Clarke Central High School science department co-chair Valinda Miller, Dr. Julie Memler, CCHS JROTC, science, physical education and Career, Technical and Agricultural Education departments Instructional Coach and CCHS science department teacher Enya Granados (from left to right) stand in the CCHS Miller Jordan Jr. Memorial Food Court on Jan. 22. Memler has worked as a science teacher at various schools, including at Loganville High School, Athens Academy and North Oconee High School, and started at CCHS at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, in an IC role for the first time.. “For the teachers that have been (at CCHS) for a while, I want to work with them to see how they want to get better, and see if there’s ways I can help them,” Memler said. Photo by Sasha Barkan
Dr. Julie Memler started as the CCHS JROTC and science, physical education and CTAE department instructional coach at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.
Clarke Central High School JROTC and science, physical education and Career, Technology and Agriculture Education departments Instructional Coach Dr. Julie Memler joined the CCHS faculty at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year, replacing former IC Dr. Katie Green.
Memler graduated from the University of Georgia with a baccalaureate degree in Animal and Dairy Science in 1993 before transitioning into the classroom to Loganville High School as a science teacher in 2001. Since then, she has taught science, primarily physics, at LHS, North Oconee High School and Athens Academy.
“My main goal (is) to help (teachers) achieve their goals. I sat down at (the) beginning of the year (and) asked them, ‘If you can approve one thing in your class, what would it be?’ I don’t want to set goals for teachers, I want them to set (goals) that I can help them achieve,” Memler said.
“She is willing to learn the coaching aspect (and) wants to support teachers. (She will) jump in and (say), ‘Yes, I’ll do anything.’”
— Dr. Summer Smith,
CCHS Associate Principal
Memler’s role focuses on fostering professional development for teachers she works with, as well as requiring her to collaborate with the CCHS Administrative Team on tasks like scheduling and introducing new initiatives to CCHS’ teachers.
“(Memler) brings a lot of ideas and skills with technology to enhance learning for students and for teachers, (making) their lives easier,” CCHS Associate Principal Dr. Summer Smith said. “She is willing to learn the coaching aspect (and) wants to support teachers. (She will) jump in and (say), ‘Yes, I’ll do anything.’”
Although Memler’s teaching experiences and education make her knowledgeable in subjects such as animal science and physics, she also mentors educators teaching subjects in which she has limited knowledge, like floral design or digital media. To navigate this diversity of areas, Memler provides coaching that focuses on teaching methods rather than content.
“I try not to think of myself as a leader over (teachers), but as someone who works to help them get better,” Memler said. “(My job) boils down to building a relationship with the teachers, letting them know that I respect what they’re doing and asking how can I help them.”
