Shira Burns is one of the IB Coordinators and Instructional Coaches at our school, bringing over a decade of classroom teaching experience, including several years at FAVE. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude, and a Master of Science in Elementary Reading and Mathematics from Walden University.
Outside of her professional life, Shira is a proud mother of three. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, working out, and making candles as a creative outlet.
As an educator and lifelong learner, Shira consistently demonstrates the IB Learner Profile trait of being a thinker, valuing reflection, problem-solving, and thoughtful planning. She is also actively working on becoming more of a risk-taker by embracing new challenges and stepping outside of her comfort zone for personal and professional growth.
Mr. Derrick Thomas leads the FAVE Falcons with a wealth of experience, bringing more than 25 years of dedicated educational leadership to Fifth Avenue Upper Elementary. Much of his extensive career has been spent right here with City Schools of Decatur, including significant time guiding middle school learners, predominantly at Beacon Hill Middle School. His additional years in elementary education provide a seasoned approach to leading FAVE, giving him a comprehensive perspective on student growth from the early years through their transition to middle school. He truly understands that "it takes a village" to help students in the community thrive and grow into the best versions of themselves.
Meagan Ferguson serves as an Assistant Principal at FAVE, embodying the spirit of "FAVE FALCONS RISE UP." Originally from Detroit, MI, her experience spans teaching across almost every grade level from K-12, as well as at the graduate level, in diverse educational landscapes including Florida, Connecticut, New York, Washington D.C., and Georgia. As a dedicated Decatur resident, Ms. Ferguson is committed to strengthening the Fifth Avenue learning community. She works to ensure that students and teachers alike demonstrate the learner profile attributes and contribute to the school's mission. Outside of her professional life, Ms. Ferguson enjoys gardening and "Netflixing" with her two children, who are also CSD students.
Assistant Principal Shannon Stewart has been in the field of education for 24 years, with 20 of those years dedicated to serving City Schools of Decatur in a variety of roles. Her journey as a FAVE Falcon began at the 4/5 Academy as a 5th-grade teacher. Prior to serving as an Assistant Principal, she enriched the school community as an EIP teacher, an IB Coordinator and an instructional coach. Ms. Stewart's educational background includes a bachelor's degree in elementary education from the University of Dayton in Ohio, a master's degree in Reading, Language, and Literacy from Georgia State, a curriculum specialist degree from Piedmont University, and her leadership certification from the University of West Georgia. Outside of school, Ms. Stewart resides in East Atlanta Village with her husband, their two children, Danny and Joey, and their large German Shepherd, Gracie.
Sarah Guest is thrilled to serve the FAVE Community as one of its IB Coordinators and Instructional Coaches. Sarah has spent more than 20 years in education, with much of her experience dedicated to teaching 4th and 5th grade, as well as serving as a reading and math intervention teacher. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia (Go Dawgs!), Ms. Guest holds a Master's degree in Reading Instruction and a Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction. She is a huge proponent of the Orton-Gillingham approach, having completed over 120 hours of training in this methodology. Sarah and her husband reside in Decatur with their three sons. They are deeply rooted in the CSD community, with children spread out between elementary and middle school. In her spare time, Ms. Guest enjoys reading novels, cooking new recipes, gardening, and attending sporting events with her family. 
Ms. Marrow brings 25 years of extensive school management experience to our community. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA (Go Steelers!), they relocated to Georgia seven years ago, bringing a wealth of knowledge and dedication to our FAVE Falcons. In her spare time, Ms. Marrow enjoys cooking and gardening. She also cherishes discovering new restaurants with their two adult children, Rashal and Nia.
Shronda Edwards, a proud alumna of Decatur City Schools, serves as FAVE's Bookkeeper, bringing years of diverse experience to her role. Her deep roots in the community, including being a mother to a Decatur graduate, provide her with a unique and invaluable perspective on supporting our FAVE Falcons. Ms. Edwards has served in a variety of roles within the school system over many years, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of school operations. This extensive background allows her to effectively manage FAVE's financial matters and contribute to the smooth functioning of the school.