Kristi joined the SVHS team in July of 2023. She earned her undergraduate degree from Bridgewater College and her graduate degree from James Madison University.  She began her 29-year career in education as a Head Start Teacher at Craigsville Elementary School, then taught Kindergarten at Stuarts Draft and Stump Elementary Schools.  After 12 years in the classroom, she joined the JMU College of Education Faculty to become the Teacher in Residence for Augusta County Schools, facilitating field experiences at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.  She also served on the committee which created the Inclusive Early Childhood program for ACPS, and has completed CLASS observations and teacher reports on all preschool teachers in our school division.  As an endorsed school administrator, she has also mentored new teachers and provided professional development in-services to teachers in a number of settings. 

Kristine joined SVHS in 2007 as a classroom teacher. She became the Mental Health Specialist in October 2018. She has a Master's Degree in Teaching from James Madison University in Early Childhood Education and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Family Issues also from JMU. She has over 20 years of experience working with children and their families. She supports the social-emotional development of all children in both SVHS and EHS as well as supporting the mental health and wellness of staff and families.

Carol joined SVHS in 2014. She works with families and the community to create partnerships to support school readiness. She supports the Family Service Advocates in providing services to families enrolled in the other settings served by SVHS. Carol is now the ERSEA Manager supporting enrollment and attendance for both HS and EHS. She has over 25 yrs experience working with children and adolescents and their families in mental health, juvenile justice, and education. She received her BS from UVA-Wise and MA and EdS from JMU.

Kelsey joined the SVHS team in July 2024 as the Mental Health Specialist. Kelsey graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor's degree and went on to Liberty University to obtain a Master's in Human Services Counseling. Kelsey spent a majority of her career working with youth and families in foster care. Kelsey supports our HS/EHS program by providing mental health and behavior support to our youth, staff, and families. 

Cheyenne started working for SVHS in August of 2023 as the ERSEA Assistant and Program Secretary. She graduated from Radford University in 2020 with a BS in Recreatiion, Parks, and Tourism. In 2022 she made the shift from the sales world to pursue a career within education. In her spare time Cheyenne enjoys travling to new places, exploring the outdoors and spending time with her two dogs Brindle and Ellie Mae.

Melissa began working for SVHS in 2011 as a Program Secretary. In 2017, she became the bookkeeper supporting the financial operations for both programs. Melissa also manages the software database for the program and assists with federal, state, and local reports. She works to ensure classrooms, teachers, and staff have supplies and inventory to prepare children for kindergarten.

Tracy graduated from BRCC and JMU with a teaching license in Early Childhood Education. She taught preschool for 26 years, 23 of those years with Head Start. She switched positions in 2022 within Head Start to become the instructional coach for teaching staff. She has two daughters, a dog and a cat. She enjoys reading, camping, spending time with her family and playing with her dog.

Lindsay joined the SVHS team in November of 2024. She earned her undergraduate degree from Bridgewater College and her graduate degree from Mary Baldwin University.  She began her 14-year career in education as an elementary school teacher and STEAM Resource for Waynesboro and Fairfax Counties.  After 10 years in the classroom, she joined the Bridgewater College faculty to become an Adjunct Instructor and Literacy Specialist, acting as a College Supervisor for student teachers in their field experiences at the elementary, middle, and high school levels.  She currently supports SVHS as the Teacher Mentor, supporting classroom teachers and assistants.

Zoe is the newest member of our SVHS headstart team joining in December 2024. She is our program specialist which supports the program. Zoe also spends time supporting both our Augusta County Head Start classrooms. She is originally from New York and has moved down to Staunton, Virginia to be with family. Majority of her career was spent working with children under the age of 5. Wanting to further her career in early child education and enjoys instilling life memories while supporting daily activities for the children. Zoe enjoys spending quality time with her father, seeing new places,and reading a good book.

Megan is a valley native and graduated from Spotswood High School in 2009. In 2012 she graduated from National College with an Associate of Science. She has 13 years of healthcare experience with a diverse background in Family Medicine, Orthopedics, Cardiology and most recently 5 years of Pediatric experience. In Megan's spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 children and her animals,. Megan also likes to crochet, make new recipes and canning items from her garden.

Taylor joined SVHS/EHS in 2022. Taylor earned her Bachelor's in Social Work (BSW) from James Madison University (go dukes!) in December of 2021. She has volunteer experience with non-profit organizations in the surrounding area; including the Boys and Girls Club of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County, Impact Living Services, as well as the Blue Ridge Free Clinic in Harrisonburg. Outside of work, she loves to travel and spend quality time with loved ones... especially with her yellow lab named Romeo!

Julie joined the SVHS team in May 2015 as a Family Service Advocate for Early Head Start. She began working with Head Start families in July 2019. Julie received her BS from Liberty University. Before coming to EHS, she worked for three years in a childcare setting as a Lead Teacher with infant and toddlers. Julie also has four years of experience working in-home with families and their young children, helping the families with child development and providing activities to encourage parent-child bonding. Julie is Parents as Teachers (PAT) trained.

Martha joined the SVHS team in September of 2024. Martha is originally from Bogota, Colombia, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work (BSW) from Universidad Externado de Colombia and a Diploma in Disability Work from Melbourne Polytechnic In Melbourne Australia. She has been working for 20 years with students and families supporting their academic projects and goals. Travel is so important for her, that is why she traveled to Australia to learn English as a second language, where she also had the opportunity to work with children with Autism and Down Syndrome. She enjoys watching movies with her husband and her two daughters, and spending time with her little westie Alaska.

Guadalupe joined SVHS in 2014. She is responsible for implementing the family partnership process and supporting family engagement goals as part of HS comprehensive services model. Guadalupe provides direct family support of ongoing positive and goal oriented relationships with families enrolled in the Head Start program. She received her BA in Business administration from Baruch College.

Kim joined SVHS in December 2015. She supports families in reaching personal goals through implementing the family partnership process. She received her BA in Early Childhood Development from Ashford University.

Cristina, originally from California and Florida, earned her BA in Utah before teaching middle school social studies in Washington, D.C. and Staunton for 12 years. After transitioning to a Program Director role at a local nonprofit, she later joined SVHS in 2024 as a Family Service Advocate with Early Head Start, where she partners with parents and guardians to help them achieve their unique family goals. Cristina also serves on the Board of Directors for Blue Ridge CASA, whichs supports local children in need of legal advocates. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her twin kids, husband, and two dogs, as well as reading, listening to music, singing along, and working on her Spanish.