On Veterans Day 2025, the Virginia Middle School Association welcomed Dan Dunham, Virginia Department of Education’s Military Student and Families Specialist. In this session, Dan demystified the Purple Star Schools designation, a prestigious recognition for institutions committed to easing the transitions faced by military-connected students through dedicated points of contact, tailored professional development, and inclusive policies.
Questions for Dan? Contact him at [email protected]
Mychael Willon, President
Mychael has been involved with public education for most of his adult life. Teaching in Charles County and Howard County, Maryland, before moving into administration in Frederick County, Maryland.
He has risen through the ranks from an assistant principal there, to a principal, coordinator and director in Wichita, Kansas. He went on to serve as an assistant superintendent in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, and then taking on the role of superintendent in Owego, New York. He then worked in the New York City School system, as a Local Instructional Superintendent and other roles, before moving to Texas to work with a company helping students that had dropped out of high school, earn diplomas.
Since retiring, he continues to advocate for children by working with the PTA, the Military Family Advisory Network and serving on various committees in the school district. He and his husband have two boys. They reside in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Dr. Sheila Steen, President-Elect
Dr. Sheila Steen’s career in education spans approximately 25 years, with 20 of those years serving at the middle school level. She is presently a Middle School Division Instructional Facilitator for Loudoun County Public Schools. Her previous work experience includes Special Education teacher, Special Education department chair, and mentor leader. Immediately prior to becoming an Instructional Facilitator, she served as a middle school Dean for several years.
Dr. Steen earned her Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree from the College of William and Mary. She earned her Doctorate in Educational Administration and Policy Studies from The George Washington University. Dr. Steen is dedicated to middle school level education and is committed to supporting school communities in providing rich, engaging learning experiences for all students.
Barbara Nichols, Executive Director
Barbara Nichols is retired from public education in Virginia after 34 years of service. She served as a classroom teacher and building administrator at the high school level for 16 years.
The remaining time in her career was at the division level, serving as a Secondary Supervisor, Director of Middle School Education and Interim Assistant Superintendent of Instruction with Loudoun County Public Schools in Northern Virginia.
A past president of VMSA, Barbara became Executive Director in 2018.
Katie Johnson, Associate Director
Katie Johnson is starting her eighteenth year in education and most importantly, her fourteenth year in the middle level. In addition to teaching United States History and Government and Civics at both the high school and middle school levels, Mrs. Johnson has served as a middle school department chair, middle school dean, middle school assistant principal, and currently serves as the proud principal of Belmont Ridge Middle School in Leesburg, Virginia.
Mrs. Johnson is a graduate of the State University of New York at Binghamton. She earned her Master of Science in Education at Hofstra University and her administrative certificate at George Mason University. Mrs. Johnson understands and values the transformative years of middle school and embraces the education of the whole child. Focusing her leadership on cultivating deeper learning experiences for adolescents in a safe, supportive learning environment is truly a passion for Mrs. Johnson.
Dr. Elizabeth Sanders, Past President
Dr. Sanders is the principal at St. Clare Walker Middle School in Middlesex County. Her teaching career began in 2009 as a middle school language arts teacher. She later became an elementary school principal. After, two years at the elementary level, she returned to middle school where her passion lies.
Dr. Sanders completed her Bachelor's degree and Master's degree in teaching at James Madison University and received a Master's degree in Educational Leadership at William and Mary. She earned her Doctorate of Education from VCU in 2022. She lives in Lancaster County with her husband and son.
Dr. Susan Proffitt, Region 1A Director
Dr. Susan Proffitt is currently the Principal of Holman Middle School in Henrico County Public Schools. Dr. Proffitt has served previously as a middle school associate principal, middle school assistant principal, and high school mathematics teacher.
Dr. Proffitt is a graduate of the University of Richmond, BA Mathematics, and Virginia Commonwealth University, M.Ed. Administration and Supervision and Ph. D. Educational Leadership.
Dr. Gary Skeen, Region 2A Director
Dr. Gary Skeen, now in his 15th year as a Virginia educator, is the Associate Director of the Center for Educational Innovation and Opportunity at Old Dominion University. He has a strong background in music education, where his bands earned Virginia Honor Band and Blue Ribbon School of Music awards, and in virtual learning, having served as the Coordinator of Virtual Learning Programs for Hampton City Schools.
Dr. Skeen is also an active music adjudicator in Virginia and North Carolina. His research focuses on how organizations respond to widespread change. He recently completed his PhD in Educational Leadership from Old Dominion University.
Leshante' Knight, Region 3 Director
Shante’ Knight is a career educator who has served as an elementary and middle school teacher, award-winning principal, and district leader.
She is a proven school culture and academic transformation strategist who specializes in leadership development and ed innovation.
Mrs. Knight led underperforming schools and helped them realize double-digit gains in student performance through strategic leadership. She has an appreciation for the challenges that students in marginalized communities face and seeing education as the gateway to a fulfilled life.
Mrs. Knight received her undergraduate degree from HBCU, Bowie State University in MD and her Master's degree in Education Administration from Trinity College in Wash, DC. She currently resides in Midlothian, VA with her husband and their two boys.
Dr. Sandy Frederick, Board Advisor
Dr. Frederick is originally from Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and earned her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education Social Studies from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. She began her teaching career in an urban school division in Austin, Texas, and taught middle school history for three years before moving to Virginia.
In 2005 Dr. Frederick earned her Master’s in Education in School Administration from Peabody College at Vanderbilt University. During this time she also began teaching middle school social studies in Washington County, VA. In 2014, she moved into school administration as a middle school assistant principal.
Dr. Frederick earned her Doctorate of Education from East Tennessee State University in 2019 in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Analysis. In 2018, Dr. Frederick joined the Education Department faculty and currently teaches Human Growth and Development, Assessing for Learning, Practicum in Education, and Student Teaching Seminar. Dr. Frederick also services as the Director of the Neff Center for Teacher Education, Education Department Chair, and CAEP Lead.
Dr. Ken Nicely, Board Advisor
Ken Nicely is superintendent of Roanoke County Public Schools, a district of 27 schools serving over 13,000 students, and he was the 2025 Virginia Region VI Superintendent of the Year. Prior to serving as superintendent, Dr. Nicely was Assistant Superintendent, Director of Instruction, middle school principal, and Spanish teacher.
During his tenure, RCPS has been accepted as one of 20 districts nationwide to participate in the Carnegie Foundation’s Future of High Schools Network, was awarded two Virginia Innovative Practice Awards, was named a 2020 Virginia School District of Innovation, completed the renovation of two high schools, began construction on a new state-of-the-art CTE center, implemented LIFE counselors and high school deans, and the Opportunity Ready Graduate program. Dr. Nicely was the 2019 recipient of the Virginia ASCD Leadership Award.
He is a proud past president of VMSA, past member of the Board of Trustees for AMLE, and the steering committee that developed the AMLE Schools of Distinction program. He currently serves on the AMLE Editorial Board for Middle School Journal, on the AMLE Foundation Board, and on the Successful Middle Schools: This We Believe 6th edition Editorial Committee.
Logan Childress, Technology Advisor
Logan Childress, an accomplished music educator and producer turned Emerging Technology Specialist, is known for his exceptional work in introducing innovative technologies and computer science initiatives in the education sector. In this role, he built two state-of-the-art virtual reality labs, which were instrumental in helping Bristol Virginia Public Schools win one of twelve “Top Schools and Universities” designations in Virginia.
Childress has been recognized for his outstanding work in educational technology, including being named a 2023 International Society for Education “20 To Watch” Award Winner, 2022 Virginia Society for Technology Education’s “Outstanding Technology Coach of the Year” and serving as a Virginia School Board Association "Hot Topic" Conference Panelist. He has also collaborated with Virginia state lawmakers to introduce legislation promoting the growth and adoption of modern, groundbreaking technologies in public education.
Childress’ work has been showcased in local media and recognized by national publications such as the U.S. News and World Report, the Houston Chronicle, and The Washington Post. He currently serves as the Technology Advisor for the Virginia Middle School Association Board of Directors and continues to champion the use of emerging technologies to enrich learning experiences for everyone across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Dr. Jason Matlock, At-Large Representative
Jason Matlock is an accomplished educator with 20 years of experience in the field, including a decade as a middle school administrator. As the principal at Damascus Middle School, he is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and dynamic learning environment that supports the growth of all students. Prior to his administrative role, Jason served as a special education teacher, where he developed a deep understanding of diverse learning needs.
Jason resides in the Damascus community with his wife, Julie, and their two sons, Nolan and Knox. Together, they enjoy spending time outdoors, supporting local sports teams, and engaging in family activities. Jason is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of his students and believes in the power of education to shape the future.
Dr. Mark L’Esperance, Middle Level Leadership Liaison
Dr. Mark L’Esperance was named professor and dean of James Madison University’s College of Education, effective July 1, 2019. L’Esperance previously was professor and chair of the Department of Elementary Education and Middle Grades Education at East Carolina University, where he was also the lead faculty administrator for the East Carolina University Community School. L’Esperance joined the faculty at ECU in 1998 and has presented and published extensively at the state, national and international levels. L’Esperance has worked with public-school systems in coaching hundreds of administrators related to strategic planning and instructional leadership.
L’Esperance’s vision for JMU is to build upon an already strong foundation. It is his belief that the College of Education will embrace a culture of significance, empowered by a collective sense of purpose based on clearly defined mission, vision and goals. This vision aligns directly with JMU’s commitment to engagement. L’Esperance also hopes to elevate recognition of the college to a national level—highlighting the impact it has on both innovation and best practices in educator preparation, military science and through civic and community engagement.
L’Esperance’s graduate studies included doctoral work at Indiana University and earning a Ph.D. in 1998 from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. He is a native of Lynn, Massachusetts, and enjoys spending time with his wife of 32 years, Pam, along with their three adult children and their families. In his free time, he enjoys reading, weightlifting and watching college sports.
Dr. Nancy Deutsch, Co-Liaison for Higher Education
Nancy Deutsch is the director of Youth-Nex, the UVA Center to Promote Effective Youth Development at the School of Education and Human Development. She is a Professor of Research, Statistics & Evaluation and Applied Developmental Science and is also affiliated with EHD's Youth & Social Innovation (YSI) Program. Deutsch's research examines the socio-ecological contexts of adolescent development, particularly issues related to identity. She has focused on the role of after-school programs and relationships with important adults, and is especially interested in the process of adolescent learning and development as it unfolds within local environments for better understanding about how to create settings that better support youth, especially those at risk due to economic or sociocultural factors.
She received her BA from Vassar College and completed her Ph.D. in Human Development and Social Policy at Northwestern University. In 2017 Deutsch became editor of the Journal of Adolescent Research. She had been an Associate Editor of that publication. She also sits on the editorial board for Qualitative Psychology and the Research Advisory Board for the National Mentoring Resource Center (NMRC).
Dr. Abby Gillespie, Co-Liaison for Higher Education
Abby Gillespie is Director of Strategy and Engagement for the University of Virginia Youth-Nex Center to Promote Effective Youth Development. In this role, Abby focuses on building and strengthening networks and partnerships, driving key initiatives and special projects to accelerate Youth-Nex’s impact, and enhancing organizational capacity. One area of focus for Abby is the Reimagining Middle School initiative. By designing, implementing, and evaluating developmentally supportive, research-based educational innovations, the initiative’s aim is to dramatically improve learning experiences and outcomes for all young adolescents in the middle grades.
Abby has spent much of her career working to improve education, often in the capacity of supporting organizations to launch something new, strategically grow, and deepen and strengthen impact in support of young people. Her professional background includes classroom teaching, advocacy and policy, education and healthcare consulting, and nonprofit management and programming. Abby earned a Master of Education from Pace University and bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Tori Beck, Region 2B Director
Kanika Dorsey, Region 4B Director
Ms. Dorsey, a 15 year veteran of public education, has worked in New York State, VA, D.C., and MD public schools. In addition to teaching English Language Arts (ELA) at the middle school level, she has served as a literacy coach, testing coordinator, and resource teacher. Ms. Dorsey worked at the MD Department of Education as an ELA Specialist where she helped school districts develop formative assessments and written lessons for grades 7 and 8. She also served as the ELA Specialist on the Maryland Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) team.
Ms. Dorsey is a graduate of Lehman College in the Bronx, NY where she earned an undergraduate degree in English. She earned a Master of Secondary Education degree from Bowie State University and is currently working on her Ph.D. at Notre Dame of Maryland University.
JJ Green, Region 7 Director
JJ Green is a respected educator with a distinguished career spanning music education and school leadership. His journey began as a passionate Band Director, where he cultivated musical talent and inspired students through work hard and high standards. Mr. Green’s commitment to education and student success led him to take on administrative roles, serving first as an Assistant Principal and now as a Principal.
In his role as a Band Director, Mr. Green was known for his dynamic approach to teaching and his ability to foster a love for music in students. His leadership in this position helped to elevate multiple schools’ music programs, providing students with exceptional opportunities for growth and achievement. Under his direction, Mr. Green’s bands received numerous superior ratings, grand championships, and multiple Virginia State Honor Band ratings.
Transitioning into administration, Mr. Green served as an Assistant Principal at Marion Middle School, where he applied his deep understanding of student needs and educational best practices to support both teachers and students. Mr. Green’s tenure in this role was marked by a focus on creating a positive school culture and implementing effective strategies for academic improvement.
Mr. Green is currently the Principal at Chilhowie Middle School, he continues to build on his commitment to excellence in education, leading their school with vision, integrity, and dedication. His leadership is characterized by a focus on student-centered practices, community engagement, and the development of a supportive and inclusive school environment.
Mr. Green is married to his wife of 11 years, Katie Green, and they have three children, Adeline, Hudson, and Tobais.
Dr. Adrian Chatman, Region 8 Director
Adrian T. Chatman began her career at Greensville County Public Schools in 2011 as a seventh-grade English teacher. Dr. Chatman served Wyatt in several capacities, including English Department Lead and Forensic team coach. She also served on the School Improvement Team and the VTSS committee. Dr. Chatman spent 11 years teaching before accepting the district’s secondary Reading Coach position. It was Dr. Chatman’s goal to be a school administrator, and when the position opened at the middle school, she applied and currently serves as the 7th-Grade Assistant Principal and School Test Coordinator.
Dr. Chatman earned her Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from Va. State University. Her dissertation focused on teacher perceptions of socio-economic status and its impact on student success. Dr. Chatman believes that all students can learn, regardless of their family’s SES, when provided with the tools to be successful. Those tools include dedicated teachers, an encouraging community, and a supportive school climate and culture.
Sarah Noffsinger, Teacher Representative
Ms. Noffsinger leads the Computer Science integration in SmithTech: School of Computer Science, Innovation & Design, where she teaches a fusion of the AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) elective with computer science principles. Most recently she was named the 2025 VDOE’s Middle School Computer Science Champion Educator for her work in curriculum development, school-wide computer science implementation, and crafting family-friendly computer science nights for the community. This is Mrs. Noffsinger's 5th year teaching, all of which have been at Oscar Smith Middle School in Chesapeake, Virginia.
We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming conference on March 18th at James Madison University!
Join us for a day filled with inspiring sessions, networking opportunities, and the chance to be part of a community that is making a real difference in middle-level education.
We can't wait to see you there!