THE TEAM

Carletta S. Hurt

“Every child has the potential to be great. Our job is to help them find it.”

A quality education is an asset that every child should be afforded. Carletta S. Hurt is a teacher, counselor, and youth advocate who understands the concept that, “it takes a village to raise a child.”

At a young age, Carletta demonstrated her dedication to being a part of that village by working diligently with her local Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) and Red Cross in her hometown of Macon, Georgia during the summer and holiday breaks. Those years of invaluable experience working and volunteering in her community ultimately lead her to funnel her energies into the field of education. She possesses a background in supervising programs, organizing engaging curricula, and implementing effective models.

Carletta’s educational experience is extensive and well balanced. While serving as a Math and Science teacher for City Schools of Decatur, she continued to nurture her passion for children by serving as a mentor, cheerleading co-sponsor, and tutor for the after school program. Her passion was recognized and celebrated with a request for her to serve as Co-Director of the City Schools of Decatur’s Summer School. Her work with youth continues as a guidance counselor in Fulton County Schools and program coordinator for IN THE LOOP of Success, a summer enrichment program and GIRLS Empowerment Seminars.

A graduate of Oglethorpe University and Georgia State University, Carletta is a certified teacher grades (4-8) and guidance counselor grades (K-12). She serves on several non-profit boards and is a contributor for Examiner.com.

“Embrace what makes you unique, even if it makes others uncomfortable.” – Janelle Monaé

Jessica Starks is a girl on the move – UP! She’s a freelance writer, blogger, beta reader, and social media manager who loves serving others.

Writing and helping others is her passion which is why she joined the team at IN THE LOOP. As the Production Coordinator, Starks is the force behind our social media presence on Twitter and Facebook, coordinates our Twitter chats for #20ReasonsWhy and #B4RTalks, and writes for our newest publication, BELLE Teen Magazine.

In addition to her work with ITL, Starks has her own blog, The Pen and the Needle, and writes for various other print and digital publications, such as Love, Girls Magazine,Gossip and Gab, Joint Interest, and the blogs of comedians Rickey Smiley and DL Hughley.

 

Starks specializes in popular culture and entertainment articles, as well as YA fiction and steampunk novels. She is eager to take on new challenges and expand into other areas of writing and volunteerism.