BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors is the paramount decision making body of Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts and is responsible for overall governance and helping to sustain the mission, vision, and charter of the School. The Board consists of four (4) officers and a maximum of up to twenty-four (24) directors. 

​The work of the Board of Directors focuses on five areas as outlined in the PHSSA strategic plan:
  • Elevate the Building: Amplify the building to ensure a clean, safe, comfortable renovated building and grounds. 
  • Outstanding Staff: Employ committed, trained, and highly qualified teachers who understand and implement the mission every day. 
  • Stellar Curriculum: Enhance the curriculum to enable students to achieve academically through individual learning styles with an emphasis on science and arts.
  • Sustainability: Activate a robust development program that generates support from Richmond Public Schools, private foundations, and individuals.
  • Operational Excellence: Develop a culture of cooperation, open communication, and mutual respect among our stakeholder and leadership bodies, including the Board of Directors, School Planning and Management Team, Parent Teacher Association, and Richmond Public Schools. 
DIRECTORS

Shannon Castelo
Term: July 2018-2021
Shannon Castelo has been a public school educator for over 20 years, working in a vast array of schools from Texas to Virginia. She obtained her BA in History and Masters in Education from Virginia Tech. Shannon is an active member of the Virginia Graphic Alliance where she works to design annual professional development opportunities for teacher across the commonwealth. Currently she teaches AP Human Geography and AP World History at James River High School in Chesterfield County where she also serves as the school AP Liaison.

Tiffany Ford
Term: July 2019-2020
Tiffany Ford is a Director at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). She oversees non-IT project management. Prior to her current position at DBHDS, Ford was a Contract Manager at Capital One. She is an avid advocate for educational and housing equity. Ford earned a dual JD/MPA degree from University of Richmond School of Law and Virginia Commonwealth University.

Wesley Hedgepeth
Term: January 2018-2021
Wesley is an Upper School History Teacher at The Collegiate School in Richmond, where he also co-coorindates the Model United Nations Program. In the past, Wesley taught social studies at both Trinity Episcopal School in Richmond and James River High School in Midlothian. Outside of the classroom, Wesley serves as a member of the Board of Directors for both the National Council for Social Studies and the Virginia Council for Social Studies. Additionally, he volunteers at the Maymont Park Mansion. Wesley earned both an MAT in Secondary Social Studies Education and a BA in Interdisciplinary Social Science from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Most recently, Wesley was named a 2019 Fellow of the Lowell Milken Cener for Unsung Heroes. He also maintains a Postgraduate Professional Teaching License from the Commonwealth of Virginia.
​
Natisha Knight
Term: July 2019-2020
Biography coming soon! 

Jesse Senechal
Term: October 2019-2022
Biography coming soon! 

Tara Wiley
Term: August 2018-2021
Tara Wiley is a proud PHSSA parent and a Grants and Communications Specialist with Richmond City Health District. Tara has helped government agencies, museums, and nonprofits across Richmond to pursue major grants and develop communications strategies to grow their audience and impact. In addition, Tara has taught research writing, creative writing, literature, and film at Virginia Commonwealth University. She holds a BA in English from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an MFA in Creative Writing from Syracuse University.


To contact a Board member, please email firstname.lastname@patrickhenrycharter.org, or click on their name.
​The PHSSA Board of Directors is looking for volunteers to help our board committees continue delivering efficient guidance and support to the school. These committees play an essential role in establishing connections to the at-large community while also handling some of the business delegated from the main Board of Directors to help fulfill the PHSSA mission.
The Board of Directors convene for their full meeting on every fourth Wednesday at 6:00 pm in the library at the school. Please refer to the school calendar to confirm meeting dates/times.
Use the links below to view Board of Directors documents:

Agendas: Minutes: ​
Financial Statements