Jamar Arvin Position: Associate principal for class of 2026 Years teaching: 19 College/universities: Virginia State University, University of Phoenix, and Liberty University Fun fact: “I played alto saxophone.”
Tia Colon Position: Art II and Ceramics I, II, and III teacher Years teaching: First year teaching College/universities: Virginia Commonwealth University Fun fact: “I’m pretty good at creating realistic portraits.”
Tea Beerley Position: Exceptional Education teacher in Biology and Economics Years teaching: First year teaching College/universities: Liberty University Fun fact: “I was a competitive figure skater my whole life and coached figure skating as my first job ever!
Dave Coppage Position: Geometry teacher Years teaching: 19 College/universities: Virginia Commonwealth University Fun fact: When Coppage was in high school, he “rocked out” to Boston, ACDC, and Chuck Mangione in his red and white VW van.
Katarina Dabney Position: Personal Development and Algebra I teacher Years teaching: 4 College/universities: Reynolds Community College, Liberty University, and Mary Baldwin University Fun Fact: “I am obsessed with decorating my yard to the max for the holiday seasons!”
Jillian Fitzgerald Position: Daily Living Skills, Vocational Emphasis, VA and US History, and World History I teacher Years teaching: First year teaching College/universities: Longwood University Fun fact: “I can eat over 30 pieces of sushi.”
Josh Gentry Position: Health and PE 9 and 10 teacher Years teaching: 8 College/universities: University of Pittsburgh and Virginia Commonwealth University Fun Fact: “I can play the harmonica, I’m learning to play the guitar, and I used to play the drums.”
Kent Givens Position: Algebra II and PreCalc/Trig teacher Years teaching: 14 College/universities: James Madison University Fun Fact: “I sing, play lots of instruments, dabbled in musical endeavors, and I owned every math class I ever took.”
Jason Golos Position: English 10 and English 12 teacher Years teaching: 28 College/universities: University of Virginia Fun Fact: Golos was born in Brooklyn and raised in Oceanside, New York. He has also lived in Charlottesville, San Francisco, and Richmond.
Alex Gomez Position: Exceptional Education teacher Years teaching: 11 College/universities: Florida International University and Grand Canyon University Fun Fact: “I like art and painting. I am also a Puerto Rican folk dancer.”
Liz Hale Position: Art I and Art II teacher Years teaching: 12 College/universities: Longwood University and Virginia Commonwealth University Fun Fact: “I’m great at cooking and baking.”
Dalen Isom Position: Spanish II and IV teacher Years teaching: 6 College/universities: George Mason University Fun Fact: Isom is a surfer, music producer and sound engineer, language learner, loves yoga, and has primitive survival skills.
Theresa Katz Position: School Counselor Years teaching: 25 College/universities: SUNY-Fredonia and University at Buffalo Fun Fact: “When I was in high school, I was vice president of my senior class.”
Brittany McFarlane Position: Algebra I and Geometry teacher Years teaching: 5 College/universities: Virginia Tech Fun Fact: McFarlane’s favorite TV show is ‘Rick and Morty.’
Sherry Merritte Position: Registrar College/universities: East Carolina University Fun Fact: Merritte enjoys cooking and baking.
Julie Rajappa Position: Geometry Exceptional Education teacher Years teaching: 10+ College/universities: University of Maryland and John Hopkins University Fun Fact: Rajappa’s special talents include singing, dancing, and gardening.
Jacob Thomas Position: Exceptional Education teacher Years teaching: 5 College/universities: Virginia Tech Fun Fact: Thomas says his special talent is being a “Connect 4 champ.”
Allison Zoldork Position: AFDA and Honors PreCalc teacher Years teaching: First year teaching College/universities: Christopher Newport University Fun Fact: “My favorite TV series is One Tree Hill.”
Additional New Staff:
Not Pictured:
Sophia Dy Position: African American History, AP Government, and Honors Government teacher Years teaching: First year teaching College/universities: Old Dominion University Fun Fact: “When I was in high school, I had everyone believe that my last name is Gosling because I love Ryan Gosling.” Cathy Klosenburg Position: Honors Geometry teacher Years teaching: 45 College/universities: Ohio State University, University of Miami, and NOVA University Fun Fact: “I met the Beatles when they were on the ‘Ed Sullivan Show.’” Nora Lesko Position: Honors Government and World History I teacher College/universities: Emmanuel College Fun Fact: “I used to teach at Freeman High School and Hermitage High School.” Will Wood Position: Exceptional Education teacher Years teaching: First year teaching College/universities: James Madison University Fun Fact: “My special talent is being able to multitask pretty well.”
photo courtesy Walker Cosby
