Meet Our Team
Sherri D. Story, Board Chair
Sherri Story was born and raised in Wisconsin. After graduating from college, she taught high school biology in her home state for 11 years.
Sherri later moved to Virginia to earn a Masters in Divinity degree from Regent University. Upon completion of that degree, she returned to the classroom in Suffolk where she helped start the IB Biology program, working with a team to of educators to write the curriculum.
From 2016-2019, Sherri worked as a master educator and presenter for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, leading professional development for AP Biology instructors nationwide.
In 2018, she was elected to the Suffolk City School Board where she served for four years. She now serves as the SBMA chair.
When she is not working or volunteering, Sherri enjoys spending time with her two children and four grandchildren.
Dennis C. Barlow, Vice Chair
Dennis Barlow was elected to the Shenandoah County School Board in 2021; he currently serves as the vice chairman.
Barlow earned an MA and a Certificate of Advanced Study from Johns Hopkins
University. He graduated with Distinction from the U.S. Naval War College, and holds a BA in History from Purdue University.
Barlow spent 13 years as a history teacher and lacrosse coach in Baltimore County, Maryland. While teaching, he was recalled to the Army to serve as a planner and policymaker in the Pentagon. He retired as a Colonel in 1996.
Colonel (retired) Barlow then founded a public policy center at James Madison
University. He spent 14 years coordinating numerous
international programs dedicated to eradicating the effects of landmines globally before stepping down in 2010.
Maureen Siegmund, Secretary
Maureen Siegmund moved to Stafford, VA in 2005.
Maureen earned a BA in Political Science and Public Affairs from Elmira College and a certification in Campaign Management from Campaign School at Yale University. She spent many years working in the fields of higher education, defense and insurance policy, as well as in association management.
Maureen previously worked for the White House Office of Public Liaison, Office of Women's Initiatives and Outreach for the Clinton administration.
Maureen currently works as the director of external relations for Active Policy Solutions, a government relations and advocacy firm that specializes in K-12 education, higher education, civil rights, youth development, sports, health, and wellness. She has served in this role since 2014.
Maureen, her husband Steve, and their four children are parishioners of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fredericksburg, and also participate in American Heritage Girls and Trail Life USA.
Maureen serves in regional leadership as a hometown mentor for the American Heritage Girls, a K-12 outdoor girls leadership development program as well as the coordinator of her local troop. The Siegmund children enjoy playing basketball, football, and volleyball through Stafford County Parks & Recreation and soccer through Stafford Soccer.
Abel Pors, Treasurer
Abel was born and raised in Charlottesville Virginia. He moved to the Lynchburg area after pursuing a BS in Accounting at Liberty University. He met his beautiful wife through mutual friends at their church, Redeeming Grace Baptist. They have two children at the time of writing, but are hoping for more down the road.
Abel believes that common sense and traditional Judeo-Christian values are a large part of what has made the USA a great country, and need to be fought for in Virginia's school system to keep it that way.
In his free time, Abel enjoys spending time with his family, reading, and playing strategy games.
Shelly Norden, Director/Marketing Chair
A seasoned journalist with a strong foundation in news production, Shelly Norden hails from Fauquier County, Virginia. Her journey in the world of communications began at George Mason University, where she earned her BA in Communications. Post-graduation, Shelly's pursuit of excellence in journalism led her to West Palm Beach, Florida. There, she honed her skills as a television news producer, working with esteemed CBS and FOX affiliates.
In 2002, Shelly's dedication to education prompted a move back to Virginia. Here, she transitioned into the realm of teaching, embarking on a 19-year career instructing high school students in journalism and English. Under her guidance, her journalism programs consistently secured rankings among Virginia's top five. A testament to her exceptional teaching acumen, Shelly was honored as the Kettle Run Teacher of the Year in 2016, alongside receiving the prestigious VFW High School Teacher of the Year accolade. Her expertise was further recognized during her tenures with the Virginia High School League Publications Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors of Verdun Adventure Bound.
Beyond the classroom, Shelly's commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility led to the creation of Citizen Cents in 2017. This platform shed light on school district salaries, advocating for financial clarity. Two years later, her investigative prowess exposed the Deep Equity program in her district, a story that garnered attention from The Daily Wire.
Today, while her teaching chapter has culminated, Shelly's journalistic endeavors continue as a freelance reporter for The Federalist. Simultaneously, she champions changes in Virginia's educational landscape as the marketing and outreach committee chair for SBMA.
Shelly and her husband find solace in the company of their two Jack Russell Terriers and an African Gray parrot at their home in Fauquier.
Cheryl Facciani, Director
Cheryl Facciani was elected to the Roanoke County School Board in 2021. She is the second woman elected to the board and truly believes it is her mission to serve her community and the children within it.
Cheryl earned her Bachelors of Science in Communication Disorders from University of New Hampshire Honors College and her Masters of Science in Communication Disorders from William Paterson University, graduating magna cum laude. Later, she served as an adjunct professor at William Paterson University teaching graduate students in clinical practice.
Cheryl worked as a speech language pathologist while working and teaching at NY-Columbia Presbyterian Hospital and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. She also worked in various medical settings and early intervention home health. One of her most rewarding work experiences was volunteering as a speech therapist at Lautoka School for Special Education in Fiji.
Cheryl served on the JDRF Board of Directors for two terms focusing on advocacy, outreach and fundraising. Three of her four children live with Type One Diabetes, a chronic autoimmune disease. She continues to provide support, guidance and counseling to parents of newly diagnosed children.
Cheryl and her husband have four children who graduated from or currently attend Roanoke County Public Schools. Together they believe their decision to live and educate their children in Roanoke County was the best decision they made when choosing a place to raise a family.
Cheryl is committed to ensuring a safe and dynamic school environment for all children to reach their maximal potential. She is also committed to providing transparency, so that parents, teachers and the community all have a voice in the decision-making process.
When she is not working, volunteering or caring for her family, Cheryl enjoys playing tennis and golf, taking long walks with her dogs, Rafa and Birdie, and traveling to places off the beaten path.
Victoria Manning, Director
Vicky is a mother who got involved in public education when policies that were being implemented began to negatively impact her children. She ran for public office in 2016 and was elected to the Virginia Beach School Board. She won re-election in 2020. Vicky has been an advocate for parents and children on the school board and a voice for transparency.
Vicky received her Bachelor of Science degree from Old Dominion University and is in the process of obtaining a Master's Degree in Law from Regent University. She has been married to her husband, a retired Naval Officer, for over 20 years and they have two sons. She has been an avid volunteer in her community, serving in the Boy Scouts of America, leadership in her church, volunteering in her public schools and with the local wrestling club. She is an avid distance runner, a former triathlete and loves the outdoors.