Faculty Directory
Jonathan Brand
HEAD OF SCHOOL
B.A., University of Virginia; M.A., College of William & Mary
Prior to his tenure at Grymes, Jonathan Brand served as the founding Headmaster of Chelsea Academy, an independent college-preparatory school in the northern Shenandoah Valley. Mr. Brand established the mission and curriculum, recruited faculty and students, developed traditions and extracurricular programs, and guided the school through its first decade. Along with teaching History, English, and French and coaching basketball over the years, he led Chelsea through the accreditation process and served on several accreditation teams with the Virginia Independent Schools Association and the Southern Association of Independent Schools.
Mr. Brand previously served as Chair of the History Department at St. Anne’s-Belfield School and as Academic Dean at The American School in Switzerland (TASIS). At St. Anne’s-Belfield, he taught American and European history, led a review and revision of the Lower School history curriculum, and initiated an oral history project with World War II veterans at a local nursing home. During his ten years at TASIS, he started as a history and English teacher, basketball and track coach, and dorm parent before going on to chair the history department, head a dormitory, and ultimately oversee the academic program. He also led students in cultural excursions to significant sites all over Europe, particularly Switzerland, France, and Italy.
Mr. Brand and his wife, Mary, have three sons and two daughters. In addition to playing and reading with his children, he enjoys hiking, running, and cycling, coaching youth sports, traveling, and watching UVA basketball.
Kimber Keating
ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL
B.A., Baylor University; M.A., University of Arkansas
Kimber Keating is a Woodberry Forest resident and mother of three Grymes graduates, Maddy ‘16, Alexa ‘18, and Caroline ‘20. She graduated from Baylor University in 1996 and completed a Master’s program from the University of Arkansas in 1997. As an undergraduate at Baylor, she worked at the Methodist Home for Children Day Treatment Center in Waco, Texas. After receiving her M.A., she accepted a position as housemother at St. Thomas Choir School in New York, supervising and caring for fifth through eighth grade boys. During this time, she met Matthew Keating, a math teacher, got married and moved to Woodberry Forest School, where he continued his career as a math instructor in 2000 and Kimber worked as the registrar.
In 2009, the Keatings made the decision to send their girls to Grymes. Kimber became active in the Grymes community and joined the Grymes faculty in 2010, working in the Development Office where she gained experience in fundraising and implementing the school’s newly purchased database, Veracross. In 2011, Kimber took over the position as the school’s receptionist. Her friendly demeanor, willingness to help in any situation, and knowledge of “all things Grymes” was invaluable to the school community. Kimber soon transitioned into being the Junior Kindergarten teacher where she transformed our early childhood program into the strong one that it is today. We are thrilled to now have Kimber as our Assistant Head of School.
When Kimber is not at Grymes, she is spending time with her family or volunteering at Chatham Hall, the high school for all three of her girls. Kimber and her family love to ride bikes, hike the extensive Woodberry trails, and enjoy Friday night movie nights in their basement.
Kim Oliver
BUSINESS MANAGER
B.A., University of Mary Washington
Kim’s love of Grymes started as the mom of a 3 year old in Junior Kindergarten. She came to help out in the front office for a brief six week period that has now lasted almost 18 years. She is a native of Orange County and loves living where she grew up. Kim worked at a bank and for many years at State Farm Insurance in Charlottesville, Virginia, before becoming a stay-at-home mom to Emily ’13.
Kim says she enjoys working in the business office because she gets to enjoy all aspects of Grymes: the faculty, the parents, the board of trustees, and especially the children. In her spare time she and her husband, Andrew, spend time working on their farm. She also enjoys reading, quilting, and spending time with her family and friends.
Angie Olds
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS & MARKETING
B.A., West Virginia University
Angie Olds joined Grymes in 2018. Having grown up in a military family, Angie called many places home during her youth, including Germany, San Francisco, Indiana, Maryland, and West Virginia. She met her husband while attending West Virginia University, where she earned her B.A. in International Studies. After college, she spent six years in Portland, Maine, working for an experiential marketing agency, exploring New England. Angie then worked at Learning Without Tears in Cabin John, Maryland, as the Marketing & Communications Manager, leading print, social media, and webinar marketing efforts to bring materials to educators of Pre-K through eighth grade.
Just before starting Grymes, Angie and her family lived in Portsmouth, Virginia, where she worked as Marketing Manager for C&F Enterprises and completed a degree in Graphic Design.
Angie, her husband, Sam, and daughter, Delilah ’28, live in Ruckersville with their two dogs, Daisy and Odin. They’re ready to put some roots down finally and are very excited to call Ruckersville and Grymes “home.”
Jill Solek-Giles
DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGY
B.S., University of Virginia
Jill fell in love with technology at the tender age of seven and hasn’t stopped clicking since. Initially a pre-med student, it was not until her college roommates pointed out her ability to resolve problems with the printers in the dorm computer lab that she finally realized the direction she wanted to take in life.
Jill is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce, with a dual concentration in Management Information Systems and Marketing. She has experience in web development and seven years experience as a Software Engineer with Verizon Communications. She has worked in all phases of the systems development life cycle.
After leaving Verizon in 2004, Jill shifted her career path towards Educational Technology. She holds a State of Virginia Teaching License with an endorsement in K-8 Computer Technology and has worked in the Orange County Public Schools as a Technical Support Specialist, Technology Teacher, and an Instructional Technology Resource Teacher. She has been judging the SIIA CODIE Awards annually since 2005 and has been featured in eSchoolNews discussing her role in the co-creation of a successful incentive-based etcher technology training program.
Jill lives in Somerset with her husband, Haywood, a Grymes teacher, and two children, Sierra ‘13 and Parker ‘21.
Kimberly O’Donnell
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
B.A., Dickinson College; M.A., University of Colorado Boulder
Kim joined the Grymes team as the Director of Development after most recently working in private and public high school administration advancing annual fund campaigns, and directing Work & Community-based Learning programs for middle and high school students.
Kim’s professional background also includes many years in higher education. At the University of Virginia, Kim enjoyed managing an internship placement program making classroom to career connections for undergraduate students and developing talent for employers. Kim’s other roles have spanned corporate relations, career advising, and college/graduate school admissions at the University of Colorado Boulder, Northwestern University, Dartmouth College, and Dickinson College. Passionate about student development and college/career exploration, Kim is a college/career coach with MyCollegeFit (Richmond, VA).
Kim is an alumna of Dickinson College, where she studied English, French, and Education and received Secondary English Teaching licensure; she received a Master’s Degree in Educational Foundations Policy & Practice from the University of Colorado Boulder. Kim and her husband, Mark, live at Woodberry Forest School and enjoy traveling to see their five adult children, soccer, and anything outdoors. She is an avid equestrian who is a Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor and teaches at Charlottesville Area Riding Therapy (Crozet, VA). Kim also enjoys volunteering in area schools with Junior Achievement and at Boys & Girls Clubs.
Emily Rose
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS
B.A., Penn State University; M.A.T., Johns Hopkins University
Emily graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Communications, with focuses in Advertising, Public Relations, International Studies and Spanish. After working in Public Relations for a Tech startup, she went on to receive her Masters in Teaching from Johns Hopkins University. Emily served as a middle school ESOL teacher and school leader for several years in Fairfax County Public Schools before relocating to Charlottesville to become an Instructional Coach.
In her most recent role, Emily managed Trainings and Communications for Postpartum Support Virginia, a nonprofit organization supporting mothers and families in various capacities throughout the State. She is excited to bring both her love of education and experience in communications to the Grymes Community.
Emily lives in Charlottesville with her husband, John, and two daughters, Bea and Ada, and enjoys hiking, cooking, and traveling in her free time.
Emily Lipper
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT/FRONT OFFICE
Emily Aylor
Junior Kindergarten
B.A., Christopher Newport University
Emily might be our new lead Junior Kindergarten teacher, but she certainly is not new to the Grymes Family! Emily grew up in Orange County and attended Grymes from pre-k to eighth grade. She went to Madison County High School where she was a student in the Blue Ridge Virtual Governor’s School. During this time she did an internship in the JK classroom with Kimber Keating, our previous lead JK teacher. She attended Christopher Newport University and got her B.A. in Sociology and minored in childhood studies. She served as a Student Ambassador at CNU and volunteered at local elementary schools in Newport News. Emily also worked with Kimber Keating running our summer camp program for the past 3 years.
In her free time Emily loves to read, craft, spend time with friends and snuggle with her dog Torkie. Emily is excited to be a Grizzly again and inspire a love for learning just as Grymes did for her!
Tina Roberts
Junior Kindergarten Assistant
Welcome back, Tina! Tina is the mother of two former Grymes students, Morgan ’06 and Austin ’06 and was the Pre-K assistant for 4 years at Grymes prior to now. Tina and former Pre-K teacher, Kellie Fisher, initiated the Ice Cream Fridays! Not only was Tina an aid in the classroom but she also helped with the annual auction and organized the lower school Halloween party. Tina is now a grandmother and can’t wait to be back as part of the Grymes team.
Diana Woodward
Junior Kindergarten Assistant
B.S., Virginia Tech
Becky Wilson
Lower School Assistant
Piedmont Virginia Community College; Germanna Community College
Becky comes to us as no stranger to Grymes, and no stranger to education! She is the proud parent of two, Chelsea ’10 and Spencer. During the years of 2012-2018 Becky owned her own pre-school in Spotsylvania. This experience prepared her well to be a valuable classroom aid at Grymes. Becky and her husband, Tony, own their own company “Wilson Auction” and in her spare time she enjoys reading and going on trips with her family.
Ashlyn Ryder
Kindergarten
B.S., Old Dominion University
Ashlyn Ryder is from Madison, Virginia. She graduated from Old Dominion University where she majored in Elementary Education. She has been teaching preschool for seven years locally in Orange county. Professionally she is interested in learning more about Montessori style learning, and enjoys developing new ideas to incorporate classroom experiences involving agriculture, gardening, and cooking. Additionally, she is a director and current president for a Charlottesville based nonprofit organization where she gets to fulfill her passion for community service.
Ashlyn lives in Madison County with her husband, six horses, and many chickens on their small hobby farm. They have four very special and spoiled dogs (or four legged children rather), Anna, Penelope, Dolly, and Hank, who they love taking walks and playing ball with. Ashlyn loves spending time taking horseback trail rides and raising free range fresh eggs right at home. Ashlyn is honored to be a part of Grymes Memorial School and to experience a joyful year of learning and growth with her first class of Kindergartners.
Amy Dixon
First Grade
B.A., Mary Washington College; M. Ed., University of Virginia
Amy is a resident of Madison County. She grew up in Madison and attended the Madison County Public Schools. Amy graduated summa cum laude with a BA from Mary Washington College in Music with elementary education endorsements. In 1995, she received a Masters Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Virginia. She holds a Commonwealth of Virginia Postgraduate Professional Teaching License in Early Education NK-4.
Amy taught first grade at Madison Primary School for twelve years. She has been part of the Grymes Memorial School family since 1999, when her older son Stephen ‘08 entered Kindergarten here. In 2005, she began teaching at Grymes when her younger son Matthew ‘14 began Kindergarten here. Both of her sons are Grymes graduates and were well prepared for high school.
Amy chose Grymes for her children and herself because of the small school size, strong academic program, focus on the fine arts and public speaking, community service opportunities and emphasis on good moral character.
Amy enjoys reading, playing the piano, and baking. She serves as the organist at Beth Car Baptist Church.She and her family look forward to spending time on Virginia’s Eastern Shore each summer.
Melissa Slater
Second Grade
M.A., University of Virginia
Melissa was born on Scott AFB in Illinois, and moved to Virginia when she was five years old. She grew up in northern Virginia and attended Fairfax County Public Schools. Upon graduating from Lake Braddock Secondary School, she attended James Madison University for a year before transferring to The University of Virginia. With her experiences of being a camp counselor during the summer, she decided that teaching was what she was meant to do and graduated from UVA with a Master in Education.
The first nine years of her career were enjoyed in Fairfax County at Canterbury Woods Elementary School where she taught kindergarten, third and fourth grade. While back in northern Virginia, she met her husband, Jonathan, and they married in April of 2014. Both Melissa and Jon love being outdoors and this area, and decided to make it their permanent home. After moving to Madison in 2014, she started working as a first grade teacher at Yowell Elementary School in Culpeper County. Most recently, she taught second grade at Meriwether Lewis Elementary School in Albemarle County.
On Melissa and Jon’s second wedding anniversary, they welcomed their first son, Aubrey. Exactly two years later, they welcomed their second son, George. Needless to say, April 26th is a very special day in the Slater household!
When not at school, she loves spending time with her family. She loves animals and has two sweet basset hounds, Hobart and Harriet. The Slaters enjoy the almost eight acres of land that their house sits on as
much as possible – from throwing rocks at the creek, watching their garden grow or sitting outside enjoying the beauty of this area while listening to any and all music! She also loves cooking and baking.
Martina Kuhnert
Third Grade
B.S., Radford University; 30 Hours towards M.A. at Radford
Martina Kuhnert was born in Jamaica, Queens, New York. She lived in Oxon Hill Maryland until she was 10 and then moved to Stafford, Virginia where she lived until she finished high school. During summer vacations Martina worked for Stafford County Parks and Recreation. She started as a summer camp counselor’s aide and worked her way up to being a camp director. Martina then attended Radford University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Recreation and Leisure Services degree. She then became a wilderness counselor for Eckerd Youth Alternatives in Hendersonville, NC and worked with adjudicated youth in residential setting. After completing her commitment to Eckerd, Martina returned to Radford University and earned a teaching certificate.
After receiving her Virginia Teaching License, Martina was hired by Madison Public Schools where she taught both first and third grades for a total of seven years. Martina was the last first grade teacher in Criglersville Elementary, and when the school was closed she accepted an offer to teach first grade at Grymes.
Martina left Grymes to stay at home with her newborn son, William ‘21. When William was older, Martina returned to Grymes and filled several positions including bus driver, first grade aid, summer camp director, and reading specialist.
Martina loves teaching at Grymes. She values a child-centered environment where a growth mindset is encouraged and learning is allowed to be fun.
Martina lives in Madison with her husband, their son William and the family’s many pets of the two- and four-footed varieties. Together, they enjoy hiking, canoeing, and bike riding.
Tricia Tallman
Fourth Grade
B.A., Vanderbilt University
Tricia has been a familiar face around Grymes for well over a decade. She moved to the area 16 years ago and began work at Grymes as a substitute and eventually as second grade homeroom teacher. When Tricia and Frank were blessed with a child of their own, she made the decision to stay at home with him, and eventually two more beautiful children followed. She returned to Grymes many years later as a parent and also volunteering as a cross country and soccer coach.
Tricia is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. Beginning at the age of 12, Tricia has been working with children as a counselor, lifeguard, and swim instructor. Tricia later graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University.
Six years prior to joining the Grymes family in 2019, Tricia was the director at St. Thomas Community Preschool. Before teaching at St. Thomas and Grymes, Tricia taught at Christ School in Asheville, NC and served as the Ropes Course Director at Woodberry Forest School.
Tricia lives on campus at Woodberry Forest School where her husband, Frank, has been teaching and coaching for 15 years. Tricia and Frank have three wonderful children who are all Grymes Grizzlies, Parker (Class of 2020), Mason (Class of 2022), and Greta (Class of 2025). They also have a love-able flat-coated retriever named Mosby.
Tricia loves just about any activity outdoors; a few of her favorites are running, hiking, camping, biking, tennis, kayaking, and sailing. When time allows, she especially enjoys hitting the trails in Shenandoah National Park.
Julie Sherman
Lower School Science, Upper School Academic Support Director
B.S., Mary Washington College
Julie is a native of the Shenandoah Valley, where her family has lived for eight generations. She comes from a long line of teachers and began her teaching career in 1986. She graduated from Mary Washington College with a degree in Biology and Education and is certified in sixth through eighth grade general science and third through sixth grade elementary education. For the 1988-89 school year, Julie traveled to the International School of Aruba, where she taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grade math, science and biology. After Aruba she settled in Orange, where she lives with her husband, Ben and her two daughters, Grace ‘12 and Sarah ‘18.
Julie feels her position as Academic Support and Enrichment program director allows her to combine all of her teaching experience with her passion for education. She enjoys Grymes’ atmosphere of small classes, encouraging teachers, and an enriching curriculum. Julie also started the Engineering Club at Grymes. An extremely popular after school club in which the students have different engineering workshops and lessons each time. In her spare time, Julie enjoys playing the drums, juggling, walking, and traveling with her family.
Haywood Giles
Lower School & 5th grade Spanish, Lower School Technology
B.A., University of Virginia
Haywood went to high school locally at Madison County High School and, after a few years in the Army as a combat medic, graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.A. in Music. He then worked for financial institutions and biomedical companies in varied roles to include database analyst, developer, project manager, and technical sales support.
Haywood’s teaching experience began with music students and expanded when he began teaching in Orange and Greene Counties while taking classes online to earn his teaching license. While working in the public school system, Haywood had the opportunity to teach Pre-Algebra and Algebra as well as Music and Special Education in the Elementary Schools
.
As husband to Grymes’ Director of Technology Jill Solek-Giles and parent to Grymes students Sierra ‘ 13 and Parker ‘21, Haywood knows the Grymes community well. Haywood and his family live in Somerset, and in his spare time he enjoys performing music and working on automobiles. Haywood currently plays saxophone and keyboard in three bands that cover most genres of music and continues to hold private and group lessons for all ages and abilities, covering theory, improvisation, and composition.
Meghan Stowers
FIFTH GRADE HOMEROOM, FIFTH & SIXTH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS AND LITERATURE
B.S., Vanderbilt University
Meghan grew up in Poolesville, Maryland. She attended Vanderbilt University, where she studied Elementary Education and Child Studies and played Division I lacrosse.
Meghan taught fifth grade at Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland, for four years before moving to Virginia. She was the sixth grade homeroom teacher at Grymes for two years before taking time off to have her children. Upon returning to Grymes, she taught fifth grade history, sixth grade English, and was the sixth grade co-homeroom teacher. This year, Meghan will be the fifth grade homeroom teacher and teach fifth and sixth grade English.
Meghan lives in Woodberry Forest with her husband, Frazier, and two sons, Cort ’33 and Cauley.
Julie Fithian
Sixth Grade Homeroom, Upper School Science
B.S., Virginia Polytechnic University; M.S., Virginia Commonwealth University
As the member of a military family, Julie Fithian spent her childhood moving throughout Asia and Europe, finally settling in Virginia during high school. She is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic University where she obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Biology. Her tenure at Virginia Tech included time abroad in South Africa where she studied cheetah population genetics and wildlife management. She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University where she received her Master’s degree in Biology, with a focus in Molecular Biology and the cellular invasion pathways of the malarial parasite.
Julie is new to the Grymes family, joining us in 2021 to teach sixth grade. She previously taught Biology labs at Virginia Commonwealth University, before moving into the private sector to support the Department of Defense in testing and development of Chemical and Biological support equipment for military personnel. Julie has always been passionate about teaching and learning and is excited to bring this to the classroom.
Julie lives on a small farm in Orange County with her husband, Robert, her children, Abigail, Charlotte, and Isabel, and too many chickens. In her spare time, Julie enjoys being outside, reading, gardening, and traveling with her family. Go Grizzlies!
Julie Yauger
Seventh Grade Homeroom, Seventh and Eighth Grade English and Drama
B.A., James Madison University
Julie Yauger is from Fairfax, Virginia, and graduated from James Madison University, where she majored in English with a concentration in writing. She began her professional career at the Wolf Trap Performing Arts Center, first working in the Childhood Education in the Arts Program and then continuing for five years in the Entertainment division. At that point, she moved to Manhattan and landed her dream job working for a producer on Broadway. Julie then proceeded to travel nationally and internationally for the next ten years, managing Nickelodeon shows and Broadway touring productions. She enjoyed all of these ventures but is very happy to have landed at Grymes Memorial School, where she can continue to pursue her passions in theater and writing from a permanent address.
Julie lives in Gordonsville with her husband, Bruce and two sons, Landon ’22 and Lorenzo ’25, both of whom are Grymes students. In her spare time Julie reads incessantly, thinks about how she should be exercising and brainstorms ideas for the children’s books she would like to write. She is very much looking forward to the next chapter of her life- exploring literature,writing and the dramatic arts with the Seventh Grade.
Melanie Handelsman
Eighth Grade Homeroom, Upper School Spanish
B.A., Vanderbilt University; M.S.W., University of Southern California
Melanie Handelsman graduated from Vanderbilt University with a double major in Mathematics and Spanish. She received a Masters in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Melanie joined the Grymes family in 2007.
Prior to Grymes, Melanie worked at Westridge School for Girls in Pasadena, California where she taught middle and upper school Spanish and math. She also coached middle school tennis, basketball, and softball. Melanie assisted with the community service program and organized and assisted with class trips to the Navajo Indian Reservation, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. Before coming to Grymes, she taught lower school Spanish at St. Luke’s Lutheran School in Culpeper. Since coming to Grymes, Melanie has taught lower school Spanish and Upper School Math.
Melanie lives at Woodberry Forest with her husband, Andrew and two sons, Tommy ‘17 and Robbie ‘19, both of whom are Grymes graduates. Melanie enjoys traveling to Spain in the summers with her family.
Rod McLeod
Upper School History
B.A., James Madison University
Rod McLeod, born on his mother’s birthday, grew up an only child in Falls Church, Virginia, enjoying the Washington area. Valuing education and appreciating history, Rod gravitated toward the well told story.
After being a camp counselor at Camp Glenkirk, Rod graduated summa cum laude from James Madison University certified to teach History, political science, geography, economics, and psychology in Virginia’s public schools. Rod coordinated activities for the NASA/VIMS residential Governor’s School in Hampton and prepared hundreds of students for the AP U.S. History exam at Orange County High School where he was a department head and a lead teacher. As an educational consultant, Rod has assisted school systems in Virginia, North Carolina, and Michigan manage change and align curriculum.
It was while teaching at the Woodberry Forest School that Rod recognized the potential inherent in the independent school experience. Rod values creating meaningful school relationships and teaching contextually. Rod feels blessed to be a part of the Grymes community.
Rod lives in Madison County with his wife Sandy, their son, Liam, and their family boxers, S’mores and Daisy. He is passionate about American history and baseball, collecting political memorabilia and enjoying baseball simulation games. He is a member of the Orange Presbyterian Church.
Laurie Roche
Upper School Math, Registrar
B.S., Mary Washington College; M.S., University of Illinois
Laurie grew up in Northern Virginia and earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Mary Washington College and an M.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois.
For 15 years, Laurie worked in computer programming, systems analysis, database design, and software training. She also taught six years of math at the community college level. Since coming to Grymes, Laurie has assumed the responsibilities currently carried out by a full time Director of Development (and assistant), Administrative Assistant, Registrar, technology consultant, and teacher. Laurie also serves as the Chairman of the Math Department.
Parent to daughter Meggie ‘10, Laurie recently returned to teaching at the community college level and teaches part-time at Germanna Community College.
Anissa Frantz
Visual Arts
B.F.A., Frostburg State University; M.A., National University
Anissa was born and raised in Western Maryland and lived in Northern Virginia and California before settling in Central Virginia in 2012. Anissa and her husband, Nathan, have two children, a dog and six chickens.
Anissa studied Art and Design at Frostburg State University then traveled to Southern California where she worked on her Teaching Certification. After returning to Virginia from the west coast, Anissa taught Elementary Art in Northern Virginia. After five years of teaching in NOVA, she moved with her family to the Charlottesville area. Soon after moving, Anissa worked on acquiring her Masters Degree in Educational Technology through National University in 2013, and then began her own business called “Artsy with Anissa” in 2015. Through her business, Anissa has enriched the lives of young and old, encouraging them to paint with confidence.
Anissa enjoys painting with her two children, the outdoors, her chickens and attending WVU football games with her family. When she is not spending time with her family she enjoys cooking, checking out architecture, listening to music and working in her garden.
Tracey Stakem
Music
B.S., Frostburg State University; M.A. University of SW Louisiana
Tracey joined the Grymes family in 2007. She is not only our music teacher, but she also directs the Christmas program every year, is director of student activities at Woodberry Forest School, loves being a Cub Scout leader, conducts the Orange Community Band, and gives individual music lessons to Woodberry students. Mrs. Stakem holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Frostburg State University and a masters degree in instrumental conducting from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She and her husband live at Woodberry with their two sons: Brenden ’14 and Aidan ’19.
Teresa Huelskoetter
Librarian
B.A., Shorter College; M.Div., New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
Teresa Huelskoetter (pronounced “hull sketter”) joins the Grymes faculty as the Librarian/Media Specialist. Teresa has a B.A. in English and Religion & Philosophy from Shorter College in Georgia and a M.Div. in Theological Studies from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She spent most of her childhood in Georgia, but her adult life has been divided between New Orleans, Connecticut, Georgia, Alabama, and Virginia. Teresa has always enjoyed working with children and she has a variety of educational experience in private schools, public schools, and public library systems, as well as a short period of homeschooling her own children.
Teresa and her husband John moved to Madison, Virginia in November, 2012. They have four young adult-aged children.
Teresa has always loved books. She spent much of her time as a child staying up past her bedtime to read. Now she finds joy in helping students find books that they don’t want to put down until the very end. Along with interests in children’s literature and children’s literacy, Teresa enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, and organic gardening.
Laura Nelson
Physical Education
Germanna Community College
Laura Nelson is a resident of Culpeper, Virginia and a graduate of Culpeper County High School. After high school, she attended Germanna Community College and completed two years of coursework in General Studies. Laura has extensive work experience as an administrative assistant in the Fairfax County Office and has served numerous years in management. Laura played basketball throughout her high school years. She has experience refereeing youth sports games and has coached for The Culpeper Youth Basketball Association. Laura is the head coach of the Grymes girls field hockey team and the girls basketball team.
Laura and her husband, Chris, live in Culpeper with their daughter, Loretta ‘13, and son, Elijah ‘14, both Grymes alumni. They are active members of White Oak Run Baptist Church, where Laura serves as a deacon, teaches Sunday school, serves as a choir director, and occasionally teaches adult Bible classes.
Tanner Carlton
P.E. Assistant
B.A., University of Mary Washington
Julie Call
Reading Specialist
M.S., Radford University
Julie Call is from Orange, Virginia and graduated from Radford University. She majored in Special Education. She has since received her endorsement in PreK-3 grade regular education.
She began her professional career as a self-contained special education teacher for the Orange County School System. She worked there for 4 years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She tutored and taught preschool on the side. In 2010 she rejoined OCSS as a Kindergarten and First Grade teacher. After five years her family made the decision for her to homeschool their three children. Hannah has now graduated college and is an RN for UVA Labor and Delivery. Leah is currently in college pursuing Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Levi is in middle school. Julie has once again decided to return to her passion of educating students in a classroom and is the new reading intervention specialist.
Julie lives in Orange with her husband, Chris, and their three children. In her spare time, she loves to read, take photographs, create scrapbooks, and visit with family and friends. She is looking forward to the new Grymes community and helping her students feel confident and successful.
Laurie Neale
I.T. Support
Laurie Neale began her career at Grymes when she was offered the position of Kindergarten aide in 1992. It was the beginning of a beautiful and long-lasting relationship with the school. After spending 3 years in the kindergarten program, Laurie became an aide in the Grymes library. While in the library, computers became a passion and automating the library was her first task. Bringing computers into the library launched Laurie into the full-time position of Technology Director when Microsoft Windows was just getting off the ground. Along with automating the library and with a lot of help from others, Laurie established a new computer lab, built a network for the whole school, developed a computer class curriculum, and made the school’s first website. After several years serving as the school’s Technology Director, Laurie retired from full-time work and became a part-time IT Support person for the school, a role in which she remains in today.
Laurie and her husband, Tim ’70, own and operate a cattle farm in Orange County. They have 2 children, Lael ’01, and Henry, who stayed at Grymes until ’01.
