Mya Brown: Kindergarten, Bethel
woman in a hat with western mountains in background

Mya is thrilled to be a new team member at Bethel Elementary School!  Kindergarten is such a special grade! With a background of teaching Preschool and 5th grade, as well as experience as a paraeducator, Mya brings many perspectives to her new role. After earning her BA in Elementary Education, she took a detour and worked on farms for several years before returning to her passion for teaching! She is eager to bring her love for Vermont, local food, intentional play, and many other passions to the school. Outside of the classroom, Mya and her dog enjoy spending their weekends hiking, climbing, and exploring this amazing area. Feel free to reach out to Mya at mbrown@wrvsu.org.

Brittany Kelton: Kindergarten, Royalton
smiling lady with dark curly hair

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 and is now earning her Masters. 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 Kindergarteners and their families. You can reach Brittany at bkelton@wrvsu.org.

Hannah Thody: 1st Grade, Royalton
Smiling Hannah

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
A woman dressed up, at night, wearing hearings and a black top.

Steph started working in Bethel in 2004. This year she is teaching first and second grade Literacy and Writing, with first graders being her home room class. Steph lives in Royalton with her husband Luke, and her children Brayden and Greyson. Brayden is a freshman in college at Western Colorado University and Greyson is a Sophomore at WRVHS. Steph loves watching her kids play sports, especially basketball, spending time with her family, and being with her pets. You can reach Steph at the Bethel Campus or at sruss@wrvsu.org

Natalie Williams: 1st Grade, Royalton
headshot of a woman with blonde hair, smiling.

Natalie has worked for the White River Valley School since 2015. She started her early educator career in the Bethel Preschool and is now teaching first grade on the South Royalton campus. She grew up in Southern New Hampshire and is a mother of 3. She enjoys animals, crocheting, and gardening. She really enjoys working with kids. Natalie can be reached at nwilliams@wrvsu.org.

Libby Lane: 2nd Grade, Bethel
smiling blonde with pretty scarf in a car

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!

i cam be reached at elane@wrvsu.org

Amelia Light: 2nd Grade, Royalton
woman in large sunhat

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: 4th & 5th Grade, Bethel
Headshot of a woman in white with blonde hair with a big turquoise earring and a smile.

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.

She can be reached at kfechter@wrvsu.org

Tiffany Bates: 3rd Grade, Royalton
teacher with goat

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 can be reached at tbates@wrvsu.org

Jose Funes: 3rd Grade, Bethel
Man in grey shirt with his arms crossed

Jose Funes grew up in Los Angeles County, California, and Fort Myers, Florida. He earned his bachelor's degree in General History from the University of Tampa and his master's degree in Supply Chain Management from the University of Wisconsin- Platteville. For the past 11 years, he has served as a Medical Service Corps Officer in the U.S. Army. He is now excited to begin his next chapter teaching 3rd grade. In his free time, Mr. Funes enjoys spending time with his succulents and plants, playing with his three dogs, and watching live sports with his family. You can reach Mr. Funes at jfunes@wrvsu.org.

Dylan Otis: 4th Grade, Royalton
Man taking school photo

Hello, my name is Mr. Otis! I am from Barre, VT, where I currently reside. I have been working in the education field for five years. Most recently, I worked as a Paraeducator at Barre City School. I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in 2019 from Vermont Technical College. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, fishing, and creating things with my 3D printer. I can be reached at dotis@wrvsu.org

Melissa Wilson: 4th Grade, Royalton
smiling teacher in front of window painting

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!!!

I can be reached at mwilson@wrvsu.org

❤️

Codie Doton: 4th & 5th Grade, Bethel
woman in blue shirt in front of field

Codie is thrilled to be joining the White River Valley team on the Bethel campus this school year as the 4th and 5th grade math and science teacher. Codie lives on her husband's family dairy farm where they are raising their two elementary age children. She enjoys spending time outdoors and immersing herself in nature. In her free time, she enjoys playing softball, showing rabbits, working with her horses, and going on adventures with her family. Having grown up in Hartland, Vermont, Codie has deep roots in the Upper Valley. You can reach Codie at cdoton@wrvsu.org.

Chris Cassell: 5th Grade, Royalton
Smiling man with blue background

Chris was born in Burlington, VT and served his country in the US Peace Corps. He has been an educator both in the US and overseas (Armenia, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.) Although he has taught every elementary grade level, he thinks fourth and fifth graders are amazing. He is married to another Peace Corps volunteer and has two grown children: the eldest lives in Bulgaria as a Fulbright Teacher and the youngest studies mechanical engineering at WPI. When not traveling, distance swimming, running or gravel biking, you might find him hunting for vintage Volkswagens or AMCs in a classic car museum. Chris can be reached at ccassell@wrvsu.org