My name is Demorrow Bond-Lee, Science Department Chair at Ghent School and the 2023 Norfolk Public Schools Middle School Teacher of the Year. This is my 23rd year teaching science and I love it! My major was Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Philadelphia is my hometown, so I am a die-hard EAGLES FAN! I enjoy football, traveling, and sampling delicious food. Teaching was not my intended career choice-becoming a doctor was. However, teaching has become a passion-one that I am very proud of and thankful for. Being able to inspire our youth and adults to develop a love for the STEM field is very rewarding.
Major: Biology
Hobbies: Reading, Hiking, Crochet (& other crafts), Gardening
Why be a teacher? I was working in the medical field and missing science. My husband said since I loved science so much and liked to share it with people too that teaching would be a great way to share that love with students and hopefully help them become more scientifically literate. It is great to watch students have that aha moment with science and know that will stay with them into adulthood.
Major: Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and a Master’s Degree in Education (Curriculum & Instruction)
Hobbies: Going to the movies, visiting the park with my daughter and cooking 😊
Purpose in Teaching: I wanted to become a teacher to motivate and encourage the inner city kids and show them how education can change their life!
Major: Bachelor of Science in Oceanic, Atmospheric, & Earth Sciences (2006, Old Dominion University) and Master’s Degree in Integrative STEM Education (2015, Virginia Tech).
I have been teaching Earth Science and Astronomy classes for the past 19 years at Landstown High School in Virginia Beach, VA. I was inspired to become a teacher after taking an Earth Science class in high school and I hope to motivate my students to always be curious, never stop learning, and keep looking up!
Major: Bachelor of Science (Interdisciplinary Studies 4 – 8) and Masters of Science (focus on Science and English education)
Hobbies: cooking, hiking, camping
Why be a teacher? My teachers were the first adults that showed me real love and caring; and I’ve always wanted to give back and to be that to someone else.
Major: Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction- Gifted and Talented
Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (Pre-K-6)
Hobbies: Traveling with my family and making memories.
Why be a teacher?: I became a teacher because I wanted to inspire a love of learning, particularly in math. Many students initially find math intimidating, but I’m passionate about transforming that perception. I love watching students move beyond just solving problems mechanically, to engaging deeply with critical thinking and collaboration. It’s amazing to see them enjoy the challenge of math and develop the confidence to approach complex problems with curiosity and creativity. By fostering this environment, students learn that math isn’t just about numbers—it’s about thinking, teamwork, and discovering new solutions.
Major: Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Biology with a Minor in Chemistry. Masters in Secondary Education with a concentration in Science Education. Certification: Middle School Science (6-8) and Biology.
Hobbies: I am a foodie who loves trying new restaurants. I also enjoy hiking and spending time with friends and family.
Why teaching: My high school Biology teacher, Mrs. Khan, left a long-lasting impression on me that I wanted to be just like her. She made science engaging and was always encouraging her students to do their best. I appreciated the investment Mrs. Khan made in her students and wanted to be an influence on others like her.
Major: Earth & Environmental Science
Hobbies: My grandchildren, refurbishing furniture
Why: I’ve always been excited about learning, sharing information and teaching others. I love to see the “aha” moment when teaching.
Major: My name is Karen Krepper and I have taught in Norfolk for approximately 25 years. I received my masters from Regent University. My major is simply Education with a focus on working with “at risk” students. In today’s world, I feel as if everyone has the same struggles as those who might be considered “at risk”. But the strategies I learned, I use everyday. Perhaps two of the greatest things I have learned from teaching itself, is to always keep learning and loving.
Hobbies: My hobbies are working in the garden, playing with my animals, and decorating rooms in my home. My gardening skills are still developing, but I love to plant flowers and watch them grow. My dog and my cat are fun to play with; which gives me a mental break from work. I always try to choose one room each year to re-decorate. Choosing the color paint is usually my first challenge. But, it is all worth it when I add the finishing touches.
Why be a teacher? When I was going through middle school, high school, and then even college, I had some wise teachers and amazing mentors. I never thought of teaching before. But, I wanted to be able to influence children to realize their potential; to become the best they could be. I strive to help students to be thinkers so that they could become the leaders of the next generation. I want them to believe that they could do anything they put their energy towards. This thinking is what I was given as a gift from my teachers and mentors that I would love to pass on. This is the reason I became a teacher.
Major: Elementary Education BS and Educational Leadership MS
Hobbies: I like to garden, do home projects, and spend time with my family
Why be a teacher? I wanted to teach because I felt it was important for students to become self learners and believe in themselves. I still love teaching after 23 years and do not regret my career choice.
Major: My bachelors is in Biology with a pre-med concentration and my masters degree is in forensic chemistry.
Hobbies: Writing, Crochet, Cooking, Gardening
Why I wanted to be a teacher: Once upon a time I thought I wanted to become a Forensic Pathologist. Then I worked as a teaching assistant and realized that what I really wanted to do was share my passion for science with others. With my varied educational and industry experience as a chemist/research technician I have a lot of passion! When the opportunity presented itself 23 years ago, I became a high school science teacher and have never looked back. I love doing my part to encourage young people to learn and understand the mysteries of the world around them. As my career evolved, I became part of our teacher mentor program with my district and joined Virginia EdStrategies/CHOICE as a mentor/facilitator for other educators. I’m very excited to now work with a GEMS intern.
After completing undergraduate requirements with a Bachelor of Science in Biology, Mr. McLeod decided to pursue a career in computer science. For fifteen years he worked in that industry for a defense contractor developing tactical training programs. Although the field was challenging and rewarding, Mr. McLeod felt there was something else he should be doing. It was not until he started coaching recreation league basketball, that a desire to guide youth on their developing journey began.
Mr. McLeod unofficially began his teaching career as a recreation league basketball coach. That was when he first coached his son’s basketball team and then later his daughter’s basketball team. Mr. McLeod received such a fulfillment from coaching and interacting with youth, that he decided to return to school to be certified as a teacher. Soon after, he received the necessary credentials to enter the teaching profession.
Officially, Mr. McLeod began his teaching career during the 1999 – 2000 school year at Western Branch Middle School. There he taught seventh grade science and was the intramural coordinator. Two years later when Jolliff Middle School opened its doors, Mr. McLeod came over with the original crew becoming an original Jaguar. At Jolliff ,Mr. McLeod has taught seventh grade science and coached girls and boys basketball, boys track, and was the intramural coordinator.
Mr. McLeod believes the teaching profession is one of the most important careers. Mr. McLeod’s philosophy is that every day, a teacher has the lives of young, fragile, developing students in their hands. These students look to teachers to give them a fair chance. Because of these young individuals, Mr. McLeod makes sure he never has a bad day in school. Mr. McLeod starts every day with this phrase in mind “I can’t let my one bad day put one bad scar on a student”. Students these days are exposed to so
much of the world a very young ages. One never knows what students go through before they enter the school building. Therefore, Mr. McLeod makes a concerted effort not to contribute to what could be an adverse situation.
Mr. McLeod gives credit to his colleagues, the staff, and the administration for creating a
nurturing environment at Jolliff Middle School. Not only for students, but also for
everyone in the building. Mr. McLeod believes that Jolliff is a wonderful school and is
honored to have been selected as the 2022-2023 representative for teacher of the year
Major: Bachelor’s in Chemistry from ODU (2010) and Master’s in Secondary Education from ODU (2012)
Hobbies: The beach, volleyball, traveling, kayaking, foodie, D&D, and podcasts.
Why did you want to be a teacher? My grandmother and mother were both teachers. It was in my genes before I even knew it. I went to school at ODU and explored several careers including health care which meant I took a lot of science. I fell in love with my science classes and science labs especially chemistry. So, I finally declared my major in Chemistry. After I got my undergraduate degree I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. I just knew I wanted to make a difference. I studied environmental engineering as my minor but when I finally got the idea to teach (thanks to an ODU flier for the TIR program) it was an “ah ha” moment. The influence of my mother just came flooding back. She taught children to read. She was so passionate and so loved by her students and families. I realized I could share my passion for science. I could share how science opens you up to all the wonders of the universe and how it can help you on a day to day basis with problem solving and making informed decisions. I wanted to share the importance of science and science education with the world and that is what I hope I have been doing for the last 10 years. I was honored to be awarded Teacher of the Year last school year and I hope to continue to grow and develop and share my experience with other teachers and student teachers.
My name is Robin Taylor and I’m a Biology teacher at Booker T. Washington High School. I enjoy teaching students about the wonders of the natural world and helping them discover their own interests in science. Outside the classroom, I enjoy hiking in local parks and nature reserves, where I can observe wildlife in their natural habitats. As an avid music fan, I like attending live concerts in my free time. I live in Virginia Beach with my husband and our Doberman named Bigwig.
My major in school was Earth Science in Education at ODU. I have more hobbies that my wife would like.
I mostly spend my time with my fish. I enjoy making custom aquariums and small ecosystems.
When I enlisted in the Navy in 2005, I knew I wanted to make a difference. After an injury and medical condition sidelined my dreams I wondered what I would do next. I realized I had so much experience and knowledge that I could not keep to myself. I felt I needed to pass this wisdom to the next generation. My career field was dealing with the environment so earth science was a perfect fit. Now, I love what I teach, almost as much as seeing the students enjoying what they are learning in class.
I’m majoring in biology and environmental engineering
My hobbies include wood crafting, multimedia and creative arts, theater, cozy gaming, good books, soft blankets, rainy day naps, good food, and long beach days.
I’m a student with a lot of life experience. I’m a US Navy veteran, mother of two (really cool) big kids, and a passionate supporter of strong female friendships. I have first hand experience with disability, the impact of having an advocate, and how empowering it is to overcome my own obstacles and succeed. I want to nurture kindness, curiosity, and discovery in young students. I struggled in my own academic pathway because I had too many influences telling me what I could not do; I want to be a teacher who empowers students to demonstrate their own unique abilities and participate in building up a diverse and inclusive future.