Faculty & Staff

List of 12 items.

• Colleen Burwell, Director of Pre/Lower School

  Colleen Burwell is the director of the Pre/Lower School (K3-Grade 4). She joined the Athens Academy administration in 2015 and served as assistant director of Pre/Lower School until 2019, when she was appointed director of the Preschool. Ms. Burwell has a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia and  M.Ed. and Ed.S. degrees from Georgia College and State University.

• Kelley Cuneo, Director of Communications

  Kelley Cuneo joined the Athens Academy staff in 2004 as a part-time publications and public relations coordinator. In 2015 she was promoted to director of communications, overseeing the website, social media, e-newsletters, and print publications, as well as all PR for the school. Mrs. Cuneo is a graduate of the University of Virginia and has 25 years' experience in independent schools in the areas of marketing, communications, and admission.

• DeDe Guest, Director of Development

  DeDe Guest joined the staff of the Athens Academy Development Office in 1991 in the newly-created position of Parent Service Organization coordinator. In 2000, she transitioned to full-time management of the Annual Excellence Fund, and she assumed the role of director of the Development Office in the summer of 2022. Mrs. Guest has an ABJ degree from the Grady College of Journalism at the University of Georgia.

• Mary Catherine Jernigan, Director of Admission

  Mary Catherine Jernigan assumed the role of director of the Admission Office in June 2026 after serving as the assistant director since 2014. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business with a degree in finance. Mary Catherine began working in the Athens Academy Business Office in 2006 as an operations assistant, and during her time at the school she served as the program coordinator for the Georgia Tuition Tax Credit as well as the website content manager. As assistant director for the admission office, Mary Catherine oversaw the admission process for all incoming Pre/Lower School students, enhancing families’ experiences through outreach, events, and data-driven strategies.

• Thad Mathis, Director of Auxiliary Services

  Thad Mathis was appointed the director of the newly-created Auxiliary Services department in June 2025, after serving as the fifth grade mathematics teacher and Middle School coach since 2021. Mr. Mathis came to Athens Academy from the Darlington School, where he taught fourth grade, and the Huntsville City School System, where he taught fourth and sixth grades. Mr. Mathis has a bachelor’s degree from Shorter University and a Master of Education degree from Kennesaw State University

• Dr. Diana Murdock, Director of Academic Affairs

  Dr. Diana Murdock has served as the director of the Academic Affairs department since 2023. She previously worked as the director of middle school and academic dean at Oak Hall School in Gainesville, Florida. Dr. Murdock began her career as an elementary teacher in the public school systems in Georgia before working as an assistant professor in the early childhood education program at Winthrop University. She has a Ph.D. in elementary education from the University of Georgia as well as a Master of Education and a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, both from Berry College.

• Kevin Petroski, Athletic Director

  Coach Petroski joined the Athens Academy faculty in 2005-2006 and has been the athletic director since 2008-2009.  Before coming to Athens Academy, he spent two years at Monsignor Donovan Catholic High School and seven years at Southwest Georgia Academy in Damascus, Georgia.  Coach Petroski started his teaching/coaching career at Thomas Jefferson Academy in Louisville, Georgia.  He has a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Georgia and a master's degree from Concordia University.

• Bob Sears, Director of Student Services

  Bob Sears has been the director of Student Services since 2017. He joined the administration at Athens Academy as the dean of guidance in 2004, after previously working at Tallulah Falls School in Tallulah Falls, Georgia, and Pine Crest School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Mr. Sears served as director of Upper School from 2008-2017 while maintaining his counseling responsibilities. During this time, he received the Faculty Award for Professional Excellence twice, as well as the Teacher of the Year Award in 2009. Mr. Sears has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Georgia and a master's degree in professional counseling from Georgia State University. Additionally, he is a Board Certified Counselor, actively maintaining credentials through the National Board of Certified Counselors.

• Patrick Snead, Director of Middle School

  Pat Snead returned to Spartan Lane as the director of Middle School in 2026. After a decade working in independent schools, Pat came to Athens Academy in 2005 and held several roles, including Upper School dean and humanities teacher, International Studies Program chair, and Honor Council faculty sponsor. After several years he shifted to the Middle School, where he taught English and served as the dean of students. In 2018, Pat left Athens Academy to serve as middle school director at Battle Ground Academy (TN) and then Stratford Academy (GA). Pat has a bachelor's degree from Sewanee: The University of the South and a master’s degree from Keele University (UK).

• Katie Townsend, Director of Fine Arts

  Katie Townsend became the director of Athens Academy's fine arts program in 2025 after serving as the Middle School drama teacher for fourteen years and teaching in the Gwinnett County Public School System for five years. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in theatre from Auburn University and a master's degree in secondary education and teaching from Liberty University.

• Alan Weiler, Director of Finance & Operations

  Alan Weiler joined the Athens Academy administration in December 2016, relocating from Clearwater, Florida, where he was previously director of finance and operations for Saint Paul’s School.  Mr. Weiler has over 20 years of independent school experience and has held similar positions at Oak Hill Classical School (GA), Howard School (GA), and the Alexander Dawson School (NV).  Raised in Norcross, Georgia, he is a graduate of North Georgia College and received his MBA from Brenau University.

• Susan Zalac, Director of Upper School

  Susan Zalac joined the Athens Academy administration in July 2017 after relocating from Land O'Lakes, Florida, where she was the dean of students and English and Language Arts department chair for Academy at the Lakes. Previously, Mrs. Zalac taught English at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School in Spring Hill, Florida, and served as assistant principal at Riviera Day and Preparatory School in Coral Gables, Florida.  She has over 20 years’ experience in the classroom in addition to a variety of leadership, mentoring, and coaching positions.  Mrs. Zalac received a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of South Florida and a master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Florida International University.