KIPP Woodson Park Academy

Ms. Tara Stifler serves as principal of grades K-4 at KIPP Woodson Park Academy. Originally from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Ms. Stifler began her career in education in 2007 with Fulton County Schools where she was also awarded Teacher of the Year. In 2009, Ms. Stifler joined KIPP WAYS Academy as a fifth-grade reading teacher and later a reading coach. Ms. Stifler spent three years as a lead reading interventionist at Drew Charter School in Atlanta before returning to KIPP WAYS Academy as the Lower School Assistant Principal in 2014.

Ms. Stifler earned her B.A. in Psychology (Spanish Minor) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Masters of Teaching (Reading Specialist) from Georgia State University. Ms. Stifler enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with her family, being outside, and all things Carolina sports.

Mr. Emanuel Mathis serves as principal of grades 5-8 at KIPP Woodson Park Academy. An Atlanta native, Mr. Mathis has a passion to provide an exceptional educational and extracurricular experience that can propel all Atlanta students into living a choice filled life. Since joining the KIPP family in 2011, Mr. Mathis has worked in three different KIPP Metro Atlanta schools as a learning specialist, math teacher, athletic director, basketball coach, instructional coach, and assistant principal.

Prior to joining KIPP Metro Atlanta Schools, Mr. Mathis taught four years in the Newton County public school system. Mr. Mathis earned his B.S. from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia where he was also a member of the men’s basketball team.