News & Events

Our newest faculty and staff members have officially been welcomed into the Norfolk Academy family!

On August 14, the group began orientation, which emphasizes our Honor System, technology, and more. That will lead into full faculty and staff meetings that begin August 19.

Here are the teachers and staff joining our family for 2025-26:

Lower School

Alyssa Beyrodt 

B.S., Old Dominion University 
Music Teacher (Strings)

Before joining Norfolk Academy, Alyssa Beyrodt taught private violin and piano lessons for several years, earning a reputation for her nurturing presence and individualized approach to music education. An accomplished violinist and vocalist, she has headlined major performance venues such as the NorVa and the Virginia Beach Amphitheater, recorded with a variety of artists, and regularly leads worship and performs at Virginia Beach Community Chapel. 

Natalie Holder 

B.B.A., M.A., Kent State University 
P.E. Teacher
Varsity Field Hockey Head Coach

Natalie Holder comes to us from Old Dominion University, where she was the Associate Head Field Hockey Coach from 2012-25. Before that, she was an Assistant Coach at Syracuse University and Christopher Newport University. Throughout her career, she has coached teams that have won conference and tournament championships and has made a Final Four appearance. In addition, throughout her career, she has directed and coached youth field hockey camps for beginners, created curriculums and run high school camps, and coached USA National events. 

Lauren Holthaus

B.A., St. Mary’s College of Maryland 
M.Ed., Stanford University 
Ph.D., Vanderbilt University 
Lower School Assistant Director

Dr. Lauren Holthaus, a third-generation educator, earned her Bachelor of Arts from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, her Master of Arts in Education from Stanford University, and her Doctorate from Vanderbilt University.  Dr. Holthaus began her career teaching third and fourth grades and most recently served as Program Manager for Education and Leadership at a consulting firm.   

Tracy LoAlbo 

B.S., Pennsylvania State University 
M.Ed., University of Virginia 
Reading Instructor 

Tracy LoAlbo began her teaching career in 1990 in Chesterfield County, as a first-grade teacher. After two years, she moved to Virginia Beach, where she taught for 25 years in various roles, including reading and kindergarten assistant, as well as 1st- and 2nd-grade teacher, and reading specialist.  She also worked as a Writing Consultant for Old Dominion University, supporting students in several Norfolk schools and served as a Title I Reading Specialist. She is also trained in Orton-Gillingham. 

Valentina O’Brien 

B.S., James Madison University 
M.Ed., Averett University 
4th Grade Teacher

Valentina O'Brien has worked in grades pre-kindergarten-3rd, with the majority of her career in 3rd grade. She has taught in many different settings, including in a Math and Science Academy and a Dual Language Spanish Immersion program. In addition, Ms. O’Brien developed and taught after-school Spanish programs for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. 
 

Duane Smith 

B.A., Hampton University
School of the Arts Director, Lower School

Duane Smith is a dynamic trumpeter, composer, and music innovator who began playing at age 12 and honed his craft in New York's jazz scene, studying at LaGuardia High School and performing with legends like Roy Hargrove. While attending Hampton University, he co-founded Peach Fuzz Entertainment and The Fuzz Band, touring globally on USO missions and performing at prestigious events including President Obama’s inaugural ball and major jazz festivals. 
 
Middle School 

Charlotte Berron ’96 

B.A., Sewanee: The University of the South 
M.A., University of Kentucky 
English and German Teacher, Middle School 
Girls Lacrosse Coach

Charlotte Berron has more than 15 years of German and English language teaching experience across high school and university levels. She most recently served at Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, where she taught both German and English, while organizing international exchange programs with partner schools in Germany. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from Sewanee, where she participated in a study abroad year at the Otto-Friedrich-University Bamberg in Germany, and she attained her Master of Arts in Germanic Languages and Literatures from the University of Kentucky. Mrs. Berron was also a former Fulbright Teaching Assistant in Austria and adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University.  
 

Sarah Daye 

B.S., Miami University 
Math Teacher, Middle School 
Girls Basketball Coach

Sarah Daye is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Math Education from Miami University and moved to Virginia Beach shortly after to begin her teaching career at Cape Henry Collegiate. During her time there, she taught Honors Algebra II and Precalculus in the Upper School, served as an academic advisor, and coached Middle School Girls Basketball, JV Girls Basketball, and Co-Ed Track and Field.  
 

Maggie Johns 

B.S., University of Delaware 
M.S., Florida Atlantic University 
Athletic Trainer 
P.E. Teacher

After graduating from the University of Delaware, Maggie Johns took a position as Head Athletic Trainer at St. Maria Goretti High School. In 2017 she began work on a Master's degree as a Graduate Assistant Athletic Trainer at Florida Atlantic University, where she worked with the Conference championship-winning softball team and Swim and Dive team, while assisting with football and rehabilitation services. After completing her master's degree, she served as Director of Sports Medicine and Head Football Athletic Trainer at the University of New Haven. After four successful years at New Haven, Ms. Johns returned to Hampton Roads and worked as a Clinical Outreach Athletic Trainer with CHKD. 
 
Mary Kline 

B.A., Colgate University 
M.A.T., The School for International Training 
Latin Teacher
Swimming Coach

Mary Kline earned a Bachelor's degree in Classics from Colgate University, where she competed with the Swim & Dive team for two years and the Women's Rugby team for two years. After completing graduate work in Latin and ancient Greek at The Ohio State University, Ms. Kline studied second language acquisition and curriculum design while earning a Master’s in Teaching from the School of International Training. A native of Massachusetts, most of Ms. Kline's teaching career has been spent at a boarding school in New England and an independent day school in Maryland. In addition to teaching Latin, Ms. Kline has also served as a Class Dean and an Assistant Swim Coach. 

Jason Kypros ’96 

B.A., Virginia Polytechnic Institute 
Drama Teacher

Jason Kypros works professionally both on and off the stage and screen. He began performing stand-up comedy in Los Angeles, where he also graduated from the Groundlings School of Improv. The former Spokesperson for the Virginia Lottery, Mr. Kypros is currently a host of WHRO TV's "Curate" and continues to work closely with many of the arts organizations in Hampton Roads. Prior to returning to Norfolk Academy, Mr. Kypros was also the Director of Theater at St Patrick Catholic School.  

Virginia Laurie 

B.A., Washington and Lee University 
M.F.A., University of North Carolina, Wilmington 
English Teacher 

Virginia Laurie earned a Bachelor's degree in English from Washington and Lee University, with minors in Studio Art and Middle East & South Asia Studies with an Arabic Language Concentration. She went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Poetry) from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she served as Vice President of the Graduate Student Association and taught undergraduate courses such as Explorations in the Creative Process, Intro to Creative Writing, Evolutions of Creative Writing, Poetry I, and Poetry II. 

Rachel Lifson 

B.S., M.S., University of Louisville 
Associate Director of Athletic Performance 
P.E. Teacher

Originally from Richmond, Rachel Lifson graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Performance with a track in Exercise Science in 2023. While at Louisville, she was a four-year member of the Division I Women's Lacrosse team, appearing in 49 games throughout her career as a Midfielder. Following graduation, Ms. Lifson completed a summer internship with University of Maryland Olympic Sports. She then began a two-year Graduate Assistantship at Louisville, serving as a Teaching Assistant for undergraduate Exercise Science courses and an intern with Louisville Sports Performance while pursuing a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology, graduating in 2025. She has worked with a multitude of sports teams and served as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for Novice Rowers and Cross Country athletes.  

Gabrielle Swann ’16 

B.A., University of Virginia 
French Teacher
Crew Coach

Gabrielle Swann, a 2016 graduate of Norfolk Academy, returns to her alma mater to teach Middle School French. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Virginia and is completing a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Mary Baldwin University. Ms. Swann is eager to join the Foreign Language Department and work alongside Mr. Warsaw, her former French teacher, sharing her passion for the French language and culture with the next generation of students. 

Upper School  

Leland DuNomes  

B.A., Marygrove College
M.Ed., Concordia University  
Ph.D., Liberty University  
Math Teacher  
Boys Basketball Coach

Dr. Leland DuNomes brings more than 13 years of mathematics education experience to the Upper School Mathematics department. He earned his Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Liberty University with High Distinction and is pursuing an Educational Leadership Certificate from James Madison University. His career spans domestic and international schools, including Mathematics Department Chair roles at Christchurch School and American United School of Kuwait. A U.S. Navy veteran, he maintains teaching licenses in multiple states.  

Jordan T. Jarman  

B.S., The College of William and Mary  
M.Ed., Northcentral University  
Chemistry Teacher

Jordan Jarman received her undergraduate degree in chemistry from The College of William and Mary, where she received the Noyce scholarship for two years and was a member of the dance team for all four years, a captain for two, and competed nationally with the team her senior year in college. She later continued her education with a Master's degree in Leadership in Higher Education. Ms. Jarman joins us from Ocean Lakes High School in Virginia Beach, where she has taught Chemistry since 2019. 

Victoria Tabibi  

B.S., M.S.Ed., Old Dominion University  
Physics Teacher

While completing her Bachelor’s of Science in Physics, Victoria Tabibi began working at the Pretlow Planetarium at Old Dominion University, where she presented nightly shows to the public. The experience of working at the planetarium led her to pursue a teaching career through the Teacher in Residence program, earning a Master’s degree in Education. She began her career in Norfolk Public Schools teaching physics, AP physics, and earth science. Ms. Tabibi is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction through Indiana University. 

Eliot Weinstein  

B.A., Bucknell University  
M.A.Ed., Old Dominion University  
Chemistry and Physics Teacher
Indoor Track and Spring Track Coach

Born and raised in New Jersey, Eliot Weinstein attended Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA, where he studied chemistry and music and ran Division 1 Track and Field. After graduating Mr. Weinstein transitioned to a career in informal education, focusing on youth leadership and development. During those years Mr. Weinstein spent several summers running teen service learning programs to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and New Orleans. After moving to Virginia, Mr. Weinstein attended Old Dominion University, where he received his Master’s of Education in Science. He then spent 14 years teaching chemistry and physics at Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, where he was also the head coach of the Track and Field program, Film Festival Director and co-led the Guitar Club. 

Staff 

Jenny Huelsberg ’93 

B.A., University of Virginia 
J.D., Georgetown University 
Archivist 

Jennifer Huelsberg was a Commercial Real Estate Attorney for 20 years, initially in private practice and then with the City of Virginia Beach.  She was also the Past President of Tide Swimming and has served in many other community and volunteer leadership roles.