Board Members
Lora Smothers, Founder
Hi! My name is Lora Smothers and I am the Founder of Joy Village. I have a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Emory University, a Master’s degree in gifted education from the University of Georgia, and 14 years of experience as an educator and school director here in Athens, GA. Athens has been my home for 15 years and I feel called to love and serve this city for decades to come.
My Why: I experienced years of cultural alienation and trauma as the only Black student in my grade from 5th through 12th grades. I want to create learning environments here in Athens that center the joy and thriving of Black youth, so they won’t have to experience the same hurts that I did.
Kirrena Gallagher
Kirrena is a lifelong resident of Athens, Georgia. Kirrena served on several community based boards/authorities and committees prior to becoming an Athens-Clarke County School District Board of Education board member in 2021. She volunteers as an advocate for students and parents in the Athens community and has served as a parent educator and coach for over a decade. Kirrena has successfully opened and managed her own in-home childcare facility, Ms. Kirrena’s, serving preschool aged children, and has experience raising funds for many community programs as well as her own political campaign.
Dr. Jemelleh Coes
In 2013, Dr. Jemelleh Coes was nominated to represent Bulloch County as Teacher of the Year. She went on to become Georgia’s 2014 Teacher of the Year. She spent six years teaching English/language arts and math in both the general and special education setting at Langston Chapel Middle School in Statesboro, Georgia. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education and her Master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Teaching and Learning from Georgia Southern University. During her tenure at Georgia Southern University, she traveled nationally and internationally to collect data from various educational systems in order to find ways to make improvements and validate the successes of our local systems. Her travel continues today, although temporarily hauled by COVID. Jemelleh earned her Ph.D. in Educational Theory and Practice with certificates in Education Law and Policy, Disability Studies, and Qualitative Research from the University of Georgia. She serves as a board member for the National Network of State Teachers of the Year and advisory council-person for the Georgia Partnership of Excellence in Education. She is the Director of Teacher Leadership at Mount Holyoke College where she leads the program, develops curriculum, and provides professional development opportunities for teacher leaders. She is also a professor at the University of Georgia where she teaches future educators along with future professionals dedicated to disability advocacy. She also serves as a teacher mentor for classroom teachers throughout the state. In this capacity, she supports teachers with career development and special projects. Her work is about helping other educators grow. Through this, she is thankful to be able to learn from some of the most exciting and uniquely innovative educators in the country!
Dr. Lawrence Harris
Dr. Lawrence Harris is the Chief Impact Officer for Kipp Metro Atlanta Schools, and has overseen Development, Marketing & Communications, Advocacy & Partners, and Enrollment for KIPP since 2023. Lawrence began his career as a high school counselor, with a focus on post-secondary planning. In 2014, Lawrence was selected as the Chief Executive Officer for the Athens Community Career Academy, a charter program focused on providing college and career technical training, and apprenticeships to high school students. He later was selected as Chief of Community Engagement, Strategy, and Partnerships, for the Clarke County School District. Lawrence has a B.S. in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Georgia, M.S.Ed in Education from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in Education Administration and Policy from the University of Georgia. Lawrence believes that every day we work we have an opportunity to change a child’s life, and that is anything is possible as long as we put our heart and hands into it.
My why: I was blessed to have an exceptional educational experience growing up, and as I reflected on those experiences as an adult, I noticed how most of my Black and Brown peers were excluded from these experiences. I knew of many friends and family who were just as smart as me, if not smarter, and I asked the question: how come fun and challenging activities are only for certain kids? So I sought to be the kind of educator that provided all kids, especially Black kids, with lessons that challenged them and made them fall in love with learning! And the children of Athens are so special and brilliant, I just want to create a space where they are able to shine and be their best selves.
Community Partners
Athens High and Industrial School/Burney Harris High School Alumni Association
