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Movin’ on up! Jennifer
Barnes, Academic Dean, Evening David
A. Bergren, Assistant Principal Marie
Booz, Instructional Technology Coordinator Jobynia
Caldwell, Assistant Superintendent, High Schools Nancy
B. Farrell, Principal Sharon
R. Gardner, Coordinator, Special Education Kara
Gaunce, Testing Specialist Cari
Hall, Assistant Principal Daniel
Keever, Principal Tracey
LaGatta, Director, Testing Christopher
Lawler, Assistant Principal Janet
A. Lewis, Assistant Principal Steven
A. Marable, Dean of Students Tania
Metzger, Coordinator, Special Education Nicole
Morgenthau, Academic Dean, High School Lois
M. Peterson, Assistant Superintendent Brenda
Reid, Coordinator, Special Education Elizabeth
Temple, Academic Dean, Middle School Leeane
Turnbull, Assistant Principal Michael
Vanterpool, Dean of Students Scott
A. Ziegler, Administrative Assistant |
Jennifer
Barnes is the new evening academic dean for the Renaissance
Academy. She began her career with VBCPS in 1977 as a business
education teacher at Kempsville Junior High, a position she held until
1993 when she also assumed the duties of assistant student activities
director at Salem High School. In 1994, she was appointed student activities
coordinator at Princess Anne Middle School. In 1998, Barnes became an
administrative intern for both Princess Anne and Virginia Beach middle
schools. Following these assignments, she was named an assistant principal
at Plaza Middle School beginning in the fall of 1998. In 2003 she was
named an assistant principal at Virginia Beach Central Academy. Barnes
earned a B.S. in Business Education from A & T State University
in Greensboro, North Carolina, and a Master of Arts in Education and
Human Development from The George Washington University.
Alex
Bergren is a new assistant principal at Tallwood High
School. He comes to Tallwood from Salem Middle, where he served
five years as an assistant principal. Prior to Salem, he was the school
improvement specialist at Princess Anne High School. Before joining
VBCPS, he taught English, creative writing, and public speaking at Bishop
Sullivan Catholic High School for eight years, where he also coached
both boys’ and girls’ soccer and built a forensics team
that produced both state and national champions. He also served as an
English instructor at both Saint Louis University and TCC. Bergren moved
to Virginia Beach from South Carolina as a teenager and graduated from
First Colonial in 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature
from Virginia Tech in 1992, an MA in English Literature from Saint Louis
University in 1995, and an Ed.S. from the George Washington University
in 2003. During his tenure, he has been awarded two Education Foundation
schoolwide grants, graduated from Future’s Academy VII, mentored
several new APs, and worked closely with students as part of the AVID
and middle school transition programs. He was named the secondary assistant
Principal of the Year by VBASSP in 2008, and was a featured
columnist on the Virginia Beach Schools Parent Connection page, contributing
an article on middle school transition. 
Marie
Booz is the new instructional technology coordinator (ITC)
in the Office of Instructional Technology. She has
been with Virginia Beach City Public Schools for 19 years. Before being
named an ITC, Booz served for two years as the computer resource specialist
at Shelton Park Elementary School. Prior to that, she held the same
position at Landstown Elementary for six years. Booz began her career
as a third-grade teacher at Alanton Elementary and then served as a
first-grade teacher at Green Run Elementary. Booz received the WHRO/Consortium
for Interactive Instruction (CII) Excellence in Technology award in
2007 and in 2008 was certified in the ISTE National Educational Technology
Standards for Teachers (NETS•T). She holds a B.A. in Communication from
Simmons College in Boston, and an M.A. in Educational Leadership from
The College of William and Mary. 
Jobynia
Caldwell is the new assistant superintendent for high schools
in the Department of School Administration. She began
her career in 1975 as a teacher at Marshall Junior High School in Fauquier
County, Virginia. Following her move to Virginia Beach in 1977, she
taught English at several Beach high schools: Kellam for two years;
Green Run for 10 years; and Salem for four years. After serving as an
administrative intern at Brandon Middle and Cox High School, she was
named an assistant principal at First Colonial High School. Caldwell
was then appointed principal of Bayside Sixth Grade Campus, a position
she held for two years before becoming principal of Corporate Landing
Middle. She was then selected principal of Salem High. Two years later
she was named principal of Tallwood High where she served for six years.
In 2001 Caldwell was named Secondary Principal of the Year by Virginia
Beach Association of Secondary School Principals (VBASSP), and in the
spring received the regional Women of Distinction Award from the Hampton
Roads YMCA. Caldwell holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Virginia
State College and a Master of Science in Administration from Old Dominion
University. 
Nancy
Farrell is the new principal at Tallwood High School.
A native of Virginia Beach, Farrell began her teaching career in York
County in 1980 where she taught elementary school. From 1990 to 1997,
she served as a teacher in Savannah, Georgia. Returning to Virginia
Beach in 1997, Farrell served as a special education teacher working
with visually impaired students at the special education annex. Four
years later, she was named an assistant principal at Kellam where she
served until her recent appointment. Farrell also serves as an adjunct
professor at Old Dominion University and teaches graduate courses for
Averett University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Physical
Education and Health from The College of William and Mary and her Master
of Education from Georgia State University. She also holds a doctorate
in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from The George Washington
University. 
Sharon
Gardner was appointed a coordinator for special education with
the Office of Programs for Exceptional Children. After serving 23 years
with the Norfolk City Public Schools, Gardner joined VBCPS in 2004 as
a secondary teacher specialist assigned to high schools. In 2007, she
was named a secondary education specialist for middle schools. Gardner
graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a B.S. degree in
special education. She also holds an M.S. in Special Education from
Old Dominion University and an Ed.S. in Administration and Supervision
from Virginia Tech. 
Kara
Gaunce is a new testing specialist in the Department
of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment. A native of Virginia
Beach, Gaunce began her teaching career with SECEP in 1994. She joined
VBCPS in 1997, serving as a special education teacher at Corporate Landing
Middle School. The following year she joined the faculty at Kellam High
School as the school’s remediation specialist. In 2001, she became
the school’s new school improvement specialist when the position
was reconfigured. Gaunce continued serving in that capacity until 2004,
when she joined the Department of Accountability as a testing specialist.
In 2005 she moved to the Office of Programs for Exceptional Children
(OPEC) as an instructional specialist where she maintained an active
role in training staff and overseeing scoring of VGLA. This past school
year Gaunce served as a teacher/VGLA specialist with OPEC. In July 2009,
she was appointed to her current position. She received her Bachelor
of Science in Counseling from Old Dominion University and her Master
of Education, also from ODU. 
Cari
Hall is a new assistant principal at Princess Anne
Elementary School. A Kempsville High School graduate, she began
her career in 1995 as a first-grade teacher at Holland Elementary School.
In 1999 she spent a year teaching in Coventry, England, as a Fulbright
Teacher Exchange participant. Following her return to Virginia Beach,
Hall served as a classroom teacher, a Title I reading teacher and a
reading specialist at Windsor Oaks and Woodstock elementary schools.
In 2007, she was named Teacher of the Year at Woodstock Elementary,
received the Superintendent’s Spotlight Award, and the PTA Award
for Distinguished Service. The following year she was named an administrative
assistant at Holland Elementary School. Hall earned a Bachelor’s
degree from Longwood College, her M.Ed. in Reading from Old Dominion
University, and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from The George Washington
University.
Daniel
Keever is the new principal at Larkspur Middle School.
He entered the Virginia Beach City Public School system in 1982 as a
fifth-grade student at Thoroughgood Elementary School and later graduated
from Bayside High School. In 1994, he began his career in education
as a security assistant at Ocean Lakes High School. He then served as
a social studies teacher as well as a soccer coach, Student Council
Adviser, and coordinator of Ocean Lakes’ Student Leadership Workshop.
From 2001-2002, he served as chairperson for the NASSP/NASC National
Conference. In 2002, Keever began work in the Office of Organizational
Development and the Office of Student Leadership where he served as
an instructional specialist. From 2004-2006, he served as the executive
assistant to the Superintendent. He was then named an assistant principal
at Tallwood High School. Keever earned his Bachelor’s degree from
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he majored in
political science and history. He holds a Master’s in Educational
Leadership from Old Dominion University.
Tracey
A. LaGatta was named director of testing in the Department
of Research, Evaluation, and Assessment (REA). She began
her teaching career in 2005 when she served as a special education teacher
at Plaza Middle School. In 2002 she moved to Kempsville Middle where
she served as the school improvement specialist for three years. She
was named a testing specialist with the Department of Accountability (now
REA) in 2005. LaGatta earned her Bachelor’s degree in education
from Buffalo State College. She earned her Master’s in Special
Education from Old Dominion University.
Christopher
Lawler is the new assistant principal at Salem Middle
School. He is a product of the Virginia Beach school division
having attended Indian Lakes Elementary, Brandon Junior High School,
and Tallwood High School. He began his career in education as a teacher
at his alma mater where he served for eight years. In his first three
years Lawler split his time between teaching special education in a
self-contained classroom and co-teaching English 11. The rest of his
tenure was spent teaching a variety of exceptional learners and co-teaching
Introduction to Algebra, Algebra X., Introduction to Geometry, and Geometry
X. While at Tallwood, Lawler also served as co-sponsor of the SCA, multicultural
committee sponsor, PTSA liaison, and coach of the women’s basketball
team. During school year 2008-09 he was an administrative assistant
at Virginia Beach Middle School where he worked with the sixth-grade
team. Lawler graduated from Norfolk State University in 2000 with a
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology/Special Education Certification. He earned
a Master of Education with a principal endorsement from Regent University
in 2007. 
Janet
Lewis is the new assistant principal at Birdneck Elementary
School. She is a 23-year veteran educator who began her teaching
career in the New York City Public Schools. She subsequently moved to
the Hampton Roads area and taught with both the Portsmouth and Norfolk
school divisions before joining VBCPS. Her instructional experience
includes serving as a reading recovery teacher, reading specialist,
and a teacher on several grade levels, K-6. In addition, Lewis had the
opportunity to work in higher education for several years, serving as
an instructor, academic adviser, student activity coordinator and dean
of students at Elizabeth City State University. Lewis holds a Bachelor
of Science degree in elementary education from Elizabeth City State
University, a Master of Science degree in education administration from
Old Dominion University, and an Educational Specialist degree in administration
and supervision from The George Washington University. 
Steven
Marable is the new dean of students at the Renaissance
Academy. He began his career as a social studies teacher at
the Virginia Beach Central Academy in 2003. The following year, he taught
world geography and government at Salem High School. During his four-year
tenure at Salem, he also served as the head coach of varsity wrestling
and developed and directed a summer camp for middle school athletes
in conjunction with Old Dominion University. He was then named an assistant
principal at Salem High where he served for one year. In 2008 he was
transferred to Arrowhead Elementary School and from there to Virginia
Beach Central Academy. Marable holds a B.S. in Geography with a minor
in History and Political Science as well as an endorsement in Secondary
Education with an emphasis in Political Science, both from O.D.U. Marable
earned his M.A. in Educational Leadership and Administration from The
George Washington University.
Tania
Metzger is the new special education coordinator in the Office
of Program for Exceptional Children. She has 11 years of educational
service in Virginia. In 2006, she began her career with VBCPS as a special
education teacher at Great Neck Middle School. Two years later, she
was appointed an instructional specialist at Lynnhaven Middle School.
Metzger received her B.S. in Political Science from the University of Vermont. She holds an M.A. in
Special Education from Old Dominion University.
Nicole
Morgenthau was named the new academic dean for high school
at the Renaissance Academy. She began her career in
education with VBCPS when she substitute taught in Beach schools while
earning her Master’s degree. She then served as a language arts
teacher at Larkspur Middle School for two years and then transferred
to Ocean Lakes High School as an English teacher. After one year in
this position, Morgenthau was named English department chairperson.
She was then appointed an administrative assistant at Landstown High
School. She is a graduate of Salem High School and earned a B.A. in
creative writing from Virginia Wesleyan College. This was followed by
an M.A. in Literature from Old Dominion University. Morgenthau then
earned her Ed.S. degree from The George Washington University in 2007.
Lois
Peterson is the new Assistant Superintendent for Organizational
Leadership. She previously served as the Administrator for Academic Achievement for the Sacramento
City Unified School District in Sacramento, California. Peterson began
her career in 1979 as a Colo Community School District teacher in Colo,
Iowa. In 1982, she was appointed dean of students at Wahlert High School
in Dubuque, Iowa. From 1985 to 2005, she served in a number of administrative
positions: principal of North Winneshiek Middle/Senior High School in
Decorah, Iowa; assistant principal of Dodge City Junior High School,
Dodge City, Kansas; principal of Winterset High School in Winterset,
Iowa; associate principal of Shawnee Mission North High School in Johnson
County, Kansas; and as principal of Albert Einstein Middle School in
Sacramento. Peterson earned her B.A. in Business and Physical Education
from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. She received her M.A.
in Secondary Leadership from Iowa State University and an Education
Specialist degree in educational leadership from Point Loma Nazarene
University in San Diego. Peterson also holds a Ph.D. in Educational
Leadership from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.
Brenda
D. Reid is the new Parent Support and Information
Center Coordinator for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. She is a
veteran educator with 23 years of experience in both Virginia and North
Carolina schools. Her tenure in Virginia Beach schools has included
teaching assignments at Newtown, Corporate Landing, and Hermitage elementary
schools where she served as a special education teacher. She was also
an administrative intern at Newtown and an assistant principal at Birdneck,
Ocean Lakes, and Hermitage elementary schools. Reid served as a special
needs delegate with People to People Ambassadors Program in Cairo, Egypt,
sharing educational strategies, techniques, and curricula used to enhance
the achievement of children with disabilities. She has also served as
an educational consultant for the Training and Technical Assistance
Center at Old Dominion University. Reid holds a Bachelor of Science
in Education from Western Carolina University and a Master of Science
in Education from Old Dominion University. She completed her doctorial
studies at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
where she received a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership.
Elizabeth
Temple was named a dean of students for high school at the
new Renaissance Academy. She began her career in education
as a fourth-grade teacher in south central Los Angeles as a charter
corps member of Teach for America. She moved to middle school teaching
in integrated English/history classrooms in Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey,
and San Ramon, California. Temple joined VBCSP in 2001 as a special
education teacher at Great Neck Middle specializing in children with
learning disabilities/emotional disturbance. She was then named a special
education coordinator in the Office of Programs for Exceptional Children.
Temple is a product of Virginia Beach schools, having graduated from
Cox High School. Her mother, Mary von Kolnitz is a retired English teacher
from Lynnhaven Middle. Temple received her undergraduate degree from
the University of Virginia in foreign affairs. Her master’s degree
in special education was awarded from Old Dominion University.
Leeane
Turnbull is a new assistant principal at Salem High
School. She began her career in education at Arrowhead Elementary
School where she served as a special education teacher assistant. From
there, she worked at Princess Anne Middle School for two years as a
full-time special education teacher. In 2000, she transferred to Ocean
Lakes High School where she continued to teach special education (resource,
inclusion) for seven more years. In addition to her teaching duties,
she served as the assistant student activities coordinator, coached
the varsity/competition cheerleading teams, directed the annual Leadership
Workshop, and co-founded FRESH START, an adventure camp for ninth-grade
students which was awarded the Superintendent’s Quality Award
in its first year. For the past two years, she has served as the school
improvement specialist at Ocean Lakes High School. While attending Old
Dominion University’s Education Specialist program, Turnbull completed
her administrative internship in three locations: Princess Anne Middle
School, the Office of Organizational Development, and Ocean Lakes High
School. Turnbull holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and an M.Ed.
in special education from Old Dominion University. She is a graduate
of First Colonial High School, Class of 1990.
Michael
Vanterpool is the new dean of students at the Renaissance
Academy. Vanterpool spent 24 years in the Navy, retiring in
1997 as a chief warrant officer. He switched careers and began teaching
special education at Lynnhaven Middle School. He also served as the
school’s basketball coach. Under his coaching, the team won the
Northern Division championship in 2003. During his tenure at Lynnhaven
Middle, Vanterpool was recognized as a Distinguished Educator in 2001
and again in 2004. In 2004 he was appointed an assistant principal at
Landstown Middle School. Following his tenure at Landstown Middle, he
was appointed assistant principal at Kempsville High School in July
2007. Vanterpool holds degrees from ODU and most recently the George
Washington University. 
Scott
Ziegler is the new administrative assistant at Bayside
Middle School. He has been a teacher at Tallwood High School
since 1993, teaching a variety of subjects including special education
resource and history. Prior to joining VBCPS, he taught one year as
a sixth-grade special education teacher at Churchland Middle School
and a year as a teacher at the James Barry Robinson Center. In addition
to his administrative duties at Bayside Middle, Ziegler also teaches
in the graduate school of education with the University of Phoenix.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in history from Eastern Nazarene College,
an M.Ed. in Secondary Education also from Eastern Nazarene College,
and an Ed.S. in School Administration from Cambridge College. He has
published articles on the subjects of sexual harassment in the classroom
(Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership) and teacher certification
(Virginia Journal of Education). He also contributed an article
on reducing achievement gaps to Tapestry of Knowledge, IV.