Dr. Noreen Freeman

Principal

Hello everyone,

I am Noreen Freeman, and I am incredibly excited to join this wonderful school community as your new principal. With 18 years of dedicated service in Gwinnett, I am deeply passionate about serving this community and am committed to fostering an environment where we can all thrive together.

Throughout my career, I have collaborated with teachers, parents, and students to utilize best practices that guide everyone to reach their highest potential. As a lifelong learner, I am passionate about seeking strategies to serve the "Whole Child."

My educational journey includes a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education, Psychology, and History from Kean University, a Master's Degree in Special Education-Mild Disabilities from Brenau University, a Specialist’s Degree in Teacher Leadership from Mercer University, and a Doctoral Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Lincoln Memorial University. I also hold an add-on certificate in Leadership from Mercer University.

Before transitioning to elementary education, I worked in higher education as the Faculty Affairs Coordinator to the Dean of The New Jersey Medical School at Rutgers University. My teaching experience spans from being a Resource and Gifted Teacher in New Jersey to various roles in Gwinnett County Public Schools, including second grade, fifth grade, Gifted Teacher, Instructional Coach, a STEM Instructor, and an Administrator.

I believe in the success of all students and value education deeply. I am committed to working with our community of learners to ensure that effective, research-based practices are in place, always doing what is in the best interest of all children so that every child succeeds.

Having immigrated to the United States I have had the opportunity to live and work in South America, which has enriched my perspective and approach to education. This cultural diversity has allowed me to appreciate the unique backgrounds and experiences of our students and families, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment.

I am eager to embark on this journey with you, and I look forward to celebrating and honoring the great work being done at Hopkins. Together, we will achieve new heights, make a positive impact on the lives of our students, and celebrate our wins.

I welcome your input, conversations and engagement in our school community. Let us keep students and their well-being as the primary focus of our work! We are in this together.

Sincerely,

Dr. Noreen (Dr. Nora) Freeman.

Mrs. Jacqueline Graham

Assistant Principal

Jacqueline Graham has served as a middle school assistant principal in NY for 3 years, and an elementary school assistant principal at Hopkins Elementary for 18 years. Prior to administration, Jackie taught self-contained special education and interrelated resource for 11 years in New York. Upon moving to Gwinnett, Mrs. Graham taught interrelated resource at Arcado Elementary for 1 year, before coming to Hopkins Elementary as an Assistant Principal. Mrs. Graham holds a Bachelor’s degree in English and Secondary Education from the State University of NY, a Master's degree in Special Education from the State University of NY, an Education Specialist Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont University, and School Leadership Certification from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. Mrs. Graham and her husband are the proud parents of 3 GCPS graduates, now college graduates. Mrs. Graham is passionate about people, literacy, equity, and diversity. She aims to build positive relationships with all stakeholders and provide rigorous, equitable learning experiences for all students. When not working, Jackie enjoys reading, traveling, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Ms. Lisa Bevens

Assistant Principal

Lisa Bevens has spent her entire teaching career within Gwinnett County Schools. She has taught 1st, 2nd & 3rd grades, K-5 Interrelated Resource, and supported K-5 students and teachers as an RTI/SST Coordinator and a Local School Technology Coordinator. She spent time in the Meadowcreek, Berkmar and Collins Hill clusters before coming to Hopkins in 2020 as an Assistant Principal. The Berkmar Cluster is her home, and she loves her students and the Hopkins community. 

Ms. Bevens received her bachelor's degree in early childhood education with an ESOL Endorsement from Toccoa Falls College; her master's degree in Elementary Reading and Math from Walden University; an Educational Specialist’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Kennesaw State University and Tier 1 and Tier 2 Educational Leadership certificates from University of West Georgia. She is currently working through her doctoral program through the University of West Georgia.

Ms. Bevens and her husband have 3 children, whom they call “The Heroes”. All three of her children have attended Hopkins; her older two are now in middle school, and her youngest is in the Dual Language Immersion program. She loves to read, create recipes in her kitchen, travel to new places, watch movies, embarrass her children, and spend time with her family and friends.  

Dr. Melissa Cable

Assistant Principal

Melissa Cable began her career in GCPS in the Berkmar Cluster where she taught third grade, ESOL, EIP, and Interrelated Resource.  She then transferred to Hall County Schools where she taught Interrelated Resource for K-5 and served as grade chair for special education.  Dr. Cable came back home to GCPS in 2017 to Hopkins Elementary.  At Hopkins, she has taught ESOL, EIP, and Interrelated Resource, and held many leadership roles; before becoming an instructional coach in 2020.  Dr. Cable is passionate about building relationships with students and families to meet each student's learning ability and interest level through an educationally challenging environment.   She is excited to continue in the Hopkins community as an assistant principal! 

Dr. Cable received her bachelor's degree in Early Childhood and Special Education with a reading and math endorsement from the University of North Georgia; her master's degree in Early Childhood Education with an ESOL endorsement from Kennesaw State University; Education Specialist in Teacher Leadership from Piedmont College; Educational Leadership from the University of North Georgia; and doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Piedmont College.

Dr. Cable and her husband have 2 children.  She loves to read, go camping, watch movies, and spend quality time with family and friends.

Mr. Yerisson Cardenas

Assistant Principal

Yerisson Cardenas began his career through Teach for America serving in a Dual Language Immersion setting teaching middle school science in Clayton County. Mr. Cardenas continued working with middle school students in Hall County from the same school he graduated from as a seventh-grade science teacher. Since then, Mr. Cardenas has worked at a K-8 STEM Charter school in Fulton County where he served as an 8th-grade science teacher, STEM Teacher, and eventually the K-8 STEM Director. As the STEM Director Mr. Cardenas was able to support multiple teams to different State Finals competition in Science Fair, Engineering Fair, and the GA Tech K12 Inventure Prize.

Mr. Cardenas has been passionate about STEM and ensuring that all students have an equitable access to STEM opportunities to better prepare them for an ever-changing world. Mr. Cardenas received his Bachelors in Science with an Information Systems Engineering Degree from Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU in Charlotte, NC and his M.Ed. from American University in Education Policy and Leadership.

Mr. Cardenas is husband and father to a beautiful family and is excited to be joining Hopkins Elementary School as the new assistant principal.