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Rebecca Butler
Elementary School Teacher, Lead Teacher for CDS
1st and 2nd grades
Rebecca Butler is a graduate of the University of Virginia and has been teaching in the Charlottesville area for over twenty years. Becky has taught preschool, kindergarten, first, second, third, and fourth grades and has been recognized as a Master Teacher in the areas of reading, language development, and mathematics. She has worked as a Science Specialist for preschool through fourth grade. Becky believes in preparing students for the global market by developing their confidence and skills.
Becky raised her two children in the Charlottesville community and looks forward to joining the CDS family.
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Karen Minor
Kindergarten Teacher
Kindergarten
Karen Minor received her Bachelors Degree from Virginia Intermont College and her Masters Degree in Education from James
Madison University. Her graduate studies focused on Early Childhood Education. Karen has taught elementary education for five
years using a variety of contemporary educational models. She has been an active participant in a host of elementary education
seminars and workshops and has served as a consultant for several educational programs in the Charlottesville area. Karen is very
excited to be a part of the CDS’s exceptional teaching team. She also believes passionately in teaching with proven and
innovative practices, embracing diverse learning styles, and fostering a positive learning environment.
Karen, her husband and her three young sons live in Stony Point.
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Amy Gawtry
Pre-Kindergarten Teacher
Polar Bear Class
Amy Gawtry, earned her Bachelors degree from St. Olaf College and a Masters in teaching Latin from the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education. She taught Latin and coached basketball in Hanover County, Virginia. When her first daughter arrived, she and her family returned to Charlottesville where she was a stay-at-home mother. Amy is happy to be involved in education again and thrilled to work with the excellent team of educators at Charlottesville Day School.
Amy is the mother of three young children: Ella (7), Josephine (5) and William (3). All three children are enrolled at CDS.
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Sherry Rivet
Preschool Teacher
Sun Bear Class
Sherry Rivet graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She has enjoyed working and growing with young children for 16 years. She is a dedicated preschool teacher, child care administrator, and mother. She serves on the board of the Central Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children. She speaks regularly to a variety of audiences about early childhood education issues and co-authored a book that helps parents create effective play spaces at home. She has participated in the training of prospective educators in early childhood education.
Sherry is thrilled to join the team at Charlottesville Day School. She looks forward to connecting with CDS students as unique individuals and sharing her love of music, art
and nature.
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Jan Breeden
Preschool Teacher
Panda Bear Class
Jan Breeden has taught both preschool and elementay school children. Most recently, Jan worked as the Director an afterschool
enrichment program. Her special areas of expertise are in both early childhood and special education.
Before becoming a professional educator, Jan was a nurse for five years. Jan's experience as a nurse and her understanding of
human physiology lends to her focus on nuturing the whole child. Jan is dedicated to fostering healthy self-esteem and
encouraging children to value and celebrate their individuality.
Jan was born and raised in Charlottesville and is the mother of a teenage son.
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Mira Cole
Preschool Teacher
Brown Bear Class
Mira Cole received both her Bachelors degree in Psychology (with an emphasis on children) and her Masters of Teaching from
the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education in 2006. Mira was raised by a family of educators and has already taught
in preschool and elementary school classrooms. Her teaching abilities have been admired by her mentors, including our own Becky
Butler. Part of her training has been in special education, which provides a rich understanding of the purposes and philosophy of
differentiation in the classroom. She loves children of all ages and recognizes every child as an individual. Mira has a daughter
of her own who will be enrolled at CDS next year.
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Carla Moody
Preschool Teacher
Cub Class
Carla Moody has over twenty years of experience in Early Childhood Education. She has a Bachelors degree from the University of Northern Colorado where her studies included psychology and preschool education. She has worked as a teacher, managed several large childcare centers, and owned a daycare and preschool in Charlottesville. Carla applied her expertise in early childhood development when collaborating on training materials and curriculum for infants and toddlers. Carla seeks to create a physically and emotionally safe environment for children. She believes in using a variety of engaging materials to inspire creative thinking. She has presented workshops to other members of her professional community. Carla's primary focus has been teaching two and three year-old children.
Carla is the proud mother of two children.
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Carrie Shuler
Preschool Teaching Assistant
Polar Bear Class
Carrie has a Bachelors degree in Classics and Art History from St. Olaf College (Northfield, MN) and a Masters degree in Classical Art and Archaeology from the University of Virginia. She has taken courses from the University of Virginia's Curry School of Education. Carrie taught Latin in public and private schools inside and outside of the Charlottesville area.
Carrie is the mother of three children, two of whom are enrolled at CDS.
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Kristy Houde
Preschool Teaching Assistant
Panda Bear Class
Kristy Houde graduated from the University of New Hampshire in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics. She has spent
the past three years living in California where she volunteers to teach children with disabilities to both ski and snowboard.
Kristy has been substitute for middle school children for the past couple years as well. She has just moved to Charlottesville
and is working towards obtaining her masters in education at the University of Virginia. Kristy is very excited to be at CDS and
is looking forward to building relationships with both the children and their families.
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Sue Malazita
Preschool Teaching Assistant
Sun Bear Class
Sue has enjoyed being a preschool teaching assistant for 5 years. She loves children and enjoys being a part of their preschool experience. Sue grew up in Philadelphia, but moved to Charlottesville 22 years ago. She worked in the Mortgage Banking field until starting a family. She chose to be a stay-at-home mom to her two wonderful boys now 16 and 19 years old.
Sue is very excited about being part of the CDS team.
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Lynn Hewson "Nana"
Preschool Teaching Assistant
Brown Bear Class
After a successful career in graphic arts, Lynn returned to her roots in Maine where she raised her children. She has worked with children as a nanny, daycare supervisor, and instructional assistant. Lynn relocated to Central Virginia in 2001 so that she could be close to her grandchildren.
"Nana" is excited to bring her love of children (and her grandson) to CDS.
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Rita Stratton-Moore
Preschool Teaching Assistant
Cub Class
Rita Moore received her Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia. Her experience has
included working with a wide range of children and families focusing on building bonds which enhance parent/child interactions
and relations. After the birth of her first child, Rita put her career aside and her family became her main focus. Now after
having 2 children of her own, her interests have shifted to education as she has watched with amazement the learning process from
a whole new perspective. Most recently, Rita has worked as a preschool teaching assistant in the Charlottesville area.
Rita is the mother of Will (age 7) and Gracie (age 4). Both children are enrolled at CDS.
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Candace Lund
Elementary Teaching Assistant
Morning Movers and Aftercare Teacher
Miss Lund received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Early Childhood Education from Southern Virginia
University in 2003. She played four years of intercollegiate basketball. For the past eight years, Candace has worked with kids
of all ages in day camps, basketball camps, and swim camps. She has volunteered and substituted in elementary schools. Working
with kids has always been her passion. She is looking forward to this great opportunity to help educate the children at
Charlottesville Day School. Candace is originally from Fairfax, VA but has lived in Charlottesville since graduating from
college.
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Karen Melcher
Preschool Teaching Assistant
Morning Movers and Preschool Aftercare
Karen Melcher graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2002. Since graduating, Karen has been a preschool teacher working with infants, and toddlers, and three-year-olds. Karen has also acted as a preschool program director. She loves to intertwine her two passions, working with children and creating
art. Karen, a Charlottesville native, is looking forward to working with the parents, students and faculty of CDS.
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Christine O'Neal-Thalwitz
Spanish Specialist
Christine O’Neal Thalwitz received her B.A. in Spanish and Master of Teaching degrees from the University of Virginia.
Currently an adjunct faculty member at Piedmont Virginia Community College, Christine has also taught Spanish in the City of
Charlottesville and Albemarle County school systems. Outside of school, Christine is editor of ACAC Life magazine and a
professional choreographer and group fitness instructor. Christine has also been trained as a high and low ropes course
facilitator and brings this problem-solving, "learning by doing" philosophy into the classroom. Christine believes that
the only thing more beautiful than the sound of a child’s voice is the sound of a child’s voice speaking in a foreign language!
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Angela Kelly
Music Specialist
Angela Kelly is an accomplished educator with more than 16 years experience in teaching young people not only how to play
music, but how to love it. She holds a degree in Music Education from the prestigious Indiana University School of Music. Angela,
who also has a busy performing career as a professional flutist, has earned an outstanding reputation here thanks to her work
with private students as well as with various area flute choirs she has founded in the area. She believes strongly in the power
of music to impact young lives and looks forward to introducing that power to CDS children and families.
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Tamara Murray
Music Specialist
Tamara Murray graduated from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She has been a practicing visual artist for twenty
years. She is married and has two children. She has spent many hours volunteering in their respective classrooms.
Tamara is excited to create a curriculum centered on art history. She plans to offer an art experience with access to a
variety of materials and techniques. This experience will encourage the students to express their individuality and build their
self esteem.
Tamara is a member of the Charlottesville Albemarle Art Association, the Central Virginia Watercolor Guild and she is a
member of the Bozart Gallery in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Derek Laing
Movement Specialist
Derek Laing graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Physical Education and a concentration in the Biomechanics of Sport Movement. Derek was mentored by some of the best Strength and Conditioning coaches in the United States. Derek's teaching methods are particularly appropriate for children because he strives to create, in each of his students, a foundation for physical discovery and growth. He is pasionate about his expertise and would be happy to discuss his methodology.
Derek came to Charlottesville since 1989. Derek was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Olympic Sports at the University of Virginia from 1995 to 2004. He then brought his talents and passion to ACAC. He is excited to be a part of CDS.
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Chad Peters
PE Teacher
Chad Peters graduated from Emory & Henry College in 1996 with a degree in physical education with a minor in education.
While at college, Chad played four years of collegiate tennis and was captain of the team his senior year. Chad is a big believer
in being a good sport and using teamwork to reach your goals. Learning is fun and Chad likes to make sure there is plenty of fun.
Chad has lived in Charlottesville since 1989. He has been a part of the ACAC team since 1999 and still going strong. He has
been a part of the ACAC after school program since the beginning and is currently the Head Tennis Professional for ACAC.
Chad enjoys teaching and making a connection that results in a lasting smile.
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