Our Advisors
Our advisors are a collective group of individuals from within and outside the educational community. This team consists of subject matter experts, educators, and parents with unique skills, experience, education, and expertise in their respective fields. Advisors partner with the curriculum team to provide in-depth knowledge, guidance, and recommendations to cultivate a current, accurate, impactful, engaging, and applicable curriculum to foster total mental health for all students. This group also reviews the resource materials designed for educators and parents. The team’s overall goal is to provide students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and support to navigate life’s obstacles successfully.
Subject Matter Expert
Andrea Christenberry
Andrea has spent her professional career as an advocate for healthy growth and development for children, teens, and families. Through intervention and education, and in various roles in school and hospital settings, she has helped to foster their psychosocial adjustment and well-being. She has a B.A. in Child Development and Family Ecology with a specialization in Child Life Therapy. She serves as an Expert Consultant for curriculum in the focus area of Abuse for ThriveWay. She is married with three married adult children and two grandchildren and loves to spend her time with them as well as playing tennis, pickleball, and mah jongg.
Subject Matter Expert
Jenni Goolsby
Jenni is a licensed professional counselor who loves to help teens, adults, and families work through life difficulties and transitions. She works with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, and relationship challenges to bring balance and hope back into their lives. Her love for supporting adolescents and families developed as a teacher, principal, and leader in public education for 28 years. She has a B.A. in Secondary Education, an M.A. in Educational Leadership, and an M.Ed. in Couples and Family Counseling and is a Nationally Certified Counselor. She has been married for 30 years and has two adult children who bring her great joy. She loves to travel with her family and has visited over 25 National Parks. She loves sports and is an avid reader.
Advisory Committee
Kyleen Edger
10th Grade English Language Arts Teacher |
Peer Helper Course Teacher and Coordinator |
Bob Jones High School, Madison City Schools
Ky Edger earned her bachelor’s degree in ELA education from Athens State University, Magna Cum Laude; she holds a master’s degree in education from the University of North Alabama with a special interest in Restorative Discipline; she also recently earned a technology certification from her district. Ky Edger has taught English at Bob Jones High School for almost 10 years and has recently been honored with the trust of teaching the Peer Helper course.
Advisory Committee
Bobby M. Hall, Ed.S.
Executive Director of Learning Support Services | Sylacauga Board of Education
Bobby currently serves as the Executive Director of Learning Support Services. He has 25+ years of public education experience with Sylacauga City Schools. His experience includes instructional assistant, classroom teacher, Director of Alternative School, Assistant Principal, Head Basketball Coach, and Co-Athletics Director. In his current role, he is responsible for district discipline, attendance, and safety. He also serves as the Mental Health Coordinator and Homeless Liaison. He is married with two children. He enjoys sports, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Advisory Committee
Latorya Hawthorne
K-5 Elementary School Counselor |
Montgomery Public Schools
Latorya is an elementary school counselor with three years of experience at Morningview Elementary School. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master's degree in School Counseling from Alabama State University. Currently, she is pursuing an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in School Counseling at Troy University.
Latorya has seven years of experience in education, and she loves shaping young minds to build a brighter future for our youth. She is the Peer Helper Coordinator at Morningview Elementary and a part of the district's Peer Helper Leadership Team. Her goal is to foster a supportive and inclusive environment, empowering students to help each other. Latorya is dedicated to making a positive impact in students’ lives every day. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and precious fur baby, Mia Synclaire.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Kimberly Foster
Guidance Specialist|
Montgomery Public Schools
Kimberly Foster serves as a Guidance Specialist for Montgomery Public Schools. In this capacity, she provides support, advocacy, and empowerment to school counselors to help them implement effective, comprehensive school counseling programs that positively impact students' lives. Kimberly has over twenty-eight years of experience in education, having worked as a middle school science teacher and school counselor. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in General Education from Alabama A&M University, a Master's Degree in Human Development and Counseling from Troy Montgomery, and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Auburn University Montgomery.
ADVISTORY COMMITTEE
Annessa Jenkins
Library Media Specialist | East Limestone High School
Annessa is a library media specialist at East Limestone High School. She has worked in education for twenty-three years and has experience as a certified ELA teacher and library media specialist. Annessa has been a Peer Helpers Coordinator in Limestone County for 6 years. She is passionate about creating lessons and believes every student deserves kindness, compassion, and guidance through the Peer Helpers PLUS Program and its curriculum.
Secondary Parent Representative
Katherine Courter
Katherine is excited and honored to serve on ThriveWay’s advisory committee. She is passionate about all things health and wellness related and loves to advocate for educating children and families about nutrition and self-care lifestyle practices. Her two daughters, ages 14 and 12, are her greatest teachers. In her spare time, she loves reading, gardening, exploring new places with her family, and spending time in nature. Her husband’s job brought their family from the west coast to Huntsville in 2018, and they absolutely love Alabama.
