Betsy Layne

Appointed in 2012 to teach first grade at James River, Mrs. Layne is now our Reading Specialist helping our younger students become strong readers. She loves working with children. In fact, she began babysitting when she was eleven years old and has been working with children ever since. Prior to coming to James River, she taught first grade in Charleston, South Carolina, and was a kindergarten teacher and a Reading Specialist in Amherst County Schools for 15 years.

Betsy made the change to James River Day School because "Everyone is cheerful and JRDS is such a warm environment ... I love coming to work every day and being with such awesome children and co-workers."

Betsy and her siblings grew up in East Aurora, which is a small town outside of Buffalo, New York. When it was time for college, Betsy headed south, attending Elon College in North Carolina, where she majored in elementary education. She was attracted to the milder weather and Elon's beautiful campus. She also met her husband there! She has gone on to attain her Master's Degree in reading from the University of Virginia. Betsy and her family live in Lynchburg. Her husband, Allen, is a local business owner and they have two children, Gabriella and Turner. With her always busy life, Betsy still manages to find time to travel and visit family and friends.