Board Members

Coretta Ponder is a 23-year veteran homeschool teacher, and mother of 5 children ranging from college to first grade. She enjoys teaching children of all ages with a hands-on, creative approach to learning. Her primary focus is engaging young learners while encouraging them to engage with the subject matter. Within her homeschool community she coached First Lego League (FLL) Robotics teams, Science Olympiad teams, served as a First Robotics Team mentor, and headed Literature and Doll Crafting clubs, being at times affectionately known as the Doll Lady. She graduated from Georgia State University with a BS in Journalism and a Minor in Marketing, in addition to homeschooling and being a mother, Coretta's interests include politics, real estate, investing, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, she also remains active in her church as the lead middle-school teacher, a Marriage Enrichment Ministry Leader, and has been involved in evangelism and outreach. Married for 24 years to the love of her life Akintunde Ponder, a Logistics Manager for a Federal contractor, the two share a passion for God, family and all things Star Trek. 

Michelle Shaw received her B.A. in Economics from Harvard College in 1985 and her J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1989. She practiced law in Massachusetts for six years before she chose to focus on homeschooling her five children.  Four of her children have graduated from college and the last one is currently attending college.  Michelle has taught teenagers in various capacities for over 20 years. She has taught at Eastside/LAC for eight years and serves as President Emeritus of Dekalb Christian Home Educators. She is married to Dr. Alan Shaw, a tenured Professor in Computer Science at Kennesaw State University and the pastor of Christ First Community Church in Stone Mountain.