With great fondness and sincere gratitude for their combined 52 years of service to Maggie Walker Governor’s School, we say goodbye to the following retiring staff and faculty members.
Deborah Snagg: August 1998 – June 2025
Deborah began her tenure at this school when it was known as the Governor’s School for Government and International Studies. Throughout her career, she took on various roles and responsibilities. She assisted Karen Hoover in the Finance office, assisted with attendance and clinic duties, and, in her later years, became deeply involved with the school’s technology needs.
In addition to her administrative roles, Deborah dedicated many years to coaching the cross-country, indoor track, and spring track and field teams alongside Jim Holdren. Deborah herself is an inductee in the University of Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame with the Class of 1989-90. Under her guidance, the Maggie Walker teams won multiple state championships and achieved even more regional titles. Deborah will continue coaching in her retirement.
As stated in the April 2, 2015 edition of Milesplit.com, Faces in the Crowd: Deborah Snagg; “Not only does talent and work ethic come into play with her, but also great coaching. Deborah was coached by one of the greatest in state history back in high school, and still coaches under him today. That is none other than Maggie Walker’s Jim Holdren. Jim is one of the winningest coaches of all time and a Virginia Hall of Fame member.”
Dr. Brenda Ericson: August 2000 – June 2025.
Dr. Ericson also joined the faculty at the original GSGIS in 2000, which at the time was located at Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond. During her tenure, she completed her Ph.D. and applied her knowledge to teach a wide range of international topics in the Department of Social Studies.
“Brenda’s expertise in East Asian studies helped lead to the development of a new course on this subject area, as well as her taking over the International Relations course,” said Dan Brown, Department Chair. “In addition to these classes, she has also taught Global Studies and APUSH. In the latter course, she and her colleagues were recognized as having the highest scores in the nation on the 2005 AP Exam. In addition to this recognition, Brenda has also received several scholarships and grants to study abroad.”
Brenda has also served as a sponsor for Model UN and as the Department Chair for the Social Studies Department from AY2017 to AY2022. Her presence will definitely be missed next year, but we all hope that she enjoys her retirement.
Happy Retirement to both Deborah and Brenda! You’ve worked hard and earned this time to pursue your passions and dreams. May every day bring you new opportunities for happiness and fulfillment.
