Carol received her undergraduate degree from the University of Richmond and immediately began a career in Quality Control at Whittaker General Medical in Richmond, Virginia. After several years, she felt "the call" to teach and so returned to school at Virginia Tech where she received a master's degree in Science Curriculum and Instruction. Thirty-three years later she retired from Northumberland High School and began a new teaching career at SMS in the fall of 2015. Carol lives in Heathsville with her husband Donn, also a retired teacher, and their cat, Roger. They are the proud parents of a daughter, Lara, who resides in Richmond.
With an impressive background as a research chemist, Mrs. Brooks works every day to inspire her students with her love of science. Unfailingly patient and enthusiastic about her subject matter, in 2005 Mrs. Brooks was the first recipient fo the John T. Rice Award for excellence in teaching. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Brooks is also the day student sponsor. Mrs. Brooks lives off campus with her husband, Jeff and her daughters Ligon '07 and Corbin '09
Blake Brunner teaches World History, European History and World Literature. In his history and literature courses, he hopes that students will come to understand how human production and exchange form the basis of our social structures.
Mr. Brunner also participates in the Outdoor Adventures program at St. Margaret's. He has been an avid outdoorsman since his own time in high school, and he enjoys accompanying the students in kayaking and trekking throughout the Rappahannock River area.
Mr. Brunner holds a B.A. in writing from Johns Hopkins University and an M.A. in international relations from Boston University.
Ms. Doucette received her Master of Arts in English from the University of Arizona. She brings with her nearly three decades of experience teaching high school English and coaching various sports. She has a passion for athletics, specifically soccer, basketball, softball and volleyball. No stranger to boarding school, Ms. Doucette, attended Choate Rosemary Hall where she graduated cum laude. Ms. Doucette resides on campus and is looking forward to the opportunity to support our girls both in the classroom and on the sidelines.
Elizabeth Hanson serves as St. Margaret's CFO and teaches AP Calculus. She is a graduate of St. Catherine's School in Richmond and a proud Navy veteran. Having taught at the college and high school level, Elizabeth has spent the last decade working in school operations and finance. She is excited to join the SMS team and return to her roots in an Episcopal girls school.
Elizabeth holds a B.A. in Mathematics from the Williams College, a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Michigan, as well as a certificate in Educational Leadership from the University of RIchmond.
Beth recently retired from the Chesterfield County Public School System as the Manager of Technology Integration and Instruction. Prior to her positions in technology, Beth taught Chorus, General Music and Drama. She is teaching Treble Choir, Music History, Technical Theater and Drama History and will be directing the winter drama activity and accompanying on the organ for our chapel services.
A certified art educator for the state of Virginia, Rayana joins the St. Margaret’s team as an art teacher, bringing classroom experience from schools in Hanover, Chesterfield, and Richmond, Virginia. She has served as an education intern with both Art on Wheels in Chesterfield and the Visual Arts Center in Richmond, while instructing and supporting multiple programs through the Visual Arts Center and Brilliant Summer Day Camp. Rayana holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Rayana joins the residential team and will sponsor afternoon activities in addition to her teaching work in the beautiful SMS art space.
Jennifer Howard is the chair of the Math Department and teaches a variety of math courses. Her favorite class to teach is Calculus, because it is the class that made her fall in love with the subject area. She believes that the study of math enhances student's ability to problem solve and think logically through situations.
In addition to her work in math, Ms. Howard is the Dean of Residential Life. During her time in college, she was a resident advisor and enjoyed working in the residential realm. The marrying of her love of math and residential brought her to St. Margaret's. She enjoys getting to watch her students grow and learn in all aspects of their lives. She also likes to share her passion for music and baking with the community as much as possible.
Ms. Howard comes to St. Margaret's from Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a B.A. in Mathematics from Wesleyan College in Macon, GA.
Jovita is a graduate of Rappahannock High School in Warsaw, Virginia, and Virginia Commonwealth University. After college, she worked as a Mortgage Underwriter for Union Bank and Bank of America. After a few years of underwriting, Jovita discovered that she enjoyed teaching others proper underwriting technique. She decided to pursue a position in Training and Development at Bank of America and it was there that her love for teaching blossomed. Anxious to follow her passion, Jovita enrolled in the Career Switcher Program and then completed her education certification in Secondary Mathematics. She served in the public school system for 10 years for Northumberland County before joining the St. Margaret's staff. She has a five year old daughter and the two reside in McCuan dorm.
Nichole grew up in Tappahannock, Virginia and attended St. Margaret's as a day student. She graduated from SMS in 2011 and went to Mary Baldwin College. Nichole earned her Bachelors in Political Science with minors in Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution and Business Management. Upon graduation from college, Nichole accepted a teaching position with Teach For America. She taught 8th grade Special Education in Rocky Mount, North Carolina for three years before deciding to return to SMS. Nichole lives on campus as a Hall Adult with her dog Rainy. She spends her summers working as an Assistant Camp Director at a residential YMCA camp.
David Lasson, who has taught kindergarten, college sophomores, and many grades in between, currently teaches in the English Department and serves as Dean of Studies. He has done advanced academic work in medieval languages and literatures, drama, and was named an NEH Visiting Scholar in seminars devoted to Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War and Milton's Paradise Lost. He has run academic programs for middle and high school students on the Duke, Berkeley, and Stanford campuses. His international postings include teaching and administrative positions in Italy and China. His past community work includes serving as Special Assistant to the Artistic and Executive Directors at San Francisco's Lorraine Hansberry Theater, and as a mentor docent at the Getty Villa Museum in Los Angeles. David's degrees are from the University of California, Berkeley, and The University of Texas at Austin; his academic honors include recognition by the UCB Committee on Medieval Studies (for study in Siena, Italy) and election to Phi Beta Kappa.
Rebecca is from Walkerton, Virginia, and she is a 2011 graduate of St. Margaret's. She then went to Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia and graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and French.
ShaDonna is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where she received her Bachelors in Psychology. While attending VCU she was a member of the award winning Black Awakening Choir. She now serves as the Administrative Assistant Intern in the Office of School Life, and as a Hall Adult, Class Sponsor and sponsor to both WE Productions and Soulful Voices.
Mrs. Carlson is originally from Canada. She started her work for St. Margaret’s School in 2006 as a part-time driver. This position quickly evolved to include other duties, especially for the residential offices. She then worked full-time in the School Life and Academic Offices in a support position before continuing her transition to the academic side. She lives near Tappahannock with her husband, Ken, their dog, Bella, and 3 cats, KC, Lucy, and Ginger.
Christy joined the St. Margaret’s team in the summer as the school nurse and immediately began implementing safety measures to support the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is an instrumental teammate in the planning for a healthy and safe re-opening. Christy has more than 20 years of experience as a registered nurse through Bon Secours Richmond Health System and holds her Associates Degree in Nursing from Rappahannock Community College and J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College. Christy is also the parent of a Class of 2021 student at St. Margaret’s.
Christina joined the St. Margaret's School team in 2019 after nearly a decade in fundraising development for nonprofit organizations. She received her Master of Arts (’14) and Bachelor of Arts (’10) from George Mason University in History. As an undergraduate student, she became a member of the women’s fraternity Alpha Xi Delta, Order of Omega Greek Honor Society, and she embraced the opportunity to study history and philosophy abroad in Ireland, Greece, and Turkey.
Christina lives in the Northern Neck with her family. During her free time, she likes to travel, explore museums and historic sites, and spend time outdoors and along the river. She enjoys working in an educational setting and is committed to helping others realize their potential.
An alumna from the Class of 2000, Cameron looks forward to working with students and families in her new role as School Counselor, having served as Director of Enrollment Management from 2015-2019. Prior to this, she held social work positions at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System for nearly a decade. She received her Master of Social Work and Certificate in Gerontology from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Edwina Bell arrives at St. Margaret's with a vast amount of independent school experience and was a women's policymaker as the Director of the Office for Women in Louisville, KY.
As an accomplished development and alumni relations professional she has served in independent schools from New England to the Midwest and worked on the collegiate level. She was recognized by both Association of Fundraising Professionals and National Association of Women Business Owners, a testimony in the dimension of her work
St. Margaret's School P.O. Box 158 Tappahannock, VA 22560 T: 804-443-3357 admit@sms.org
Episcopal girls' school for boarding and day, grades 8-PG, on the banks of the Rappahannock River in Virginia.
