Atlanta Education Foundation

Dr. Gene Carlisle

Dr. Gene Carlisle is a 1957 graduate of Atlanta High School, where he lettered 3 years in basketball and baseball.   Raised in Bivins, Texas, Dr. Carlisle received a degree in Chemistry from East Texas State University in 1961 and a Master's in Physics from ETBU in 1965.  He received a PhD from the University of North Texas in Inorganic Chemistry and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  His research involved studies on magnetic and spectral properties of transition metal complexes.

He spent most of his career at West Texas A&M University teaching general, analytical, inorganic, physical, instrumental, advanced inorganic, and quantum chemistry.  Dr. Carlisle was also a research physicist at the Air Force Research Lab in Dayton, Ohio, and at the Air Force Research Lab at Kirkland AF Base in New Mexico.  

He has authored 55 articles in international journals spanning chemistry, physics, and optics, and has presented 34 research papers at both national and international conferences. His scholarly achievements have earned him multiple honors, including the University Research Excellence Award, the University Graduate Faculty Award, and the University Best Directed Thesis Award in 1994, 2000, 2002, and 2004.   

Dr. Carlisle was married to the late Ann Collins. Their son, Dr. John Carlisle, was a research physicist at Argonne National Laboratory before he retired.

Dianne Whatley Clem

Born to lead, Dianne has long embodied Christ-like values and the spirit of service. Across more than 47 years in education, she has inspired generations—not only by teaching children to read and write, but by helping them believe in their own potential and succeed in life. A devoted advocate for literacy, she has mentored hundreds of teachers and administrators, leaving a strong mark on Texas’s educational landscape. Her influence reaches far beyond classrooms—it lives on in the many lives she has changed. If you grew up in Atlanta, there’s a good chance she taught someone you know. Dianne launched the first educator-mentoring program in AISD. She designed, organized, and led the “Back to School Staff Development” initiative and directed summer retreats for administrators. She also hosted annual events honoring community veterans and has always maintained that students should be taught citizenship and develop a love for our country.

She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Texas A&M Commerce, followed by a Master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education.  She received a Marketing certification from the University of Houston.   She received her Mid-Management Administrator certification from Texas A&M Texarkana and went on to lead schools in two districts before becoming principal of Atlanta Elementary School. Under her leadership, AES earned exceptional recognition at both the state and national levels. Dianne was named Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year and the Principal of the Year from the J.E. Manning American Legion Post 258. She was also an adjunct professor at Texas A&M Texarkana and Stephen F. Austin University.

Dianne completed her career in AISD as the District Director of Curriculum and Instruction, where she unified the K-12 curriculum and revolutionized how instruction is delivered. Today, she chairs the LifeWise Academy committee and serves on its board, working to bring Bible education to students in AISD and nearby districts.

Her first husband, Keith (also an AHS alumnus), passed away in 2011. In 2023, she married James Burton Clem. They share five children and eight grandchildren. They are faithful members of First Baptist Church in Texarkana.

Dr. Clay May

Dr. Clay May, a 1997 graduate of AHS, excelled as a four-year standout in Track and Cross Country while also competing on the academic UIL team, where he advanced to the State level multiple times. He credits these experiences under the guidance of Coach Gordon Pynes for shaping his grit and determination. One of his most memorable moments came during his senior year in the Regional 1600 meters, when he collapsed just 25 meters from the finish line and courageously crawled to complete the race.

Dr. May continued his athletic career by competing in Division I Track and Cross Country at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK, where he earned his B.A. in Theology in just three years. He then spent the next decade serving in local churches, taking on a variety of leadership roles ranging from youth and music ministry to creative arts and missions—work that eventually brought him to Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

During this time, his participation in medical mission trips to Zambia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe inspired him to pursue a career in healthcare. Combining his artistic background with a deep compassion for those in need, he found dentistry to be the perfect calling. Determined to reach that goal, he devoted the next four years to completing his dental school prerequisites while juggling multiple roles—including DJ, musician, maintenance worker, oral surgery intern, and coordinator of the NC Missions of Mercy free dental clinics.

At the age of 36, despite doubts from others who said it couldn’t be done, he enrolled in dental school at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Once again demonstrating his determination, he successfully earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2020, receiving scholarships and multiple awards recognizing both his clinical excellence and dedication to volunteer service.

Following graduation, Dr. May spent two years serving at a Federally Qualified Health Center, providing care to underserved populations. Recognized for his surgical skill and commitment to community health, he was invited to join a community-focused Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery practice, working alongside his mentors and some of the state’s most distinguished oral surgeons. While fewer than 15% of oral surgeons in North Carolina accept Medicaid, Dr. May believes that everyone deserves access to care and, therefore, treats exclusively Medicaid patients for their oral surgery needs. As a result, he manages some of the most complex cases in the state for patients with limited alternatives.

In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. May serves as an adjunct clinical professor at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry and regularly volunteers his expertise through NC/VA Missions of Mercy, Durham Rescue Mission, Remote Area Medical, and Wake Smiles of Raleigh, which provides dental care to the local refugee population.

Dr. May also maintains a strong connection to the Atlanta community, offering scholarships and support to local sports teams, graduates, and educational programs. It is this community—whose values shaped his character—that has instilled in him the grit, compassion, and enduring spirit of generosity that define both his professional and personal life.

Dr. May and his wife, Briana, have been married for 7 years and have two children, Luke, 5, and Annabel, 1.

Jo Caldwell

Jo Caldwell dedicated an incredible 47 years of service to Atlanta ISD, leaving a lasting mark on the district through her loyalty, knowledge, and steady leadership.  She began her career in the tax office, moved into the role of secretary to the Director of Instruction, and eventually became the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent—a position she held with pride and love until her retirement. Over the years, Jo worked for seven different superintendents, and those who knew her best will tell you she didn’t just work for them—she “trained” them.

Jo was also instrumental in the founding of the Atlanta Education Foundation, serving as Administrative Assistant and the “glue that held everything together.”  Jo continues to dedicate her time and resources to the AEF.

Her commitment, sense of humor, and unparalleled attention to detail carried the district through decades of growth and change. Jo’s dedication and professionalism made her a cornerstone of Atlanta ISD, and her legacy of service continues to inspire all who had the privilege of working alongside her.  Jo’s legacy isn’t just in the years she served, but in the countless people she encouraged, supported, and inspired along the way.

Jo has been married to Ron Caldwell for 64 years. They have 3 children: Ron of New York City,  Stacy (Malcolm Dugliss) of Tacoma, Washington, and Bret (Jodi) of Leesburg, Virginia. All 3 of Jo’s children are honor graduates of Atlanta High School. Jo is also the proud “JoJo” to grandchildren Graham Dugliss, age 25, Haley Caldwell, age 24, Sarah Caldwell, age 24, Ellie Dugliss, age 21, and Dylan Caldwell, age 20. Jo is also a devoted sister to Dorothy Ables of Kingwood, Texas, and Donna Shelton of Cibolo, Texas.