Cottrell Elementary School

Matt Cole is originally from Valdosta, GA and graduated from Valdosta High School in 1994. He attended Valdosta State University and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology in 1998. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Alabama and received a Master of Arts degree in School Counseling in 2001. Mr. Cole returned to his hometown to work as a middle school counselor for Valdosta Middle School from 2001-2002. The mountains called and he found his way to beautiful Dahlonega in 2002. Mr. Cole and his family love to spend time outdoors and enjoy traveling.

Beth Forrester earned her bachelor's degree in Special Education and her master's degree in Early Childhood Education from North Georgia College, which is now the University of North Georgia. She has taught in the Lumpkin County School System for nineteen years. She and her family love living in Dahlonega!

Mrs. Conner has always found great joy in teaching and is proud to be able to serve all the students and teachers at CES as the library media specialist. After graduating from Lumpkin County High School in 2003, Mrs. Conner went on to earn a dual Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood/Special Education, a Master's degree in ECE, as well as Reading and Gifted Endorsements, all from what is now the University of North Georgia . Mrs. Conner also holds Master's level certification in Media and Instructional Technology, earned from the University of West Georgia. She began her teaching career at LCES (CES) in 2007 and taught in grades 1-4 for 15 years before becoming the media specialist in 2022. She and her husband have one young daughter.