NSA Welcomes New Faculty and Staff to Start 2025-26 School Year

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

On August 11, faculty and staff returned to our campuses to prepare for the new school year. The group included 16 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

Kirsten Cessna, First Grade Teacher

Originally from Pennsylvania, Kirsten Cessna holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and special education, along with a STEM endorsement. Teaching has been her lifelong dream, inspired by her grandmother’s dedication to education.

Mrs. Cessna is passionate about creating a nurturing and engaging classroom where young learners feel supported and encouraged to grow. She believes in the power of early education to make a lasting difference and is committed to helping each child reach their full potential.

Outside of the classroom, Mrs. Cessna enjoys spending time with her husband, their young children and their dog. She also loves reading and continuing to learn new things.

Theresa Huynh, Second Grade Teacher

Theresa Huynh earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education from Old Dominion University. She spent more than 30 years teaching in public schools in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake before she joined the NSA family in 2025. Ms. Huynh loves teaching, because she has the opportunity to inspire young minds and make a lasting difference in children's lives. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys spending time with her puppy and expressing her creativity through photography and crafting various projects.

Crystal Phillips, Pre-K2 Teacher

Crystal Phillips earned her bachelor's degree in 2002 from Christopher Newport University. She has worked in both public and private schools since 2009. Mrs. Phillips grew up in Smithfield and now resides in Carrollton with her husband, Ben, two sons, Nathan and Luke '37, and daughter Kinsley '38. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family.

Berkley Puzey '21, Pre-K3 Teaching Assistant

Berkley Puzey is a 2021 graduate of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. She earned a Bachelor of Science in human development in 2025 from Virginia Tech. Ms. Puzey worked at a childcare center in Blacksburg for one year and gained field study experience through the Child Development Center for Learning and Research at Virginia Tech. She loves working with children and likes to spend her free time with friends and family.

Kelsey Sperlik, Pre-K4 Teaching Assistant

Kelsey Sperlik is a returning employee of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy with three years of experience working in NSA's Lower School at the Harbour View Campus. She enjoys working at NSA's Summer Camp, and she is excited to join our students again as a pre-kindergarten teaching assistant. In her free time, Mrs. Sperlik enjoys crafting, painting and reading. Her family also has a rich military background, including Navy, Army and National Guard service for more than 20 years.

Christine Wray, Pre-K4 Teaching Assistant

Christine Wray is a graduate of Portsmouth Catholic High School. She earned her associate's degree from Tidewater Community College in early childhood education. Prior to joining the NSA family, Ms. Wray spent time teaching at the Manor Schools and in Virginia Beach City Public Schools as a teacher's assistant and special education assistant. Outside of school, Ms. Wray enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Main Campus

Kim Hogan, Third Grade Teacher

Kim Hogan is a dedicated educator with more than 30 years of teaching experience. She earned her bachelor's degree in communications and her master's degree in humanities from Old Dominion University, followed by her certification in elementary education from the University of New Orleans and a gifted endorsement from the University of Virginia. Passionate about STEAM, Mrs. Hogan brings creativity and enthusiasm to her teaching. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys gardening, bird watching and pottery, and cherishes time spent with her husband, sons and Australian shepherds, Rook and Louie.

Specials

Mary Semler '88, Lower School P.E. Teacher

Mary Semler is a proud 1988 graduate of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy and received her bachelor's degree from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. In the fall of 2024, she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning from Hollins University. Ms. Semler has spent more than 30 years teaching and coaching across various levels, and most recently served as an athletic director. She finds great joy in mentoring students through both academics and athletics. In her free time, Ms. Semler enjoys spending time with her children, Hart, Massey and Steele '29, watching sports of all kinds, traveling and going to the beach.

Middle School

Robbie Duncan, Middle School Academic Support Counselor

Robbie Duncan is a 2008 graduate of Park View High School in Sterling, VA. He earned his Bachelor of Science in communications in 2012 from Old Dominion University. In college, Mr. Duncan joined the Old Dominion University football team as a walk-on when the program started in 2009. He went on to earn a full scholarship and became a four-year starting offensive lineman. During his collegiate career, Coach Duncan served as captain of ODU’s offensive line and helped lead the Monarchs to a CAA conference championship. Prior to joining the NSA family, Mr. Duncan was a special education teacher at Western Branch Middle and Western Branch High School. While teaching, Mr. Duncan also worked with the football team at Western Branch High School as an offensive line coach and JV head coach. Outside of work, Mr. Duncan enjoys spending time with his wife, Kelli, and their two girls, Riley '37 and Klaira. He also loves watching sports, good movies and television or playing video games to unwind.

Upper School

Katie Austin, Visual Arts Teacher

Katie Austin was born and raised in Norfolk, VA. With a strong passion for the arts, she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drawing and design with a minor in education prep from Old Dominion University. Prior to joining the NSA family, Ms. Austin taught middle school art at Southside STEM Academy at Campostella and high school art at her alma mater, Norview High School. Ms. Austin really does love everything about art, including drawing, painting, pottery, sewing and more. You name it, she loves it! In her spare time, Ms. Austin loves sewing and volunteering with local animal shelters, and she helps foster cats.

Steve Fundaro, Science Teacher

Steve Fundaro earned a Bachelor of Science in meteorology from Penn State University in 2015, and for a decade, he was an award-winning meteorologist and storyteller. Now, the passion that poured into those forecasts and stories is being put into the classroom. This year, Mr. Fundaro transitioned from communicating science in front of a green screen to communicating science in front of a classroom. He enjoys exercise, cooking, playing guitar and spending time with his wife, Sara, and their dog and cat, Kepler and Kala.

Mallory Remy '10, English Teacher

Mallory Remy is a 2010 graduate of Nansemond-Suffolk Academy. She attended Emory & Henry College (now Emory & Henry University), where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in English literature in 2014 and her Master of Education in secondary education in 2015. She began her teaching career at a private school in Denver, CO, for gifted and twice-exceptional students, where education was individualized and project-based. Mrs. Remy then went on to teach at an International Baccalaureate school in Colorado for gifted and twice-exceptional students. In 2021, Mrs. Remy and her family moved back to Virginia. She taught at John Yeates Middle School and Isle of Wight Academy before joining the NSA family. Outside of school, Mrs. Remy enjoys spending time with her husband, Jordan, two children, Gwen and Jake, and their cat, Norbert, cross-stitching and listening to audiobooks. She also enjoys puns.

Timothy Silvernail, Health and P.E. Teacher

Timothy Silvernail joined Nansemond-Suffolk Academy after more than a decade of working in collegiate athletics. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and his master’s degree from Eastern Michigan University. Throughout his career, he has served in leadership roles at Rutgers University, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Buffalo and Eastern Michigan University, including his most recent position as assistant athletic director for football administration at UMass. Mr. Silvernail is passionate about mentorship, leadership development and helping students grow both in and out of the classroom. When not at work he enjoys spending time with his fiancée, Patty Maye.

Nicole Tyger, Upper and Middle School Choral Teacher

Nicole Tyger earned her Bachelor of Science in music education in 2016 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master of Music in Music Education in 2021 from the University of Florida. Ms. Tyger taught K-8 general music, choir and theatre for seven years in Las Vegas, NV, and most recently taught high school choir in Newport News, VA. Ms. Tyger enjoys spending time with her family, hiking with her dog, Winston, and traveling.

Office of Admissions

Evangeline Megowen, Admissions Coordinator

Evangeline Megowen graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelor of Science in government and earned a Master of Science in information technology management from Florida State University. She retired in 2024 from a 25-year military career and has extensive experience in leadership, operations and program management within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Coast Guard. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds senior-level DHS certifications in program and project management, logistics and information technology. Mrs. Megowen has been an engaged member of the NSA community since 2015, not only as a parent but also as a volunteer and substitute teacher. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark, and their children, Evangeline '28 and Cole '30.

Business Office

Kristin Rountree, Purchasing and HR Manager

Kristin Rountree earned her Bachelor of Science in business with a concentration in accounting from Bridgewater College. She joined the NSA Business Office as the purchasing and human resource manager. Prior to her time at NSA, Mrs. Rountree worked in corporate finance and accounting for Kraft Foods for more than 13 years. Mrs. Rountree is a big supporter of NSA athletics and is the JV girls' volleyball coach. She lives in Suffolk with her husband, Jeremy '93, and their two daughters, Kasey '29 and Kara Beth '30.