Mia Brown: Kindergarten, Bethel
Classrooms (ES)
Brittney Kelton: Kindergarten, Royalton
Brittany started working for WRVSU as a Special Education Para Educator in 2019. During her employment, she graduated from Western Governors University with her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. Brittany grew up in the Upper Valley and lives locally with her husband and daughter. She enjoys drawing, painting, reading, working in the garden, traveling, camping, visiting the beach, and riding her bike. Brittany is very excited to share her knowledge and creativity with the incoming Kindergarten class and their families. You can reach Brittany at bkelton@wrvsu.org.
Hannah Thody: Kindergarten, Royalton
I am Hannah Thody. I was born and raised in Vermont. I went to the University of New England where I graduated with a degree in Environmental Science and Marine Biology. I have been working with children for the past 12 years. I have worked at the White River Valley School for 4 years
I live in Pittsfield with my husband, our two children and our fur baby.
I enjoy reading, spending time with my family, gardening, cooking, and playing in the river.
I can be reached at hthody@wrvsu.org
Stephanie Russ: 1st grade, Bethel
Steph started working at Bethel Elementary back in 2004. She teaches first grade. She also works at the One Planet summer camp. Steph has two children, Brayden and Greyson, who attend the WRVHS and WRVMS. She loves the game of basketball, loves to dance, and enjoys spending time with her family during her free time. Steph grew up in Tunbridge and attended high school in Bethel when it was Whitcomb High School before becoming WRVMS. She and her family have lived in South Royalton since 2006. Steph can be reached at sruss@wrvsu.org.
Natalie Williams: 1st Grade, Royalton
Natalie has worked at Bethel Elementary since 2015. She grew up in New Hampshire. She enjoys crocheting and gardening. She is a mother of 3. She raises ducks and chickens. She really enjoys working with kids. Natalie can be reached at nwilliams@wrvsu.org.
Libby Lane: 2nd Grade, Bethel
I grew up in Richmond VT and I went to Champlain College. I have my bachelors degree in Elementary Education. I enjoy spending my free time outside, canoeing and kayaking! I have been teaching in Vermont for the last 6 years, and I had the opportunity to teach in Ireland as well. I am very excited to join such a great community!
Amelia Light: 2nd Grade, Royalton
Amelia is so excited to be joining the South Royalton family this year! This is her first year in Vermont after years of experience teaching 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades in Illinois and New York. She received a BA from Bryn Mawr College and a MA in Education from Hunter College in 2017. She currently lives in Taftsville. When she's not at school, you can find her hiking, gardening, or reading on the couch! You can reach her at alight@wrvsu.org.
Kathy Fechter: 3rd Grade, Bethel
Mrs. Fechter has taught at the Bethel campus since 2019. She is the Literacy teacher for grades 3, 4 and 5. Creativity is important to Mrs. Fechter, both personally and in the classroom. Mrs. Fechter combines her love of drawing with her love of writing in her comic strip, "Only Human," which is published in newspapers and online. Mrs. Fechter lives in Montpelier with her family and two adorable pet rats.
Tiffany Bates: 3rd Grade, Royalton
Hello, I am Tiffany Bates! I am a lifelong resident of Vermont with a great love of agriculture, hot air ballooning, Brook Trout, and Volunteer Fire Fighting! I have been a teaching for 7 years.
When I am at school I love sharing my interests and learning from my students! I’ve been participating in the Trout in the Classroom program for 7 years and look forward to bringing the program to the 3rd graders of South Royalton!
I am a mom to 3 girls. I’ve been a Volunteer Fire Fighter for over 15 years. When I’m not at school I enjoy spending time in my large vegetable garden, in the fields and barn with my 25 +/- goats, watching my children work their 4H animals, and crocheting!
I am very excited to be working for White River Valley School!
Melissa Wilson: 3rd Grade, Royalton
My name is Melissa, and I grew up in the Hampton Beach area. I joined the Navy in 1996, and then moved to California in 2000. I remained in CA for the next 20+ years raising my two kiddos, Jazmyne and Jayden. During that time, I obtained my BA in ECD, and my MA in Teaching, and taught for Fresno Unified School District for the last 13 years. Currently, I am enjoying all the outdoor activities and sites to see in beautiful New England!! So, even though I am new to the VT area, I am so PUMPED to bring my big city knowledge to such an amazing school and community!!!
Laura Leavitt : 4th Grade, Royalton
Laura Leavitt has been a high school science teacher on the Northern California Coast for the last three years, and recently returned home to South Royalton with her family. She is passionate about plants, insects, and the ocean. This year Laura is excited to transition to elementary school, and is looking forward to sharing her love of the natural world with her students. Laura can be reached at lleavitt@wrvsu.org
David DeSimone: 5th Grade, Royalton
David started working at the South Royalton Elementary School in 2012. He loves Alf and learning about Bigfoot, Snow Leopards, and other elusive creatures. David can be reached atddesimone@wrvsu.org.
Jaime Rainville: 4th & 5th Grade, Bethel
Mrs. Rainville started working for WRUD in December 2010. She has taught in the alternative classroom, was a special educator, and now teaches 3-5 math. Mrs. Rainville lives in Bethel with her husband and daughter. She has a love for cats, reading, swimming, and kayaking. Mrs. Rainville was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec and moved to the United States when she was 12 years old. In 2020, she became a United States Citizen. You can reach Mrs. Rainville at jrainville@wrvsu.org
Alyssa Castellini: 4th & 5th Grade, Bethel
Alyssa Castellini grew up in Hartland, VT. She went to college at the University of Canberra in Australia and has a Master's in Science Education from Northeastern State University and a STEM leadership certificate from a NASA cohort. She has been a teacher in Vermont and Massachusetts for the past 11 years. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading and being outdoors. She is very excited to teach 5th grade and join the BES community!
