About Our School
Meet Our Team
Dr. Darice Irby, Head of School
Dr. Darice Irby is an influential lead learner with a strong background in enhancing student development and achievement in PreK-12 principal and instructional leadership consultant roles for online and brick-and-mortar schools. She has more than 18 years of experience improving student performance, leading school reform efforts, social emotional learning initiatives, strategic planning, and strengthening the capacity of teachers and staff. She is positive and solutions-oriented with proven effectiveness in change management and data-driven instruction. Dr. Irby has served in collaborative roles with school level staff, students, parents, and community members to shift school culture and strengthen systems by establishing structures and cultivating enthusiasms.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Fort Valley State University, Master of Arts in teaching special education and principal certification from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and Doctor of Education leadership from Gardner-Webb University.
Her goal is to be a great servant leader, one who will make a positive difference in the lives of people. When she is not working, Darice enjoys interior designing, watching great movies, reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family.
Marcus Harley, Principal
Marcus Harley is a learning leader with more than 25 years of experience in K12 education. He is intentional about being a positive force and always passionate about engaging in the power that authentic learning holds for students. Before coming to GADCA, Marcus served as a middle school administrator. Outside of the classroom, he is intricately involved in service to his community.
Franeka Colley, Ed.S, Academic Administrator for Special Programs
Franeka Colley is the academic administrator for special programs at GADCA. Before her tenure at GADCA, she served at the Georgia Department of Education as the ELA content integration and special education specialist, where she collaborated with general and special education teachers to create inclusive experiences for all learners. Franeka also led the dyslexia program for the state of Georgia, including the dyslexia pilot program. She has served as a leader for special education in both the brick-and-mortar and virtual settings. Her areas of expertise include behavior disorders and learning disabilities in reading, teacher effectiveness, co-teaching, and parent advocacy.
Elena Mincy, Academic Accountability and Grants Management Specialist
Elena Mincy comes from a non-profit after school background, where she has worked with students of elementary and middle school ages since 2015. While pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration from Valdosta State University, Elena started her career in the education industry as a youth development professional at The Boys and Girls Club of Valdosta. Beginning in 2017, she served as a program coordinator with a non-profit after school program that specialized in social-emotional learning and served Title I elementary schools around Atlanta. In 2019, Elena then transitioned to the role of public grants coordinator, ensuring grant compliance of five after school programs. She is now honored to step into the role of academic accountability and grants management specialist at Destinations Career Academy of Georgia, where she will also serve as the Title IX and testing coordinator.
Laronda Brown, School Counselor
Laronda Brown has worked with children for more than 15 years, with 12 of those years in education. Her experience includes working with students of all ages, from preschool to the college level. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama and started her career working with children in foster care and as a program director for after school and summer camp programs. With an increased awareness of the need for students to develop their social-emotional skills, she pursued a graduate degree in school counseling from Georgia State University. Since that time, Laronda has worked as a volunteer, and professionally, to support students from a variety of backgrounds in the United States and internationally. As a school counselor, it is her goal to work collaboratively with students and their support system. She is passionate about empowering all students to be the best people they can be.
