Member | Blue Ridge Christian School

All Administration Athletics High School Lower School Middle School Music Preschool Specialists Staff

Karen Shomo

Head of School

Karen holds a M.Ed. in Education Administration from Boston College and a BA in English from Bowdoin College, along with ACSI Principal Certification.

Eric Codding

Upper School Principal

Eric is a graduate of Wheaton College, with a BA in Ancient Languages and an MA in Theological Studies.

Mary Beth Anderson

Academic Dean and Guidance Counselor

Mary Beth is a graduate of Eastern Nazarene College with a BA in Social Work, and Boston University, with a Master of Social Work focusing on Children and Families. She is a licensed social worker.

Carolyn Paradzinski

Development and Admissions Director

Carolyn is a graduate of Bridgewater College with a BA in English Education and Secondary Education and a minor in Theater and Communications.

Amy Good

Business Manager

Amy is a James Madison University Duke with a MBA in Business Administration, along with a BS in Public Administration and minor in Economics.

Daniel Padilla

Athletic Director

Daniel is a graduate of Emporia State University with a Masters in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, and George Mason University with a BS in Sports Management.

Marsha Knott

Administrative Assistant to the Head of School

Marsha has a BS is Multidisciplinary Studies with a focus on music and business, and an associate's degree in Business Administration.

Angela Stoltzfus

Kindergarten Teacher

Angela is a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University with a BS in Liberal Arts and Early Childhood Education.

Becca Stables

First Grade Teacher

Becca is a graduate of James Madison University with a major in art and a minor in K-12 Education. Becca and her family served as missionaries in Scotland prior to her teaching at BRCS.

Teresa Cramer

Second Grade Teacher

Teresa is a graduate of Bridgewater College with a BA in Elementary Education.

Mary Faith Fawley

Third Grade Teacher

Mary Faith hold a BA in Sociology and a Virginia teaching license for kindergarten to 6th grade.

Ruth Ewing

Third and Sixth Grade Teacher

Ruth is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College with a BS in Elementary Education and a MS in Educational Leadership.

Carol Hilliard

Fourth Grade Teacher

Carol is a graduate of Bridgewater College with a BA in Elementary Education.

Elisabeth Heine

Fourth Grade Teacher

Elisabeth is a graduate of George Mason University and holds a BA in Integrative Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education.

Beth Rice

Fifth Grade Math and Science Teacher

Beth is a graduate of Liberty University with a BS in Health and Physical Education and minor in Secondary Education.

Dawn Terrell

Fifth Grade Teacher

Dawn is a graduate of Bryan College with a BS in Elementary Education and a Minor in Biblical Studies.

Katie McDonald

Sixth Grade Language Arts and History

Katie is a graduate of Duquesne University with a BS in Secondary Education Social Studies and a BA in History.

Tara Hostetler

Resource Teacher

Tara is a graduate of James Madison University, with a BS in Psychology and Minor in Special Education.

Jen Jellum

Elementary Instructional Assistant

Jen holds a M.Ed. from James Madison University in Early Childhood Education, along with a BS in Family and Child Development from Virginia Tech.

Heather Kirkland

Early Elementary Instructional Assistant

Heather Kirkland is a graduate of Liberty University with a BS in Family and Consumer Sciences, along with experience in Early Childhood Education and Psychology.

Tom Bates

Middle School Social Studies and Bible Teacher

Tom is a graduate of James Madison University with a MA in History, as well as a B.A. from Montclair State University.

Pam Charette

Middle School Science and Health Teacher

Pam has a BS in Education from James Madison University, with a concentration in grades 4 to 8.

Lois Gullman

Physical Education Teacher, K-8

Lois holds a BA in Physical Education, along with a BA in teaching.

Christy Goehner

Middle School Math Teacher and Resource Director

Christy is a graduate of James Madison University with a M.Ed in Middle School Education, and a BS in Psychology.

David MacMillan

Music Director, 4th-8th grade Choir, Chimes and Handbells

David is a graduate of Shenandoah University with certification as a K-12 music educator.

Chrissy Lopez-Containa

Middle and High School Spanish Teacher

Chrissy is a graduate of Bridgewater College with a BA in Spanish.

Rachel Phaup

Middle School Math Teacher

Rachel is a graduate of Florida State University with a BS in Family and Child Science and Education.

Claire Wilkins

Middle School English Teacher

Claire is a graduate of Corban University with a BS in History and a minor in Biblical studies. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in teaching from Liberty University.

Sara Burrows

Middle School Instructional Aide

Sara is a graduate of James Madison University with a BS in Hospitality Management and a minor in Business.

Heather Baroch

High School English Teacher

Heather is a graduate of James Madison University with a Master's in Business Administration and a B.S. in Public Administration with a minor in English.

Melissa Furman

High School Science Teacher

Melissa is a graduate of Liberty University with a BS in Biology and minor in Chemistry.

John Speer

High School History Teacher

John is a graduate of Hillsdale College with a BA in history and a minor in politics.

Gail Suter

High School Math Teacher

Gail is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a MS in Math and James Madison University with a BS in Math and a minor in Secondary Education.

Sandy Thompson

High School Math Teacher

Sandy is a graduate of James Madison University with a BS in Mathematics and a minor in Secondary Education.

Drew Ridder

High School Bible and Lego Robotics Teacher

Drew Ridder holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Virginia Tech and a Master of Ministerial Studies from Nazarene Bible College.

Anne Zumbro

High School Math and Science Teacher

Anne is a graduate of the College of William and Mary, with a BA in Economics and minor in Geology, along with a M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Jerrilyn MacDanel

Preschool to Third Grade Music Teacher

Jerrilyn holds a M.Ed. from James Madison University, along with a BA from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.

Sandy Schaefer

Piano Instructor

Sandy holds a Master of Church Music from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Bachelor of Sacred Music from Illinois Wesleyan University.

Mark Whetzel

Guitar Instructor

Mark is a James Madison University graduate and brings 26 years of experience to teaching guitar in middle and high school.

Vanessa Manson

Library Media Specialist

Vanessa is a graduate of James Madison University with a Master of Education in Library Media and a BA in Mass Communication.

Eileen Heatwole

Preschool Director and Teacher

Eileen holds an Associate in Arts in Early Childhood Education and studied at Rosedale Bible College.

Joanne Forrest

Preschool Teacher

Joanne is a graduate of James Madison University with a BS in Psychology and a minor in Family Studies.

Susan Brent

High School Fashion Design and Resource Teacher

Susan in a graduate of Longwood College and the National School of Dress Design. She is certified as a Technical Professional in Dress Design.

Riley is an accounting major from Thomas Edison State University with a passion for teaching and the world of theater. She co-taught theater at ACE Homeschool Co-op, and performed in local productions of My Fair Lady and Newsies.

Stephanie Pellerin

Art Teacher

Stephanie is a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University with a BS in Art.

Rachel Feldpausch

Assistant Athletic Director, Band Director, and Summer Program Director

Rachel is a graduate of Grand Canyon University with a degree in Sports Management.

Marta Podgayskiy

Elementary Spanish Teacher

Marta is a graduate of Bridgewater College with a BS in Elementary Education.

Nicole Shull

High School Administrative Assistant

Nicole serves in the high school office.

Brittany Bates

Events and Volunteer Coordinator

Brittany is a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University with a BA in English and double minor in Political Science and History and Social Science. She has been part of the BRCS family as a volunteer, parent, and wife for 17 years.