Wendy Fitch, Director

Stephanie Hadley, Assistant Director

Stephanie lives in Suffolk, with her husband and three children. She is a certified teacher and a BCBA with a Master's in special education from Old Dominion University. Stephanie has taught children with autism for the past 10 years and currently serves as Assistant Director and supervises our programs designed for toddlers and preschool aged children with autism/PDD.

Christy Holmes, Activities Coordinator

Christine, a native of Pennsylvania, has been working with people with special needs since 1986, working a variety of settings. In 1990 her husband and she received military orders to Norfolk, Virginia. In August 1999 she began working in Suffolk as a teacher assistant with children who have autism. In 2003 she was awarded Teacher Assistant of the Year for the program in which she was working. In 2006 she began working as an assistant therapist for Step By Step Consulting on a part-time basis. In the summer of 2006 she started her full time position at Step By Step Consulting as activities coordinator, and continues to do therapy part time. Christine is currently enrolled in college to finish her degree in special education. Her goal is to finish school and concentrate on animal therapy working with with people with autism. She currently resides in Suffolk with her husband of 20 years and their three sons.

Kim Burgess, Behavior Analyst

Jared Buckland, Teacher

Jared graduated from James Madison University and recently moved to Virginia Beach. He has gained experience working with children with autism as a Behavioral Support Specialist and a Mental Health Support Specialist in the public school systems. 

Rebecca DeWoody, Teacher

Rebecca DeWoody graduated from Mary Washington College in 2002 holding a bachelor's degree in Psychology with a concentration in Child Psychology. She received her teaching license in Special Education from Old Dominion University and is state certified in the areas of Mental Retardation and Emotional Disturbance. This is Rebecca's seventh year teaching students with Autism and and she really does learn something new from her students every day. She lives in Suffolk and plans to return to ODU to complete her Master's in Special Education.

Tammie Jensen, Teacher

Tammie began working at Rivers Bend Academy in 2007 as a teacher with high school aged students. She lives in Chesapeake, and is a graduate of Old Dominion University and is pursuing a master's in special education. Tammie is a former Air Force Security Policewoman who has been working in the field of special education for over 3 years. 

Johnna Levins, Teacher

Johnna holds a bachelor's degree from Douglass College, Rutgers University, in Biology, and received her master's degree in special education from Old Dominion University. She has been teaching students with special needs in the Tidewater area for the past 6 years. Johnna is certified to teach students with ED, LD, and MR and thoroughly enjoys her students at Rivers Bend Academy! She is a Navy spouse and the mother of four children. Johnna enjoys refinishing furniture, cross stitch, and English smocking. She is an active volunteer for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society and the SPCA. Her family currently resides in Virginia Beach with their long-term foster dog, a shepherd/chow mix, Johnsen.

Patrica Montgomery, Teacher

Patricia Montgomery recently moved from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, to persue a teaching degree in Special Education. She has a Bachelor's of Science in Human Developmental Family Services, and is excited about persuing this as a career.

Tamyra Noland, Teacher

Tamyra graduated from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2000. She received a Masters in Special Education from Regent University, with endorsements in learning disabilities, EMR, and as a reading specialist in 2003. She began working with children with autism in 2003, as a teacher for preschool aged children until she had children of her own. She began with Step By Step in the summer of 2006. Tamyra resides in Chesapeake with her husband and son.

Amanda Silverman, Teacher

Amanda is a California native with a Master's Degree from San Francisco State University. She is married to a Navy pilot and enjoys running, playing tennis, and making jewelry.

Jayme Calvert, Assistant Teacher

Jayme is a teacher assistant who works with middle and high school students. She has been in the field of special education for many years and truly enjoys working with students with special needs. Jayme lives in Norfolk with her two sons, her oldest diagnosed with Autism and Fragile X Syndrome.

Jessica Gilbert, Assistant Teacher

Working at Rivers Bend Academy has helped Jessica realize that she wants to be a teacher for children with disabilities and this opportunity is helping to prepare her for a future with children where she can truly make a difference. Jessica is also a full time student at Norfolk State University persuing a degree in special education with a focus on students with learning and emotional disabilities. She teaches a variety of dance at a dance studio in Virginia Beach. 

Cassandra Gordon, Assistant Teacher

Cassandra has worked with children in daycare settings and as a substitute teacher in the classroom. After several years she decided she wanted to work with children with autism and this desire led her to Rivers Bend Academy where she truly believes she belongs. She is a mother of 3 wonderful children and a grandmother of 2.

Naomi Harris-Shaw,Assistant Teacher

Naomi has worked with Autistic children as well as children with other disabilities for the past 4 years. She looks forward to furthering her knowledge in school in the very near future.

Blaire Hoadley, Assistant Teacher

Blaire is a new addition to the faculty at Rivers Bend Academy. Blaire graduated from Old Dominion University, in May 2008, with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor is sociology. Blaire attended Governor's school for the Arts, was named junior class president at First Colonial,, and completed her internship for American Congress for Truth. She has gained experience with special needs children through working as an in-home caregiver for an eight year old child. She has a true passion for helping children and making a difference in the world. " The more days you live, the more lives you can change."

Sean Klee, Assistant Teacher

Sean has worked for Rivers Bend Academy since November of 2007, and has enjoyed every minute of his experiences. He graduated from Kings Fork High School in June of 2007, and is currently enrolled at Tidewater Community College.

Vernettia Rawls, Assistant Teacher

Patricia Riddick, Assistant Teacher

Patricia Lowther-Riddick is a paraeducator at Rivers Bend Academy. She has been working with children with special needs for 16 years and resides in Suffolk, with her husband and 2 children. 

Michelle Toler, Assistant Teacher

Michelle Toler is a native of Norfolk, VA. She is a mothe of 4 amazing boys, Cody 13, Dillan 11, Noah 7, and Mason 5. She has attended PJC and TCC for various early education training classes. Working with children has always been a passion of Michelle's and she planson persuing a degree in the Fall. 

Karyn Waterfield, Assistant Teacher

Karyn has worked with children for several years and in addition to Rivers Bend Academy, she is active with children at Suffolk Youth Athletic Association

Diane Wilson, Assistant Teacher