New Faculty
Front: Robin Eldridge, Aitor Arrondo, Amy Buerlein, Padgett Shoemake Back: Chuck Robinson, Anne Wesley Gehring, Melissa Taylor, Kelly Parker
Lower School Amy Buerlein is teaching Second Grade. She has a B.S. in Psychology from James Madison University and her master’s degree as a Reading Specialist from the University of Virginia. For the past several years, Amy has worked in our Extended Day program and served as a long-term Academic Support Services/Resource substitute teacher. Prior to that, she taught for a number of years in the Chesterfield County and Richmond City school districts. Anne Grymes has joined us as a Fourth Grade teacher. She received her B.A. and M.T. in Elementary and Special Education from the University of Virginia. In addition, Anne earned her postgraduate professional license with a concentration in learning disabilities from the Commonwealth of Virginia. From 2000 until 2003, she taught third grade here, and most recently held fourth and fifth grade teaching positions at two separate independent schools in Los Angeles, California. Melissa Taylor is the Lower School Art teacher. Melissa has been teaching at Cool Spring Elementary School in Hanover County for the past 12 years. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, the first art teacher in Hanover County to ever achieve NBCT status. In addition, Melissa has been the recipient of numerous other professional awards and scholarships, including Teacher of the Year honors at Cool Spring Elementary in 2009, and recipient of the Fulbright Memorial Fund in 2008. Melissa also has served as a clinical faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University. She holds a B.F.A. with a concentration in Painting and Printmaking from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Frances Martin is teaching Drama as part of the Fourth/ Fifth Grade Fine Arts program. Frances, who also teaches at St. Catherine’s as the Junior Kindergarten assistant, has a rich background in theater and performing. She has taught theater classes at assorted schools and organizations, including SPARC. She earned her B.F.A. degree in Theater Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University and her M.A. in Drama Therapy from New York University. Padgett Shoemake is the Lower School Math/Science specialist, a newly created position this year. She has been a teacher in Henrico County and in Leander, Texas, for the past 16 years. Most recently, Padgett has been teaching at Glen Allen Elementary where she has served as the Math Teacher in Residence as well as the Math/Science teacher in fourth grade. Padgett received her B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Richmond. Edie Harper, who has taught part-time in the Lower School for over 25 years, is now teaching full-time. She will play an even more active role as part of our Academic Support Services/Resource team by providing added instructional support in the areas of Math and Reading. Lisa Snider has taken on a new position this year as Lower School Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Academic Support Services. In this role, Lisa will oversee Lower School curricular and instructional initiatives, particularly as they apply to the School’s Second Century Vision and strategic priorities. She also continues to serve as the coordinator of our Lower School Academic Support Services/Resource team. 51