Faculty and Staff

Mr. Anderson earned his B.S. from Lynchburg College. Todd joined James River's faculty in 1999.

Mrs. Bendall was hired in January 2022 as our school nurse. She earned her B.S.N. from the University of Lynchburg.

Mrs. Berkley earned a B.A. from Virginia Tech and a Master's of Music Ed. from the University of Maryland-College Park. She joined James River's faculty in 2010.

Mrs. Briggs received a B.A.S. in Elementary Ed. from the University of Minnesota and an M.S. in Special Ed. from St. Cloud State. She joined the faculty of JRDS in 2023.

Mrs. Butler joined the staff of JRDS in January 2022.

Mrs. Cary earned a B.S. in Education from the University of Georgia and a Master's of Human Services from Liberty University. She joined the JRDS faculty in 2025.

Mrs. Cecil earned a B.A. from Concordia University. She joined the JRDS faculty in 2025.

Mrs. Crowther has a B.A. from Clemson University and an M.A. from Hollins University. Meghan joined James River's faculty in 2014.

Mrs. Davis earned her B.S. and M.S. from West Virginia University. Michelle joined the administrative staff in 2019.

Mrs. Dodson earned a B.A. in English and a Master's in Teaching from the University of Virginia. She joined James River's faculty in 2025.

Mrs. Eccles earned her B.A. at Lynchburg College & her M.F.A. at Bennington College. She joined James River's faculty in 2022.

Mr. Farley earned a Bachelor's of Music Ed. from the University of Cincinnati and an M.Ed. from the University of Virginia. He joined our administrative staff in 2023.

Ms. Felder earned her B.F.A. from Winthrop University and her M.F.A. from Clemson. Ashley joined James River's faculty in 2023.

Mr. Gillum earned his B.S. from the College of Charleston and an M.S. from Minnesota State-Mankato. He joined the JRDS faculty in 2012.

Ms. Guard earned her B.S. from Towson, her M.A. from George Mason, and her M.Ed. in Science Ed. from Lynchburg College. She joined our faculty in 2013.

Mrs. Heishman joined James River in 2014. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Columbia International University.

Dr. Hellewell earned her B.A. in History and Studio Art from the UVA and her M.D. from the Medical College of Virginia. Sarah joined the JRDS faculty in 2019.

Joining our faculty in 2025, Mrs. Kerstetter earned her B.M.E. and her Master's of Music from Liberty University.

Sarah Knapp earned her B.S. and her M.Ed. from Virginia Tech. Mrs. Knapp joined the JRDS faculty in 2025.

Mrs. Koscielny earned her B.A. from V.C.U., her M.Ed. from the Univ. of Lynchburg, and her M.F.A. from the Maryland Institute of Art. Mrs. Koscielny was hired in 2022.

Ms. Laing earned her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Concord University. She joined the James River staff in 2024.

Mrs. Lawrence earned her B.S. in Elementary Studies from Ferrum College. She joined our faculty in 2022.

Mrs. Layne earned a B.A. in Elementary Ed. at Elon College and a Master's Degree in Reading from the University of Virginia. Betsy joined our faculty in 2012.

Ms. Leffel earned her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Lynchburg College. She was hired in 2025.

Ms. Lesko earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia. Sarah was hired in 2012.

Mrs. Lindsay earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Florida and an M.A. in Education. She became our Head of School in 2023.

Mrs. Lucado earned her B.S. in Child Psychology from Hollins University. She joined our faculty in 2023.

Hollyday holds a B.S. in Health & Exercise Science from Gettysburg College and an M.S. in Special Education from the University of Phoenix. She joined the JRDS faculty in 2022.

Ms. McDonald holds a Bachelor’s in Special Education and a Master’s of Education in Instructional Technology, both from Liberty University. Taylor joined the James River Day School faculty in 2024.

Mr. Oliver holds a B.A. in English and Violin Performance from the College of Wooster (Ohio). He joined our faculty in 2001.

Mrs. Owen holds a Bachelor's in Psychology and Sociology, plus a Master's in Arts in Teaching, from Mary Baldwin College. She joined the James River faculty in 2020.

Mrs. Parker holds a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Fine Art from the College of William and Mary. Ann joined the administrative team in 2005.

Mrs. Rhodes holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Elementary Education from Salem College (N.C.). She joined the faculty of James River in 2010.

Mrs. Rini has a B.A. in Psychology with a Special Education endorsement from the University of Lynchburg. She joined the faculty of James River in 2022.

Mr. Salatino joined the staff of James River Day School in 2025.

Mrs. Shenigo holds a B.A. in Elementary Education from Sacred Heart University. She joined James River's faculty in 2020.

Mrs. Smith holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of Lynchburg and a Master of Education in Sports Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. She joined the staff of JRDS in 2024.

Mrs. Staley received her B. S. in Special Education from Appalachian State University and holds an M.Ed. from The Citadel. She joined the faculty of James River in 2005.

Mr. Stanley joined the staff at James River in 2013.

Mrs. Sydnor earned her B.A. in history from Randolph-Macon Woman's College and received her Master of Education from Sweet Briar College. She joined the faculty of JRDS in 1996.

Sra. Taylor earned degrees in journalism and Spanish from Lynchburg College. She joined the faculty of James River Day School in 2004.

Sra. Walker holds a bachelor's degree from George Mason University and an M.Ed. from Longwood University. She joined the JRDS faculty in 2024.

Mrs. Webster holds a Bachelor's of Individualized Study from George Mason University. She joined the faculty of James River in 2023.

Ms. Wiggins holds a B.S. in P.E. from Longwood University, an M.Ed. from James Madison, and a Master's of Sports Psychology from U.Va. She joined our faculty in 2014.

Mrs. Woods holds a B.A. in Education from the University of Wales. He joined the faculty here in 2019.

Mrs. Wright earned a B.A. in Art from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College and holds an M.Ed. from the University of Lynchburg. She joined the faculty at James River in 2015.