NSA Welcomes New Faculty and Staff to Start 2024-25 School Year

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

On August 12, 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

Marissa Cary, Kindergarten Teacher

Marissa Cary graduated from Lynchburg College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. She grew up in Northern Virginia and moved to the Hampton Roads area in 2019. She has taught children ages infant to kindergarten since 2009. She enjoys live music, baking and spending time with her husband.

Kerri Darden, Pre-K3 Teaching Assistant

Kerri Darden joined the NSA family in 2023 as a part of the Extended Day Program. She also served as a substitute at the Harbour View Campus, where she enjoyed building relationships with students and their families. She accepted a new role as a pre-kindergarten teaching assistant in the 2024-2025 school year. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida in sports and exercise science with a specialization in child development and movement.

Ladaina Grant, Pre-K2 Teaching Assistant

Ladaina Grant is a 2011 graduate of I. C. Norcom High School. She earned her pharmacy diploma in 2015 from Everest College, where she obtained a 4.0 GPA. Ms. Grant has taught pre-K through sixth grade. She previously taught at Portsmouth Public Schools for nine years. Ms. Grant is passionate about teaching, shaping young minds and impacting students' lives in a positive way. Outside of work, Ms. Grant enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

Theander King, Pre-K3 Teacher

Theander King, an educator from Newport News, Virginia, is an alumna of Old Dominion University, where she graduated in 2019. She began teaching pre-K3 at NSA in 2024. Before becoming a Saint, Ms. King worked as a pre-K4 teacher, substitute teacher, camp counselor, daycare provider and babysitter. She is dedicated to positively influencing young minds. Outside of work, Ms. King is a passionate reader, an avid crafter and action movie lover. She is also a proud dog owner.

Jasmine Smith, Kindergarten Teaching Assistant

Jasmine Smith graduated with honors from George Mason University in 2021 with a concentration in the liberal arts for the teaching professions and a minor in sociology. From 2021 to 2023, she became a kindergarten teaching assistant and extended care group leader at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy's Harbour View Campus. She returns to the Harbour View Campus in 2024 as a teaching assistant and is excited to make more memories at NSA. She enjoys making crafts, traveling and picking up random hobbies, such as tennis, learning a new language and piano.

Lisa Trombley, Second Grade Teacher

Lisa Trombley graduated from the College of William and Mary with degrees in history and elementary education in 2002, certified to teach pre-K through sixth grade in the state of Virginia. She began teaching in the public education system in 2002, where she worked for 22 years. During that time, she earned her master's degree in curriculum and instruction from Virginia Tech. Mrs. Trombley has taught kindergarten, third grade and, most recently, second grade. She served as team lead for several years. She also participated in the SURN Novice Teacher Academy through the College of William Mary as a master teacher to mentor new teachers just joining the field of education. Mrs. Trombley is married to her husband, David, and resides in Surry County. They have two children, Taylor and James. She enjoys spending time supporting her children as they participate in many sports, including basketball, volleyball, softball and baseball.

Erika Williams, Third Grade Teacher

Erika Williams is a 1992 graduate of Western Branch High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Christopher Newport University in 1999. She spent several years at home with her two children, Matt and Riley, before she pursued her teaching license through the career switcher program at Old Dominion University in 2009. Ms. Williams began teaching in Suffolk Public Schools at Elephant's Fork Elementary School, where she taught kindergarten, first and second grade. Most recently, Ms. Williams spent nine years working as a third grade teacher at Creekside Elementary before she joined the NSA family in 2024. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with her friends and family and vintage shopping.

Main Campus

Eric Baur '99, Art Teacher

Eric Baur is a 1999 graduate of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art education in 2007 from Virginia Commonwealth University. Mr. Baur taught art for six years in the Portsmouth Public School system. He was a member of the Back Bay Wildfowl Guild from 2009 to 2014 and has displayed artwork at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts and in the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Art Show and Sale. Mr. Baur enjoys spending time outdoors with his wife, Mary Ellen, and his twin boys, Ashton '31 and Charlie '31.

Cynthia Corliss, Pre-K3 Teaching Assistant

Cynthia Corliss earned a Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in psychology and human development at the University of New Hampshire. While there, she worked at the Child Study & Development Center, a laboratory school affiliated with the Department of Human Development and Family Studies. She has worked in several early childhood centers in California, focusing on the emotional development of the students. She then had the opportunity to stay home with her children (Noah '16, Eli '18, Simon '20, Nathan '22 and Paige Dowd '25) for several years, before sharing her wealth of knowledge with families and children in their home setting. While she and her husband, Chris Dowd, and their children have been Saints since 2008, she joins our staff in preschool in 2024. Ms. Corliss is a certified yoga teacher, loves the beach, traveling and spending time with family, friends and her dog, Duke.

Lisa Goins, Third Grade Teacher

Lisa Goins was born on the Eastern Shore and raised in Roanoke, VA. She attended Virginia Tech, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in early education. Upon graduation, Ms. Goins moved to Chesapeake to take an early commitment contract with Chesapeake Public Schools. During her 30 years with Chesapeake Public Schools, she also earned a Master of Education in educational administration and an endorsement in gifted education, both of which came from the University of Virginia. Once retired, she opened her own homeschool business, which included grades K-7. She has two grown children, Haley and Nate, both of whom live in Virginia Beach. In her spare time, she likes to visit the islands off the Carolina coasts, go home to those beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and play with her adorable grandson.

Jamie Hensley, Pre-K3 Teaching Assistant

Jamie Hensley is a 2002 graduate of The State University of New York College at Oneonta, as well as the Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.) in Manhattan, NY. She has worked with children in various settings throughout the years, both as a pre-K teacher at Christopher Academy in Portsmouth and as a librarian in an elementary school in Charleston, SC. Outside of work, Mrs. Hensley enjoys time at the beach, sewing and spending time with her husband, Justin, and their four kids, Noah '26, Lilah '29, Jonah '29 and Amelia '39. She also loves traveling, and has had the opportunity to live all over the world as a military spouse, including in Japan.

Lisa Lutz, Fifth Grade Teacher

Lisa Lutz holds a Bachelor of Arts in business from Averett University as well as a Master of Education from Regent University. Prior to joining the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy faculty, Mrs. Lutz taught second, fifth and sixth grade for Portsmouth Public Schools. She and her husband, Paul, are the parents of three NSA graduates, Parker '13, Kate '18 and Ben '23.

Michael McGuire, Fifth Grade Teaching Assistant

Michael McGuire graduated from Radford University in 2000, earning a Bachelor of Science in history. He worked as a staff leader in the extended day program at Christopher Academy for six years with their lower school students, including the pre-kindergarten program. Mr. McGuire and his wife, Bobbie, enjoy watching their three children, Cayden '27, Kaylee '29 and Cameron '31, play soccer.

Michaela Parnin, Second Grade Teacher

Michaela Parnin is a 2015 graduate of Old Dominion University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies with a concentration in teacher preparation and a minor in special education. Mrs. Parnin continued her studies at Old Dominion University and received a master's degree in education. Mrs. Parnin taught second grade in Suffolk, VA, and Carrollton, VA, before becoming a registered behavior technician in the field of applied behavior analysis. Mrs. Parnin is excited to continue following her passion for education at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy! She loves anything with glitter, tending to her floral garden and spending time with her friends and family.

Middle School

Lisa McIvor, Seventh Grade English Teacher

A native of Southern Delaware, Lisa McIvor graduated from St. Andrew’s School and then earned her undergraduate degree from Gettysburg College. After more than 20 years in wealth management, Mrs. McIvor discovered her passion for teaching and earned her teaching license and a professional studies graduate certificate from the Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University. She taught sixth grade English for four years at King's Fork Middle School and joined the NSA family in 2024. Mrs. McIvor is a dedicated Girl Scout volunteer, serving as a troop leader and a coordinator for all of Suffolk's Girl Scout troops. She was also a founding race director for the Cookie Classic Run and acted in that capacity for 10 years. Mrs. McIvor and her husband, Colm, have been married for more than 20 years and have three daughters, Zoe, their eldest, and twins Lilly and Simone, as well as several dogs and cats. They settled in Suffolk in 2005 and have enjoyed becoming a part of this vibrant community. When Mrs. McIvor is not in the classroom, she loves camping, kayaking, playing pickleball and being a season ticket holder at Chrysler Hall.

Missy Rhoads, Eighth Grade Science Teacher

Missy Rhoads is a Hampton Roads native. She taught in Chesapeake Public Schools for 31 years. She loves spending time with her husband, Geoff, and going to support their many nieces and nephews at their sporting events. Mrs. Rhoads also loves spending time at the beach and taking trips with her friends.

Upper School

Sarah Dodge, Director of Bands

Sarah Dodge is an active music educator, performer, and conductor within the Hampton Roads community of Virginia. She currently serves as director of bands at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, where she runs the middle and high school band programs. She holds a Master of Music Education in wind conducting from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Music in music education from James Madison University. Ms. Dodge continues to play trombone and stays involved with other Hampton Roads community music ensembles.

Cliff Harmon, Upper School Counselor

Clifton Harmon is an experienced school counselor who is passionate about supporting students' academic and emotional growth. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in community-based education from Virginia State University in 2011, Mr. Harmon furthered his education by earning a Master of Arts in professional school counseling PreK-12 from Norfolk State University in 2014. Mr. Harmon began his school counseling career with the York County School Division in 2015, working as a school counselor at both Yorktown Middle School and York High School. After two years in a split role, Mr. Harmon transitioned to a full-time school counselor position at York High School. There, he served in several key roles, including Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) co-coordinator and coordinator, as well as bullying and prevention coordinator. Mr. Harmon also contributed to various division-level committees, demonstrating a strong commitment to school improvement and student well-being. In recognition of his dedication, Mr. Harmon was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2020. Mr. Harmon is excited to bring his experience and passion to NSA, where he continues to support students in achieving their full potential. Outside of work, Mr. Harmon enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Kiara, and their three sons.

Camryn Santos, Math Teacher

Camryn Santos attended college at Vermont State University Lyndon and earned her bachelor's degrees in 2022. With a primary focus in atmospheric science, Ms. Santos quickly learned how much knowledge in mathematics is required to create an accurate forecast. Her mentor encouraged her to complete her Bachelor of Arts in mathematics, which led her to become a teacher. Ms. Santos most recently taught middle school math at St. Stanislaus School in Massachusetts and is excited to be able to focus on her favorite math course, algebra, at the high school level at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. Ms. Santos enjoys going for walks with her daughter, Katie, and reading an Elin Hilderbrand novel at the beach.

Office of Advancement

Mary Kemple Henderson, Advancement Coordinator

Mary Kemple Henderson is a graduate of Meredith College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts, and North Carolina State University, where she earned her teaching certification in English literature. She taught Upper School English at NSA for eight years and has served as chair of the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy Art Show and Sale since 2017. Mary Kemple is the wife of Pretlow '93 and the mother of Will '25 and Cross '27.