We are pleased to announce that Missy Craighill will serve as the Advancement Associate, effective July 17. Missy will replace Laurie Sommardahl in the Advancement Office, as Laurie, a former teacher, will begin teaching first grade with Betsy Layne this fall. Through her professional experience, Missy has worked closely with students, teachers, parents, and donors. For the past three years, Missy has worked as the Administrative Assistant and Special Events Coordinator at New Vistas School where she coordinated their annual special event fundraiser, secured gifts from donors, managed front office operations, provided administrative support for teachers, assisted with the school's newsletter design, and organized various events for the school. Missy also worked as an Administrative Assistant for the Laurel Regional Program. Missy attended Peace College and has lived in Lynchburg for the past twenty-six years. She has three grown children, Lawton, 27, Stuart, 26, and Mercer, 18. Missy will be a welcome addition to James River Day School and will provide experience and support for development, admissions, and marketing.
Senora Grace Aguilera hired to teach Spanish.
Senora Aguilera will teach grades K-4, 7, and one 8th grade course. She joins Senora Taylor and Madame Royer in the World Languages Department. Grace is a 2008 graduate of James River Day School, 2012 graduate from VES, and received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Mary Washington in 2016.
While enrolled at Mary Washington, Grace spent time in two study-abroad programs in Ecuador. The first took her to the Ecuadorean capital, Quito, for a semester, and the second to the Universidad de Cuenca for a year and a half. She is certified in oral Spanish proficiency and taught Spanish lin 2016-17 at VES. This summer, Grace is running our summer library program. She also happens to be Senora Taylor's daughter.
Nancy Cook joins the Technology Staff.Mrs. Cook will teach grades K-4 technology courses and assist in kindergarten. Last year, Nancy was a long term substitute in second grade, and we are delighted she is returning in this new capacity. Nancy Cook began her teaching career at Brookneal Elementary School as a kindergarten teacher, 2013-2016. She earned her B.A. from Sewanee: University of the South and her elementary education teaching certificate from the University of Richmond, School of Professional and Continuing Studies.
Beginning this fall, Laurie Sommardahl will teach first grade, Lindsay Klein will teach third grade, Ali Cox will return to second grade, and Meghan Cook will become the Media Center Coordinator.
Sarah Glass, Kristen Cook, Amal Boujenna, Mike Brogan, and Nancy O'Brien will be pursuing other ventures in the future. We will miss them, and we wish them all the best.