Math Department

Hello, I am Mr. John Ryan Dobbins. I currently hold a Masters Degree in Instructional Technology and have been teaching for 18 years. Since 2008 I have been a teacher at BRMS teaching 6th, 7th, 8th, and Advanced Algebra 1 math courses. Outside of the classroom l, coach the Math Team at BRMS. Pictured above is my wife Jennifer and I on our 20th wedding anniversary trip at the Grand Canyon. Jennifer and I have 4 amazing daughters: Bailey (17) a senior at Columbus High School, Audrey (15) a junior at Columbus High School, Lucy (12) a 7th grader at BRMS, and Maci (10) a 4th grader at Clubview Elementary. When I am not teaching i spend all my time with these 5 amazing women who I am proud to call my family.

• 1st Period GSE Algebra 1
• 2nd & 5th Period, 7th/ 8th Grade Honors Math
• 3rd & 4th Period, 7th Grade Math

I am Shalon Gillespie and this is my 17th year teaching. Before coming to Blackmon Road Middle School, I taught at Arnold Magnet Academy for eight years. Prior to teaching, I also worked for TSYS for eight years in various roles including as a marketing and communications analyst.  I graduated from Columbus State University with a bachelor’s in Business Administration (2004), a Masters of Arts of Teaching in Middle Grades (2010), and an Ed.D (all but dissertation) from Valdosta State University in Curriculum and Instruction (2022). 

I’ve taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade math and college math. I have my gifted endorsement, teacher support coach (TSC) endorsement, and online teaching endorsement. I serve as the math department chair, lead teacher mentor, and student council sponsor.

My first-year teaching (2008), I was honorable mention for MCSD’s Outstanding First Year Teacher of the Year.  I was also Blackmon Road’s Teacher of Year for 2019 and TOP 3 Teacher of the Year for the Muscogee County School District. Additionally, I and 17 other teachers from MCSD attended Harvard’s Project Zero Classroom in the summer of 2023. I have implemented what I have learned into my math classroom and engaged in many speaking engagements in the school district, CSU, and at the school board regarding my experience at Harvard.

I absolutely LOVE teaching math! I have experienced so much joy in my career. From continually going back to the drawing board to figure out how to get my students to learn a concept they just were not understanding, to trying to figure out how to differentiate for all students, to some students coming back to visit me and sharing that they have been successful in so many areas of their life – all of these are what gives me purpose – to push through the messy journey of being a teacher. It is who I am and the reason I teach. It is my passion! 

I have been married for 19 years to my wonderful husband, Matt. We have three children: Jadon (17), Adelyn (10), Amelia Grace (9) and two sweet pups (Finnley and Stella).  I love to read, ride my road bike, watch documentaries, and spend time with my friends and family. 

• 6th grade Honors Math
• 8th Grade Honors Mat

I am W. David Jones and this is my third year at BRMS.  I am a retired Alabama educator where I have been a math teacher, an assistant principal, a principal, and the district coordinator of such programs as technology, community education, and at-risk programs.  I have also been an Adjunct Computer Science Instructor at Chattahoochee Valley Community College.  I am a happy husband and the father of two sons.  I am also the very proud grandfather of a wonderful 2-year-old girl.  

Since I have an empty nest, I devote a great deal of my time to the children and youth at church.  My hobbies include fishing and kayaking.  I am thankful for the blessing of teaching school.  It is truly a joy to me.

• 6th Grade Math
• 6th Grade Advanced Math

Hello! My name is Kayla Moody and this is my 1st year at BRMS teaching 8th grade Math. I previously taught in South Georgia for 4 years. I was born and raised in Blackshear, GA. I am engaged to my fiance, Andrew who is a Paramedic in the surrounding counties. I love to travel and explore new places whenever I can with family and friends. I am blessed to have the best family and friends anyone could ask for! I enjoy watching sports and attending as many sporting events as I can. I love teaching Math and helping students enjoy it as well. “Life is like a math equation. In order to gain the most you have to know how to convert negatives to positives.”

My name is Jeanne Morgan, and I have been a teacher for 15 years with Muscogee County School District. I have worked as a teacher at Gardner Newman Middle School, South Columbus Elementary, and Double Churches Middle School. I spent three years working in the HR department for the Muscogee County School District before I became a teacher. I obtained my Middle School Math and Science bachelor’s degree from Columbus State University, my Middle School Math and Science master’s degree from Valdosta State University, and my Teacher Leadership specialist degree from Grand Canyon University. After receiving my gifted endorsement in 2013, I went on to sponsor a number of clubs and organizations, including the Math Team, the Science Olympiad, and the Chair of the Science Department.

I have two adult sons, two bonus daughters, two first- and fourth-grader grandsons, and a granddaughter who is two years old. My family, rescuing dogs, traveling, and teaching are among my passions. I have one foster dog and four dogs at the moment. In 2023–2024, I started at Blackmon Road Middle School, and I absolutely love it. I’m excited to wrap out my time at Blackmon Road because of the excellent students and caring faculty there!

7^th Grade Math: 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, and 6^th Period

7^th Grade Honors Math: 5^th Period