North Georgia Technical College announces several new full-time faculty members for the fall semester of 2019.
Deanna DeFoor is an instructor of nursing and recently was employed as a registered nurse at Stephens County Hospital in Toccoa. DeFoor has more than 40 years of experience as a registered nurse and received a master of science degree specializing in nursing in adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. DeFoor received a bachelor of science degree in nursing from the University of North Georgia.
Kelly Rhoades is a biology/general education instructor, and she recently was a part-time adjunct biology instructor at NGTC. Rhoades has previously worked for the Georgia Cyber Academy, as well as school systems for Habersham, Lumpkin, White and Hall Counties. Rhoades earned an education specialist in leadership diploma and a master of biology education degree and bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of North Georgia. Rhoades lives in Clarkesville with her husband, Mike, and has four children.
Haley Adams is a clinical laboratory technology instructor from Clarkesville. Adams previously was a medical technologist at Northside Hospital and St. Mary’s Health Care, and she has worked as an adjunct instructor and lab assistant at NGTC. She is currently working toward earning a doctorate of education in curriculum and instruction from Capella University in Minneapolis, Minn., and she received a master of higher education degree in college teaching and learning from Walden University in Minneapolis, Minn. A medical laboratory technology graduate of NGTC, Adams resides in Clarkesville with her husband, Shane, and their two daughters.
Jack Smith is a math instructor and was previously a part-time adjunct math instructor for NGTC at the Blairsville campus, and a part-time math instructor and tutor at the University of North Georgia. Originally from Key West, Fla., Smith most recently earned his post-graduate hours in mathematics from the University of North Georgia and has a master’s degree in exercise and sports science with a concentration in athletic training and emergency medicine from the University of Florida. Smith resides in Blairsville with his wife, Ann.
Michelle Oglesby is an English instructor and was previously an English Language Arts teacher at Franklin County Middle School as well as an instructor for the Georgia Cyber Academy and an adjunct English instructor at NGTC. From Lagrange, Ga., Oglesby also has earned a Georgia gifted certification. Oglesby received a master’s degree in secondary English education from Columbus State University and a bachelor’s degree in English language arts from Auburn University. She resides in Toccoa with her husband, Craig.
Bryan Hartzog, from Toccoa, is a heating, ventilation and air conditioning instructor. Hartzog previously was a maintenance mechanic with the Northeast Georgia Housing Authority, and he received his HVACR diploma as well as a commercial truck driving diploma from NGTC. Hartzog has skills in HVAC, carpentry, plumbing, appliance repair, electrical and is EPA certified. He resides in Toccoa with his wife, Kelda, and daughter, Kalleigh.
Owen Simpson, from Griffin, Ga., is an engineering instructor who formerly was employed as a quality, environmental, safety and health manager for Sulzer Pumps in Easley, S.C. Simpson earned a master of science and a bachelor of science degree in engineering technology from Western Carolina University. Simpson lives in Seneca, S.C. with his son, Zade.
Daniel Card is a commercial truck driving instructor from Macon, Ga. Card previously worked for Maverick Transportation as a trainer and a long haul flatbed driver for the Eastern and Mid-West regions of the United States. Card also worked for NGTC as a professional lab assistant for the commercial truck driving program since February 2018. Card earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University and his CDL license from NGTC. Card lives in Clarkesville with his wife, Rhonda, and two children.
