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MEET OUR STAFF
| Shelly Norden Executive Director Shelly Norden, from Fauquier County, Virginia, began her communications career with a BA from George Mason University, then worked as a TV news producer in West Palm Beach, Florida, for CBS and FOX affiliates. In 2000, she embarked on a new career path, beginning her teaching journey in Florida. She continued her work as a high school journalism and English teacher upon returning to Virginia in 2002. Over the next 22 years, she earned top rankings for her programs and received several teaching awards, including Rookie Teacher of the Year in 2000 and 2001 and Teacher of the Year in 2016. As a volunteer, Shelly served on the Virginia High School League Publications Advisory Committee and the Verdun Adventure Bound Board of Directors. She also served on the Fauquier County Crime Commission. In 2017, she founded Citizen Cents to promote financial transparency in school districts. Now a freelance reporter and Executive Director with SBMA, Shelly is an MPA candidate at Lamar University. She lives in Fauquier with her husband, two Jack Russell Terriers, and an African Gray parrot. |
Dora Purvis Outreach Coordinator Dora Purvis discovered her love for teaching at the age of 14 when she taught Sunday School and consequently has been teaching in some capacity ever since. She is a graduate of Pensacola Christian College with a bachelors in Music Education and Spanish and is a fully certified Spanish teacher through the VDOE. Aside from teaching in the public school sector, Mrs. Purvis has also taught in private schools and homeschool co-ops, has run her own private voice and piano studio, coached volleyball, coordinated community events, directed children’s musical productions, sung oratorios in churches, and performed with professional opera companies. She was elected to the Bedford County School Board in November of 2023. She is a mother of two grown children and a grandmother of 3 grandchildren. She resides with her husband of 28 years and enjoys interior decorating and advocating for community transformation. |
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| Jill Turgeon Policy and Governance Specialist Jill Turgeon brings a wealth of expertise to her role as the Governance and Policy Specialist for the School Board Member Alliance (SBMA), combining nearly two decades of experience in educational policy, governance, and charter school development. She served two terms as an elected member of the Loudoun County School Board, representing the Blue Ridge District from 2012 to 2019, including a tenure as Vice-Chairman. As the founder and president of Stature Consulting, Jill guides schools in implementing effective governance practices and policies and supports civic groups in developing charter schools. She has also served as a School Governance Specialist for Athlos Academies, focusing on coaching and legislative relations. Jill’s extensive network of connections at state and federal levels enables her to build strong partnerships in advocacy and policy development. Jill holds a Master of Education from Shenandoah University and a Bachelor of Science in Family Science from Brigham Young University. Her dedication to education and governance underscores her commitment to improving opportunities for all children to achieve academic excellence.
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MEET OUR BOARD |
| Sherri D. Story Chairwoman 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 CBarlow was elected to the Shenandoah County School Board in 2021; he currently serves as the 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. |
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| Dr. Karen Hiltz Secretary Dr. Karen Hiltz served in the US Navy, retired from a career in Federal Procurement and taught business courses in undergraduate and graduate programs. She was an appointed Planning and Zoning Commissioner, an elected School Board member, and appointed member of a Community College Advisory Board. Other experience includes private school board member and support to multiple education non-profits. Dr. Hiltz currently serves and advises several non-profit organizations to include FreedomWorks BEST program. She’s a former FL House Candidate, works with local community groups and committees, and advisor to several education organizations. She’s authored numerous articles and two books. Dr. Hiltz holds a BS and MBA in Management, an Ed.D. in Leadership Studies, and currently resides in Florida with her husband Chuck (USMC retired) of over 43 years. |
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. |
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 | Cheryl Facciani Director Cheryl Facciani was elected to the Roanoke County School Board in 2021. Cheryl earned her BS 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. 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. She 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 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. |
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| Maureen Siegmund Director Since moving to Stafford, VA, in 2005, Maureen Siegmund has woven a diverse tapestry of professional and community engagement. With a BA in Political Science and Public Affairs from Elmira College and a certification from Yale University's Campaign School, her career has spanned roles in higher education, defense, insurance policy, and association management. Notably, Maureen contributed to the Clinton administration's White House Office of Public Liaison, focusing on Women's Initiatives and Outreach. Currently, as the director of external relations for Active Policy Solutions since 2014, she champions causes in education, civil rights, youth development, and health. Beyond her professional realm, Maureen's dedication shines through her active participation in St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and leadership roles in American Heritage Girls and Trail Life USA, emphasizing community and outdoor leadership development for girls. Maureen, alongside her husband Steve and their four children, also engages in local sports through Stafford County Parks & Recreation and Stafford Soccer, reflecting her commitment to fostering community, health, and wellness both in her family and the broader community.
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Not Pictured:
Ryan Minnie, director; Chris Daniels, director