Staff
Michele Burkhart
Michele has taught at West Ghent School for over 30 years and began the 2023-2024 school year as the new owner/Director. She started as the three-year-old teacher in 1991. She has also taught the four-year-old class. Michele continues her love of teaching by mentoring each of her teachers, checking in daily and assisting with classes as needed. She has a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Education. Michele is certified in New York State and the Commonwealth of Virginia to teach pre-school through sixth grade. Michele is also CPR, First Aid and PMAT trained. She is also trained in Fundations a Science of Reading based program by Wilson Language Training. Her children are both alumni of West Ghent School.
Tamatha Burton
Tamatha has taught at West Ghent School for six years. She has taught kindergarten and first grade, as well as four year olds. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Mary Washington College and a Masters of Elementary Education from Old Dominion University. Prior to teaching at West Ghent School, she taught first grade and Reading Recovery at Western Branch Primary in Chesapeake, Virginia. She is also CPR, AMAT and First Aid trained. Tamatha is our kindergarten teacher and assisting Michele as a Director of WGS.
Sharon Cook
Sharon has over 30 years of experience at West Ghent School. She has taught in the two and three year old classes. Sharon is an assistant in the three year old class. Sharon has completed over 30 credit hours towards Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. She is also CPR, AMAT and First Aid trained.
Kelly Raia
Kelly is married and has three adult daughters. All of them attended West Ghent School. Life has come full circle for Kelly. She worked here from 1999-2015 and now she is back with us. She also ran the Alexander Baptist nursery for many years. Kelly was a teacher assistant at St. Patrick’s Catholic School as well as a nanny. Kelly now teaches the four year old class. She is also CPR, AMAT and First Aid trained.
Meredith Shepard
Meredith is new to West Ghent School this year and is an assistant in the two’s room with Ms. Nicole. She is CPR, First Aid, and AMAT trained. Meredith has worked on and off in childcare settings over the years before becoming a stay-at-home mom. She’s been married for over ten years and has one child.
Rachel Penland
Rachel has taught at previous preschools for the last eight years, starting with two years olds and then moving on to teaching three’s. She and her husband have lived in Virginia for many years but are new to the Norfolk area. They have one daughter. Rachel is very excited to join West Ghent school to have an amazing year in the 3’s classroom! She is AMAT, CPR, and First Aid trained.
Nicole Gamboa
Nicole is a lead 2s teacher. She is a Hampton Roads native and has over 20 years of teaching experience in the early childhood education field in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. This includes nannying, presently teaching at Ohef Sholom Temple for 20 years and 6 years of experience as a Lead 4s teacher in a local private school setting. Nicole holds an Associate of Science in General Studies from TCC. She is married to her husband Lester and has two daughters Margo (7) and Maya (4), who is at WGS. When she’s not teaching, she enjoys time centered around family, friends, traveling, biking and other exciting adventures! Nicole is AMAT, CPR, and First Aid trained.
Alyssa Orr
Alyssa is a lead teacher in one of our four year old classes. She has been at West Ghent School for three years and was one of our two year old teachers previously. She has BS in Education with a concentration in early childhood from Missouri State University. She is the mother of four children. Alyssa is AMAT, CPR, and First Aid trained.
Mary Turner
Mary is a retired from the Department of the Navy’s Audit Service after 34 years of service. She is a Norfolk native and lives in West Ghent. She is married and has two children ages 32 and 28. She loves music, skiing, the beach and travel. Mary has been involved with Parent Teacher Associations and Girl Scouts over the years. Mary will be assisting in the two year old class. She is CPR and First Aid trained. We are excited to have her join the West Ghent School family.
Rebekah Reno
Rebekah has 5 years of experience working as an EMT with various age groups, and she is a Certified EMT in the state of Virginia. Rebekah is also CPR, First Aid, and AMAT trained. She has been volunteering in childcare at church for over 10 years, nannied for various families, and has two of her own children who are currently attending West Ghent School. Rebekah has been an assistant in the four year old class, and will be lead teacher in on of the two year old classes.
Wendy Nuzzo
Wendy joined West Ghent School staff in 2023-2024 as our Office Manager. She has retired from the restaurant business after working for 25 years in the industry. Wendy is a member of St. Andrews Church and has three grandchildren.