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Connie Beddard, High School Chemistry cbeddard@grace-school.net Mrs. Beddard graduated from West Virginia University, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Chemistry as well as a Masters in Business Administration. She spent 12 years in the pharmaceutical industry working in various capacities in the laboratory, regulatory affairs, and quality control and compliance. She enjoys being outside and spending time with her family. She and her husband and two daughters live in Glen Allen and are active in the Area 10 Faith Community church in Richmond city. |
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Ben Berumez, Chapel Band Director benberumez@gmail.com Ben Berumez is a performing musician and instructor. Offering instruction in a wide variety of instruments and genres, Ben enjoys sharing his love of music with students of all ages. With over a decade of teaching experience, his teaching methodology centers around tailoring information to each student’s needs and goals. As a performer, he has worked as a solo act and as the front man for the indie rock band Saint Square. Ben has also been involved with multiple church bands, working in support and leadership roles. Whether teaching, performing, or leading in worship, it is Ben’s goal to provide a quality musical experience. Ben, his wife Chelsea, and their two daughters live in Aylett, VA, and attend Freedom Fellowship Church in Mechanicsville, VA.. |
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Amy Bleach, Bible and Technology Teacher ableach@grace-school.net Mrs. Bleach is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned both her undergraduate in English and Master's in Teaching. She spent 15 years in the Chesterfield County Public School System. Mrs. Bleach was a member of the iTech and Anti-Bullying focus teams at her previous school. Hailing from Louisa County, Mrs. Bleach loves a long walk in the country, reading a good book, and relaxing at the beach. She is a member of the praise team at the Bonnie Brae Church of Christ where she and her husband, Justin, and two sons, Ethan and Elliot, are members. |
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David Brown, High School History dbrown@grace-school.net Coming from Honolulu, Hawaii, Chaplain David Brown, Commander, U.S. Navy (Ret). Mr. Brown received an undergraduate degree in Art from Virginia State University, a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union School of Theology, and a Masters Degree in Education from Hawaii Pacific University. Following his retirement, Mr. Brown joined the teaching staff of Christian Academy of Honolulu, teaching Art and High School History for four years. Mr. Brown, his wife Rayna, and children, Jonathan and Joanna are excited to return to the Richmond area and begin looking for a new church home. |
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Darenda Davis, Middle and High School Science ddavis@grace-school.net Mrs. Davis received her undergraduate degree from Atlantic Baptist Bible College, VA in Education and Missions. She later earned her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instructions from Piedmont International University. Mrs. Davis is currently dual certified for secondary teaching and principal with ACSI. Mrs. Davis is entering her twenty third year teaching, mostly at the middle and high school levels. Mrs. Davis, her husband Ashley, and their two boys attend church at Truth Baptist Church in Mechanicsville. |
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Lisa Eckler, Teacher Assistant |
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Heather Estes, High School English |
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Heather Ferguson, Director of Student Ministries |
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Tanya Gathercole, Financial Administrative Assistant Tanya Gathercole is a graduate of Liberty Christian High School, Hanover County's first Christian secondary school. She was a member of their first graduating class in 1993. In 2006, Mrs. Gathercole returned to Liberty Christian where she served as the school's administrative assistant until 2016. Born and raised in King William County, Mrs. Gathercole enjoys spending her free time outside working in her garden and writing poetry. Mrs. Gathercole and her two sons, Cody and Cooper, have been lifelong members of Bruington Baptist Church in King and Queen County. |
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Amy Harrison, Middle School Language Arts aharrison@grace-school.net Mrs. Harrison is a graduate of Longwood College. She has over 20 years teaching experience, 13 of which were in Henrico County. In her years as an educator, she has served as the grade level chairperson, leadership team member, and the collaborative teacher for her grade level. She, her husband and two sons live in Mechanicsville where they are active members of Cool Spring Baptist Church. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, camping, reading, shopping, and organizing. |
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Dwight Hedges, Bible and PE Teacher dhedges@grace-school.net Rev. Dwight Hedges has lived in the Mechanicsville area for twenty years, serving in church ministry for over thirty years in a wide array of ministry settings. He grew up in a family of bi-vocational Baptist church planters in Parker, Colorado and has always had a passion for the local church. He received his undergraduate degree from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri and his Masters in Religious Education from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Missouri. He has served on staff in churches in Missouri, Nebraska, and Virginia. He has a passion for youth ministry and college aged students and a love for Jesus, discipleship, worship and missions. He has been able to mobilize and lead more than thirty international mission trips and is excited to see how the Lord will continue to move in Mechanicsville as we follow the Great Commission. Dwight has also worked with an international program at Virginia Commonwealth University, and has served as Associate Pastor at Mechanicsville Baptist for the past four years. He is married to Gretchen Hedges who teaches Veterinary Sciences at Hermitage High School. They have four children: Matthew (23), Bryson (18), Ethan (14), and Catherine (13). |
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Brandy Hogue, Middle School History |
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Ginger Jamara, High School and Dual Enrollment Mathematics gjamara@grace-school.net Mrs. Jamara received her undergraduate degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY in Secondary Math Education. She later earned her Master’s degree in Special Education from Boise State University in Boise, ID. Mrs. Jamara has her Virginia certification in Secondary Mathematics, grades 6-12 and received the Praxis Recognition of Excellence. She served as Math Department Chair during her employment with Richmond City Public Schools. This will be Mrs. Jarmara’s tenth year of teaching high school math. Mrs. Jamara, her husband Tom, and their children are active members of Hanover Evangelical Friends church. |
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Paul Jenks, Middle and High School PE pjenks@grace-school.net Mr. Jenks is a graduate of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee where he earned undergraduate degrees in Accounting and in Physical Education. After working in the business field for over 20 years, he followed his heart and became a teacher. He has 12 years of teaching experience with students both in the Elementary and Secondary levels and has taught in both public and private schools. Mr. Jenks and his wife Connie are members of Mechanicsville Church of Christ. Mr. Jenks is passionate about prison ministry, Virginia Tech football and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. His favorite bible verse is Matthew 25:40. |
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Kim King, School Counsler KKing@grace-school.net Mrs. Kim King has been in the education field for a little over 20 years. Her responsibilities include high school, college and career counseling, academic planning, and social-personal counseling. She comes to Grace with a diverse professional background serving as a School Counselor for the public schools in both Middle and High schools, as well as being a testing coordinator in both Middle and High schools. Mrs. King has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services Counseling from Old Dominion University. She also holds a Master of Education degree in Counselor Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Before joining Grace, Mrs. King worked for both Henrico and Hanover County Public schools. Outside of school, she serves as the Nursery director at her church, Mechanicsville Christian Center and manages a household with her husband, Dale, and the lives of a 4 year old and a 15 year old. |
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Nicole Lohmeyer, Spanish nlohmeyer@grace-school.net Mrs. Lohmeyer moved to Virginia about two years ago after returning from the mission field in the Dominican Republic. She and her family lived there for almost four years; she is thankful for the opportunity in which she served children in the mission schools, immersed herself in the Latin American culture, and was able to share the love of Jesus with those around her. Mrs. Lohmeyer holds a Bachelor’s in Secondary English education from Penn State University and has taught students ranging from elementary to high school in both public and private schools, as well as homeschooling her two daughters. She enjoys traveling, gardening, performing arts, literature, and photography and is grateful that God has led her to Grace Christian! |
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Amy Martin, Middle and High School Science |
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David Olson, Middle School Science and History |
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Betsy Rountree, NILD Academic Coach |
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Annie Swinson, Administrative Assistant |
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Maria Toro, Spanish mtoro@grace-school.net Senora Toro is a graduate of Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador - Quito where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and Georgetown University, where she earned her master’s degree and her Virginia teaching license. Senora Toro has over 18 years experience as a classroom Spanish teacher and has been recognized for numerous awards: Laspau, Fulbright Scholarship and Medal of Excellence in teaching, J.B Fisher Elementary School. Senora Toro and her husband Federico Puma, are active members of Winfree Memorial Baptist Church in Chesterfield County. |
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Erica Woods, Teaching and Administrative Assistant ewoods@grace-school.net Mrs. Woods graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Interior Design. A life long resident of Mechanicsville, she spent the first 15 years of her professional career working for her family’s construction business, EJ Wade Construction. During that time, she also homeschooled her children. Her love for the Lord, education and administration brought her to Grace Christian School. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Thomas, and they have three children. Their eldest is adopted from Niger, Africa. They are active members of their church, Mechanicsville Christian Center. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing games, watching movies, listening to music, being around the water and exercising. |