Paige Hawkins, Health and PE Department Chair, has been a faculty member at Maggie Walker Governor’s School (MLWGS) since 1993. She has also served as the school’s field hockey coach for most of that time, earning recognition as the VHSL Region Coach of the Year during her tenure. In her role as Athletic Director and on school leadership, Paige dedicates herself to coordinating transportation for students involved in athletics and academic field trips. It’s a complex task that few could manage effectively.
Don Blanton, Health, PE, and Driver’s Education teacher, has been teaching at MLWGS for 29 years. Over the years, he has sponsored various activities, including classes, Lifesmarts, RAMPS, and Key Club for 17 years. Additionally, he has served as the Red Cross Club sponsor for 28 years, during which he has organized and overseen numerous blood drives.
As the wrestling coach for 30 years, Don has coached two state champions and helped grow the team from just two wrestlers to a consistent roster of 15. This upcoming year, he will take on a new challenge by teaching the ninth-grade Health and PE classes online for the class of 2029.
In his free time, Don enjoys trivia nights with friends and spending time at the beach with his family. Excitingly, he will soon become a proud grandfather to a granddaughter named Phoebe.
Mike Brown, Health, PE, and Driver’s Education teacher, has been teaching for 20 years, having transitioned from his previous role as the head of security. Before joining MWGS, he served as the head athletic trainer at Virginia State for six years. He continued in that capacity until he started teaching. Mike has been the Head Golf Coach for 12 years and has enjoyed several successful seasons.
In addition to coaching, Mike has sponsored various classes, the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) organization, the Young Republicans, and has been involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for the past 12 years. He is very active in his local church and has recently been assigned to oversee scheduling for the softball and baseball complexes.
When Mike isn’t spending time with his granddaughter, Ivy, you can often find him fishing on the water or hunting in the woods.
Sonny Banes – Facilities. In 2025, Sonny became the temporary sole member of his department due to his co-worker, Troy Mitchell, facing health challenges. Despite the circumstances, Sonny maintains a positive attitude and a cooperative spirit. We frequently call for his assistance over the radio, and he is always ready to help. His expertise in fixing everything is greatly appreciated.
Engagement with Aparna Harger, Coordinator of Strategic Engagement, has been working in partnership with the Virginia Center for Inclusive Communities to bring our student leaders programming related to building skills for constructive and inclusive dialogue and encouraging others to be upstanders. We just completed two-part workshops with club leaders, SCA, class representatives, and freshman mentors. In January, Aparna was a facilitator for VCIC’s Diversity Dialogue Day conference for high schoolers around central Virginia, which took place at the University of Richmond. A group of 12 students and teachers represented Maggie Walker at the conference and explored the topic of Socioeconomic Status.
In the community, Aparna has partnered with the Moore Street School Foundation to connect our students with the Carver neighborhood through Nick Merillat’s Composition seminar and Ed Coleman’s Dragon Advisory program. She is also on the Board for Virginia Diversity Network, hosting bi-monthly pop-ups and fall and spring conferences for educators and supporting the inclusion efforts of independent schools across the Commonwealth.
Mentorship and Seminars with Les Cook. Les oversees all instruction related to senior mentorships and senior seminars. This program offers students an opportunity to participate with a professional in the Richmond area or to participate in a seminar course designed by one of our MLWGS teachers. Examples of current seminars include Power of Story: Teaching Narrative Through Travel Writing, Wilderness and the American Mind, Gender and Culture in the Middle East and North Africa, Photojournalism in the Digital Age, Digital Video Seminar, Black Legacy Black Lives, Moneyball: The History and Sabermetrics of Baseball, Music Composition and Recording, and Classical Mythology & Ovid’s Metamorphoses. Some of these seminars have been so popular that they have run for many consecutive years.
Captain Michael Jordan has been responsible for security at MLWGS since June 2021. He is well-qualified for this role, having previously served as a Commander in the United States Federal Reserve Police, in addition to his experience as an operations and training officer. Outside of school, the Captain enjoys spending quiet time at home with his family and pets, where he can relax and unwind.
Sergeant Warren Smith, also known as “Standing Tall Smith,” has been a valuable member of the MLWGS community since 2007. He is always ready to assist in various capacities, whether it’s driving the school bus, ensuring the safety of students, or patrolling the grounds. Sergeant Smith is also a well-known foodie, and he particularly enjoys days when meals are provided by the PTSA.
Officer Bradley Jenkins came to us in August 2024 with 8 years of experience in the US Army, serving as a multichannel systems operator and as a Human Resources Specialist. With his background, Brad aims to contribute to maintaining safety at our school while on duty.
Officer Kayla Jeffreys also came to us in 2024 with two years of training in the US Army. Kayla is a dedicated Security Officer with a longstanding commitment to criminal justice that began in high school, backed by prior service as a Military Police Officer. She brings discipline, integrity, and a mission-driven mindset to every role. Currently focused on ensuring the safety and well-being of students in an educational environment, she is continuously seeking to grow within the field- expanding her skills, deepening her expertise, and contributing to safer communities.
