MID-ATLANTIC REGION
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia
MEET YOUR RENAISSANCE CHAMPION
Renaissance Champions lead their region with a philosophy fueled by passion, positivity, and the belief that culture and climate change everything. In addition to supporting their Renaissance Ambassadors and other educators in their region, they spark joy, recognize greatness, and create environments where teachers love their jobs and students thrive in school.
Meg Ward is a math teacher and Renaissance coordinator at Stratford High School in Goose Creek, South Carolina. She holds degrees from The Citadel and Winthrop University. Meg is a past recipient of the Jostens Renaissance Educator of the Year and Hall of Fame awards and helped her school be named a Jostens Renaissance Platinum School of Distinction in 2024.
Want to talk to Meg? She can answer all your questions about using Renaissance. Email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you.
MEET YOUR RENAISSANCE AMBASSADORS
Renaissance ambassadors build a vibrant network of educators who believe culture and climate support school success. As volunteers, Ambassadors form and maintain a sense community in their local area.
Michele Porter
Summerville, South Carolina
Michele Porter is an experienced educator at Alston Middle School in South Carolina who helps students grow academically, socially, and emotionally by building strong relationships and creating a classroom culture rooted in belonging and support. Michele specializes in 7th grade English Language Arts and is dedicated to creating engaging learning environments where students feel seen and encouraged to reach their full potential. She is known for prioritizing relationship-building and positive school culture, believing that these are the foundation for both student success and a thriving school community. Outside the classroom, Michele enjoys spending time with her family and finding joy in everyday moments that keep her grounded. She values connection, both personally and professionally, and brings that same mindset into her work with students and colleagues.
Get in touch with Michele! If you live near Summerville and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Sabrina Gaines
Summerville, South Carolina
Sabrina Gaines is a High School English Teacher and Renaissance Advisor at Cane Bay High School in South Carolina, where she helps students and staff build a positive, culture-driven school environment rooted in respect, integrity, selflessness, and excellence. Through her leadership work, she supports student engagement, school spirit initiatives and Staffulty morale by creating meaningful experiences that strengthen the school community and belonging. Sabrina specializes in instructional leadership and school culture development and has spent the past eight years designing and leading student-centered programs, literacy instruction, and student leadership initiatives that elevate both academic achievement and school climate. She has led school-wide events, student leadership opportunities, and recognition programs that celebrate students and staff while fostering a strong sense of community among educators committed to growth and positivity. In her spare time, Sabrina enjoys reading on her Kindle, traveling, live music, and finding creative ways to bring energy and connection into her school community.
Get in touch with Sabrina! If you live near Summerville and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Jordan Adams
Summerville, South Carolina
Jordan Adams is a 6th grade school counselor at Gregg Middle School who helps 6th grade students build strategies to help them navigate emotions, personal issues, collaboration, conflict resolution and other tough situations in and out of school. Jordan specializes in building meaningful relationships with students and fostering a positive, supportive school culture. She has been recognized for her dedication and impact on her school community, including being named School Counselor of the Year. Whether connecting with students, providing guidance, or serving as a listening ear and source of encouragement for fellow teachers, Jordan is passionate about helping others thrive. In her spare time, Jordan enjoys reading, crafting, and spending time with her fur babies!
Get in touch with Jordan! If you live near Summerville and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Vivian Tremain
Summerville, South Carolina
Vivian Tremaine is the Student Activities Coordinator at Northwood Academy Upper School, where she is passionate about helping students grow in leadership, character, and school culture. Through her work with students, chapel programming, student leadership initiatives, and campus events, she strives to create an environment where every student feels seen, valued, and encouraged. Vivian specializes in student leadership development and school culture initiatives through Jostens Renaissance. She helped pilot Northwood Academy’s first Renaissance Leadership class, where students intentionally pursued opportunities to grow as servant leaders and culture builders on campus. In her spare time, Vivian enjoys playing guitar, riding her horse Blue, and spending time with her husband Noah and their two young daughters.
Get in touch with Vivian! If you live near Summerville and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Erika Wyatt
Goose Creek, South Carolina
Erika Wyatt is the principal at Westview Elementary School. She takes pride in building a strong school culture through relationships and recognition, empower teachers through collective leadership, creating systems that celebrate both academics and character and foster a joyful school environment for all. Her school has earned Silver School of Distinction. In her free time, Erika enjoys traveling, crafting, trying new foods and spending time with her yorkie, Ellie.
Get in touch with Erika! If you live near Goose Creek and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Larsen Willis
Goose Creek, South Carolina
Larsen Willis is a middle school teacher at Westview Middle School who helps encourage students and staffulty by creating a positive school environment. Larsen has helped start Renaissance at two different middle schools and has organized and hosted district-wide Renaissance conferences for the last four years. She has attended the JRGC conference in person and virtually, as well as the regional conferences within her state. In her spare time, Larsen enjoys attending the local high school football games where her husband coaches, hanging with her children, and spending time at the beach.
Get in touch with Larsen! If you live near Goose Creek and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Emily Kifer
Hanahan, South Carolina
Emily Kifer is a 5th grade teacher at Bowens Corner Elementary School who helps lead Renaissance by creating an environment where students love where they come to school and our teachers love to work. Emily specializes in implementing IDEAS and has contributed to building school identity and culture since implementing Renaissance during the 2024 school year , leading the school to become Silver and working each year to Platinum! In her spare time, Emily enjoys reading, working out, and shopping!
Get in touch with Emily! If you live near Hanahan and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Tara Miller
Hanahan, South Carolina
Tara Miller is a 6th grade science teacher at Hanahan Middle School and is celebrating her 25th year in education! She is originally from Ohio, but has called Charleston her home for the past four years. Tara holds a bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Classroom Technology. Tara, along with many others, have helped her school earn a Silver School of Distinction Award, and has a goal to achieve Gold in 2027! Outside of school, Tara enjoys reading, playing softball, and spending time with her faithful canine companions.
Get in touch with Tara! If you live near Hanahan and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Marlin Ketter
Ladson, South Carolina
Marlin T. Ketter is a passionate music educator with extensive experience in both teaching and community involvement. Mr. Ketter’s teaching career spans over a decade, including four years at various elementary schools, Harsville Middle School and currently Oakbrook Middle School. In his second year as Co-Director of Bands at Oakbrook Middle School, Mr. Ketter has already achieved notable success, growing the band by 50% and leading it to earn excellent and superior ratings at both Concert and Jazz Performance Assessments alongside Co-Director Mr. Nathan Woods. In his first year there, he was honored as Oakbrook’s 2024 Teacher of the Year. Outside of teaching, Mr. Ketter enjoys sports, writing music, spending time with friends and family, and exploring great food.
Get in touch with Marlin! If you live near Ladson and want to connect with him or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Tiffany Shepherd
North Augusta, South Carolina
Tiffany Shepherd is the inaugural Principal of Fox Creek Middle School – whose goal is to help students and Staffulty thrive by building a positive school culture rooted in relationships, recognition, and growth. Tiffany specializes in school culture, leadership, and student engagement and has two decades of experience within the Fox Creek community. She has served 13 years as a Social Studies teacher and 7 years in administration, leading initiatives such as Student Council, Homecoming, Junior Advisory, and Renaissance Crew. Her impact has been recognized through honors including Teacher of the Year (2006 & 2010), the Golden Apple Award (2010), and her most important accomplishment – five wins in the Fox Creek Chili Cook-Off. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, reading, going to concerts, and watching baseball.
Get in touch with Tiffany! If you live near Augusta and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Krista Martin
North Charleston, South Carolina
Krista Martin is a High School Math Teacher at Fort Dorchester High School who is passionate about building positive relationships with both students and colleagues. She is currently in her fifth year in education and third year at FDHS. Krista earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Southeast Missouri State University. At Fort Dorchester High School, Krista serves as a member of the MTSS team, Chair of the School Improvement Council, and a mentor in the school’s Patriots+ mentoring program. She has also played an active role in growing the school’s Jostens Renaissance initiatives by helping strengthen school culture, expand recognition programs, and increase staff and student engagement throughout the year. Krista is passionate about creating a school environment where students and staff feel valued, connected, and supported. In her spare time, Krista enjoys exploring new places, trying new foods, and spending time with her friends and family.
Get in touch with Krista! If you live near Charleston and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Chalcie Parsons
North Charleston, South Carolina
Chalcie Parsons is an Instructional Coach at Northwoods Middle School in the Charleston County School District (CCSD) who helps students and educators create engaging, positive learning environments where everyone feels connected, inspired, and excited to come to school. Through coaching, collaboration, and innovative practices, she supports staff in growing professionally while fostering a strong sense of community and belonging across campus. Chalcie specializes in instructional coaching, teacher leadership, student engagement,
and educational innovation. A math teacher at heart, she is passionate about helping educators rediscover their purpose and equipping them with practical resources to enhance teaching and learning. She has presented on topics such as building a leadership class from the ground up and leveraging TikTok and other social media platforms as positive tools for communication, engagement, and learning. Her dedication to students and colleagues was recognized when she was named Teacher of the Year for the 2025 – 2026 school year. In her spare time, Chalcie is an avid volleyball player and coach who thrives on positive energy and creating “hype” environments where people feel encouraged and empowered. She is a strong believer in community-focused leadership, meaningful relationships, and the idea that schools are at their best when students, staff, and families work together toward a shared vision of success.
Get in touch with Chalcie! If you live near Charleston and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Lexie Benardot
Wando, South Carolina
Lexie Benardot is an Art Educator and Renaissance Chair at Philip Simmons Middle School. She is dedicated to transforming the classroom into a high-energy incubator for creativity and self-worth. Always in motion and fueled by the pursuit of the next rewarding project, Lexie is on a mission to redefine the academic experience—crafting a school environment so fulfilling and fun that students simply cannot wait to walk through the door. Lexie is the driving force behind the creative culture at Philip Simmons Middle School, where she has served as the founding Art Educator since the school’s inception ten years ago. A “cultural architect,” Lexie built the art program from the ground up and later launched the school’s high-impact Renaissance Program, transforming the campus into a place where student pride and achievement take center stage. Fueled by restless energy and a passion for making school “the place to be,” Lexie specializes in turning complex concepts into confidence, ensuring every student leaves their classroom feeling capable, inspired, and seen. When she isn’t sparking creativity in the classroom, Lexie is usually in motion—whether she’s crushing the pavement for her next half marathon or experimenting in the kitchen.
Get in touch with Lexie! If you live near Charleston and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Amy Hamm
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Amy Hamm is an Instructional Coach at James Monroe High School who helps teachers, students, and administration by serving as a teacher, coach, and performing various administrative duties. Amy specializes in Curriculum and Instruction and has been named Teacher of the Year, as well as the regional Community Engagement Award winner by the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce by effectively building connections between the school and community throughout the region. In their spare time, Amy enjoys the outdoors, serves her community as a personal trainer, corrective exercise specialist, yoga instructor, and group fitness instructor.
Get in touch with Amy! If you live near Fredericksburg and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Vanessa Morris
Gloucester, Virginia
Vanessa Morris is the SEL/Mental Health Counselor at Gloucester High School. She specializes in Mental Health/Wellness and believes that building positive relationships allows others to feel they can do anything. She works alongside the Coleman’s at Gloucester High School with Renaissance Leadership and is working to bring Renaissance to the whole district. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family whether it is camping or hanging out at Busch Gardens and playing with her granddaughters.
Get in touch with Vanessa! If you live near Gloucester and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Joshua Coleman
Gloucester, Virginia
Joshua is a School Counselor and Renaissance Coordinator at Gloucester High School in Virginia. He holds a Masters degree in Counseling from Marshall University, and is currently working with multiple schools within and beyond his school district to increase participation with Jostens Renaissance throughout Hampton Roads. Outside of school hours, you can find him enjoying time with his wife (2026 Renaissance Educator of the Year!) and two young children, spending time in queue at an amusement park, debating roller coaster stats and rankings, or engaging in some sort of discussion on all things related to Philadelphia sports.
Get in touch with Josh! If you live near Gloucester and want to connect with him or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Sarah Crain
Haymarket, Virginia
Sarah Crain is the Dean of Students at Reagan Middle School in Prince William County, Virginia. As part of the admin team, she promotes positive culture and climate by creating targeted recognition programs, curating learning experiences that cultivate positive relationships, and promoting friendly competition through the school’s house system. Sarah specializes in proactive approaches to student discipline which has lead to a 12 percent decrease in overall discipline incidents this year. In her spare time, Sarah loves all things theatre, dance, and music – especially if enjoying them with her husband and two daughters.
Get in touch with Sarah! If you live near Prince William County and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Brittany Flora
Rocky Mount, Virginia
Brittany Flora is a 6th grade English teacher at Benjamin Franklin Middle School where she helps students build strong literacy skills while fostering confidence, engagement, and a positive school experience through meaningful instruction and school culture initiatives. Brittany specializes in student engagement and school culture development, and helps to lead the school-wide SOAR program focused on recognition, relationships, student motivation, and creating a positive learning environment. In her spare time, Brittany enjoys coaching volleyball and softball, designing creative classroom resources, and spending time with her family.
Get in touch with Brittany! If you live near Rocky Mount and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Marsha Lopez
Rocky Mount, Virginia
Marsha Lopez is a business and Teachers for Tomorrow teacher as well as the Head Cheerleading Coach at Franklin County High School in Virginia, where she helps students who are future educators learn the importance of building relationships and assists all students and Staffulty with building a strong, spirit-filled school community. Marsha specializes in Renaissance rallies and has organized over 120 of them in her 32-year career including back-to-school rallies, glow rallies, community rallies, and Homecoming rallies. They have featured rock-paper-scissors tournaments, musical chairs, Staffulty inflatables races, and many more fun-filled events! In her spare time, Marsha enjoys working out, and she has been a certified group exercise instructor for over 30 years
Get in touch with Marsha! If you live near Rocky Mount and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Zachary Short
Fredericksburg, Virginia
Zachary Short is the Director of Choral Activities at North Stafford High School in Stafford County, Virginia, where he helps students discover confidence, belonging, and purpose through music while supporting and implementing schoolwide culture and climate initiatives. As an educator, coach, and aspiring school administrator, Zach believes that every student deserves to be known, valued, and celebrated for who they are, not just what they achieve. In addition to leading a growing choral program recognized with Superior state assessment ratings, All-District, All-State, and collegiate performance opportunities, he supports his school’s culture and climate initiatives, implementing initiatives that strengthen belonging and school pride. Outside of school, Zach serves as Director of Sacred Music at St. Jude Church in Fredericksburg, VA and as a swim coach for both Chancellor High School in Spotsylvania County and the Dragons summer swim team, where he continues to mentor young people and foster teamwork beyond the classroom. Whether leading a choir rehearsal, coaching on the pool deck, or collaborating with fellow educators, his goal remains the same: to build communities where every person feels connected, empowered, and inspired to make a difference.
Get in touch with Zachary! If you live near Fredericksburg and want to connect with him or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Angie Pittinger
Bunker Hill, Virginia
Angie Pittinger is a fourth-grade teacher in Berkeley County Schools at Mill Creek Intermediate School with fourteen years of experience in elementary education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Shepherd University and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Western Governor’s University. She is passionate about instruction that is engaging and accessible for all learners. She enjoys collaborating with colleagues and sharing practical strategies for building positive school climate and culture. Angie Pittinger was recognized as A Caring Educator by Berkeley County Schools in 2018, and has been nominated by her school as a Teacher of the Year candidate for the past three years. Outside of school, Angie enjoys reading, traveling, and recharging with music and a good book
Get in touch with Angie! If you live near Bunker Hill and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Kristen Bond
Inwood, Virginia
Kirsten Bond is a Leadership and English teacher at Musselman High School who helps students discover their leadership potential and build confidence through meaningful school involvement, relationship-building, and student-centered experiences. As both a graduate and educator at Musselman High School, she brings a unique perspective to creating a positive school culture where students feel seen, valued, and empowered to grow. Kirsten specializes in student leadership development, school culture initiatives, and English education, and has nearly eight years of experience working with students across a variety of grade levels and settings. Over the past two years, she has helped support the growth of a second leadership class while leading Renaissance initiatives that celebrate academics, attendance, leadership, character, and student growth. Through these efforts, she has worked to strengthen connections throughout the school community and create meaningful opportunities for student involvement and belonging. In her spare time, Kirsten enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and supporting her school community through extracurricular activities and events.
Get in touch with Kristen! If you live near Inwood and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Jennifer Freeman
Inwood, Virginia
Jennifer is a mathematics teacher and co-advisor of Leadership and Student Council at Musselman High School who helps students strengthen both their academic confidence and sense of belonging within their school community. Through her work with Jostens Renaissance, she is passionate about building positive school culture, strengthening relationships, and creating opportunities that help students feel seen, heard, valued, and supported. Jennifer specializes in recruiting students who may not traditionally see themselves in leadership roles, often because of limited confidence or lack of prior experience. She believes some of the strongest student leaders are the ones simply waiting for someone to believe in them first. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys traveling with her husband and son, spending time snuggling with her two dogs, and relaxing with a great book or a good television show.
Get in touch with Jennifer! If you live near Inwood and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Michelle Steshoski
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Michelle Steshoski is a third grade teacher at Potomack Intermediate who helps students, staff, and families by creating engaging learning experiences, fostering positive school culture, and building meaningful connections that support student success. Michelle specializes in building positive school culture and creating meaningful learning experiences for students. She recently achieved National Board Certification and helped lead Potomack Intermediate’s Renaissance team in earning a Gold School of Distinction award. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys crafting, reading, and spending quality time with her family. Whether she’s creating something new, getting lost in a good book, or making memories with her husband and children, she values opportunities to connect, learn, and recharge.
Get in touch with Michelle! If you live near Martinsburg and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!
Branda Yeargan
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Branda Yeargan is a Library Media Specialist at Spring Mills Middle School who helps students and staff foster a love of reading, digital literacy, and lifelong learning through engaging library programs and collaborative support. Passionate about creating an inclusive and welcoming learning environment, Branda works to make the library a space where every student can explore, create, and grow. Branda specializes in educational leadership, student engagement, and school-wide literacy initiatives and has successfully developed programs that encourage student participation and academic growth. As a former teacher and team manager with a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership, Branda brings strong organizational and relationship-building skills to their role, helping connect classroom learning with innovative library resources and technology. She is also passionate about building community engagement, as she chairs her school’s Local School Improvement Council. In her spare time, Branda enjoys reading, travel with her family, and spending time organizing and designing welcoming and functional spaces for friends and loved ones. As a native Floridian, she also loves visiting the beach!
Get in touch with Branda! If you live near Martinsburg and want to connect with her or other Renaissance educators in your area, email Renaissance@jostens.com and we’ll connect you!