FACULTY & STAFF DIRECTORY
Meet The HRA Team
At Hampton Roads Academy, we believe that our people are what make us great. From our talented teachers to our wonderful non-teaching office and facilities staff, our team brings a wealth of experience to our school. Additionally, our team is dedicated to bettering itself through continual education. We champion professional development and lifelong learning through our robust professional development program.
Explore our faculty and staff directory below!
Our People Are The Heart Of Our School
Our dedicated faculty and team members serve as the backbone of Hampton Roads Academy. With a diverse range of experiences and backgrounds, they bring invaluable insights and knowledge to our classrooms, offices and halls. Our educators are experts in their respective fields. We take pride in nurturing a culture of continuous learning, where professional growth is valued and supported.
Investing In Professional Development
To ensure that our faculty remains at the forefront of education, Hampton Roads Academy maintains a robust professional development program. This program includes opportunities for experts to visit our campus and for faculty members to engage in enriching experiences off-site. By fostering a culture of lifelong learning, we empower our educators to inspire and challenge our students to reach their fullest potential.
Explore Our Faculty and Staff
Please select one of the divisions below to explore the dedicated individuals who make up the Hampton Roads Academy team. Whether they are part of the Lower School, Middle School or Upper School, you will find passionate educators committed to providing exceptional learning experiences for all of our students.
HRA Team
Kelly Alford
Upper School History Teacher
BA, Old Dominion University
Amy Annette
Foundations of Sports Medicine, Athletic Trainer, Assistant Athletic Director
BS, Roanoke College
MS, Old Dominion University
Stacy Ansama
Middle School/Upper School Latin Teacher
BA, UNC Greensboro
MA, Boston University
Rebecca Beal
Lower School, 3rd Grade Teacher
BA History, The University of Virginia
MEd, The University of Virginia
Emily Benham
Lower School, 2nd Grade Teacher
BA, Hood College
Tiffany Brakefield
Lower School, Science Enrichment/Computer Teacher
BA, King's College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
MEd, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
MEd, The College of William and Mary
Shellie Breitbeil
Lower School, 2nd Grade Teacher
BA, Christopher Newport University
MEd, Old Dominion University
Kristen Brown
School Nurse
BSN, Western Governors University
Curtis Brown
Middle/Upper School Band Director
BM, Christopher Newport University
MEd, Christopher Newport University
Melinda Calloway
Kate Carter
Upper School French Teacher
BA, University of Mary Washington
MEd, Old Dominion University
Will Caulford
Director of Technology
Erika Caulford
Lower School, Music Teacher
BM, Christopher Newport University
Elizabeth Cavallari
Director of College Counseling
BA, Bucknell University
MEd, College of William and Mary
Kendra Chappell
Upper School Physical Education Teacher
BS, North Carolina State University
MA, University of South Florida
Kim Christenbury
Lower School Kindergarten Aide
LaVena Clark
Jenn Clemons
Upper School Art Teacher
BFA, Northern Arizona University
Jeremy Clover
Upper School English Teacher, College Counselor
BA, Winthrop University
Sharon Cole
Lower School, Art Teacher
BA, Old Dominion University
MAAE, University of Florida
Kelly Combs
Middle School Science Teacher
BS, Central Methodist University
MS, University of Central Missouri
Christine Contakes
Upper School Art Teacher
BA, Mercyhurst University
Sydney Cook
Middle School Spanish Teacher
BA, Bridgewater College
Michael Cunningham
Middle School Teaching Associate, Strength and Conditioning Coach
Kim Davis
Registrar
Melissa DeBoer
Middle School Director of Educational Technology
BS/BA, East Carolina University
BA, Christopher Newport University
MEd, Old Dominion University
Maj. Mervyn Diaz
Director of Security
AA, East Coast Polytechnic Institute
BS, East Coast Polytechnic Institute
Rachel Donavant
Upper School History Teacher
BS, Radford University
MEd, Averett University
Farica Erwin
Upper School Math Teacher
BA, Trinity University
MAT, Trinity University
Bridgitte Ferguson
Middle School Science Teacher
BS, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University
MA, George Washington University
Theresa Foster
Reception
Jaclyn Fritz
Lower School, 3rd Grade Teacher
BS, Indiana University
MEd, Xavier University
Courtney Gardner
Director of Advancement
BA, Mary Washington College
BS, Mary Washington College
Maribel Gendreau
Upper School Science Teacher
BA, Anna Maria College
MS, University of Connecticut
PhD, University of Connecticut
Scott George
Upper School English Teacher
BA, Randolph-Macon
MA, Old Dominion University
India Getchell
Facilities
Kate Goddin
Director of Theatre
BA, University of Mary Washington
Lynwood Goens
Facilities
Jordan Gray
Lower School, Kindergarten Teacher
BA, Christopher Newport University
Laurie Hager
Upper School English Teacher, Dean of Student Life
BA, College of William and Mary
MA, College of William and Mary
Christopher Hailey
Upper School History Teacher
BA, College of William and Mary
MA, College of William and Mary
Arkady Heifetz
Upper School Strings Teacher
MA, USSR Conservatory
Randi Helpinstill
Director of Finance
BS, Christopher Newport University
Hannah Hislop
Middle School English Teacher
BS, Concordia University Chicago
Jordan Hoffmann
Admissions and Communications Coordinator
BA, Virginia Commonwealth University
MAT, Liberty University
Christine Holloway
Executive Assistant to the Head of School
BA, Hampton University
Mesha Jackson
Accounting Manager
BA, St. Leo University
Christine Crumlish Joyce
Middle School History/Latin Teacher
AB, Mount Holyoke College
Christopher Joyce
Upper School History Teacher
BA, Emory University
MAT, Emory University
Tony Lawrence Jr.
Facilities
Gai Kenney
Lower School PK Aide
Josephine Kovalcik
Lower School,1st Grade Teacher
BA, James Madison University
Colette Kunkel
Upper School English Teacher
BA, Hollins University
MS, Columbia University
Staci Lanier
Lower School, 1st Grade Teacher
BS, Augusta State University
MEd, Augusta State University
Emilly Lasley
Advancement Associate
BS, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Jay Lasley
Head of School
BA, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
MEd, Elon University
Jennifer Lassiter
Upper School Math Teacher
BA, University of the Incarnate Word
MS, University of the Incarnate Word
Tony Lawrence
Facilities
Kadejah Lawrence
Facilities
David Legg
Director of Transportation, Head Football Coach
BA, Christopher Newport University
Kerry LiBrando
Middle School History Teacher
BA, Providence College
MA, American University
Destiny Lindsay
Lower School, Kindergarten Teacher
BA, Christopher Newport University
Tiny Liverman
Facilities
Holly Loewen
Reception
BS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Amanda MacDonnell
Librarian
BSJ
MSEd
Elizabeth Marzan
Accounting/HR Specialist
BA, University of California, Santa Barbara
MBA, University of Washington
Candice Mason
Lower School, 1st Grade Aide
Karen Massengill
Middle School English/Reading Teacher
BA, Christopher Newport University
MAT, Christopher Newport University
Jennifer Massengill
Lower School, Fourth Grade Teacher
BA, College Of William And Mary
MEd, College Of William And Mary
Stefanie McDermott
Lower School, 2nd Grade Teacher
MA, University of Maine
Michelle Miesko
Middle School History/English Teacher
BA, Kutztown University
Jennifer Miller
Upper School Spanish Teacher
BA, University of Minnesota
MA, Virginia Tech
Chris Mills
Upper School Physical Education Teacher, Assistant Director of Athletics
BA, Virginia Wesleyan University
Cynthia Montgomery
Middle School Administrative Assistant
Sarah Moore
Lower School, Junior Kindergarten Teacher
BA, Hollins University
Lindsay Morena
Lower School Pre-K Teacher
BS, Messiah College
Kim Morgan
Lower School, 1st Grade Teacher
BA, Virginia Commonwealth University
MEd, Virginia Commonwealth University
Henry Morgan
Facilities
Emily Neuner
Middle School Art Teacher
BA, Williams College
Amber Nierman
Lower School, 3rd Grade Teacher
BA, Christopher Newport University
MEd, Christopher Newport University
Lauren Oaks
Upper School Science Teacher
BA, Virginia Tech
MS, Virginia Tech
Marcy Ouellette
Middle School, Upper School Science Teacher
BS, Fitchburg State University
MS, University of Memphis
Elizabeth Parisher
Upper School French Teacher
BA, Randolph-Macon Women’s College
MEd, University of Richmond
Nichole Patrick
Middle School English Teacher
BS, Old Dominion University
MS, Old Dominion University
Liza Perez
Lower School Spanish Teacher
BA, The University of Puerto Rico
Anthony Picott
Lower School, Kindergarten Aide
BS, Pennsylvania State at Wilkes-Barre, PA
Callie Poole
Advancement Associate, Head Varsity Field Hockey Coach, Program Coordinator
BS, University of Mary Washington
Liz Queen
Lower School Administrative Assistant
BA, Christopher Newport University
William (Billy) Redfearn
Facilities
Noelle Rennolds
Upper School Spanish Teacher
BA, Canisius College
MS, Canisius University
MEd, Canisius University
Kelley Rhodes
Lower School, 1st Grade Teacher
BA, James Madison University
MEd, The Ohio State University
Neajah Robinson
Facilities
Shymil Robinson
Facilities
Charles (CJ) Rodwell
Facilities
Elizabeth Rous
Upper School Psychology Teacher, Upper School Counselor
BS, College of Charleston
MS, Francis Marion University
Benjamin Rous
Assistant Head of School, Director of Upper School
BA, University of Colorado Boulder
MA, Dartmouth College
Jesse Rowe
Sous Chef
AAS, Johnson & Wales University
Uwe Schulszas
Executive Chef
Katie Schwizer
Upper School Science Teacher
BS, James Madison University
MS, St. Joseph’s University
Jeff Scott
Middle School Physical Education Teacher
BS, Old Dominion University
Alejandra Segura
Middle School Math Teacher
BA, Virginia Military Institute
Marshall Severin
Middle/Upper School Choir Director
BM, Christopher Newport University
Kathy Shepherd
Tina Silberhorn
Middle School English Teacher
BA, Christopher Newport University
MEd, College of William and Mary
Ron Sims
Lower School Physical Education Teacher
BS, Old Dominion University
MS, Old Dominion University
Gretchen Speece
Lower School, 4th Grade Teacher
BA, Christopher Newport University
MAT, Christopher Newport University
Jocelyn Spencer
Assistant Director of Admissions
BA, Virginia Wesleyan College
MEd, Old Dominion University
Ashley Spruill
Middle School Counselor
BS, Christopher Newport University
Laura Stoner
Director of Athletics
BA, Colgate University
MAT, Christopher Newport University
Ace Strickland
Director of Facilities
Susanne Swain
Director of Lower School
BA, College of William and Mary
MA, George Washington University
Ed Swanson
Director of Admissions
BA, Sacred Heart University
David Swinney
Facilities
Shirley Tanguy
Director of Ancillary Programs
Kelly Taylor
Upper School Administrative Assistant
Caroline Thatcher
Lower School, Kindergarten Teacher
BS, Old Dominion University
MEd, Old Dominion University
Lisa Thatcher
Director of Middle School
BA, Briar Cliff University
MS, Springfield College
Kennetta Tingmen
Facilities
Kimmielene Trower
Facilities
Lee Underwood
Upper School Math Teacher
BS, Christopher Newport University
MEd, Walden University
Eve Ware
Lower School PK Aide
Elisabeth Whetstine
Middle School Math Teacher
BA, Meredith College
MA, George Washington University
Mason Whitaker
Middle School History Teacher
BA, Hampden-Sydney College
Donald White
Facilities
Savannah Whitten
Lower School, 4th Grade Teacher
BA, Christopher Newport University
MA, Christopher Newport University
Robert Williams
Upper School Science Teacher
BS, North Carolina State University
PhD, North Carolina State University
Tommy Yevak
Director of Alumni Relations
BS, University of Virginia
Rafael Zornitta
Upper School Math Teacher
BS, Austin Peay State University
Charting Futures, Shaping Leaders
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