*Meet the Team*
*Meet the Team*
Alashia Cody
Director of Upper School alashia@thepremoschool.org
Alashia has served as an educator for nine years. She has taught English Language Arts and History spanning third through eighth grade in both private and public schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science at the University of North Georgia in middle grades education with a concentration in English and History.
Alashia has worked with adolescents as a teacher, mentor, and liaison between school and community. She has led STEM committees, Google integration in the classroom, and relevant writing with a focus on project-based learning.
Alashia is an advocate for humanities-based learning. She believes history, art, philosophy, language, and literature open a window through which humans can experience an entire world from a mere idea, gain a wealth of knowledge from a hypothesis, and experience a single-human perspective with universal connections.
Alashia is married and has a nineteen-year-old daughter. Together, Alashia and her family love to read, travel, and eat!
Kerry Edgington
Director of Lower School kerry@thepremoschool.org
Kerry holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from the University of West Georgia and a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education, with a literacy concentration and Reading Endorsement, from Georgia State University.
A dedicated lifelong learner, Kerry discovered her passion for teaching early in life. She spent many years teaching in the Gwinnett County Public School System, where she honed her skills and deepened her commitment to student growth and development. Kerry is devoted to the Premo philosophy of nurturing the whole child and supporting each child's natural curiosity and drive to learn, grow, and succeed.
She is especially passionate about designing developmentally appropriate curricula tailored to meet the diverse needs of learners at every level.
Kerry and her husband are proud parents of three children, all of whom are current or former Premo students. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, and hiking.
Julia Panova
Math & Science Specialist
jpanova@thepremoschool.org
Julia holds a PhD in Linguistics and brings a rich, diverse background in global education to the classroom. She began her teaching career at the university level, where she instructed students in language theory, before transitioning to teach mathematics and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) in an international educational center.
Julia’s teaching philosophy centers on fostering innate curiosity and a deep conceptual understanding rather than rote memorization. Viewing every student as a unique individual, she creates an environment where children feel empowered to make interdisciplinary connections and use discovery-based problem solving. By helping students uncover the "why" behind underlying patterns and logical structures, Julia guides them to think critically, embrace creative challenges, and build authentic confidence.
Outside of the classroom, Julia loves playing classical piano, traveling, and experiencing different countries and cultures firsthand. She is an avid reader across various scientific fields and is especially passionate about astronomy. She also enjoys spending time outdoors exploring nature trails with her family. Julia and her husband are proud parents of three sons.
Jeff Harris
History & PE Educator
jharris@thepremoschool.org
Jeff Harris has been teaching for 18 years and brings a wide range of experience to the classroom. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Central Florida and his M.Ed. in Social Studies Education from Georgia State University. He holds certifications in Health, Physical Education, and Special Education, allowing him to connect with students across many different subjects and needs.
Jeff is passionate about making learning engaging and relevant. He strives to create a welcoming environment where students feel encouraged to participate and be creative.
Outside of school, Jeff loves spending time outdoors, especially hiking, camping, and canoeing with his wife and two daughters. He also enjoys playing guitar, reading sci-fi thrillers, and relaxing at home with their two small dogs, Bandit and Lenny.
Farren Cash
Elementary Educator
fcash@thepremoschool.org
Farren was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. After finishing high school, she traveled extensively and lived in Amsterdam as well as the States before pursuing her studies. She earned a Bachelor's degree in early elementary education from Cape Peninsula University and taught third-grade Literacy. Her dedication to middle elementary education is evident in her innovative teaching methods and her ability to engage students in meaningful learning experiences. Farren's expertise in this field not only enhances her students' literacy skills but also fosters a love for learning that she hopes to inspire in others.
Farren lives with her husband and two very opposite dogs, a German Shepard and miniature Dachshund. While she once enjoyed traveling, she now spends her free time finding new parks and hiking trails to take her dogs on.
Art Educator
mponchot@thepremoschool.org
Melanie has been a working artist/illustrator for over twenty years and an art educator for fifteen. She graduated with a BFA in Fine Art from Auburn University and trained classically for a few years before launching her career as a contemporary realist painter. She spent a decade doing portraits and gallery work before transitioning into the field of Illustration. She’s illustrated products, children’s books, surface patterns, and prints. Visit MelaniePonchot.com to see her broad spectrum of work. She’s been teaching at metro Atlanta art schools since 2007.
Melanie enjoys sharing her love for art with her students. Her infectious enthusiasm fills the classroom as she helps students uncover their unique artistic voices. Melanie is passionate about fostering playful curiosity in children while they create art, and she cherishes the opportunity to guide them in their creative journeys.
When she’s not busy making art, you can find Melanie snuggling her dog, hiking with her husband, or dominating [destroying] her three kids in competitive four square.
Melanie Ponchot
Suzet Alvo
Yoga Instructor
salvo@thepremoschool.org
Suzet is the founder of Happy Kidz Yoga. She is a passionate and experienced yoga teacher. She is a 200-hour certified yoga teacher, 120-hour certified kids yoga instructor, and a 100-hour certified Somatic Yoga Practitioner. With a background in both athletic and children’s yoga, she brings a unique, holistic approach that blends mindfulness, movement, and joy.
After transitioning from a corporate career to a life of wellness, she has dedicated herself to helping children discover balance, confidence, and happiness through yoga. As a certified Reiki practitioner and psychic healer, her sessions support not just the physical body, but also emotional and energetic well-being. As a mom of two, her mission is to help kids connect with themselves, build self-awareness, and most importantly, have fun.