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At its Jan. 14 meeting, the School Board of the City of Virginia Beach elected Kathleen Brown as chair and Carolyn Weems as vice chair. Brown has served on the School Board for two years and Weems for 22 years.
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Academy Teacher Bios
Medical Science and HSA Elective Faculty
Bondi, Jessica, BS
Bachelors of Science in Biology from University of Minnesota in 2006. Attended Saint Mary’s University to obtain Teaching License through a Master of Arts in Instruction program 2007-2009. Taught Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Physical Science, and Environmental Science in Minnesota 2009-2011. Worked with students in the Pre-Med Health and Engineering (PMHE) program at Blair Middle School in Norfolk, VA 6th-8th grade science 2012-2014. Received “I Make a Difference Award” at Bayside 6th grade campus while teaching 6th grade science and advanced science 2014-2018. Joined the Bayside High School Family in 2018 as a Biology Teacher. “My greatest joy has been the opportunity to teach my 6th grade students again at the high school level and watch them graduate.”
Hamilton, Samuel D., BS, ATC, VATL
Bachelors of Science from Colby-Sawyer College in 1998. Alternative Teacher Certification Program Certificate from Virginia Wesleyan College in 2001. Employed as a certified athletic trainer in VBCPS since 1999 and worked at Bayside High School since 2002. Currently teaching HSA Human Anatomy and HSA Forensic Medicine. Recognized as the 2016 Teacher of the Year. American Heart Association BLS Instructor 2016 to present. Stop the Bleed Instructor 2019 to present. Currently employed as a Middle School Outreach Certified Athletic Trainer for CHKD. Pervious volunteer for a local Fire and Rescue Squad back in New England from 1992-1998. Background in sports medicine, human anatomy, human physiology, and emergency medicine. “I enjoy passing down my knowledge and experiences to the students and preparing for them for a future in medicine and the allied health fields.”
Kain-Kuzniewski, Kristin H. Ph. D.
Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Vanderbilt University. Ph.D. in experimental pathology in 1999 from the University of Texas Medical (UTMB) focused on inflammation and cancer research. Taught physician assistants (PA) and was a pathology teaching assistant for medical students at UTMB. Postdoctoral research performed at The Scripps Research Institute and University of California San Diego (UCSD) from 2000-2005 focused on cancer cell metastasis. Served as the launch associate reviews editor for the medical journal, Disease Models and Mechanisms (DMM) at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Kain has taught since 1999, with focus on anatomy and physiology at the University of San Diego, University of West Florida, Regent University and Tidewater Community College before joining Bayside High School’s HSA.
Moore, Christine M., BS, ATC, VATL
Bachelors of Science from West Chester University 1988; certified athletic trainer for VBCPS since 1989; teacher at Bayside High School 1991; American Heart Association BLS Instructor 2010 to present; Currently Teaching HSA Health Occupations and the Anatomy and Sports Injury Elective. Currently employed as a Middle School Outreach Athletic Trainer for CHKD. Previous experience includes Medical Assistant at Atlantic Orthopedic Specials 1989 – 1991; Middle School Outreach Athletic Trainer for Glasson Sports Medicine. Recognized as the 2015 Teacher of the Year. “The most rewarding part of my entire teaching career has been seeing the enthusiasm and excitement that comes with the incoming HSA Students!”
Romero, Amanda, BS
Bachelors of Science in Biology from University of Texas at El Paso in 2012. Taught Life and Earth Space Science in Florida for four years at Northwestern Middle School 2013-2017. Joined the Bayside family in the fall of 2017 as a Biology Teacher. Teacher of the Year Nominee 2020. Currently teaching HSA Biology and HSA Forensic Medicine. Also serves as head coach of Girls Varsity Soccer. “My excitement for teaching comes from being able to inspire young minds into achieving anything they put their minds to and seeing their enthusiastic smiles on their faces.”
Thompson, Kathy, BA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from The University of Arizona. Seventeen years teaching experience in Arizona and two years in Norfolk Public Schools. A previous College Board Reader for AP Studio Art and a National Art Honor Society Sponsor. Has been at Bayside High School since 2015 teaching Art Foundations, Paint/Draw/Print, Advanced Art, AP Studio Art and specifically Anatomical Architecture/Medical Illustration for the HSA. Awarded “Distinguished Teacher” for Bayside High School 2019.
Vedder, Jenn, MS
Masters of Science in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University (1998). Bachelors of Science in Biology and Healthcare Administration from Providence College (1994). Ms. Vedder served in the US Army as a Medical Service Corps Officer after graduating college. Prior to coming to Bayside, Ms. Vedder worked for L-3COM as a government analyst and co-authored a series of books called, “Eyewitness to War: The US Army in Operations Al Fajr: An Oral History”. Ms. Vedder taught at Saint Petersburg College (Florida) in the Health Sciences Division and the University of Mary (North Dakota) in the undergraduate Healthcare Administration program as well as in the Masters program at the Gary Tharaldson School of Business. Ms. Vedder was recognized as the 2020 Adapted Physical Education Teacher of the Year for Virginia and is entering her 5th year at Bayside where she teaches Health and Physical Education, SCI-PHY, and Adapted Physical Education.
Additional HSA Faculty
Mejia, Terry, M.S.
Post Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership and Administration, The George Washington University, Master’s in Counseling, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA; Bachelors of Science in Mathematics Education, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA; Teaching/Counseling in Virginia Beach since 1989, Counselor at Bayside High School since 2001, and in the Health Sciences Academy since 2003, Coordinator for Health Sciences Academy since 2013
Pearl, Adrienne, M.A.
Masters of Education in School Counseling from Cambridge College and Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Old Dominion University. One school year at Princess Anne High School as Graduation Coach. Health Sciences Academy Counselor and Scholarship Coordinator at Bayside High School since 2013. My biggest reward is assisting students in reaching their goals and overcoming whatever obstacles they face.
Pineda, Victoria, M.S.Ed.
Bachelors of Arts in English and Masters of Science in Secondary Education from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. Teaching at BHS since 2014; teaches HSA English 9 and 10 Honors. Yearbook adviser.
Pritchard, William
Secondary Social Studies Certification from Virginia Wesleyan College, Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Asbury College. Bayside Scholastic Bowl Coach, Bayside HS Social Studies Department Chair 2009-2019, Teacher of the Year – Virginia Beach Central Academy 2003. Teaches AP U.S. History, HSA U.S. History, and U.S. History.
Scott, Mathew, M.S.Ed.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, Old Dominion University 1995, Master's of Science in Education, Old Dominion University 1997. Social Studies teacher at Bayside Middle School 1999-2014. Social Studies teacher at Bayside High School since 2014. Currently teach HSA World History II, and AP Human Geography. Teacher of the Year 2009. Marlin Lacrosse Club sponsor and coach.
Schwartz, Martha, BA
Bachelor of Arts, English & Secondary Education, Virginia Wesleyan College, teaching at BHS since 2002; teaches HSA English 10 Honors, sponsors the Medical Honor Society. Teacher of the Year in 2010.
Schweizer, Katherine, BA
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a Concentration in Secondary Education from Longwood College. Taught at Cox High School 2003-2009 and have been teaching at Bayside since 2009. Have taught all levels of math from Algebra I through AP Calculus AB. Currently teaching HSA Algebra II/Trig and Math Analysis.
Williamson, Ashley, M.S.Ed
Bachelor of Arts, James Madison University 2003, Masters of Science in Education, Old Dominion University 2008, fourteen years of teaching experience at both Bayside High School and Princess Anne High School (AP Psychology, VA/US Government, HSA Government, Psychology I/II and VA/US History), National Board-Certified Teacher and Assessor, Teacher of the Year 2014, Career Teacher, SCA Adviser, Leadership Workshop Coordinator, Badminton Club Coach
Zerr, Miriam
Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics with a Concentration in Secondary Education from Virginia Wesleyan College. Seventeen years of teaching experience at both First Colonial and Bayside High. Fifteen years of teaching experience in Geometry. Have also taught Algebra II/Trig and Math Analysis.