With deep appreciation for their service, we bid farewell to the following faculty members in June.
Davide D’Urbino – Science Department
August 2022 – June 2024
Davide is an Italian national with an impressive passport filled with stamps from around the world. He has a keen interest in organic chemistry and chemistry education, which he brought to Maggie Walker. During his two-year tenure here, he has been actively involved in student activities, particularly with the Model UN Club and Club SECSEE, where he has provided valuable assistance. We are grateful for Davide’s service and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
Kelsey Snyder – Visual and Performing Arts Department
August 2023 – June 2024
While we only had Kelsey Snyder for one year, what a year it was! With Kelsey’s dedication and commitment, the Chorus group participated in VMEA and helped the program earn a Blue Ribbon Award.
Kelsey runs her own studio teaching private voice, piano, and ukulele lessons. Her true passion lies with choral music, and in encouraging young singers to find their voice in the world through song. We wish you well as you pursue your business ventures full time next year. Thank you for your service at Maggie Walker Governor’s School.
Stephanie Welles – International Languages Department
After teaching at Maggie Walker for 15 years through June of 2022, Spanish teacher Stephanie Welles returned in 2023 as a long-term substitute for a teacher on sabbatical and again in January, 2024, for the retiring Bob Jenkins. Stephanie’s talent and skill in the classroom are matched only by her affability with colleagues and her compassion and care for her students. Her fellow teachers could always rely on her wisdom and perspective to guide them in their teaching.
Born in Fort Dix, New Jersey, Ms. Welles earned a B.A. in Spanish Language and Literature at Mary Washington. At Maggie Walker, she taught Spanish 3, Pre-AP Spanish, AP Spanish Language, and AP Spanish Literature. In addition, in collaboration with former ASL teacher Brenda Thornton, she taught the Relevance Rising senior seminar, which culminated in service trips to Guatemala. “Her colleagues and students are enormously grateful for the expertise, diligence, enthusiasm, and sense of humor she brought to the classroom,” said Michael White, International Language Department Chair. “Stephanie will be missed.”
This is our third goodbye to Stephanie, but with luck, it won’t be the last one.
John Piersol – English Department
2-Year Leave of Absence
John Piersol, a member of the English Department, is leaving the United States with his wife and daughter for two years to live on a tropical island. Yes, you read that correctly!
John has been teaching at Maggie Walker Governor’s School since 2011 and was a student Dragon and member of the Class of 2002 before that. He has a long-standing relationship with the school, yearbook photos show him participating in student activities and games throughout these years. John has also served as the freshmen class sponsor for many years now as well as bringing his skills to bear as a technology integratory supporting the faculty.
Although we will miss his friendly presence, we wish John and his family all the best on their adventure of a lifetime. We look forward to seeing him again in the fall of 2026.
