Faculty & Staff

Lower and Middle School Spanish Teacher

Degrees: Pursuing PHD in organizational leadership
M.A. Old Dominion University
B.A. Spanish Education Old Dominion University

Devin became a teacher so that she could share her love of language, culture, and travel! Her passion for culture permeates her classroom in her exuberant teaching style. She loves to dive into the history, celebrations, food and colloquialisms of other countries. Devin is often known for being the ""school mom,"" making connections with the students that far outlast the classroom. She loves teaching the older lower school students and middle school students  because they are able to appreciate the complexities of learning about new cultures and languages while also keeping her up to date with current trends, fashion and music! Devin believes in being a citizen of the world and makes it a priority to travel every chance she gets and stays up to date on social and political movements in many different countries.

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Head of School

Degrees: Masters in Secondary Education from American University
B.A. Muhlenberg College

Mike brings twenty-five years of public and private school education experience to his position as the Head of School at Virginia Beach Friends School. Mike has held teaching and administration positions from coast to coast. Starting his career in Maryland with positions at Georgetown Preparatory School in residence life and Montgomery Blair High School as a 10th and 11th grade English teacher, Mike learned early on that regardless of a school's age, size, or reputation, it's all about the "fit." When the academic "fit" of a school matches a student's personality and goals, the sky's the limit. Mike's administration experiences range from the university level working as an NYU admissions counselor to being the founding admissions director at Stuart Hall High School in San Francisco, a member of Schools of the Sacred Heart in San Francisco. Mike's introduction to Quaker education came in his role as the Dean of Students at Moses Brown School in Providence, RI. Most recently, Mike brings a passion for whole-child education developed during his time as the Assistant Head of School then Head of School at Quest Montessori School in Narragansett, Rhode Island.

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Director of Development

Degrees: Masters in Business Administration, Old Dominion University
B.M. James Madison University

Virginia Beach native, Anna is mother to three young children, who all attend Friends School. She thrives in a fast-paced environment and with three little ones in tow, considers herself a problem solver and task master. After past corporate experience, owning a small business, and a stint as a stay at home mom, Anna eventually found herself in her element when leading the social and fundraising committee at Beach Day School. After a few years volunteering at Beach Day, she now puts her MBA with a background in marketing to use by planning fundraising events and focusing on the growth and development of Friends School. She is thrilled to be part of the Friends School community and of the success of her children’s education here. It’s an exciting time to be part of this organization and she can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Friends School!

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Director of First Adventures at Friends  and Executive Assistant

After spending many years in the legal field, Sarah left her career when her daughter, Zoe, who is enrolled at VBFS in first grade, was six months old. While being a stay-at-home mom, Sarah became Secretary of a local chapter "mom's club", and eventually was voted President. Her responsibilities were to seek out and plan fun and engaging events for children. Now with both of her children enrolled at Friends, Theo is enrolled in the Pre-Kindergarten program, she was hired to be the Director of First Adventure's at Friends, an infant through four year old grown up and me program. The program was planned to begin in the fall of 2020, but with the pandemic, VBFS had to delay the inaugural year of the program until this past Spring! The program is thriving and we are thrilled that Sarah was patient in waiting to show all the work she has put into the First Adventure's program! Sarah is also an executive assistant for the Assistant Head of School and Chief Financial Officer, Candice Jarden, where she provides her organizational and leadership skills for administration.

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Academic Dean

Degrees: B.E.D. University of Toledo
Graduate work at UVA

Sandra is a proactive, pioneering administrator who focuses on the staff and inspires the students. She worked as the Assistant Director and Director at a Montessori school locally for over 8 years and also a teacher at Baylake Pines for 29 years. Her wealth of knowledge in management, methodology and education is precise and plentiful. She is exactly the kind of Academic Dean VBFS needs as we continue to grow our programs.

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All-School Music Teacher

Degrees: B.A in Music, Mount Holyoke College

Caitlin is an accomplished violinist, lover of music and history, and passionate teacher.  She believes exploring music and the arts fosters a lifelong love of learning. Caitlin uses music and technology to connect students with their cultural communities. She has been lucky enough to travel the world to perform and study music from Cusco, Peru, where she played goats’ hooves and cowrie shells with the local children, to the Conservatory of Vienna, where she performed sonatas in 18th century concert halls. She embraces the Suzuki Method and Every Child Can and believes that, when nurtured, every child can achieve great things. Caitlin loves to teach children, but she loves to learn from them even more!

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Librarian

Courtney is an avid reader and lover of books. Starting in Elementary school, she made the Library her home away from home. Now as the VBFS Librarian, she hopes to instill that same love and passion for reading in each and every Friends School student.  Courtney has rebuilt the library program into a special class that aids students in learning the foundations of stories, and to develop the critical thinking skills needed to isolate and understand many different concepts. She hopes the library will forever be a safe place for students to explore and engage new thoughts and ideas. Courtney's three sons are also enrolled at VBFS!

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Middle School History Teacher and Facilities Manager

Degrees: Associates Degree in Liberal Arts - New River Community College
Bachelors of Science in History and Political Science - Radford University
Master in United States History and Government - Ashland University

Danny Grondin is a lifelong resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Danny began his career at Friends School as a soccer coach and PE teacher well over a decade ago. His students describe him as passionate, dedicated, knowledgeable and caring. Throughout his time at Friends, Danny has taught classes in every division and served in a variety of leadership roles within the school community. However, Danny's real passion is teaching history and government in the upper school with a dedication to developing responsible and engaged global citizens. Danny is committed to the belief that our students are the future of the world and as such the ripple effect teachers create can be endless.

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Master Gardener for Experiential Learning

Degree: B.S. Human Service & Counseling, minor in psychology, diversity studies focus, Old Dominion University

Pursuing Masters Degree in Sustainable Regional and Urban Planning, University of Florida 

Rachel has worked in horticulture for over twenty years, beginning at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and presently as the Landscape Coordinator at Old Dominion University. A career horticulturist, she holds an AAS in Horticulture Design and Management, Certifications in Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professional Level 1- Maintenance and Level 2- Design and Installation of conservation and resilient landscapes and completed a 100 hour Permaculture Design Certificate in September 2019. As a 500 hour RYT, Registered Yoga Teacher and Restorative Breathwork Facilitator she is able to introduce breath and body awareness into garden sessions. She loves the excitement and genuine love for the school community, curriculum and project-based learning approach to education here at Friends. Facilitating a relationship between students and the natural world, through the lens of gardening brings her great joy. She is passionate about nature's patterns, cycles and cultivating the understanding of reciprocity between plants and people. Rachel's son is also enrolled at VBFS!

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Pre-Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Degree: A.S., Early Childhood Education, Tidewater Community College

Tanya loves the early childhood program because this is the time when students' personalities blossom and she truly enjoys seeing the "light bulb" go on when they catch on and learn something new. Her favorite subject to teach is math because it involves other disciplines such as phonics, the alphabet, sounds, and correct formation of letters and numbers. Tanya has numerous certifications in specific early childhood learning, such as; emergent drawing, pre-writing skills, foundation blocks and milestones, and sensory solutions. She is also certified in Creative Curriculum, which is the Pre-Kindergarten program at VBFS.   She served as a Sunday School Director for almost 10 years, worked in the public school Pre-K program for 6 years and in a private daycare for 3 years. Her teaching began as a stay at home mother and then home schooled her oldest children. "As  mothers we are all truly the first teachers our children have." Did we mention Tanya has 8 children? Two are teachers and one graduated from Friends School!

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Assistant Head of School and Chief Financial Officer

Degrees: M.S. Wilmington University
B.S. Liberty University

Candice Jarden joined VBFS in July 2019. She has 12 years of independent school experience, of which 9 of them are specifically at Quaker schools. She has a passion for Quaker education and the project-based, experiential learning model at VBFS. Candice enjoys coming to school everyday, where she sees her daughter, Charleston, grow as a student and a community citizen. Charleston is currently enrolled at VBFS in first grade. Candice initially had plans to begin a law career, but joined her first independent school in Maryland at The Salisbury School, and fell in love with the students, faculty and community! From there she went on to Cambridge Friends School in Cambridge, MA and has now planted roots in Virginia Beach when she joined Friends School. As the Assistant Head of School and Chief Financial Officer, Candice manages the finances, human resources, facilities and enrollment at Friends. She is an accomplished independent school administrator, guiding three schools through strategic planning and accreditation processes, along with detailed financial and enrollment management skills.

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Early and Lower School Spanish Teacher

Degree: B.A. Saint Joseph’s University

Maestra Kate became a teacher in order to share her love of speaking the Spanish language; knowing another language is empowering and broadens horizons tremendously. She loves seeing her students gain confidence in their abilities, from new songs to counting and identifying things about themselves and their world in Spanish. She also loves teaching about Hispanic culture and helping them connect with Spanish speaking countries in ways that are meaningful and relatable to them. Maestra's methods of teaching often involve student's full body participation in the learning, which makes her classroom active and fun and also imprints the new knowledge. From raising her own children to teaching Sunday School, every area of her life encompasess teaching and she wouldn't have it any other way.

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S.T.E.A.M Teacher and Early and Lower School Science Teacher

Degrees: Penn State and Old Dominion University

Kate loves teaching S.T.E.A.M and science! She is thrilled to be piloting the S.T.E.A.M program this year for our cottage through fourth graders! The students are in for a treat! Kate initially came to Friends as a parent of a preschooler and fell in love with the school as a parent. After becoming a full time assistant she quickly found her passion for children, and returned to school for education. She hopes her students would describe her as "fun and a little nutty! But always willing to help them with anything." Kate is known for getting her hands dirty in the garden and walking around with snakes draped around her neck. In addition to caring for animals, she loves people too, coming to Friends with over 25 years in the service industry, where she really developed her people skills. Her childhood in Pennsylvania is where she developed her passion for nature. She loves cultivating that shared joy alongside children of all ages, gaining intrinsic rewards from each grade level.

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Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Degrees: B.S in Psychology, Lynchburg College

Marissa is excited to join the VBFS family as the new Kindergarten teacher!  She graduated from Lynchburg College with a bachelor's degree in psychology, and has been working with children ages infant to kindergarten for over 12 years.  Marissa has worked in a variety of settings, from military bases to non-profit organizations, and has served many different types of families throughout her career.  In 2017, she was awarded Teacher of the Year from Washington FAMILY Magazine.  She moved to Virginia Beach two years ago from Northern Virginia, where she grew up.  Marissa loves working with young children and believes that children learn best through active exploration.

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Learning Specialist

Degrees and Certifications: B.S. Psychology George Mason University, M.Ed. Special Education George Mason University, Autism Spectrum Disorders Cert. George Mason University, Registered Behavior Technician

Kaleigh is our new Learning Specialist for the 21-22 school year! Kaleigh has always loved working with children of all ages and abilities. She has also had a close connection to the Friends School community, as she attended and graduated at the top of her class from Friends in the Spring of 2015. Since then, she has continued to learn with the Friends school SPICES instilled within her. She began her collegiate career at George Mason University studying psychology and childhood development. While dedicated to her studies there, she started working with college-aged students with developmental and intellectual disabilities as a specialized tutor, helping students to reach their highest academic potential. In her senior year of college, she shifted gears a bit and started working as a Registered Behavior Therapist for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In this position, she truly found her passion for working with children with learning and behavior challenges.

The families that Kaleigh has worked with over the years describe her as someone who is energetic, intuitive, and supportive. She knows how to reach and connect with children of all ages and abilities, and understands that collaboration with families and teachers is imperative to learning. Watching students succeed in meeting their goals is one of her biggest joys in life, and she can’t wait to make a difference in the Friends School community!

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First and Second Grade Teacher

Degrees: M.S Gifted Education, SUNY Brockport & B.S. Elementary Education, SUNY Buffalo

Born in Ohio, Suzanne grew up in Toronto, Canada. She returned to the USA for university and ended up staying. She has 2 children from her first marriage, was widowed, then remarried Dr. Gary Moss (allergist) and had a 3rd child. Her kids are adults now (sculptor, coastal scientist, NYU student/acting). Suzanne has a professional teaching license from the Virginia Board of Education and is endorsed in elementary education PreK-6 and Gifted Education. Suzanne has 35+ years of teaching and administrative experience in a variety of settings: full time teaching in public schools and private schools for dozens of years. She taught 4^th grade, self-contained gifted in CA. When she moved East, she worked as a K-6 language arts/reading teacher. Other teaching/administrative experiences include: founder of a homeschool co-op; children’s swim program manager; driver’s education instructor; founder of junior naturalist program; long-term substitute science teacher; home daycare operator; owned a commercial preschool in CA; professional reading tutor (qualified as a reading specialist); Norfolk Academy 3 days a week/substitute; managed a gifted summer camp; volunteered at ODU child study center/children created their own books; and more. Five years ago, she opened a small, local business called The Nature Bus. Suzanne has been a life-long educator with a passion for studying alternative educational philosophies, motivation theory, and unique teaching methodologies. She is intrigued by Forest Schools and Nature-based Schools. Her own unique personal teaching style and methods align very well with the Friends Quaker testimonies (S.P.I.C.E.S). She is a proponent of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory, building a sense of community in the classroom, and helping children become intrinsically motivated to learn, and getting to know each student’s unique interests, skills and goals. Suzanne uses a peaceful, relaxed classroom atmosphere as a way to ‘set the stage’ for learning. Whenever possible, Suzanne prefers to teach her lessons outdoors, weather permitting!

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Lower and Middle School Science Teacher

Degrees: Master in Business Administration, Old Dominion University
Bachelor of Science, University of Maryland

Barbara is excited about the 2021-2022 academic year! She is transitioning from teaching kindergarten through twelfth school students at VBFS to teaching science for our third through eighth grade students. Barbara returned to VBFS in 2019 after teaching science from 2001-2006 at Friends. Barbara is a seasoned educator with over twenty years of teaching science in independent schools across Hampton Roads.

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Middle School English Teacher and All-School Drama Teacher

Degree: B.F.A. Emerson College

Megan Murphy graduated Cum Laude from Boston's Emerson College and holds Virginia teaching certifications for Pre-K through 3rd Grade and Middle School English. Prior to her arrival at Friends, Megan owned The Children's Academy for the Arts, a performing and creative arts academy for children. Megan was the recipient of both an ALLI and a Governor's Award for the Arts for her work with Hampton Roads children. Megan currently teaches English in the middle school. She is also the school’s drama teacher. Over the years, she and her family have written and produced several musicals for Friends School students. Megan is an active leader at the school; she has coached the school forensics teams for more than ten years and headed numerous fundraisers on behalf of the Friends School community. For one fundraiser, Megan actually slept on the roof of the Early School building! In addition to her work in the classroom, Megan enjoys creating art and spending time with her family.

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Head of Visual Arts

Degrees: B.F.A. The University of the Arts Philadelphia Studied Abroad at: Illaboratorio per Affresco *Qualified professional technique certified by the Italian Government under Leonetto Tintori

With over 23 years of experience in teaching at MOCA (previously known as the Contemporary Art Center) and 13 years with us at Friends. James inspires students and adults with his amazing artistic skills and talent. He works with every age demographic and specifically enjoys the early childhood group, anticipating the discovery moment when they "get it", which makes all of the hard work worth it. Life drawing, independent film, classical arts and contemporary forms are a few of his favorite lessons to teach. His wealth of knowledge from studying abroad, to extensive field experience and on site experiences at places like the Philadelphia Zoo, glass blowing studios and outdoor adventures, help shape his passion towards art. Ultimately, he became a teacher because he loves sharing what was shared with him- a passion for creating.

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Early Kindergarten Lead Teacher

Degree: B.S. Speech and Language Pathology, Old Dominion University

VBFS is excited to have Lindsey pilot the Early Kindergarten program as the Lead Teacher! Lindsey loves working with preschool aged children and watching them grow throughout the year. She thrives in helping build a strong foundation for learning for our littlest students . It is such a joy for Lindsey to witness children learn new skills and explore interests in their early stages of education. Lindsey specializes in early childhood speech and language development. Lindsey has 9 years of experience with pre-kindergarten students. Before coming to Friends School, Lindsey was employed at the ODU Children's Learning and Research Center. Lindsey is thrilled to be at VBFS and her son Mason is enrolled at VBFS in the Pre-Kindergarten program.

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Lead Cottage Teacher

Degree: AS in Early Childhood Education Bryant and Stratton

Pursuing B.S in Early Childhood Education, Regent University

Tieshia comes to VBFS from Courthouse Montessori School where she was the lead Toddler Teacher for 18 years. She is certified in Infant, Toddler and Twos Montessori Teaching with the North American Montessori Center. Tieshia's Montessori background meshes perfectly with Friends education and the pedagogy of teaching to the whole child. Tieshia instantly and instinctually gravitates to the Quaker testimonies (S.P.I.C.E.S) and sees working in a classroom guided by these values as an extension of the Montessori philosophy, a philosophy that believes teachers act as guides who follow children. Her two sons are also students at VBFS.

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Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher

Degrees: MBA, Mason School of Business at the College of William and Mary

BA in Art History, College of William and Mary

Barbara joined VBFS in the fall of 2020 as the First/Second Grade Teacher Assistant and yoga teacher. For 2021-2022, Barbara will be transitioning to a new position as the Pre-Kindergarten Assistant Teacher with Teacher Tanya! We are excited for her to join the robust group of teachers in the Early Childhood program! Barbara has decades of experience around child development and teaching yoga to young students. She is a yoga certified teacher, certified in pre-natal yoga and Ayurvedic Wellness. Attending a local independent school in her youth, Barbara has been around independent schools her entire life and brings her skills to enhance the Pre-Kindergarten program. Her son Mason is also enrolled at VBFS in sixth grade.

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3rd & 4th Grade Teacher

Degrees: M.S. Education, University of Miami Florida
Bachelors in Anthropology, Binghamton University

Dafna Sonnenthal is a career educator who has worked with children and adults in primary, secondary, and college level programs. She is a certified licensed educator for third through sixth grade, and for teaching English as a second language for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. She has taught in inner-city public schools as well as at one of the nation's oldest private academies. A highlight of her early career was having Queen Elizabeth visit her classroom in Miami to showcase her English as a Second Language students and curriculum. Dafna has taught at the Virginia Beach Friends School for over a decade. Here she has enjoyed melding the high ideals of the Quaker social and spiritual framework with innovative methods for optimizing student appreciation and learning of today's subject matter. Beyond the classroom, Dafna loves the art of photography, and is always looking to capture compelling moments with families, children and surfers against the natural beauty in and around Virginia Beach. She and her husband live in Virginia Beach and currently have two Friends early-school alumni attending university.

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Cottage Assistant Teacher

Degree: AS in Physical and Recreation Education from The Callao National University

Maritza Sutyak joined VBFS in 2019 as the Extended Day Specialist and Kindergarten Assistant. She transitioned to the Cottage Assistant Teacher position in the fall of 2020 and teamed up with her long-time friend and co-educator from Courthouse Montessori, Teacher Tieshia.  Maritza is certified as an Early Childhood Professional with The Cares Association. Maritza has fifteen years of experience with infants to three years  in a classroom setting as an assistant teacher. Previously, for five years, Maritza was a swim instructor teaching students ages one to twelve and coached volleyball for three years. She has numerous early childhood certifications in toddler development and guidance, cultural diversity, literacy play, and outdoor learning environments.

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Guidance Counselor and Director of Student Life and Diversity

Degrees: M.A. Sociology Old Dominion University
B.S. Speech Pathology and Audiology and Human Services Counseling, Old Dominion University

Dee has worked with children and young adults ages 5- 21 for more 20 years providing community-based services to ensure at risk families are able to acquire the necessary skills to keep the family unit intact. She has also worked with Hampton Roads Public schools to provide counseling and case management services to students who were at risk of losing their educational placement due to mental health and/or behavioral issues.  Teacher Dee is a strong advocate of Social Emotional Education and believes strong social skills are essential to academic and life success. Her personal passions include attending spoken word performances and writing short stories and essays. Our student population is so fortunate to have her caring heart and knowledgeable insight.

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Office Manager

Roberta is the best Office Manager around. She doesn't just work for one administrator, she works for multiple and she does so beautifully! Roberta has worn many hats at VBFS since 2011 - subbing as a teacher's assistant, school purchasing and helping the front office. She also assisted in the Business and Development Office. As a Friends School parent, her daughter Courtney graduated in 2015. She moved to Virginia Beach from New York; and worked 25 years for Lillian Vernon as a Supervisor, Manager of Quality Call handling, and 2 years as an accounting associate for an Apartment Community.

She has completed various classes for business leadership through Tidewater Community College and attended many workshops on leadership roles for women and telephone skills. In her spare time, Roberta enjoys cooking, inventing spice blends and travelling when she can. Mostly, her role as a mom to a law student is the most rewarding!

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Athletic & Special Programs Director, PE Teacher

Degree: B.A. Old Dominion University

Jason has been with the VBFS community since 2009, where he started as the head coach of our girls' volleyball program. He transitioned to a full-time teaching capacity in the fall of 2014, and then into his role as an administrator in the fall of 2018. Jason most enjoys teaching the early childhood and elementary students. He is passionate about helping our younger students develop and cultivate a life-long passion for health and wellness while enjoying all of the social advantages that physical education has to offer. In his role as an administrator, Jason helps to facilitate and manage all athletic programs, the extended day program, summer camp program, non-athletic co-curricular activities, and coordinates all third-party rentals for the school.

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