Letter from the EC Counselor

I’m Leslie Jo Tottenham, the counselor and social worker at the Elementary Campus, and I’ve been a part of the ANCS school family for 18 years. I grew up in Texas before moving to the Southeast to attend college. I earned a bachelor’s degree (BA) at Vanderbilt University where I studied philosophy and political science before going to graduate school at the University of Georgia to earn a master’s degree in social work (MSW).  I then served as a school social worker for the DeKalb County School District for nine years and became certified as a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)  before joining what was then still known as Neighborhood Charter School. In my spare time, I love swimming, practicing yoga, traveling, and watching soccer and college football. 

My twin sons attended ANCS from kindergarten through eighth grade and are now students at the University of Georgia. (Go Dawgs!) I’m honored to be able to work with many of the wonderful teachers who taught and supported my boys on the path to becoming the young men they are today.  

There is so much I love about this school including the compassion and dedication of the teachers and staff; the focus on the whole child (it’s not just about test scores here); the continuing education opportunities for staff; the emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion; the love and support of our parents and caregivers; the thoughtfulness and caring of our school leadership; and the love and curiosity of our amazing students.

I work with students individually and in small groups in addition to teaching classroom guidance lessons. My focus is on social emotional well being, self-regulation, and safety. Conscious Discipline and Culturally Responsive Teaching and The Brain guide my work.  Both are based on brain research and highlight that we do our best learning and problem solving when we are in the executive state of our brain. I also coordinate our school partnerships with supportive outside agencies, address student attendance issues, and serve as the secondary test coordinator.

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at ltottenham@atlncs.org or call me, 470-597-2304.