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Administration

Charles E. Britton, Jr.
Head of School

Bachelor of Science, Lynchburg College
Master of Liberal Arts, University of Richmond
 

With 14 years of school administration experience, Charles’ passion for independent schools started in high school at Christchurch School where he later became the Assistant Director of Admissions and a Development Associate. He was the Admissions Director at Highland School before working in the development office at the University of Richmond. Prior to joining GSES, Charles was the middle school division head and Director of Admissions at Chesapeake Academy. His relationship with GSES began when he completed his Master’s externship by developing the school’s admissions process, later joining the Board of Trustees. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Jennifer and their dog, Frisco, as well as golf, tennis, traveling and cooking.

 
Early Education Division

Jayne Bryant
Division Head, Early Childhood
Junior Kindergarten 5/Kindergarten Teacher
Bachelor of Science, Marymount University
 

For 17 years, Jayne has enjoyed teaching children as they learn through doing, singing, playing and allowing lots of time to ask questions and explore. She shares her love of science by incorporating child-directed experiments and animal studies in her classroom. She’s not afraid to be silly to encourage students to participate or try something new. Her hobbies include listening to music, wine tasting, yoga, walking and reading books on child development.

 

Kitty Ashton
Pre-Kindergarten/Junior Kindergarten 4 Teacher
Early Childhood Education, Southern Seminary
 

For 27 years, Kitty has provided fun opportunities for young children to grow socially, emotionally, intellectually and creatively in her preschool classroom. When sharing silly songs, storytelling and dramatic play with her students she sometimes forgets she’s not 3 years old! Her structured classroom is balance with lots of creativity especially art and crafts. She enjoys herb gardening, reading and her two Scottie dogs.

 

Jackie Barden
Pre-Kindergarten/Junior Kindergarten 4 Aide
Extended Day Care

 

Jackie is celebrating her 17th year at GSES!  Students love her soft-spoken, patient and caring personality. She loves to see children’s faces when they learn something new. Every day is fun as she shares her creativity and love of arts and crafts with our students in Pre- Kindergarten and EDC.

 

Jean Eubank
Junior Kindergarten 5/Kindergarten Aide

 

Jean has been teaching for 24 years and returned to the neighborhood where she grew up when she started working at GSES five years ago. Her nurturing and patient teaching style creates a caring environment for children to thrive. As a teacher, her greatest joy is watching children grow, learn and develop. She enjoys Sudoku, reading and water aerobics.

 

 

 

 

 
Lower School Division

Stephanie Eastham
3rd/4th/5th Grade Teacher - Division Head, Lower School
Language Arts Teacher, 4th and 5th grades;
Science Teacher, 4th and 5th grades
Bachelor of Fine Arts, University of Georgia
Masters in the Art of Teaching, Lewis and Clark College
 

In her 8th year of teaching, Stephanie challenges her students to take social and academic risks in a safe and supportive environment. She shares her love of art and photography by creating a creative, student-centered classroom. Her hobbies include hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, martial arts and traveling.

 

Cynthia Lee
First/Second  Grade Teacher
Bachelor of Science, Fisk University
 

With 20 years of teaching experience, Cynthia’s love of children is reflected in her warm, nurturing classroom, and this supportive environment allows children to rise to their high expectations. Her interests include football, sign language, music, golf, reading, gardening and walking. During the football season, her husband is a “football widower.”

 

Michael Floyd
3rd/4th/5th Grade Teacher / Computer Teacher / EDC
Social Studies and Science Teacher, 4th and 5th grades;
Math Teacher, 4th and 5th grades

Bachelor of Arts, East Carolina University
 

With sitting in the front seat of roller coasters as a “favorite activity,” it’s no wonder why the students love Michael. He motivates his students to be active learners, and his students’ grasp of new facts and concepts motivate him. It’s a winning combination in the classroom that results in academic success. And how many students can say their teacher is also a Civil War Reenactor?


Blake C. Chapman
Bachelor of Arts, William and Mary
Classroom Aide for 1st/2nd
EDC

Blake joins GSES this year as the Classroom Aide for 1st/2nd, and is a part of the EDC team welcoming those families and students who take advantage of the daily early morning drop-off (7 AM - 8 AM). Blake was most recently with the Weinstein JCC Preschool serving as a substitute, assistant and Lead Teacher. She has worked for Richmond Goodwill Industries as a Program Manager, has been the Director of Education and School Director for Beta Tech Career College, a Center Director for Kaplan Educational, a Director of Education for Huntington Learning Center, and an Associate Center Director for Sylvan Learning Center. Blake's ideal educational philosophy involves a traditional approach emphasizing the "three r's" within a relaxed atmosphere, subsequently allowing for flexibility and creativity which inevitably produces those magical teachable moments. She enjoys movies, reading and nature, and loves GSES for it to her is the "whole package", encompassing strong academics, extra-curricular opportunities, low student-teacher ratios, and an overall positive familial environment. Blake is excited and honored to be a part of the GSES Faculty.

 
Middle School Academy

Amy Broocke 
Director of Instructional Support, PK-8th grade
Bachelor of Arts, College of William and Mary
Master of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University
Post Graduate Education, Virginia Tech


With 16 years of teaching experience, Amy’s teaching certification includes a broad endorsement in history and social science (6th-12th) and a learning specialist (K-12th). Students are active learners in her classroom as they engage in interactive games and activities to teach math concepts. As a learning specialist, she helps students find their strengths and identify their learning style. She enjoys reading, swimming and playing with her daughter.
 
Michelle Bowen
Middle School Math and Science
Bachelor of Science, Virginia Wesleyan College


In her 20th year of teaching, Michelle has experience teaching a variety of elementary and middle school grade levels and subjects. Her students enjoy creative and hands-on activities to demonstrate concepts, for example, understanding DNA replication by building DNA strands with licorice and marshmallows. Graphs, charts and projects create an engaging learning environment. She enjoys reading and making jewelry.

 

Shannon Revere
Middle School Humanities (Language Arts and Social Studies)


Shannon joins us after spending five years teaching at Providence Middle School. An undergraduate degree from Longwood University, Shannon earned her Masters in Teaching from Mary Baldwin College. She is licensed by the State of VA (Concentration: Middle School Language Arts and Social Studies). Shannon is so very excited to meet each of our students and families.

 

Rachel Gelder
Middle School Spanish
Bachelor of Arts, University of Mary Washington
Master of Anthropology, Duke University


Rachel brings her enthusiasm for different cultures into the classroom as she makes learning Spanish more than just about learning a language.  She chose to be a middle school teacher because she believes these are the years that students develop a love of learning and an ethic of social responsibility. Her hobby of gardening – with a particular interest in local farming and community gardens  is just one example of her leading by example and working for the betterment of her community.
 

 
Co-Curricular Faculty

Lourdes Cardounel
Spanish Teacher, Kindergarten through 5th grade
Bachelor of Arts, Escuela Normal de Maestros, Camaquey, Cuba


Before coming to GSES ten years ago, Lourdes traveled to Spain for 15 summers with young college students to expose them to Spanish language and culture. She enjoys sharing her stories and experiences growing up in her native Spanish culture in Cuba. Her leisure time is spent with her family, traveling, cooking and knitting.

 

Jerry Cassell
Physical Education, Pre-K through 8th / Coach /
Pre-K and JK Pre-Spanish / Pre-K through 3rd Science Lab
Bachelor of Arts, Virginia Tech
Virginia State University, Teacher Licensure


With 18 years of teaching experience, Jerry shares his belief that every child has the capacity to learn and every circumstance presents an opportunity to teach. Leading by example, he encourages his students and athletes to do their best, respect others and be good citizens. He enjoys gardening, fishing, cooking, music and art.

 

Colleen Heller
Music and Drama Programs, Pre-K through 8th 

Chapel Programs Coordinator


Colleen is presently the Center Director and Primary Teacher for Music Together of Southside Richmond. In conjunction with this position, Colleen leads a weekly class for students in both a parent/child setting at the Montessori Center for the Child. Also, she has been a private music lessons instructor for Shady Grove YMCA. Colleen has participated in the Collegium Musicum program through S.U.N.Y, New Paltz, and holds an A.S. Business Administration Degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is a candidate for a BS in Natural Health Sciences form Clayton College of Natural Health (September 2009). Colleen's principle instruments are Flute and Soprano Recorder, and she is proficient on the Alto and Tenor Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Bass Guitar, and Tenor Recorder. Most recently, Colleen has performed with the Savannah Winds (Savannah, GA), and before working with this group was a member of the Los Angeles Pierce Symphonic Winds. She has performed with the Hudson Valley Wind Symphony (White Plains, NY), as well. 


Margy Gagermeier
Art Teacher
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Virginia Commonwealth University


Margy’s warm and friendly personality has been a fixture at GSES for 15 years. Her creativity has inspired GSES students for the past eight years as their art teacher. Her love for art goes beyond the classroom – in summers she is a Children’s Art Educator at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. She was a professional artist for 12 years and painted a 5’x10’ triptich painting which hangs in her living room. She enjoys teaching the students “How to Make Art” and relating art to the cultures of the past.