Diane Naff - Supervisor

I have been teaching for over 30 years and have been part of the gifted staff in MCPS for 10+ years.  I have a B.S. from James Madison University in Early Childhood Education, a M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech and a M.A. in Educational Leadership from Radford University. I also have a Gifted Endorsement from the University of VA and a Virginia Technology Certificate from UVA. I have attended college all across Virginia and I love learning!

I am married to Mike and have 2 children: Jessica and Ryan. Jessica is a third year medical student at VCOM and Ryan graduated with a business degree from James Madison University and is working at VT. I enjoy reading, computers, clogging, making scrapbooks, swimming, riding my bike, going to the movies, and cheering for the Hokies!

Terri Bennett

I grew up in Christiansburg and graduated from CHS (many years ago). I attended Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, where I earned a B.S. degree in Sport Management.  I later received a Master of Teaching degree in Elementary Education from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA, and I am currently working toward a gifted endorsement through UVA. I spent the first few years of my career teaching first graders in Dinwiddie County, before moving to Chesterfield County where I taught various grades at the elementary level. I am very happy to be back in Montgomery County, and especially working as a Gifted Resource Teacher for MCPS.  I serve students, their parents, and teachers at Belview Elementary School and Christiansburg Primary School. 

I am a native of Christiansburg, Virginia.  I received my undergraduate degree in Early Childhood/Elementary Education K-7 and my master’s degree, a K-12 Reading Specialist, through Radford University.  I completed a gifted endorsement through UVA in January 2009.  I have 21 years of classroom teaching experience in third and fourth grades and three years experience as a gifted resource teacher. I serve students, teachers, and parents at Kipps Elementary school.  I enjoy watching students think when posing open-ended questions and benefit from small group discussions where there are no right or wrong answers.  I am very pleased to be serving in this present capacity as this is a dream come true.

I enjoy walking, reading, Bible study, playing Bridge, and spending time with friends and family when I am not in school.  My husband and I have two grown children, four grandsons, and a great grandson and great granddaughter. 

 *My favorite quote, from a 5^th grader:  “Physically, I’m here--mentally, I’m everywhere.” 

 Laura Daniels

Wow! It is hard to believe it has been over 16 years since I started teaching after graduating from Virginia Tech. I love teaching and the kids I teach, and I try to make everyday a fun learning day.

I am lucky to be married to a wonderful man, Tim, who also is my best friend. We have two daughters, Brooke and Paige, who attend MCPS schools. We also have three dogs (Molly, Lucy and Leia), a cat (Kitty), an African fat tailed Gecko (Boomie), an African side-necked turtle (Zimby), and ....well that is enough! We love to spend time together doing things as a family- especially going to and watching University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech football games (our favorite hobby)! I am very blessed to have such a wonderful family!

I look forward to each day at Auburn Elementary where I serve as the Gifted Resource Teacher.

Marti Hale

I am a native of Radford and currently live in Dublin with my two wonderful daughters, my husband Tom, our four dogs, and our three cats! I’ve been in the Montgomery County Public School System for five years and have taught school for thirteen.  I received my Bachelors from Virginia Tech in Marketing and Education, my Gifted Endorsement from the University of Virginia, and I am currently working on my Masters in Education Administration at Radford University.  Prior to coming to Montgomery County, I was the Director of Licensing and Trademark Administration at Virginia Tech for nine years, and I served in the Reagan Administration in Washington, D.C. for seven years.  My background is varied, which helps me bring real world experiences to my students as they develop knowledge and skills to prepare for their futures.

This year I will be the Gifted Resource Teacher at Auburn Middle School and Auburn High School. I look forward to working with my gifted students and their teachers to ensure that they reach their full potential. 

One of my favorite quotes, by Albert Einstein, speaks to the impact our gifted students can have through cultivating their creativity and talents.  “We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”

Amy Lunsford

My name is Amy Lunsford. I am a native of Michigan; I grew up and lived in Ann Arbor, Michigan for 27 years. I currently live in Christiansburg where my children are students. We are true U of M fans but also cheer for the Hokies! I received my B.S. in Public Relations at Michigan and I received my teaching license through Radford University's graduate program. I am studying to receive my gifted endorsement through UVA.  Previously, I taught 3^rd grade at Gilbert Linkous Elementary for 6 years, now I am serving the Margaret Beeks and Harding community, the parents, faculty, and students in my position of Gifted Resource Teacher.  Please let me know if you have any questions about my services or how I can help you. 

 Brenda Mash

I am a native of Montgomery County and have degrees/endorsements from both Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia.  I live with my husband and our two daughters.  We enjoy doing things as a family such as traveling, reading, and watching the Atlanta Braves play.  I have enjoyed teaching since I began in Roanoke City in 1990.  I have been in gifted education since 1996 and started as a Gifted Resource Teacher in Montgomery County in 2003. I currently work in Falling Branch Elementary School.  It's very exciting to be able to come back to the schools I attended as a child and be able to give back to them.

Shpresa Mykerezi

I received my B.A. degree in 1977 from the University of Tirana Albania in Physics. For nearly 25 years I taught physics and math in high and middle schools in Albania. I came to the United States in 2000. I started as a Gifted Resource Teacher in Montgomery County in 2005. I currently work in Blacksburg Middle School and Blacksburg High School. I am married and my husband teaches in Virginia Tech. We have two sons, both graduated from Virginia Tech. We are proud to be a Hokie family. We live in Blacksburg.

 Debbie Sharp

I received a BS in Education with a double major in Mathematics and Biology from Missouri State University in 1971.  I have taught mathematics and science at private and public high schools and middle schools for twenty-seven years.  I moved to Roanoke in 1986 after living in Illinois and  Missouri.  I have served as a coach for MATHCOUNTS. 

This is my third year as the Gifted  Resource Teacher for Christiansburg Middle School, coming from Auburn High School, where I taught algebra and geometry for two years.  I also serve as the Gifted Resource Teacher for Christiansburg High School. My primary focus is to work with students in mathematics and English classes and to be a resource for teachers.  I am married and have two sons and two grandchildren.

 Reba Taylor

I am a fifth generation teacher. Teaching is in my family!

I earned my undergraduate degree from Emory and Henry University and my master's degree in Secondary Supervision from Radford University.  I taught AP Computer Science and AP Statistics courses for high school students for many years.  Currently I am the Gifted Resource Teacher serving Shawsville Middle School and Eastern Montgomery High School.

Patty Thompson

At the ripe old age of three I informed my family that I was going to be a teacher when I grew up. Since then, I have never wavered in my conviction that teaching is my vocation. I graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1971 with a BA in Elementary Education, received an MA in Elementary Curriculum with an emphasis in reading in 1977, and have a Gifted Endorsement from the University of Virginia. My 35+ years of teaching have included elementary classroom, gifted, Title I, and adult education positions in a variety of settings; rural, suburban, inner city, private school, and Neighborhood Youth Corps. Over the years I have been privileged to enjoy a challenging and diverse career.
Steve, my husband of 38 years, is a professor of architecture at Virginia Tech.  We have three adult children who are spread across the country; Rachel in San Francisco, Adam in New York, and Ross who is the new band director at Narrow Middle and High Schools. When not teaching, I enjoy reading, quilting, hiking, cooking, and playing with our two dogs, Zylah and Chaussy.

Vicki Kitts

As a lifelong learner, I adore teaching and learning. I attended public schools in Montgomery County, graduated from Radford University with a B.S. degree in Education and Human Development, and earned a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Virginia Tech. I am currently working on a gifted endorsement. Before returning to Montgomery County Schools, I taught in Roanoke City Schools for 24 years. I had the honor of working at Margaret Beeks Elementary and Christiansburg Middle School several years ago. While not in school, I enjoy gardening, volunteering with Master Gardeners, writing, my three cats, and my friends. My delightful children are grown, and I have a granddaughter, Ella. My three younger brothers still light up my life: one lives in Christiansburg, one in Savannah, Georgia, and one in Japan. 

 Polly Zeiger

Hi, my name is Polly Zeiger and I am the Gifted Resource Teacher at Christiansburg Elementary School.  I was born and raised in Wisconsin. I graduated from Concordia University in May of 1994 with a BS in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, with a minor in Psychology. I also have an associate’s degree in Marketing and Fashion Merchandising. I started teaching at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School in September of 1994. I was an instructional aide for two years before starting my full-time teaching career. I have taught 1st grade, 3rd grade and also 4th grade, all at GLE. I graduated from Virginia Tech in May of 2008 with a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Development, with an emphasis as a Math Specialist. My husband Matt and I have lived in Blacksburg for over 13 years. We have three children that keep us very busy.