Faculty & Staff Directory
We have an open door policy at Southfield School. Parents are always welcome to join their child for lunch, flag ceremony, class plays, and more. We want to be available when you need us. Part of what makes this school so special is the open line of communication we enjoy with our parents.
Administration
Justin Smith
Head of School
(318) 213-6332
jsmith@southfield-school.org
Justin graduated with a BS in Psychology and Elementary Education from Washington College in Maryland and also holds a Master’s in Independent School Leadership from Vanderbilt University. He moved to Florida in 2008 to teach third grade at St. John’s Episcopal Day School, where he was later asked to serve as Athletic Director and Middle School Assistant Principal and before becoming the Middle School Principal. Justin became Southfield’s new Head of School in 2019 after an extensive national search conducted by an eleven-member Head of School Search Committee and supported by Southern Teachers Agency.
Clare Coburn
Preschool Director
(318) 213-6333
ccoburn@southfield-school.org
Clare is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a BS in Early Childhood Education. She joined Southfield in 1990 as the Preschool Director and as a Preschool teacher. Clare left the classroom in 1997 to add the position of Admissions Director to her responsibilities. She became the full-time Admissions Director and Parent Relations Director in 2005 before transitioning back to Preschool as the Director in 2019. Clare has over 25 years experience in education and three children who graduated from Southfield.
Carly Feightner
Lower School Director
(318) 213-6357
cfeightner@southfield-school.org
Carly joined Southfield School in 2006 as a Physical Education Specialist before assuming the position of Lower School Director in 2019. Carly has a BS from Centenary College and a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. She is also a certified school counselor in the state of Louisiana. Carly currently has three children attending Southfield School.
Eric Lee
Middle School Director
(318) 213-6337
elee@southfield-school.org
Eric joined Southfield as a Middle School social studies teacher in 2013 before transitioning to Middle School Director in 2019. Certified in Secondary Education, Eric holds a BA from Centenary College and a Masters of Arts from Louisiana Tech University. Eric’s wife, Kate, is a Southfield Alumna, and they have two children currently attending the school.
Lesley Brice
Admissions Director & Middle School Math
(318) 213-6344
lbrice@southfield-school.org
Lesley joined Southfield in 2007 teaching math and serving as the Student Advisory Coordinator in the Middle School. She then held the position of Assistant Head of School for 3rd through 8th grade before becoming the Admissions Director in 2019. Lesley earned her BS and MS from Texas Christian University and has more than 25 years of experience in education. She has two Alumni children of the School.
Adnan Samhan
Director of Finance
(318) 213-6366
asamhan@southfield-school.org
Adnan started working at the school in 2017. He earned his BS in Petroleum Engineering from Louisiana Tech University and completed his CPA Educational Requirement at Louisiana State University in Shreveport. Adnan previously served as the Director of Accounting Services at Louisiana State University in Shreveport for 20 years.
Cynthia Johnson
Business Office Manager
(318) 213-6334
cjohnson@southfield-school.org
Cynthia joined Southfield School in 2013 as the Senior Accountant in the Business Office. She received her BS in Business Administration from Nazareth College in Kalamazoo and has over 30 years office management experience.
Brian Rowell
Director of Technology
(318) 213-6340
browell@southfield-school.org
Brian joined the Southfield School faculty in 2000, and spent four years as a 4th grade teacher and nine years as Lower School Technology Director. He earned his BA in Elementary Education (K-8) from Louisiana State University in Shreveport, and he holds certification from the Louisiana Technical College system in Computer Technology.
Matt Burt
IT Support Specialist
(318) 213-6884
mburt@southfield-school.org
Matt joined Southfield in 2015. He graduated from Shreveport Cyber Academy and is CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ certified. Matt has more than 10 years experience in the IT field.
Jeanette Conaway
Director of Advancement
(318) 213-6331
jconaway@southfield-school.org
Jeanette joined Southfield in 2017. She previously worked as a VP for Development in healthcare system foundations and served as Advancement Director for Holland Hall, an ISAS School in Tulsa, OK. Jeanette completed her undergrad at Oklahoma State University and her MBA at the University of Texas in Tyler.
Christina Ogea
Director of Communications
(318) 213-6343
cogea@southfield-school.org
Christina joined Southfield in 2015. She received her Associates in Communications from Bossier Parish Community College and her Graphic Design certification from Northwest Louisiana Tech College. She has more than 10 years experience in the field of communications. Christina’s oldest son is an Alumnus and her two youngest children are current students.
Christie Lamoureux
Director of Marketing & Yearbook Adviser
(318) 213-6335
clamoureux@southfield-school.org
Christie began working at Southfield School in 2018. She earned her BS in Business Administration from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and has prior experience in marketing and non-profit administration.
Chris Hutchison
Alumni Director
(318) 213-6886
chutchison@southfield-school.org
Chris’s love of Southfield began 15 years ago as a parent to three children who are now Southfield Alumni. She has served in several volunteer capacities at the school, including PA President, member of the Board of Trustees, and Yearbook Adviser. Chris joined the staff as the Alumni Director in 2018. She has a Business Degree from Texas Tech University.
Gale Kimball
Administrative Assistant
(318) 868-5375
gkimball@southfield-school.org
Gale worked at Rusheon Middle School in Bossier Parish as a Library Clerical Aide and then as the School Secretary for 23 years before joining Southfield School’s staff in 2019. Her daughter, Katie Jackson, is a kindergarten teacher at the school.
Shelia Harrison
Middle School Administrative Assistant
(318) 213-6667
sharrison@southfield-school.org
Shelia joined Southfield School in 2012. She has two grandchildren who graduated from the school.
Roslyn Rushing
Preschool Administrative Assistant
(318) 213-6385
rrushing@southfield-school.org
Roslyn joined Southfield in 1987. She works in the Preschool and has been involved with Southfield Summer Camp since 1991. Both of Roslyn’s daughters are Southfield Alumnae and she has three grandchildren currently attending the school.
Preschool
Abby Hale
Preschool-2 Exploration
(318) 213-6870
ahale@southfield-school.org
Abby joined Southfield School’s Preschool program in 1997. She earned her BS from Centenary College and has three daughters enrolled at Southfield.
Lacie Kennedy
Preschool-2 Exploration
(318) 213-6871
lkennedy@southfield-school.org
Lacie joined Southfield in 2012 as a Preschool Assistant. After teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade, Lacie is now a Preschool Lead Teacher. She received her BS in Early Childhood Education and her Masters of Education (specializing in reading) from Louisiana Tech University.
Samantha Scott
Preschool-2 Exploration
(318) 213-6872
sscott@southfield-school.org
Susie Collier
Preschool-3 Discovery
(318) 213-6874
scollier@southfield-school.org
Susie joined Southfield in 1994 and has over 15 years of experience in education. After taking several years off to have children, she returned to Southfield with her youngest in 2006. Susie has a BS in Child Development from Northeast Louisiana University and a M.Ed. She is the parent of three Southfield Alums.
Cathy Frizzell
Preschool-3 Discovery
(318) 213-6879
cfrizzell@southfield-school.org
Melissa Wyss
Preschool-3 Discovery
(318) 213-6873
mwyss@southfield-school.org
Denise Joffrion
Preschool-4 Readiness
(318) 213-6878
djoffrion@southfield-school.org
Denise began working at Southfield School in 2012 after retiring from the Caddo Parish School System with 20 years of experience in Early Childhood Education. Denise received her degree from Louisiana State University and her two daughters are Southfield Alumnae.
Kari LaBorde
Preschool-4 Readiness
(318) 213-6877
klaborde@southfield-school.org
Lauren Rhodes
Preschool-4 Readiness
(318) 213-6876
lrhodes@southfield-school.org
Lauren began teaching Preschool at Southfield in 2017 with three prior years of experience in education. She earned her BS and M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Northwestern State University.
Lower School
Shannon Bohanan
Kindergarten
(318) 213-6330
sbohanan@southfield-school.org
Katie Jackson
Kindergarten
(318) 213-6352
kjackson@southfield-school.org
Katie joined the Preschool team as an Assistant in 2010. She became a Lead Teacher in Kindergarten in 2013. Katie received her undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and her Masters in Early Childhood Education from Northwestern State University.
Ellen Lockhart
Kindergarten Assistant
(318) 213-6330
elockhart@southfield-school.org
Ellen joined Southfield in 2018 as a Preschool Assistant. She earned her BS in Arts (Communications Studies) from Louisiana State University and is enrolled in Northwestern University’s Masters of Arts in Teaching program. Ellen previously worked as a nanny in both Australia and Italy.
Shannon Martinez
1st Grade
(318) 213-6403
smartinez@southfield-school.org
Shannon started teaching at Southfield School in 2017 with more than 12 years prior experience. She has her BS in Geography and Environmental Sciences with a minor in Elementary Education and a Masters degree in Elementary Education. She has two children enrolled at Southfield.
Jackie Singleton
1st Grade
(318) 213-6402
jsingleton@southfield-school.org
Jackie returned to Southfield in 2012 as a 1st grade teacher after previously teaching kindergarten at the school for 13 years. She received her BA from the University of Southwestern Louisiana and holds a Masters plus 30 hours from Louisiana State University. Jackie has more than 30 years experience in education.
Nancy Bynum
2nd Grade
(318) 213-6418
nbynum@southfield-school.org
Kayla Barker
3rd Grade
(318) 213-6407
kbarker@southfield-school.org
Kayla joined the Southfield faculty in 2007 as a 3rd grade teacher. She earned her BA in Education from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and her M.Ed. from Centenary College. Kayla has more than 25 years of teaching experience.
Carolyn Pearce
3rd Grade
(318) 213-6409
cpearce@southfield-school.org
Kay Batte
4th Grade
(318) 213-6406
kbatte@southfield-school.org
Kay joined Southfield in 2012 as a 4th grade teacher. She is certified in Elementary Education and holds a BS in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University. She has more than 22 years teaching experience in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades.
Middle School
Holly Berry
Middle School Math
(318) 213-6414
hberry@southfield-school.org
Holly teaches Middle School mathematics for 7th and 8th grade students. She joined Southfield in 2000 with over 10 years experience in education. Holly has a BS from Mississippi College and a M.Ed. from Mississippi State University. She is the mother of three Southfield graduates.
Emily Felty
7th Grade US History
(318) 213-6355
efelty@southfield-school.org
Emily is a Southfield Alumna (’09) and joined the faculty in 2019. She earned her BA from Wheaton College in Illinois and is pursuing her MA in Teaching from Louisiana Tech. Emily has experience with private tutoring for middle and high school students. Her two brothers are also Southfield Alumni and her mother previously taught Spanish at the school.
Bria Mayeux
5th Grade Math & Science
(318) 213-6405
bmayeux@southfield-school.org
Bria began teaching kindergarten at Southfield in 2010 before transitioning to 4th grade in 2017 and 5th grade in 2019. She earned her BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education from Louisiana Tech University. Bria’s oldest daughter is an Alumna and her youngest daughter is a current student.
Susan Murrell
Middle School Language Arts & Social Studies
(318) 213-6413
smurrell@southfield-school.org
Susan joined the Southfield faculty in 1986. Susan earned her BS from Centenary College and has over 25 years of experience in education. Susan also directs Southfield’s summer program. She has two sons who are Southfield Alumni.
Dr. Pete Shumate
Middle School Science & MathCounts Coach
(318) 213-6416
pshumate@southfield-school.org
Dr. Shumate joined Southfield School in late 2015. He earned his BS in Chemistry/Mathematics from The University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY and then his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Alabama. He has 11 years prior collegiate teaching experience.
Leah Thelen
Middle School Language Arts & Social Studies
(318) 213-6354
lthelen@southfield-school.org
Leah joined the Middle School faculty in 2010. She teaches 6th grade Language Arts, Mathematics, and World Geography. She earned her BS from the University of Houston and has over 15 years experience in education. She has two children at Southfield.
Paige Wolcott
Middle School Language Arts
(318) 213-6411
pwolcott@southfield-school.org
Paige joined Southfield School in 2009 in the Middle School teaching 7th and 8th grade English and Language Arts. She has a BA from Texas A&M University and over 14 years experience in education.
Specialists
Laurie Bridel
Library Director & AfterCare Director
(318) 213-6339
lbridel@southfield-school.org
Laurie joined Southfield School in 1994. She taught 4th grade for many years and then taught language arts and social studies to 6th grade students. In 2010, she became the Library Director and the AfterCare Director. She earned her BA from Oklahoma State University. Both of Laurie’s children are Southfield Alums.
Amy Calhoun
Health and Physical Education
(318) 868-5803
acalhoun@southfield-school.org
Amy joined Southfield’s team in 2019. She earned her degree in Health and Physical Education from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, is certified in teaching K-12, and holds a lifetime certificate type B. Prior to joining the school, Amy taught Health/Physical Education for 18 years in Bossier Parish public schools plus 2 years at Loyola College Prep. She has experience coaching softball, basketball, cross country, has been a FCA sponsor, Jump Rope for Heart organizer, and was a cup stacking team coach.
Baron Capers
Middle School Digital Art and Design
(318) 213-6382
bcapers@southfield-school.org
Baron, a professional 2D/3D artist and adjunct faculty member at the Digital Media Institute, is a native of Shreveport who recently returned after living in Texas for several years. He is a graduate of Southern Methodist University Guildhall, which is considered the premier graduate program in video game design.
Vicki Cockerell
Math and Science Specialist
(318) 213-6880
vcockerell@southfield-school.org
Vicki joined Southfield in 1991 with 10 years teaching experience. She has a BA from Texas A&M. Vicki has taught Preschool-2 through 6th grade at Southfield. In 2010, she became the Math and Science Specialist and teaches 1st through 4th grade science labs. Vicki also teaches Preschool-4 through 5th grade math enrichment programs and 7th grade math. Her three children are Southfield graduates.
Debbie Davis
Music Director
(318) 213-6882
ddavis@southfield-school.org
Debbie has been teaching music at Southfield since 1975. She provides musical direction for the Holiday programs as well as the May Pole celebration, Civilization Fair, Fine Arts Festival, and Eagle Singers’ concert each spring. She has her BME from Northwestern State University and Orff Certification from the University of California at Santa Cruz. Debbie’s two daughters are Southfield Alumnae.
Janine Demerath
Spanish
(318) 213-6347
jdemerath@southfield-school.org
Janine joined Southfield in 2010 as the Middle School Spanish teacher. Janine has a BA from Universidad Tecnologica Equinoccial in Quito, Ecuador (her native country) and earned her MA from Middlebury College in Vermont. She has more than 20 years experience teaching Spanish. Janine’s youngest child is a Southfield Alum.
Jennifer Fortune
Reading Specialist
(318) 213-6356
jfortune@southfield-school.org
Jennifer started at Southfield School in 2006 as the Reading Specialist. Jennifer has a BA from Louisiana State University in Shreveport. She has over 22 years experience in education and has two children currently enrolled at Southfield.
Jenny Gauthier
Lower School Art & Preschool Assistant
(318) 213-6881
jgauthier@southfield-school.org
Jenny joined Southfield in 2016 and teaches Kindergarten through 4th grade art. She won the National Art Education Association’s 2019 award for New Professional Art Educator. Jenny incorporates STEAM projects in her classroom and collaborates with teachers and specialists to reinforce the students’ curricula with art. Her two daughters attend Southfield and her husband is a Southfield Alumnus.
Elizabeth McShane
Suzuki Strings & Ensemble Director
(318) 869-0048
egrondinsuzuki@gmail.com
Elizabeth joined Southfield School in 2011. She holds a MM degree in Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She has a BM degree in Violin Performance with Suzuki Pedagogy and iBASE Certificates from the University of Evansville. She completed Violin training, ECC through Book 10, with Carol Dallinger and Mark Bjork.
Margaret Holt
Middle School Art Director
(318) 213-6364
mholt@southfield-school.org
Margaret joined Southfield School as the Art Director in 2010. She earned her M.Ed from Centenary College and her BS from Louisiana State University. Margaret has over 40 years experience in education.
Chris Kennedy
Athletic Director
(318) 868-5803
ckennedy@southfield-school.org
Chris joined Southfield School in 2008. He organizes the school’s sports programs, coaches several teams, and assists with Physical Education classes. He earned a BA in History plus additional graduate level hours from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and is certified to teach physical education by the state of Louisiana.
Elizabeth Lyles
Lower & Middle School French
(318) 213-6419
elyles@southfield-school.org
Elizabeth is a Southfield Alumna and joined the staff in 2016. She previously taught French in Saint Landry and Lafayette Parishes and worked as a bilingual partner relations advisor at Apple, Inc. in Austin, Texas. Elizabeth earned her MA in Teaching from Centenary College and utilizes the Accelerated Integrative Methodology of foreign language instruction. She teaches 2nd to 8th grade French.
Andy Shaw
Fencing
(318) 773-3592
andy@museumofamericanfencing.com
Andy joined Southfield School in 2002. He began fencing at eight years old, later attending Temple University on a fencing scholarship and earning his B.S.W. Andy began teaching fencing professionally in 1973 and has trained Jimmy Buffett, Russell Crowe, Bob Dylan, Kiefer Sutherland, and Chris O’Donnell, among other celebrities. He owns Fairfield Avenue School of Fencing and is the official historian for the US Fencing Association.
Voahangy Wascom
Preschool & Lower School French
(318) 213-6419
vwascom@southfield-school.org
Voahangy is a native of France. She earned her Masters in International Business from the Grad School of Management in Montpellier, France and her MBA at Southeastern Louisiana University. After a career in international organizations geared toward education, Voahangy substituted and tutored students for several years before joining Southfield in 2015. She has three children currently attending the school.
Courtney Young
Director of Drama
(318) 213-6345
cyoung@southfield-school.org
Courtney was the Middle School spring musical choreographer from 2013-2015 before becoming the Director of Drama in 2015. She earned a BA from Northwestern State University with a major in Theatre and minor in Dance. Courtney has directed, produced, choreographed, and played lead roles in numerous stage productions, television shows, film roles, music videos, and commercials.
Teaching Assistants
Jennifer Bryant
Preschool Assistant
Jennifer joined Southfield in 2012 as a substitute before starting as a Preschool Assistant the following year. She is a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and holds her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Jennifer also has experience teaching both Sunday school and youth groups at church.
Maddie Collier
Extended Day
mcollier@southfield-school.org
Maddie came to Southfield in 1999 as a student and later worked with Southfield Summer Camp and as a substitute before joining our Preschool staff. She has previously worked with children as Super Nanny, Mary Poppins, and Fairy Godmother and is working toward her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Maddie’s mother, Susie Collier, is a Preschool teacher and her brothers are also Alumni.
Ashley Ellis
Preschool Assistant
Ashley joined Southfield School in 2010. Her four children graduated from the school.
Debbie Green
Preschool Assistant
Debbie began at Southfield in 2012 as an AfterCare Specialist before becoming a Preschool Assistant in 2018. She earned her BA from Louisiana Tech University and earned her Master’s Degree plus 30 graduate hours from Centenary College. Debbie has prior experience teaching kindergarten in Caddo and Bossier Parishes from 1975-2012.
Jason Hanes
Preschool Assistant & Assistant Boy’s Basketball Coach
Jason joined Southfield in 2013 as a Preschool Assistant, and has since added the position of Assistant Boy’s Basketball Coach to his responsibilities. He earned his BA at McKendree University, his MA in Sports Management at the University of San Francisco, his M.Ed. at Concordia University, and holds a USA Basketball Coaching Certificate – Gold Level. Jason’s two daughters are current Southfield students.
Valerie Henix
Preschool Assistant
Valerie came to Southfield in 2016 as a Preschool Assistant and left the following year to work with special needs children before returning in 2017. She previously worked for Bossier Parish Head Start. Valerie has her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and more than 17 years experience working with children. Her daughter is a substitute teacher at the school.
Tiffany Kindred
Preschool Assistant
tkindred@southfield-school.org
Tiffany joined Southfield’s staff in 2017 after having previously served as a Room Mom and on the Teacher Appreciation Committee. She has a degree in Business and Accounting from Bossier Parish Community College and is earning her Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Tiffany heads the Square 1 Art fundraiser and her three sons are current students.
Vicky Mashburn
Preschool Assistant
vmashburn@southfield-school.org
Vicky has served in various capacities at Southfield School since 1999, including Room Mom, chairing the Book Fair and Field Day, board member, and yearbook sponsor. Vicky has worked with Preschool-2 since 2015. She earned a BS in Child Psychology with a focus on abused children and is also bilingual (Spanish).
Donna Mitchell
Preschool Assistant
dmitchell@southfield-school.org
Donna joined Southfield School in October 2017. She earned her BA in Speech and Language and is a Hearing Specialist. Donna has 33 years prior experience in Caddo Parish Schools as a Speech Pathologist.
Bridget Poleman
AfterCare
bpoleman@southfield-school.org
Bridget began working at Southfield in 2015. She earned her BA in Psychology from Nicholls State University, her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Northeast Louisiana University (now ULM), and holds an Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate in Louisiana. Prior to Southfield, Bridget worked at St. Paul’s Day School for 14 years.
Lori Smith
Preschool Assistant
Lori joined Southfield in 2006. She earned her BS in Education and is certified in Secondary Education in both Louisiana and Texas. Lori has prior experience teaching middle and high school students. Her two daughters are Southfield Alumnae.
Brenda St. Andre
Preschool Assistant
bstandre@southfield-school.org
Brenda joined Southfield in 2015 after retiring with 32 years from the Bossier Parish School System. She earned her BS in Business Administration with a minor in Economics from Northwestern State University. Brenda’s son-in-law is an Alumnus and two of her grandchildren are current students at Southfield.
Support Staff
Dean Wheeler
Head of Maintenance
(318) 213-6338
dwheeler@southfield-school.org
Dean joined Southfield School in April of 1987. He has lived in Shreveport all his life and looks forward to retiring from Southfield in a few years.
Ronald Jordan
Maintenance
(318) 213-6338
rjordan@southfield-school.org
Ronald returned to Southfield in late 2018 after previously working at the school from 1991 to 2013. He loves working at Southfield.
Officer Rodrick Candley
School Resource Officer
Officer Candley joined Southfield in 2015. He has a BS in Criminal Justice from Grambling State University and has more than 10 years experience as an officer, resource officer, and mentor in both Monroe and Shreveport.
Officer Darrell Favis
School Resource Officer
Officer Favis joined the Southfield School team in 2017. He holds a BS in Biology with a Forensic Science concentration.
Danette Colvin
Southfield Café & School Nurse
(318) 868-5118
dcolvin@southfield-school.org
Danette is also a Registered Nurse at Highland Hospital in Day Surgery and the recovery room.
LaJuan Wagoner
Southfield Café
Kelly Ferris
Southfield Café
Rachel Colvin
Southfield Café
Southfield Café
Danette, LaJuan, and Kelly are sisters whose father owned several restaurants ranging from fried chicken to a nationwide pizza chain. They worked for him at different times throughout their lives. In 2000, when Danette’s children attended Southfield, she wanted to find a way to work for the school as she loved the environment and wanted to see her children as much as possible. The cafeteria had been closed for 10 years, so she spoke to the Headmaster at the time about opening it back up. She wrote a business proposal to the Board and surveyed the parents and the rest is history!