NSA Welcomes New Faculty and Staff to Start 2023-24 School Year

You'll be seeing some new faces around NSA this school year!

On August 14, faculty and staff returned to our campuses to prepare for the new school year. The group included nearly 20 new employees spanning our two campuses. Each new NSA faculty and staff member has a mentor to guide them in what it means to be a Saint. Please join us in welcoming the new members of the NSA family!

Lower School

Harbour View

Heidi Bair, Pre-K2 Teaching Assistant

Heidi Bair has been working with small children for nearly two decades. As a Navy wife, she has worked all over the United States, earning many certificates and becoming a certified yoga instructor along the way. She is currently continuing her education to earn the Child Development Association (CDA) credential for early childhood educators. Mrs. Bair loves being outdoors, working in her garden and spending time at the beach. She also loves her downtime with friends and family, husband Kris and two adult children, along with her fur babies.

Mariah Leeds, Pre-K3 Teaching Assistant

Mariah Leeds currently serves as a Pre-K3 teaching assistant. She attended Portsmouth Christian School and graduated in 2021. She is currently studying at Old Dominion University to be an elementary educator/teacher. Ms. Leeds has prior experience as a Pre-K3 teaching assistant. When she's not working, she is spending time with family and friends.

Amy Maynard, Office Manager

Amy Maynard is originally from North Carolina, but she has called a few places home. She started working as an air traffic controller in the U.S. Army, which gave her the amazing opportunity to live overseas in Korea and Germany. After leaving the Army, she completed her Bachelor of Science in business administration from ECPI University. Amy has extensive experience as an administrative professional.

In her spare time, Mrs. Maynard enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and their two children, Sadie and Jackson. When she's not at work or spending time with her family, you can find her at the beach enjoying the sun.

Annalisa Perez, Kindergarten Teaching Assistant

Annalisa Perez graduated from the University of California San Diego, where she received a bachelor’s degree in human biology. She also attended Southwestern College, where she received an associate’s degree in general education. As a military spouse, Mrs. Perez has lived in California, Maryland, North Carolina and Virginia. After staying home with her children, she began volunteering at her children’s school with the parent teacher organization and helping with the performing arts club. She then started working as a substitute teacher with DoDEA. She enjoys spending time with her family.

Leda Perry, Pre-K4 Teaching Assistant

Leda Perry is a graduate of Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she earned a B.A. in English. She obtained her teaching licensure through Texas Teachers of Tomorrow, earning certifications in core subjects with the science of teaching reading (grades 4-8), special education (early childhood-grade 12) and English as a second language (early childhood-grade 12). As a Navy wife, she has worked for various school districts as a teacher, instructional assistant and interventionist. She has four children, and her youngest was a member of NSA’s Class of 2023. Mrs. Perry enjoys reading, quilting, crocheting, knitting, kayaking and spending time with her husband, Todd, her children and her two spoiled Yorkies.

Rhett Quattlebaum, Second Grade Teacher

Rhett Quattlebaum attended St. Mary's Junior College in Raleigh, North Carolina, before graduating from Meredith College with a degree in speech communications. Mrs. Quattlebaum returned to school to earn a teaching certificate at East Carolina University. She went on to teach kindergarten, first and second grades in North Carolina. She then moved to Norfolk and began teaching first grade at The Williams School. She also held the roles of admissions director and Lower School director during her time there. "Mrs. Q," as she likes to be called, enjoys decorating, working out and spending time with her two daughters, Addison and Eliza, and her husband, Corey.

Main Campus

Hannah Bass, Kindergarten Teaching Assistant

Hannah Bass is a 2022 Lakeland High School graduate. She is currently attending Paul D. Camp Community College to earn a general studies associate's degree, with hopes to transfer to a four-year college to pursue a degree in teaching. Ms. Bass enjoys going to the Outer Banks and the mountains of Virginia with her significant other, Owen, and her Mini Aussie, Bobo.

Jennie Morgan, First Grade Teaching Assistant

Jennie Morgan was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Regent University. Prior to joining the NSA family, Mrs. Morgan served as a preschool teacher and a second grade teaching assistant at Christopher Academy in Portsmouth, Virginia. Mrs. Morgan enjoys spending time with her friends and family, husband Ross and their three children Emma '25, Charlie '28 and Zoe '33.

Patti Reinwald, Fourth Grade Teaching Assistant

Patti Reinwald started working in education as a paraprofessional in a first and second multi-grade classroom in Madison, Connecticut, for five years. She earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Central Connecticut State University in 2003 and later received her master's degree in elementary reading and language from Saint Joseph College in 2012. Mrs. Reinwald taught kindergarten, second and fourth grades over a period of 12 years in Connecticut until she moved to York, South Carolina, in 2016, where she taught second and first grade for four years. Mrs. Reinwald loves to quilt, explore new areas of the state on the weekends with her husband, Emil, and visit her children and three grandchildren in Connecticut and Maryland as often as possible.

Beverly Taylor, Kindergarten Teaching Assistant

Beverly Taylor was born and raised in Hampton Roads, Virginia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in art and visual technology from George Mason University as well as a Master of Education in elementary education and a Master of Arts in practical theology from Regent University. She taught fifth grade at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Vienna, Virginia, and pre-K, first and third grade at Portsmouth Catholic Regional School. Mrs. Taylor enjoys reading, drawing, planning trips to Disney World and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Ian, are proud parents of one daughter, Evie '34.

Charlotte Wallis, Pre-K2 Teaching Assistant

Charlotte Wallis was born and raised in England, where she started her career as a pre-kindergarten teacher and a swimming teacher. She then moved to the U.S., where she obtained her Master of Education at the University of South Florida. Mrs. Wallis then went on to teach first grade in Norfolk before moving to Richmond, where she taught kindergarten and pre-K4 at a private school. Her husband's job relocated the family to Florida, where she taught pre-K and kindergarten again. In her spare time, Mrs. Wallis likes to run, swim and travel with her husband, James, and twins, Archie '36 and Adelaide '36.

Middle School

Christina Bradshaw, Sixth Grade Science Teacher

Christina Bradshaw is a Suffolk native with a passion for inspiring her students to be curious and connected to the study of our Earth. In 2008, she pursued her interests in equine studies through a two-year certificate program at the Institute of Applied Agriculture at the University of Maryland, College Park. Through her work in agriculture and equine management, she realized she had a calling to be an educator. She returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Science in Earth science education in 2016 from Old Dominion University. As a middle school science educator, she aspires to make her lessons authentic, meaningful and relevant so that her students will be able to understand and appreciate how we are all affected by the nature of science. Before joining the NSA family, Mrs. Bradshaw taught for five years at King's Fork Middle School, where she was recognized as Rookie Teacher of the Year. Mrs. Bradshaw enjoys spending time on the farm with her husband, Robbie, and daughter, Mary. Outside of school, she loves spending time outdoors, and she especially enjoys riding her horses in the beauty of nature.

Emily Cooper, Seventh Grade English Teacher

Emily Cooper is a Hampton Roads native. She graduated from Old Dominion University in 2016. Mrs. Cooper taught high school in Franklin, Virginia, and middle school in Suffolk, Virginia, before joining the NSA family. She comes to work every day excited to teach. Outside of school, Mrs. Cooper loves to spend time with her husband, Chris, and their two cats, Barry and Darcy. She also loves to read, write and travel to new places.

Jason Janezic, Seventh Grade World Geography Teacher

A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Jason Janezic realized at a young age that he wanted to spend his life teaching. In pursuit of that dream, Mr. Janezic graduated from the honors program at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in secondary education. In April 2013, he relocated to Suffolk to accept a position at King’s Fork Middle School. In his 10 years as a King’s Fork Jaguar, Mr. J. (as he is often known) covered the entire middle school social studies curriculum, including World Geography, Civics & Economics and U.S. History (1865-present). He is best known for the nine years he spent exploring U.S. History with sixth graders, for his big personality and zany antics, for his daily joke board and for his fanatical support of student activities and the music program. As a new member of the NSA community, Mr. J brings his quirky, caring and fun brand of teaching to the Middle School, where he explores World Geography with seventh graders. When he is not plotting new adventures at NSA, Mr. J. can be found hiking, kayaking and adventuring with friends and family in both Virginia and Pennsylvania, taking in concerts and musical theater productions and supporting the plethora of sports teams he follows religiously.

Erin Strickland, Seventh Grade Math Teacher

Mrs. Strickland graduated from Kennesaw State College (now University - Go Owls!) in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science in education, with a double major in math and English. She has more than 20 years of teaching experience in middle and high school math and English and has enjoyed coaching many sports teams as well. As a Navy spouse, Mrs. Strickland has taught for public, private and Department of Defense Dependents Schools, including John F. Kennedy Middle School and Portsmouth Christian School. Mrs. Strickland loves teaching math and helping her students succeed by fostering a classroom atmosphere that allows students to ask questions, knowing their teacher will answer whatever questions they have and will explain the concept in different ways to help them understand. When she is not teaching, Mrs. Strickland loves spending time with her family. She and her husband, Aaron, have two grown children, Kenyon and Katie. She also enjoys singing in her church choir, serving wherever there is a need and heading to the mountains anytime she can!

Upper School

Margarita Castillo, Spanish Teacher

Margarita Castillo grew up in Ecuador until the age of 14, when she returned to her birthplace of Los Angeles, California. She entered high school in the ESL program (English as a second language). She draws from this experience to teach Spanish to her students. After graduating from high school, Ms. Castillo joined the U.S. Navy, where she served her country for 10 years as an aviation mechanic. She has lived in Puerto Rico, Italy and many different states within the U.S. The military then brought Ms. Castillo and her family to Virginia, where they have lived for the past 14 years. While in the Navy, Ms. Castillo earned her associate's degree from Central Texas College and continued her education through various colleges overseas in pursuit of a degree in criminal justice. She was a certified sheriff’s deputy in the state of Texas while still in the Navy. While being a stay-at-home mom, Ms. Castillo volunteered numerous hours at her daughters' schools. She tutored ESL students, started after-school foreign language programs for elementary students and taught all levels of Spanish at Isle of Wight Academy, where she also coached cross country, indoor track and soccer. She has taken numerous students on trips to Spain, France, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Puerto Rico, sharing her love of traveling and learning about new cultures. When not traveling, Ms. Castillo enjoys spending time visiting with her daughters, Alexia, Arianna and Analí. She loves running and continues training for half marathons.

Anna Cox, Spanish Teacher

Anna Cox grew up in the Tidewater area, where she graduated from Granby High School in 1998. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and English from Furman University in 2002. During her time there, she studied abroad in Spain and the U.K. and held language teaching and translation internships in Ireland, Spain and South Carolina. She was also a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar in Merida, Mexico, where she studied and participated in community service projects for one year. She went on to earn her Master of Arts at NYU Madrid and her Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania, both in Hispanic Studies, again traveling to Spain and Mexico for research purposes. Anna has taught at all levels and in a variety of contexts. She has provided Spanish instruction to homeschooled elementary, middle and high school students, tutored students in preparation for the AP Spanish exam and educated young adults in the college classroom at Old Dominion University, the University of Pennsylvania, Willamette University and the University of Minnesota. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading and traveling.

Lisa L. Johnson Health Clinic

Kerry Bolling '91, School Nurse

Kerry Sondej Bolling has served as a registered nurse in the Lisa L. Johnson Health Clinic since 2008. During the pandemic, she assumed the role of COVID-19 wellness coordinator to manage and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 to our community.

Mrs. Bolling graduated from Nansemond-Suffolk Academy in 1991 and from James Madison University with honors in 1995. After graduating, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, to pursue a degree in nursing. After continuing her education at Virginia Commonwealth University and obtaining her R.N. license, Mrs. Bolling worked in the STICU/Burn Unit at MCV and in the Transitional Care Unit at Children's Hospital in Richmond. In 2000, Mrs. Bolling moved back home to Portsmouth, Virginia, to marry her husband, Drew, who is a member of NSA's Class of 1992, and to begin working in the Women's Health Division of Pharmacia/Pfizer Corporation. Mrs. Bolling started working for NSA in 2008 when her two sons, Jackson '21 and Hayden '23, began the pre-K and kindergarten programs. She is a past member of the Portsmouth Service League and a prior board member of the American Red Cross.

Transportation

Elmer "Peanut" Swilley, Bus Driver

Mr. Swilley grew up in Portsmouth, Virginia. He retired from Newport News Shipbuilding after working as a shipfitter for 40 years. He joined the NSA family in 2015 as an activity route bus driver. In 2023, Mr. Swilley also took on the role of a morning and afternoon route bus driver. In his free time, Mr. Swilley likes to golf and spend time with his wife, children and six grandchildren.

Candice Pugh, Bus Driver

Candice Pugh relocated to Hampton Roads from east Tennessee in April 2023. Mrs. Pugh has had her CDL license for several years. She has previous school bus driving experience and thoroughly enjoys the job. Mrs. Pugh loves the Lord, and outside of work she and her husband attend church regularly. They also enjoy spending time with their grandchildren.

Terrell Wiggins, Bus Driver

Terrell Wiggins was born in Hampton and graduated from Heritage High School in Newport News. He went on to receive his Master of Arts from Acts of Grace Bible College and Theological Seminary. Mr. Wiggins has more than three years of experience as a bus driver. In addition to driving buses, Mr. Wiggins is a current life insurance agent and pastor. He lives in Suffolk with his wife and daughter. Outside of school, Mr. Wiggins loves to play music.

Administration

Mike Barclay, Head of School

In July 2023, Mike Barclay joined the NSA family as the seventh head of school. Mr. Barclay has nearly three decades of experience in secondary education as an English teacher, admissions director, dean of students, assistant head of school and head of school. Previously, he served as the head of school at Virginia Beach Friends School (VBFS), where he revitalized the program, doubled enrollment, tripled fundraising dollars and positioned the school well for decades to come.

Prior to his tenure at VBFS, Mr. Barclay served as head of school at Quest Montessori School in Narragansett, Rhode Island. During his seven years at Quest, Mr. Barclay developed and implemented strategic initiatives to triple enrollment and foster a culture of giving. He also led the school through its first joint accreditation process, leading to an A.I.S.N.E (Association of Independent Schools of New England) and A.M.S (American Montessori Society) dual accreditation. Prior to his time at Quest, Mr. Barclay served as the dean of students at Moses Brown School in Providence, Rhode Island, and as the admissions director at Stuart Hall High School in San Francisco, California.

Outside of school, Mr. Barclay enjoys snowboarding, movies and spending time with his family and friends. He and his wife, Kristin, have two children, Chase and Greer '25, who are also proud Saints.

DeeDran Talbert, Executive Administrator and Coordinator of Inclusivity and Multiculturalism

DeeDran Talbert was born in Washington, D.C. She attended Old Dominion University, where she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees: one in speech pathology and audiology and the other in human services counseling. She also has a Master of Arts in sociology. Ms. Talbert has attended multiple trainings and completed several courses related to diversity and inclusion. Prior to joining the NSA family, she worked at Virginia Beach Friends School (VBFS) as the school counselor for 10 years. In addition, she served as the director of diversity at VBFS. Ms. Talbert also has professional experience providing community-based mental health support services to at-risk children and families. Ms. Talbert enjoys attending spoken word performances and spending time with her children, Nicco and Nina.