC with BDO Seidman. Her career path led her to David C. Cooper & Associates, focusing on matching skills and personalities with a client’s hiring needs. Janice’s success at finding the “right fit” and her passion for helping people find their perfect career track is what led her into educational consulting. Her wide view of career possibilities has proven to be a valuable asset to students and parents as they identify college options. Janice is a CPA and is currently completing her practicum for Certification in College Counseling through UCLA and maintains a private college consulting practice in East Cobb.

As College Counselor at the Academe, Janice begins working with students in their Junior year and assists them through the application and decision process Senior year. Students are provided with necessary tools for college research as well as one-on-one meetings to address concerns unique to each student. Each student is on a different journey, and Janice is available to help our families navigate the college application process.

Atlanta native, Christina Edwards, received her B.A. from Georgia State University after studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Ms. Edwards brings over 15 years of experience in digital marketing, public relations, and communications, and began working with Academe in 2016. Ms. Edwards resides in intown Atlanta with her husband, son, and daughter, and enjoys hopping on the BeltLine’s Eastside Trail on the weekends.