Staff Spotlight: Joan “Gigi” Thigpen, Reading Specialist

At The Forest School, some people help shape the community not only through their expertise, but through their presence, encouragement, and deep belief in children. Joan Thigpen, affectionately known as Gigi to the Forest community, is one of those people.

Joan serves as our Reading Specialist, bringing decades of experience in teaching, curriculum design, and educational leadership to her work with learners. A Georgia native, she has taught children across many ages and stages, from kindergarten through college, in both public and private school settings across the southeastern United States.

Joan holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, a Master’s Degree in Reading and Literacy, and a Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership. Her background gives her a deep understanding of how children learn, grow, struggle, and gain confidence. At The Forest School, she uses that wisdom to support learners as they build strong reading foundations and discover the joy and power of literacy.

Joan and her husband moved to Fayetteville to be near their grandchildren and to support the beginning of The Forest School, a new and innovative school born out of her son’s vision. Since then, she has become a beloved part of the community — not only as a reading specialist, but as the school’s Gigi.

What keeps Joan engaged and energized is her desire to keep learning and to be part of the needed changes in education. She loves watching heroes discover who they are, build confidence, and find their calling in the world.

We are deeply grateful for Joan’s steady wisdom, generous heart, and faithful service to The Forest School community. Her impact reaches far beyond reading instruction. She reminds us that learning is personal, growth is possible, and every child has a calling worth discovering.