Leadership
Allen Lowe, Head of School
Allen Lowe begins his 31st year as an educator at Deerfield-Windsor School and is currently serving as Head of School. Earning his BSED in Math from The University of Georgia, he also earned his Masters in Teaching and Learning Leadership from Liberty University. A highly successful Head Football and Track Coach, his career boasts of 35 years of teaching, and classroom experience. Previously, he taught and coached at Riverview Academy, Flint River Academy, and Calvary Baptist Day School. Married to Piper (Rose), they are proud parents to Deerfield-Windsor alums Tanner (‘12), Tyler (‘16) and daughter Landon (‘19). He is a member of Sherwood Baptist Church, and he enjoys reading Christian fiction, watching college football and relaxing in the backyard.
Dona Lyn Goodpasture, Director - Advancement
Dona Lyn Goodpasture has been a part of the Deerfield-Windsor community for many years as a parent and eight years as the Director of Advancement. She is a proud Double Dawg with a bachelor's in speech communication and a master's in education from the University of Georgia. She is active in the Albany community through her membership in the Charity League of Albany, Leadership Albany, and was recognized as a community leader in Southwest Georgia's 40 under Forty. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, creating, and spending time with her family. She values giving back to the community and is often found sewing port pillows for patients at the Phoebe Cancer Center. She is married to Lem Goodpasture, and they are the proud parents of Knights, Katy '22 and Addy Grace '25.
Marie Knight, Director - Lower School
Marie begins her 42nd year as an educator with 31 years at Deerfield-Windsor School. A lifelong resident of Albany, she earned her BS Education degree from University of Georgia and her MS Education degree from Georgia Southwestern University both specializing in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Marie has been instrumental in implementing curriculum improvements with Guided Reading, Math Exploration and Orton-Gilllingham multisensory phonics program. She continues to investigate curriculum improvements but knows that many times “back to basics” is best. Marie’s philosophy of education is grounded in teaching the whole child academically, emotionally, and socially not only through the curriculum but through the arts. Married to local business owner John Knight, they have three Knight Alumni children- Frances (‘01), Davis (‘03) and Benson (‘06). In Marie’s spare time, she enjoys making heirloom clothes with smocking, hand sewing and applique for their three grandchildren.
Lindsey Kotter, Director - Middle and Upper School
Lindsey Kotter has been a part of the Deerfield-Windsor community since 2014. Lindsey holds a BSED English Education 13’ and Masters of Educational Psychology 14’ from the University of Georgia. Prior to serving as Director, she has served in various capacities including, Middle and Upper School English teacher, Journalism teacher, Middle School Counselor, Middle School Director, and Middle School Academic Dean. Her refreshing leadership style has been well-received by faculty and students alike. Outside of the school day, you might find her tackling a DIY project with her husband, Jake, learning a new language on Duolingo, or playing with her daughter.
Meredith Pennington, Director - Finance and Operations
Meredith Pennington recently joined Deerfield-Windsor in 2022 as the Director of Finance and Operations and has long dedicated history with the school. She is a 1995 graduate of DWS and served in various volunteer roles including president of the Parent Association and a member of the Board of Trustees. Meredith brings a strong financial background to the role having previously worked for Synovus Bank for 19 years. She holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of Georgia and a MBA from Auburn University. Married to Jackson Pennington, they are parents of two current Knights, Bess, '26 and Jack, '30.
Lauren Ray, Director - Admissions
Lauren Ray has been a part of the Deerfield-Windsor community since 2011. School involvement has included volunteer roles with the DWS Parent Association, serving on the Board of Trustees, working as the Director of Advancement, and currently, she serves in the role of Director of Admissions. Prior to DWS, she spent 18 years in marketing and healthcare philanthropy at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital. Earning BA Degrees in both Journalism and English from The University of Georgia, she is a member of the 2007 Leadership Georgia Class, 2008 Leadership Albany Class, and a member of the Charity League of Albany. She currently serves as a board member for Strive to Thrive, YoungLife of Albany, as well as the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Education Committee. She cherishes time spent with family and friends, and enjoys community collaboration, working with children and youth, small group studies at her church, a “great party”, all things sports and UGA. Married to Todd Ray, they are parents of Knights, Thomas, ‘23 and Murphy, ‘24.