Meet the Faculty and Staff | Hampton Roads Academy | VA Skip to content Faculty and Staff Hampton Roads Academy 2025-06-12T12:43:32-04:00 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 lifelong learning and career skill-building 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 Devi Adhikari Upper School Physics Teacher BSc, Tribhuvan University MSc, Tribhuvan University PhD, Idaho State University Amy Annette Foundations of Sports Medicine, Athletic Trainer, Assistant Athletic Director BS, Roanoke College MS, Old Dominion University Rebecca Beal 3rd Grade Teacher BA, The University of Virginia MEd, The University of Virginia Emily Benham 2nd Grade Teacher BA, Hood College Roberta Bockrath Middle School Spanish Teacher BA, Christopher Newport University MA, Christopher Newport University Tiffany Brakefield Lower School Science Enrichment/Computer Teacher BA, King's College, Wilkes-Barre, PA MEd, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA MEd, William & Mary Shellie Breitbeil 2nd Grade Teacher BA, Christopher Newport University MEd, Old Dominion University Kristen Brown School Nurse BSN, Western Governors University Kelly Buscemi Executive Assistant to the Head of School BS, Saint Xavier University Melinda Calloway Line Cook Jayne Campbell Lower School Administrative Assistant BA, University of Tennessee Kate Carter Upper School French Teacher, World Languages Department Chair 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, William & Mary Kendra Chappell Upper School Physical Education Teacher BS, North Carolina State University MA, University of South Florida Kim Christenbury Kindergarten Aide LaVena Clark Facilities Jeremy Clover Upper School English Teacher BA, Winthrop University Sharon Cole Lower School Art Teacher BA, Old Dominion University MAAE, University of Florida Christophany Davidson Middle / Upper School Teaching Associate BS, James Madison University Archie Davis Facilities Kim Davis Registrar & College Counseling Coordinator 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 Emma Donavant Junior Kindergarten Aide Rachel Donavant Upper School History Teacher, History Department Chair BS, Radford University MEd, Averett University Farica Erwin Upper School Math Teacher BA, Trinity University MAT, Trinity University Justin Estreicher Communications Specialist and Webmaster BA, University of Pennsylvania MA, William & Mary PhD, William & Mary Bridgitte Ferguson Middle School Science Teacher BS, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University MA, George Washington University Teresa Foster Reception Jaclyn Fritz 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, Science Department Chair BA, Anna Maria College MS, University of Connecticut PhD, University of Connecticut Scott George Upper School English Teacher, English Department Chair BA, Randolph-Macon MA, Old Dominion University India Getchell Facilities Coordinator Karen L. Gillespie Interim Director of Middle School BA, William & Mary Kate Goddin Director of Theatre, Upper School Public Speaking Teacher, Performing Arts Department Chair BA, University of Mary Washington Lynwood Goens Facilities Jordan Gray Junior Kindergarten Teacher BA, Christopher Newport University Brian Grieb Director of Bands BA, Virginia Tech Laurie Hager Upper School English Teacher, Dean of Student Life BA, William & Mary MA, William & Mary Christopher Hailey Upper School History Teacher, Associate Director of College Counseling BA, William & Mary MA, William & Mary Arkady Heifetz Upper School Strings Teacher MA, USSR Conservatory Hannah Hislop Middle School English Teacher BS, Concordia University Chicago Jordan Hoffmann Admissions and Communications Coordinator BA, Virginia Commonwealth University MAT, Liberty University Mesha Jackson Accounting Manager BA, St. Leo University Christopher Joyce Upper School History Teacher BA, Emory University MAT, Emory University Christine Crumlish Joyce Middle School History / Latin Teacher AB, Mount Holyoke College Emma Kamerer Middle / Upper School Visual Arts Teacher, Visual Arts Department Chair BFA, Cornell College MA, Eastern Illinois University MFA, Ohio University Jemma Kennedy Middle School Math Teacher BA, Mount Holyoke College MA, University of Georgia MA, Teachers College, Columbia University Gai Kenney Pre-Kindergarten Aide Josephine Kovalcik Kindergarten Teacher BA, James Madison University Colette Kunkel Upper School English Teacher BA, Hollins University MS, Columbia University Elffie LaChance Communications Specialist BS, University of Maryland- College Park Staci Lanier 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, Math Department Chair BA, University of the Incarnate Word MS, University of the Incarnate Word Tony Lawrence Facilities Kadejah Lawrence Facilities, Transportation Coordinator Kerry LiBrando Middle School History Teacher BA, Providence College MA, American University Destiny Lindsay Kindergarten Teacher BA, Christopher Newport University Tiny Liverman Line Cook Shanna Lopez Reception BS, Christopher Newport University MS, Old Dominion University Kat Lutz Facilities Amanda MacDonnell Librarian BSJ MSEd Candice Mason Kindergarten Aide Jennifer Massengill 4th Grade Teacher BA, William & Mary MEd, William & Mary Karen Massengill Middle School English / Reading Teacher BA, Christopher Newport University MAT, Christopher Newport University Kim McCrum Human Resources Manager BS, James Madison University MS, The George Washington University Stefanie McDermott 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 Zach Minor Middle School Science Teacher BA, James Madison University MAT, James Madison University Cynthia Montgomery Middle School Administrative Assistant Sarah Moore Junior Kindergarten Teacher BA, Hollins University Lindsay Morena Pre-Kindergarten Teacher BS, Messiah College Henry Morgan Facilities Kim Morgan 1st Grade Teacher BA, Virginia Commonwealth University MEd, Virginia Commonwealth University Amber Nierman 3rd Grade Teacher BA, Christopher Newport University MEd, Christopher Newport University Lauren Oaks Upper School Science Teacher BA, Virginia Tech MS, Virginia Tech Jennifer Olivares Kindergarten / 1st Grade Aide MA, Grand Canyon University Marcy Ouellette Middle / 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 Quiseam Perry Line Cook Callie Poole Advancement Associate, Head Varsity Field Hockey Coach, Program Coordinator BS, University of Mary Washington Steve Redfearn Facilities William (Billy) Redfearn Facilities Noelle Rennolds Upper School Spanish Teacher BA, Canisius College MS, Canisius University MEd, Canisius University Kelley Rhodes 1st Grade Teacher BA, James Madison University MEd, The Ohio State University Chyna Roberts Middle School Math Teacher BA, Eastern Mennonite University Shymil Robinson Facilities Benjamin Rous Assistant Head of School, Director of Upper School BA, University of Colorado Boulder MA, Dartmouth College Elizabeth Rous Upper School Psychology Teacher, Upper School Counselor BS, College of Charleston MS, Francis Marion University Jesse Rowe Sous Chef AAS, Johnson & Wales University Uwe Schluszas Executive Chef Katie Schwizer Upper School Science Teacher BS, James Madison University MS, St. Joseph’s University Jeff Scott Middle School Physical Education Teacher, Physical Education Department Chair BS, Old Dominion University Marshall Severin Middle / Upper School Choir Director BM, Christopher Newport University Kathy Shepherd Business Office Associate Tina Silberhorn Middle School English Teacher BA, Christopher Newport University MEd, William & Mary Ron Sims Lower School Physical Education Teacher BS, Old Dominion University MS, Old Dominion University Liesel Sorensen Middle School Math Teacher BS, Brigham Young University Gretchen Speece 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 & Transportation Susanne Swain Director of Lower School BA, William & Mary MA, George Washington University Ed Swanson Director of Admissions BA, Sacred Heart University David Swinney Facilities Shirley Tanguy Director of Ancillary Programs Lisa Thatcher Director of the Student Support Center BA, Briar Cliff University MS, Springfield College Caroline Thatcher Kindergarten Teacher BS, Old Dominion University MEd, Old Dominion University Kennetta Tingmen Facilities Kimmielene Trower Facilities Lee Underwood Upper School Math Teacher BS, Christopher Newport University MEd, Walden University Eve Ware Pre-Kindergarten Aide Jack Westervelt Middle / Upper School Visual Arts Teacher BFA, California State University, Long Beach Mason Whitaker Middle School History Teacher BA, Hampden-Sydney College Savannah Whitten 4th Grade Teacher BA, Christopher Newport University MA, Christopher Newport University Tommy Yevak Director of Alumni Relations BS, University of Virginia Rafael Zornitta Upper School Math Teacher BS, Austin Peay State University Visit Us Charting Futures, Shaping Leaders (757) 884-9100 739 Academy Ln, Newport News, VA 23602 Monday – Friday: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm Hampton Roads Academy | All Rights Reserved Hampton Roads Academy  | Hampton Roads Private School 739 Academy Ln, Newport News, VA 23602 (757) 884-9100 Policies and Accessibility Page load link Accessibility Bar visibility_off Disable flashes title Mark headings settings Background Color zoom_out Zoom out zoom_in Zoom in remove_circle_outline Decrease font add_circle_outline Increase font spellcheck Readable font brightness_high Bright contrast brightness_low Dark contrast format_underlined Underline links font_download Mark links Reset all options cached Go to Top