Our People

Christopher Academy has a faculty and staff of highly qualified, dedicated individuals committed to identifying the unique strengths, interests, talents and needs of each student and to provide an environment in which every child may progress and flourish.

Accredited by the
established 1970

Our teachers bring many years of valuable experience and expertise to their respective areas of instruction. Low attrition among our teaching staff results in strong team teaching and continuity of instruction.

The School and teachers are supported by a very active Parent Teacher Organization.

The School is governed by a strong, balanced Board consisting of parents, community leaders (including four former First Citizens of Portsmouth), alumni, and friends of the school. They bring expertise in education, fundraising, construction and contract law, accounting, and grant writing.

Faculty and Staff

Jill Atchley

Kim Bikowski

Kathy Batkin

Carmen Campbell

Annette Crandall

Donna Davenport

Julie Deans

Barbara Desler

Martha Diorio

Beth Dryden

Leigh-Ann Hartley

Donna Keene

Nancy Perkins

Amy Morrell

Pam Sexton

 

Phyllis Shannon

Alisa Smith

Kathy Tarr

Miriam Terry

Adelina Vairo

Mary Lou Wilson

Technology Instructor

Elementary Teacher

Librarian

Administrative Assistant

Kindergarten and Elementary

Pre-K 4, K and Elementary

Pre-K 3, K, 1st grade Teaching Assistant

Elementary

Elementary and Technology Teacher

PA Instructor and Office Assistant

Pre-K 4 and Elementary

Pre-K 3 and Elementary

Kindergarten and Elementary

Elementary Teaching Assistant

Elementary Teaching Assistant

& 1st Grade Science

Head of School

Elementary Spanish

Pre-K 4 Teacher

Elementary

Elementary Teaching Assistant

Elementary

Parent Teacher Organization

 

 

Kathy Stanley

Carmen Campbell

Tina Fricke / Elise Walthall

Tonya Feamster

Ambur Sutton

Shannon Chen

DeeDee Williams

Pam Kosinski

Lisa Fara & Leslie Letzinger

Sandi Mazzilli & Beth Lydon

Shannon Chen

Elise Walthall & Amy Morrell

Ambur Sutton

 

Lou Pollard

Lou Pollard

Karen Ittel

Dawn Provost

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Alumni Committee Chair

Fundraising Committee Chair

Grounds Committee Chair

Hospitality Committee Chair

Library Committee Chair

Spirit Committee Chair

Yearbook Committee Chair

BoxTop Sub-Committee Chair

Cookbook Sub-Committee Chair

Elementary Lunches Sub-Committee Chair

Golf Tournament Sub-Committee Chair

Silent Auction Sub-Committee Chair

Book Fairs Sub-Committee Chair

Scrapbook Sub-Committee Chair

Holiday Mouse Breakfast

Original Works

Executive Committee

R. Scott Morgan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charles E. Morrell

 

 

 

R. Franklin Hawkins (DBA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dianne H. Williams

 

 

 

 

 

Robert S.B. Ossman

 

 

 

 

 

 

Elise E. Walthall

 

 

 

Chair

President, TowneBank

Former First Citizen of Portsmouth

Former Chair of Portsmouth General Hospital Foundation

Former Chair of Portsmouth Redevelopment and Housing Authority

Commissioner on Civil Service Board

Previous service on many community and financial boards

Vice Chair

President, Southern Construction, LLC

Parent of current students

Previous service on various housing and community boards

Treasurer

Retired Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of

   Central Fidelity Bank (now Wachovia Bank)

Assistant Professor of Finance at Averett University

Former chair of Portsmouth Public School Board

Former Chair, The St. Christopher School Board

Previous service on a number of financial boards and community boards

Certified, William & Mary National Planned Giving Institute

Secretary

Pharmacist

Parent of current students

Former president of PTO

Former Spirit Committee Chair of PTO

PTO Library Committee Chair

Former Chair

Retired Bell Atlantic Telephone

Retired Director of the American Red Cross

Charter member & former chair of Portsmouth Schools Foundation

Member of Saint Christopher Episcopal

Former Senior Warden, Saint Christopher Episcopal Church

Chair, The St. Christopher School Board (3 years)

Former Chair

Attorney, Jacoby Donner PC(Construction Law)

Parent of current student

Former Fundraising Chair PTO

Board Members

Warriner Atkinson

 

 

 

 

Michael J. Blachman

 

 

 

Bradford L. Cherry

 

 

 

 

Ellen Comstock

 

 

 

 

 

Sue Everett

 

Lynette McLean

 

 

Fran Ossman

 

 

P. Ward Robinett

 

 

 

 

Tina Fricke

 

 

W. R. Stephenson

 

 

Vasken K. Tenekjian, M.D.

 

 

 

Janette Turner

 

Sharon C. Waters (PhD)

 

 

 

Treasurer, Greater Hampton Roads Crime Lines Committee

Registered Professional Engineer, Virginia

Retired from Atlantic Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command

Past member Virginia and National Society Professional Engineers

Member and past Chair of Portsmouth Crime Line

Attorney

Board of Directors, Townebank Portsmouth

Former First Citizen of Portsmouth

Co-founder of Van Lefco Leadership School

President & CEO Cherry Carpet Inc

Board of Directors TowneBank Portsmouth

Former Chair of Portsmouth Public School Board

Former First Citizen of Portsmouth

Previous service on many boards and commissions

Interim Director of Clinical Education of

  Tidewater Pastoral Counseling Services

Former school psychologist

Ordained minister

Parent of former students

Liaison with Centenary Methodist

City zoning and licensing regulations expert

Grandparent of previous student

Paralegal

Former PTO President

Parent of previous student

Retired St. Christopher School Staff

Parent of alumni

Member of Saint Christopher Episcopal

President Portsmouth TowneBank

Former First Citizen of Portsmouth

Beazley Foundation Board of Directors

Former member of Portsmouth City Council

Previous service on many community and corporate boards

Finance Manager with Dataline, Inc.

Co-chair PTO Alumni Committee

Board Marketing Committee

Co-owner of Miller Stephenson Associates

Recently appointed by the Governor to serve on

  the state board: APELSCIDLA

President, Thoracic & Vascular Surgeon

Commonwealth Surgical Associates

Board of Directors Portsmouth TowneBank

Parent of alumni

Alumna of The St. Christopher School

Teacher, Chesapeake Public Schools

Assistant Professor, Tidewater Community College

Chairman of Board of CHROME

Grants Co-Chair for Impact Fund of the Portsmouth Community Foundation

Previous service on Portsmouth’s Sister Cities Commission