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Francis Atemo

Assistant Head of the Lower School
M.Ed., The College of New Jersey
Elementary School Teacher Certification and Principal Certification, The College of New Jersey
Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
There is an evident eagerness from everyone around to do their very best and to give their all to support students. There is also a demonstrated sense of community that is continually being developed through deliberate activities and events.
What I like most about my job is that I get to work with everyone in the Lower School. This allows me more opportunities to not only contribute what I know but also to learn from those around me. Everyone has something that I can learn and my job allows me to get close to many people. As we all learn from each other, we can then make contributions for the greater benefit of our School and the larger community.
Kelsey Bechtle

Lower School Academic Support and Learning Specialist
B.A. in Biology and Classics, Washington and Lee University
M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education and Development, College of Charleston
Early Childhood Education Pre-K – 3 teaching license
Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
The learning communities here care deeply about each and every student's success and I am thrilled to be part of the Student Support Team. As a lifelong resident of the Charlottesville/Albemarle area, St. Anne's has always been a highly reputable school that serves students and families. I am looking forward to getting to know the student body here at St. Anne's and building relationships with the amazing faculty and staff.
Heidi Bennett

Grade 1 Teacher
M.Ed., Longwood University
Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
St. Anne's-Belfield is a close-knit school. The small class sizes allow teachers to truly get to know the students well to allow individuality and creativity to shine.
Teaching lower elementary students is a great joy. Everything is new and exciting to them. It is wonderful to light a spark and watch it grow.
Ashley Buford

Kindergarten Teacher
B.A. in Psychology, Davidson College
M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction, Lynchburg College
Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
As a parent:
-the high caliber of teaching and academics -learning of content, as well as about self and about others, is the true outcome -the centrality of the student becoming the teacher and explaining their thinking and the confidence and comfort with public speaking which comes along with this
As a teacher:
-colleagues that are inquisitive, creative, compassionate and collaborative -a school ethos of knowing and helping to develop the whole child -an expectation of lifelong learning
I love our students' curiosity and excitement they have towards learning.
Brooke Canova

Grades K – 6 Physical Education Teacher, Co-ed Varsity Swimming Co-head Coach, Girls' 7 & 8 Valleyball Maroon Head Coach
M.Ed., University of Virginia
Virginia Teaching License
Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
The thing I like most about our School is working with the students. I love seeing their individual talents and strengths and I enjoy helping them grow in their learning. I also have just as many opportunities to learn from them as they do from me.
Brad Connors

Grades K – 6 Physical Education Teacher, Boys' 7 & 8 Soccer Head Coach (Maroon), Girls' 7 & 8 Soccer Head Coach
B.B.A. in Marketing, James Madison University
M.Ed. in Adapted Physical Education, University of Virginia
Virginia Teaching License
Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
It is a great school for continuing education and growing as a professional. I work with an incredible team!
Mr. Connors's teaching philosophy is simply: BALANCE! He loves to travel and see the world, and prior to teaching at the School, he was a faculty member of the Charleston County Public Schools, the American School of Asuncion, Paraguay, and Hong Kong International School. Mr. Connors feels the most important things he can teach students are to be kind and be active.
Andrea Corbin

Grade 3 Teacher
B.A. in Economics, Mount Holyoke College
M.Ed. in Reading, University of Virginia
Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
I was a parent at St. Anne's for 6 years and then became a teacher. The job is different every day because the students are always changing.
Fun fact: Prior to joining the School in 2011, I worked as an IBM systems engineer.
Kim Cox

Grades K – 4 and 7 & 8 Visual Arts Teacher
M.A.E., Boston University
VAEA Northern Region Art Teacher of the Year
Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
I came to St. Anne's from the Public School because I could really get to know kids--I taught in more than 3 schools and had over 1,000 students! At St. Anne's I have taught fewer students and really gotten to know them well and have even taught some of my former students' children--what an honor!
I get to do art and I get to share in the joy of creation with students! I love that I get to make art, see young people every day, work with passionate professional colleagues, and come to a beautiful place. I am able to get the supplies for Visual Arts that are needed to help make students' experiences in art meaningful and well-rounded.
Mary Evans

Grades K – 4 Music and Movement Teacher
M.Ed., Lesley University
PK-12 Instrumental and Vocal Music Licensure in Virginia
Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
I had wanted to be a teacher since I was a young girl and I love helping children grow in their creativity and confidence in the performing arts. I am often amazed by how much my students teach me.
Isaiah Fullen

Early Childhood Teaching Fellow, 7 & 8 Football Assistant Coach, Boys' 7 & 8 Basketball Assistant Coach (Maroon)
B.A in Audio Production, Art Institute of Washington
St. Anne's-Belfield Early Childhood Fellow
Why St. Anne's-Belfield?
I was working as a live sound engineer and then COVID hit. Nearly everything closed, but I still needed to work. I had known about St. Anne's for about 4 years before applying, I have close family friends who also work here.
After completing my undergrad degree, I honestly did have an interest in education but I wanted to use what I had learned in college. The pandemic gave me the push I needed to transition into this field at this wonderful school!
Working in early childhood education, I appreciate the honesty of the students, and how thoughtful they are. It's also the only job I've ever had where the people I'm working for tell me that they love me, and on top of that, I know they mean it.