Faculty and Staff

List of 75 members.

• 

  Aaron Alter 

  Admission Associate; Director of Global Education; Student Leadership Coordinator

  804.542.6844

  Yale University - B.A. Political Science, African Studies/Env.Policy

  Bio

  CCS Aspiration # 6 – to be aware of and actively engaged with the international community. To this end, we are committed to buiding curricular and co-curricular programs that foster a global understanding of learning and living.

   

  World traveler Aaron Alter epitomizes CCS aspiration #6 - to be aware of and actively engaged with the international community - and aren’t we lucky that he is making Christchurch his home base for further global exploration!  The son of beloved former faculty members Bett and John, Mr. Alter spent his childhood in four countries, on three different continents – the US, India, Mauritania and Senegal.

   

  Previous to joining the CCS faculty, Mr. Alter was running his own business, Baobab Educational Adventures (BEA). BEA was built to present a model for sustainable resource use built around outdoor education and recreation. Mr. Alter ran trips – fly fishing expeditions and educational adventures – and headed up trip-funded conservation efforts, which involved subsidizing alternative energy in remote areas of the Himilayas, promoting proper fisheries management, diversifying livelihoods and generally aligning business interests with conservation initiatives.

   

  It was as the owner of BEA that Aaron realized the CCS was the place for him. In 2013 and 2014, he organized and led our international Immerision Trips to India and Senegal. His interactions with our students and the CCS mission and curricular goals sold him on the school’s potential to build an incredibly unique international program. The opportunity to continue working with our remarkable students as well as to play a role in our International Immersion program caused him to jump at the opportunity to be a Seahorse!

   

  When it comes to education, Mr. Alter believes that “students are always best off when they are curious about what they are learning and when they can see a link between themselves, the subject matter and the rest of the world. Confidence and discipline are important tools in the lifelong pursuit of curiosity and understanding – our duties as educators is to equip students with these skills while pushing them to be more curious and connected.”

   

  Mr. Alter is a passionate outdoorsman whose favorite pastimes include exploring, hiking, camping and fishing. He likes to read and think about international relations and politics, and is an avid basketball player.

   

  Special Awards – “Though I have won many academic and athletic awards during my life, the one that holds the most value to me was presented in recognition of the conservation and livelihood diversification work I completed in rural India.  The people of Agora village, where my efforts were based, presented a simple award as a public display of appreciation.  It was a humbling experience.”

   
• 

  Franklin Bell 

  Science Department Chair
• 

  Susan Bennett 

  Housekeeping

• Antonella Blakeslee 

  Community Life Support
• 

  Jessica Booker 

  Director of Communications and Marketing; Hall Leader 2nd Murrell; DEIB

  804.542.6826

  Old Dominion University - B.A. Communication
• 

  Anna Boyer 

  Accompanist
• 

  Jimmy Bristow 

  Maintenance and Groundskeeping
• 

  Terry  Brooks 

  Accounting Manager

  804.542.6854
• 

  Mollie Brumfield 

  Learning Specialist; Science; Advisory Coordinator; River & Outdoor

  Dickinson College - 1998

  Bio

  Ms. Brumfield has taught in the Learning Skills Program for more than 20 years. She spends her afternoons in or on the river as a co-leader for the River Immersion co-curricular offering.  She is an immersion trip leader, is passionate about Chesapeake Bay issues and wants students to carry that understanding and commitment back to their local watersheds.  She also enjoys helping CCS students find success in school, so you can often find her in the Learning Skills Center.  Ms. Brumfield is most excited when a student gains the skills to make a huge turn around on his or her own, when she is exploring or traveling with someone who is learning something new, and when she is eating something that she has grown in the garden and sharing it with her family and friends. Ms. Brumfield has three children. Abigail graduated in 2023, and Owen will be a senior this year.
• 

  William Burlee IV 

  Director of Admission

  804.542.6805

  Hampden-Sydney College - B.S. Political Science
• 

  Taylor Carter 

  Hall Leader 1st Murrell
• 

  Meghan Cavanaugh 

  Director of International Student Programs

  804.542.6853

  Kent State University - BA Teaching English as a Second Language
  The Pennsylvania State University - M.A. Teaching English to Student of Other Languages
• 

  Charlotte Charlton 02

  Learning Specialist

  Christchurch School
  University of Mary Washington
  University of Delaware - B. A.
• 

  Wesley M. Charlton JD 01

  Associate Head of School

  804.542.6805

  College of William & Mary - B.A. Literary & Cultural Studies
  University of Richmond School of Law - J.D.
• 

  Mrs. Abigail Cola 

  Science; Immersion Trip Leader

  Hood College - B.A.

  Bio

  Abigail Cola and her husband Dave, our Outdoor Educator, came to us straight from Tangier Island, where they spent three years teaching Bay culture, history and ecology to middle, high school and college level students for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation at Port Isobel Island Education Study Center. Before that, Mrs. Cola taught art in the Tangier School. She believes strongly that every child is unique, and holds the right to learn, explore, play and succeed. Mrs. Cola was a Learning Specialist in LSP for years, and this year she will teach in the Science Department. Mr. and Mrs. Cola live on campus with their children, Teal and Wade.
• 

  Dave Cola 

  Director of Place-Based Education; River & Outdoor; Swim Coach

  804.542.6835

  Washington College - B.A., M.A.

  Bio

  LEARN OUTSIDE!” Mr. Cola believes passionately that connection with the natural environment can enrich lives, increase academic achievement and make communities stronger. “The Rappahannock River watershed and Chesapeake Bay can provide an ideal setting for these accomplishments,” he says. Mr. Cola came to us from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Port Isobel Island Education Center in the Tangier Sound, where he was an education program manager. Before that, he was the education program manager for the Foundation’s Clagett Farm. Mr. Cola was an award-winning swimmer (he is in the Washington College Hall of Fame), and has kayaked the Grand Canyon! Mr. Cola is passionate about teaching, whitewater paddling, fishing, and traveling. He especially likes to hike and explore with Mrs. Cola and their children, Teal and Wade. 
• 

  Billy Coyle 

  Head of School

  804.542.6849
• 

  Floyd Crouch Jr. 

  Groundskeeper
• 

  Rob Deane 

  Waterfront & Sailing Program Director; Senior Head Sailing Coach
• 

  Bri Dehm BS, RN 

  Part-Time Nurse
• 

  John Dehm 

  Director of Athletics and Co-Curricular Activities; Head Lacrosse Coach

  804.542.6813

  St. Mary's College of Maryland - B.A.

  Bio

  John Dehm knows a lot about private school and private school students! He is so savvy because he attended junior boarding school at Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, NH and then high school at Middlesex School, in Concord, MA. Working with young people is in Mr. Dehm’s DNA – his father was a high school biology teacher. His mother is an oncology nurse coordinator at Yale Hospital.

   

  Mr. Dehm knows his way around the athletic field, as he was a high school three-sport athlete/captain in football, hockey and lacrosse. He went on to play lacrosse at St. Mary’s College in St. Mary’s City, MD, where he was captain of his team.

   

  When he first visited the Christchurch campus, Mr. Dehm was instantly inspired by the beauty of the setting and the same, intimate prep school feel that he loved as a student. He is especially passionate about coaching the Seahorses and says, “coaching is very rewarding when kids come together and buy into something bigger than themselves. The experience is truly rewarding, every day.”

   

  Coach Dehm loves grilling, fantasy football, reading, time at the beach with old friends, and playing indoor lacrosse. He lives on campus with his wife, Bri, and bulldog, Hogan. 

   

   

   
• 

  Leland  DuNomes 

  Math Department Chair

  Marygrove College - B.A. Mathematics
  Concordia University - M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction: Mathematics K-14
• 

  Wendy Elbe 

  Athletic Trainer

  804.542.6860
• 

  M. Huntley Galleher 

  Associate Director of Development

  804.542.6838

  Elon College - B.A.

  Bio

  One of Christchurch School’s most ardent spokesmen, Huntley Galleher is a graduate of the Blue Ridge School. Before stepping into his current role as Associate Director of Development and school historian, Galleher was an eleven-year mathematics teacher, physical science teacher, a thirteen-year dorm parent, the Director of Operations and Business services, Director of Alumni Relations, football coach and he tallied a 117-82 record in eleven years as the varsity tennis coach. For ten years, he developed and directed the school’s unique and successful Summer Camps on the River. When not on the road touting the good news about Christchurch, Mr. Galleher enjoys golf and fishing, whenever time allows. His son is a 2010 Christchurch School graduate and a graduate of his parents' alma mater, Elon University.
• 

  Kelly Goodrich BA, BSN, RN 

  Life Skills Coordinator; Part-Time Nurse

  University of Richmond - B.A. Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies
  VCU School of Nursing - B.S.
• 

  Peter Goodrich 

  Director of Community Life; Grade 11 Dean; Humanities

  804.542.6820

  Rhodes College - B.A. History
  The College of William and Mary - M.Ed.
• 

  Maxwell Groen 

  Mental Health and Performance Counselor

  804.542.6811

  Bio

  It is always wonderful when people who have lived the boarding school life join the community, and it is no exception with Max Groen. Groen attended Choate Rosemary Hall, and understands very well the pressure that high school students, and especially boarding students, face socially, academically, and in their chosen activities.  
  
  Mr. Groen values an environment where purposeful relationships can be cultivated, and where genuine, meaning ful work can be done. "It was clear to me that this was going to be very possible here," he says, after feeling welcome from the moment he stepped on the Christchurch campus. 
  
  Mr. Groen's mission is to help our students be the best versions of themselves. "I believe that everyone, of all ages, can always use someone to simply talk to, and I wish to make that the norm here at CCS." Mr. Groen has found that mental health and performance services are drastically underserved at the high school level, and he is "honored to be able to provide these services to the CCS community."
  
  Mr. Groen grew up in New Haven, CT. He studied Psychology at St. Mary's College of Maryland where he played lacrosse and was captain of the team in his senior year. Following college, he worked through Yale University's School of Medicine and Psychiatry at a therapeutic middle and high school. He went on to receive his Ed.M in Counseling with a concentration in Sport Psychology from Boston University, while serving as the Mental Performance Coach for Emmanuel College's women's lacrosse, men's soccer, and men's basketball teams. At this time he also served as the School Adjustment and Mental Health Counselor and Head Mental Performance Coach at Watertown High School, MA.
• 

  Glenn Harper 

  Director of Operations; Head Girls Basketball Coach
• 

  Molly Harper 

  Operations Assistant - Logistics
• 

  Trish Harper JD, RN, BSN, C-ONQS 

  Director of Health Services and Human Resources

  804.542.6809
• 

  Michael Heath Ph.D. 

  Humanities Department Chair

  James Madison University - B.A. English, History of Art
  Magdalen College, Oxford University - M. Litt. Modern History
  Edinburgh University - Ph.D. Moral Philosophy, Theology
• 

  Dido Heath 

  Director of College Counseling

  804.542.6830

  Oxford University - M.A. Literae Humaniores
  University of Edinburgh - M.Ed. Special Ed, Classroom Learning, Counseling
• 

  Rebecca Hogge 

  Development Database Administrator

  804.542.6831
• 

  Edward Homer 

  Humanities

  Middlebury College - B.A. Political Science, Religion

  Bio

  Coach Homer teaches Humanities and coaches the JV lacrosse team. For thirty years he was the CCS football coach, coaching an NFL signer, two high school football All-Americans, 25 college scholarship recipients, and more than fifty college ball players. He was named a U.S. Army All-American coach in 2007, and he coached the offensive line on the 2008 ESPN/Under Armour Team White to a 17-14 victory. In 2006 he was ODFC Coach-of-the-Year. He was inducted into the VISAA Hall of Fame in 2018, and will be inducted into the CCS Hall of Fame for Lifetime Achievement in 2023. Prior to CCS, Homer started the Potomac School (McLean, VA) football program. Coach and Mrs. Homer live on Faye Dormitory. Their son is a 2012 CCS graduate.

• Jennifer Homer 

  Communications Assistant; Hall Leader Faye Dorm

  Middlebury College - B.A. History, English

  Bio

  Mrs. Homer is the Hall Leader for Faye Dormitory and works in the Communications Office. Her husband, Ed Homer, is a CCS humanities teacher. Their son, Win, graduated from CCS in 2012.
• 

  Maria Jones LPN 

  Nurse

  804.542.6814

  Rappahannock Community College - L.P.N.
• 

  Joel Jorgensen 

  Humanities; Head Football Coach
• 

  Carl  Kelly  

  LSP; Math; Ass't Dir. Athletics & Co-Curricular Activities; Head Basketball Coach

  Virginia Union University - B.A. History, Political Science
• 

  Peter Kempe 

  Librarian for Digital Services & Discovery

  Messiah College - B.A.
  Teachers College, Columbia University - M.A.
• 

  Kristin Kiland 

  World Language; NHS Advisor

  Miami University - 1996 B.A. Spanish, Latin Am Studies B.S.
• 

  Christopher  Little Ph.D. 

  World Language Department Chair; River & Outdoor; Model UN

  University of Virginia - B.A. Spanish, Economics, Art History
  University of Virginia - M.A. Spanish
  University of Virginia - Ph.D. Spanish

  Bio

  A Virginia native, Dr. Little came to Christchurch School from Richmond, where he taught at Collegiate School for ten years. Previous to Collegiate, Dr. Little taught at Berry College, Old Dominion University, The College of William & Mary, and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.

   

  Dr. Little is a Fulbright Scholar, and was the principal designer of the U.S. Border Patrol Language Program.

   

  This accomplished member of our faculty believes that learning should be fun! “The things I remember most from my years of study are those things I learned from people with great insight, lively conversation, and intriguing ideas.”

   

  Dr. Little’s wife, Martha, works for the Virginia Outdoors Foundation as Director of Stewarship, protecting over 500,000 acres of open space in conservation easements throughout the commonwealth. They have two daughters, a dog named Rosie and a cat named Velvet.

   

  When not inspiring his students, Dr. Little enjoys reading, technology, fishing, travel, writing, poetry, cooking and gardening.

   

   

   

   
• 

  Sarah  McCormick 

  Art

  Radford University - B.S. Art Education
• 

  Tina McCurry 

  Admission Assistant; Lead Administrative Assistant

  804.542.6843

  Rappahannock Community College - A.A.S. Office Systems Technology
• 

  Sheri McGinnis 

  World Language

  University of Wisconsin - La Crosse - B.S.
  St. Mary's University - M.A.I.
• 

  Meghan McNeill M. Ed. LPC-R 

  LSP Director; Film Co-Curricular Advisor

  804.542.6856

  University at Buffalo - B.A. Spanish, Psychology, Sociology
  University at Buffalo - M.Ed. Applied Linguistics
  University of Nottingham - PGCEi Postgraduate Certificate in Education
  Southern New Hampshire University - Graduate Certificate
  The College of William & Mary - M.Ed
• 

  Joshua Miller 

  Associate Dean and Residential Life Assistant; Strength & Fitness

  804.542.6803
• 

  Jessica  Miller 

  Associate Director of Community Life and Academic Oversight; Grade 9 & 10 Dean; Science

  804.542.6802

  West Virginia University - B.A. Chemistry
  Marist College - M.Ed.
• 

  Anna Moore 15

  Science; Head Volleyball Coach; Student Activities Coordinator

  Christchurch School
  Lynchburg College

  Bio

  It is always wonderful when Seahorses come back to the river, and we are especially thrilled that Anna Moore ‘15 returned to teach science and to be our Head Volleyball Coach. Anna grew up locally, “spending more time outside than inside.” Growing up, she fished the Rappahannock, the Dragon Run, and her family farm's freshwater pond. Anna's sister, Emily, also attended CCS, graduating with the Class of 2012. When asked why she chose to return, Anna says “it has always felt like home.” She loves gardening, sports, cooking, photography, and reading. Personal philosophy? “If you can’t find the sunshine, be the sunshine!” Anna lives in the faculty village with her husband, Mikey, and their son.
• 

  Mrs. Ashley Myers 

  Registrar and Administrative Assistant

  804.542.6832

  Rappahannock Community College - A.A.S.
• 

  Kerry O'Grady Ph.D. 

  Mathematics
• 

  Kimberlee Olsen 

  World Language; Science

  Brigham Young University - B.S. Biology Teaching, Spanish
  The College of William and Mary - M.Ed. Educational Policy, Planning and Leadership
  Miami University - M.A.

  Bio

  Mrs. Olsen came to Christchurch in 1998. She met her husband, Mr. Donny Pyles, here and they were married under the big oak by the Bell Tower. They live on campus with their son Jackson '24. Most years, Mrs. Olsen has been part of the World Languages (Spanish) department and Science Department.  She sometimes becomes confused and asks her Science students to "siéntanse" or ask that they "pasen la tarea al frente".  Her favorite aspect of education is  helping students to see value beyond the classroom.  This she does by bringing meaningful problems to work on in class and by getting outside of the classroom as much as possible. Mrs. Olsen loves to travel, run, ride her bike, practice yoga and read.  

   
• 

  Tasha Parrish 

  Accounting Associate

  804.758.2306 ext. 560
• 

  Mark Parsons 

  Visual and Performing Arts Department Chair; Dean of Faculty

  804.542.6847

  Tennessee Temple University - B.A.
  Eastern Michigan University - M.A. Vocal Performance/Choral Studies

  Bio

  In an academic career spanning more than 25 years, Mark Parsons has taught at every level. Though his experience in K-12 classrooms,  both private and public, Mr. Parsons developed a keen appreciation and expertise for nuturing the whole child. As a college music professor and head of our Department of Visual and Performing Arts, Mr. P draws from a rich supply of cultural, musical and international experiences that fuel and enhance his teaching. Mr. Parsons' interest in and passion for environmental education stems from writing curriculum at Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont and working closely with the owners and directors of the historic Spier Estate in Stellenbosch, South Africa. The intrinsic connections between the arts and the natural world provide a wonderful canvas on which to create connection and inspiration. Mr. Parsons lives on campus, and can frequently be seen giving haircuts to teachers and students alike on the front lawn of Wilton House. 
• 

  Evan Pausic 17

  Learning Specialist; Hall Leader 1st Scott

  Randolph College - B.A. Philosophy
• 

  Emma Payne 

  Housekeeping
• 

  Hunter Petrosky 

  Admission Associate; Associate Head Soccer Coach

  804.542.6834

  California University of PA - Bachelor's Degree
• 

  Mary Pryor 

  Admission Associate

  804.542.6807

  Sewanee: The University of the South - B.A.
• 

  Donald Pyles III 

  Senior Director of Curriculum and Program; Humanities

  804.542.6846

  Roanoke College - History, American Literature
  The College of William and Mary - M.Ed.

  Bio

  From a family of educators, Mr. Pyles is passionate about and dedicated to excellence in teaching. He is a true outdoorsman, and loves fly-fishing, hiking, gardening, cooking and furniture making. He lives on campus with his wife and their son, Jackson '24.
• 

  Jim Robb 

  Design & Technology Specialist; Technology Department Chair; Hall Leader 3rd Murrell

  (804) 542-6812

  Virginia Commonwealth Univerity - BFA
  Virginia Commonwealth University - Masters of Product Innovation
• 

  Teresa Saxon MS, BSN, RN 

  Part-Time Nurse
• 

  Matthew Schaefer 

  teacher/coach

  Pennsylvania State University - B.S. Biological Engineering
  Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University - M.S. Biological Systems Engineering
  Penn State/Virginia Tech - 1997

  Bio

  Before he came to Christchurch, Mr. Schaefer was employed by the USDA, on a USDA-sponsored fellowship at Penn State University for the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department, working on a project in food engineering. Mr. Schaefer was also head coach of the PSU Mens’ Club Soccer team (which won the national championship in 2000), coaching assistant for the PSU Women’s Varsity Team, and coach of a U-14 girls classic travel soccer team. Mr. Schaefer loves the beach, water sports, hiking the mountains, nature, dogs, and cooking. He is a favorite dorm parent, as he is always willing and ever-patient in helping students with their math! The 2022 VISAA Division II Soccer Coach-of-the-Year, Mr. Schaefer lives on campus with his wife, Betsy, their three children, and two hound dogs. 
• 

  Michelle Schroeter 

  Chief Development Officer

  804.542.6850
• 

  Angela Showalter 

  Associate Director of Community Life & Culture; Grade 12 Dean of Students; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Team

  804.542.6808

  Goshen College - B.A. History
  New York University - J.D.

  Bio

  Angela Showalter came to CCS after working as a litigation associate for Arnold & Porter, LLP in Washington, D.C. and New York, NY. In her years as an attorney, she handled antitrust, product liability, & mass tort cases for large corporate clients and pro bono civil rights and immigration cases for individuals. Among other roles, Angela served as primary assistant to lead attorney Peter Bleakley in the longest civil trial in Rhode Island history, and managed a team of attorneys and legal assistants in a multi-defendant trial in Wisconsin. She earned her J.D. from New York University and her B.A. in History from Goshen College in Indiana. 

   

  After college, she co-wrote A Life Displaced (Pandora Press 2000), the story of a Polish Mennonite woman who survived Russian labor camps as a teenager after World War II. She has loved studying History and Literature since high school and has enjoyed teaching English and Humanities at CCS since 2010. Highlights of her time at CCS have included mentoring dozens of students through the advisory program, revitalizing the senior speech program, leading the 12th grade team, coaching JV volleyball, and traveling to India and Senegal as a chaperone with the CCS global education program. She is married to Peter Kempe with whom she has two boys.   

• Caroline Smith BSN, RN, NCSN 

  Part-Time Nurse

  William Jewell College - 1994
• 

  Desmond Smith 

  Math Instructor; Director of Diversity Equity Inclusion & Belonging; Hall Leader 2nd Scott
• 

  Mr. Nicholas  Smith 

  LSP; Humanities; Learn-to-Sail

  James Madison University - B.A. History/Economics
  Marquette University, Sensenbrenner School of Law - J.D.

• Ms. Salina Stanley 

  Director of SAGE Dining Services
• 

  Mr. James Sterling 14

  Network Administrator

  804.542.6804

  University of South Florida
  Florida Southern College
• 

  Mrs.  Orleita Taylor 

  Payroll Manager

  804.542.6857
• 

  Mr. Robert Thomas 

  Head Softball Coach
• 

  Jennifer Tietjen 

  Community Life Coordinator

  804.542.6855

  Southeast Missouri State University - 2000
• 

  Jordan Wallace 13

  Data Department and Controls Manager; Hall Leader 3rd Scott

  Christchurch School
  College of William & Mary
• 

  Chris Werner 

  Chief Financial Officer

  804.542.6851

  University of Virginia - B.A. Interdisciplinary/Echols Scholar
• 

  Emily Wilkinson 

  Admission Associate

  804.542.6839

  University of Virginia - Bachelor of Science
  John Hopkins University - Master of Administrative Science
• 

  The Rev. Stuart Wood 

  Chaplain