who we are

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.

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.

​Andreina Salas graduated from Georgia Southern University with a BA in Modern Languages (French and Spanish) and an MA in Spanish Literature and Language. Mrs. Salas is a native of Venezuela; she has lived in the United States since 1999.

Mrs. Salas teaches all levels of Spanish at Academe and has also taught various electives such as mythology, podcasting, and swimming. She enjoys sharing her passion for exploring all cultures with her students and has acted as the sponsor for Academe’s International Club. In addition to her teaching experience, Mrs. Salas has experience as a translator and interpreter for the state of Georgia, teaching English to adult immigrants, and has coached swim teams throughout the state. Mrs. Salas lives in Marietta with her husband, Emery, and their two children, Isla and Ander.

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.

Kelsy Stone received her undergraduate degree in Political Science, Global Studies, World Religions and German from Ripon College. Her graduate studies include Economics and Architecture as well as masters work in Art Education. After teaching at the high school level she went on to work in early childhood education and later as a specialty subject teacher at a Waldorf School. Mrs. Stone studied Waldorf Education at Rudolf Steiner College, before accepting a position as a class teacher in Hawaii.

From her earliest years Mrs. Stone has been a dancer. She grew up with Eastern European folk dances and later ballet. She is a world-wide known professional partner dancer specializing in Blues and Swing dances. For the last couple of years, she has been at Eurythmy Spring Valley pursuing her love of movement.

Mrs. Stone lives in Atlanta with her husband, Damon, their son, Xavier, and their 3 pets. Joining Academe in 2023, Mrs. Stone teaches Eurythmy. Off the dance floor she can be found playing a board game, creating fiber arts or having fun in her biodynamic garden.

Christie Wilson’s love for volleyball began while growing up in Southern California. She played for Western County Volleyball Club during its inaugural years in Riverside, California. She then finished her senior year playing for Power/Mizuno Club in Long Beach, CA. She was the Pepsi Female Athlete of the Year and MVP of the Ivy League during her senior year at Riverside Poly High School.

Christie Wilson went on to play collegiately at the University of Rhode Island, where she finished her career ranked 4th in the nation in kills per game, played on the Atlantic 10 Conference & Championship Team, named A-10 player of the week, was selected to the AVCA District 1 First Team, the URI Female Athlete of the Year, and the NCAA Rhode Island Female Athlete of the Year Nominee. Christie Wilson also trained with the US National Women’s Volleyball Team and played overseas before completing her Masters in Kinesiology at Louisiana State University. She also earned her Masters Degree in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Christie Wilson is nationally certified as an Athletic Trainer and often covers sporting events as a first responder. She is the Physician Extender to Dr. Jeff Traub at Atlanta Bone and Joint where she assists in clinic and in surgery.

Christie Wilson is the owner of Ichiban Volleyball Club which is now entering into its 13th year of operation. In 2020, in the midst of COVID, she opened 2 sand volleyball courts called One Beach where various leagues are played. Her latest venture has been opening a 2 court training facility ITP Sports. ITP Sports will allow local players an opportunity to grow their game closer to home. It will also host cornhole and pickleball events for all ages. For the love of the game, Christie Wilson has coached at Henderson Middle School for 7 years and is excited to work with the ladies of Academe of the Oaks.

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.

Educated as a chemist, Corbin’s graduate research focused on the biomedical applications of various nanotechnologies. After graduate school, Corbin was the third hire at a start-up company that was awarded a $15 million USDA Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Grant focused on climate-smart hemp cultivation. Corbin has two dogs, one of which is still a puppy. In her free time, Corbin enjoys any sort of outdoor activity. Ms. Farr holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Arts in Chemistry. She will perform grant writing for our school.