Health and Physical Education

Health - 7th, PE - All Grades

This is Coach Allen’s fourth year teaching at Northwestern Middle School. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Mississippi in 2012 and a Master’s degree in Sport Pedagogy from the University of Georgia in 2015. He is the NMS Extramurals Director, and he coaches the boys’ basketball team and track & field.

Health - 8th, PE - All Grades

Karla Armstrong is the Health and PE Department Chair at Northwestern and is a member of the Instructional Leadership Team.  Ms. Armstrong is a graduate of the University of Georgia and received her Masters Degree in Kinesiology and Health from Georgia State University. She has been teaching 25 years in Fulton County, 17 of which have been at NMS.

Health - 8th, PE - All Grades

Coach Godby has been teaching middle school health and PE for 24 years. He has been at Northwestern for 17 years.  He is the coach of Milton high school girls lacrosse and has coached the team to 13 state championships.  He has a wife Jamie and 2 children Lynlee 10 and Wilson 8. 

Health - 6th, PE - All Grades

Ms. Jeffries attended Florida State University and received a bachelors in Marketing. She then became certified to teach middle school through the GA TAPP program. She taught special education for 12 years here at Northwestern (6th and 7th grade), all subjects. This year is her third year in the PE/Health position at NMS. She is loving her position, and is passionate about health / fitness, and enjoys encouraging students to seek a healthy lifestyle (physically and mentally). Ms. Jeffries has two children – Chelsea, who is also a middle school teacher and Ryan – who is an EMT in the Atlanta area.

Health - 7th, PE - All Grades

Marie Lewis began her full-time teaching career 15 years ago in Fulton County Schools.  She has spent the most recent 13 years in Health/PE, at Northwestern Middle School; the previous 2 years in English/Language Arts, at Holcomb Bridge Middle School.  Mrs. Lewis’ previous career was in Medical Supply Sales, primarily focusing on helping patients of dialysis treatments.  She received a Bachelor of Arts from Spelman College, with Math and Psychology minors.  For many years, Mrs. Lewis coached the extramural girls’ volleyball team and has served as a sponsor of FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes).

Health - 6th, PE - 7th and 8th

This is Mr. Mendelson’s first year teaching at Northwestern Middle School. He is a Kell High School graduate that played Varsity Football and Soccer. He graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science and is currently finishing his Master's Degree in Health and Physical Education at Georgia State University. In his spare time, he trains and competes in Spartan Races. He also is an Eagle Scout that enjoys hiking and camping.