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Middle School Faculty & StaffADMINISTRATIONHEADMASTER
LTC Rob Feathers began his employment at Fork Union Military Academy in 1994 as the Headmaster of the Middle School. Prior to coming to the Academy, he was the Guidance Director at the Fluvanna County Middle School in Palmyra, VA. He grew up in Fork Union and attended the Academy as a day student from the 5th grade through his senior year. He received his B.S. degree in Family and Child Development from Virginia Tech and his M.Ed. from the University of Virginia. He holds teaching certification in psychology and in middle school counseling. LTC Feathers lives in Fork Union with his wife, Karen, and their five children: Daniel, Dylan, Kyle, Erin, and Diana. Daniel and Dylan are both graduates of the Academy, and Kyle is a student in the Upper School. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4261 E-mail: feathers@fuma.org COMMANDANT
MAJ Bill Blanchetti is the Middle School Commandant. MAJ Blanchetti began his FUMA career in 1985 as a history teacher in the Middle School. He also taught previously at the Blue Ridge School in St. George, VA. MAJ Blanchetti is a graduate of Jamestown State College in North Dakota, where he received a B.A. in History. He and his wife, Terri, live within walking distance to the Middle School. They have six children: Mariah, Will, Danielle, Alex, Hugh, and Mimi. His son, Will, is a graduate of FUMA, and his son, Alex, is a senior in the Upper School. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4262 E-mail: blanchetti@fuma.org TEACHERS
CPT Brett Balhoff has taught in the Middle School since 2003. Hailing from Sylvania, Ohio and a graduate of Butler University in Indiana, CPT Balhoff teaches 6th and 8th grade science. He is also the head coach of the Middle School soccer team and one of the Academy’s swim team coaches. CPT Balhoff received his B.S. degree in education, specializing in biology. He is currently in the graduate program at the University of Virginia, working toward a Master’s degree in Education. CPT Balhoff and his wife, Mindy, reside in Fork Union. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4488 Email: balhoff@fuma.org CPT Aaron Butt began FUMA in the Fall of 2008 as the 8th grade English teacher. While at UVa., he was active in the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He has experience in business management and in teaching English as a second language. Besides teaching English, CPT Butt will also be working with the Middle School soccer and wrestling teams. CPT Butt and his wife, Nicole, are very active in their church. He has led mission trips through his church to Honduras and to England. He resides in Fork Union. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4428 Email: butta@fuma.org
CPT Rodney Carter began at FUMA in 2007. He is the Middle School's Health and Physical Education teacher. CPT Carter earned a B.A. in Physical Education and a Master's degree in Education Administration from Liberty University. Prior to his employment at FUMA, CPT Carter owned his own construction company. He also taught Health and Physical Education for two years in the local public middle school. Besides his teaching duties, CPT Carter heads the Middle School football team and assists with the Prep baseball team. CPT Carter lives in Kent's Store with his wife, Bridgett, and their 6 children: April Lauren, Erika, Kaci, Charlie and Beau. Charlie and Beau are students in the Middle School. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4435 E-mail: carter@fuma.org CPT Wesley Cox began FUMA in 2003. He came from Hudson, NC and is a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Asheville where he earned a B.A. in Mathematics. He currently attends the University of Virginia where he is working toward a Master's degree in Math Education. CPT Cox teaches 6th & 7th grade Math, 7th grade Pre-Algebra, and 7th grade Science. He also heads up the Middle School baseball program and is an assistant Middle School football coach. He and his wife, Kathryn, live in Fork Union. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4424 E-mail: cox@fuma.org CPT Brian Garriss started FUMA in 2004. He teaches Computer Applications and directs the Student Activities program. He maintains the Middle School website and assists in trouble-shooting faculty computer problems. CPT Garriss received his B.A. in English Education from Lee University in Tennessee. Prior to coming to FUMA, he worked as a team leader for Sperry-Marine’s IT department and as a computer instructor for an adult education program. CPT Garriss heads up the Academy-wide Scuba program. He is a resident of Fork Union. Voice mail #: 434-842-4246 Email: garriss@fuma.org CPT Louis Keating began teaching at FUMA in 2004 in 6th and 8th grade History. He is from Norton, MA. He received his B.A. in Politics and History and minored in Literature at Curry College in Milton, MA. While attending college, CPT Keating coached wrestling at Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA. He has coached football at the semi-pro level. Along with his teaching responsibilities, he is an assistant Middle School football coach and the Academy’s head wrestling coach. CPT Keating resides in Fork Union. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4493 E-mail: keating@fuma.org CPT Darren Keithley has been the Middle School's Resource Teacher since August 2005. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida in Orlando, where he earned his B.S. degree in Physical Education. He also has an Associate of Science Degree and an Associate of Arts Degree from Okaloosa-Walton Community in Niceville, FL. He has taught and coached in the Seminole County School System in Sanford, FL and at the PACE Brantley Hall School in Longwood, FL. CPT Keithley taught several subjects at PACE, a private school for students with learning disabilities, including Life Management Skills class. CPT Keithley assists with the Middle School's football and basketball teams. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4271 Email: keithled@fuma.org
CPT Fritz Knapp started in August 2008. He is an experienced teacher and coach, as well as an accomplished author The Book of Sports Virtues: Portraits from the Field of Play. A graduate of William and Mary with degrees in Biology and Sociology, and where he was the captain of college lacrosse team, CPT Knapp has held leadership positions in government, education, business, and non-profit agencies and is the founder of a non-profit organization, the Blue Sky Fund, which has sent over 500 inner-city children into the “great outdoors”. CPT Knapp will be teaching 6th grade English, 6th grade science, and 7th grade science and will be coaching Middle School wrestling and lacrosse. He and his wife, Lee, live in nearby Louisa County. They have 3 sons, Cheston, Eric, and Stephen. E-mail: knapp@fuma.org Mrs. Christy Krammes began teaching at FUMA in August 2007. She is the Middle School's Spanish I teacher. She is a graduate of Bridgewater College with a B.S. in Psychology and she earned a M.A. in Teaching from Mary Baldwin College. Prior to her employment at FUMA, she worked at St. Anne's Belfield in Charlottesville, and before that volunteered Spanish to 4th graders in a nearby public school. She lives with her husband, Chris (FUMA class of '96), and her son, Nathan, in Palmyra. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4419 Email: krammes@fuma.org CPT Brent Miller is the 6th/7th Grade English and 7th Grade History Teacher, the Middle School Chaplain, and the head basketball coach. CPT Miller graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.A. in History and graduated from the Baptist Theological Seminary in Richmond, where he earned a Master's in Divinity. CPT Miller joined FUMA in 2004. He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Fork Union. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4489 Email: miller@fuma.org Ms. Lindsay Nolting, a well-known artist in this area, was employed in 1998 as the Middle School Art teacher. Ms. Nolting received her B.A. from Goddard College and has a wealth of other educational experiences, including years of study in France. Prior to coming to FUMA, Ms. Nolting taught art in nearby school systems, both public and private. She also taught art workshops through the Virginia Museum Touring Program and served as a guide at Monticello. Ms. Nolting lives in nearby Columbia. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4327 E-mail: nolting@fuma.org Mrs. Beth Sherk began her FUMA career in 1994. She heads the Middle School Drama program. A graduate of George Mason University with a B.A. in English Literature, Mrs. Sherk has extensive community theater experience and enjoys writing scripts for student performances. She and her husband, Grant, live in Fork Union and have two children, Kaileen and Corey. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4492 E-mail: sherk@fuma.org
LTC Richard Washington received his B.S. degree from Virginia Tech and his M.Ed. from the University of Virginia. He has been an instructor at FUMA since 1978. He teaches Pre-Algebra and Algebra I. Besides teaching, LTC Washington assists with Commandant duties and is the designated Leave Officer. He is also the assistant Middle School baseball coach. LTC Washington served in the Navy from ’68 – ’72, called to action for a tour in Vietnam, and he served in the US Naval Reserve from ’72 – ’94, recalled for active duty for Desert Storm. LTC Washington and his wife, Joanne, live in Scottsville. They have two children, Adam and Jamie, and two granddaughters. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4490 E-mail: washington@fuma.org SUPPORT STAFFADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Mrs. Pam Haislip has worked as the Middle School Administrative Assistant since 1986. Her duties are many and varied, including maintaining student academic and discipline records, managing the student allowance program, and directing all office traffic. She is a crucial link between faculty, parents, and cadets. Mrs. Haislip and her husband, Jerry, live in Scottsville. They have two children, Billy and Julie, and three grandchildren. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4260 E-mail: haislip@fuma.org
LIBRARIAN Mrs. Kathryn Cox was hired in August 2007. She is the Middle School Librarian. Hailing from Asheville, NC, she received a B.A. in History from the University of North Carolina - Asheville. Prior to employment at FUMA, she was an instructional aide in the local public middle school. She has worked previously as a museum coordinator in Asheville. Mrs. Cox and her husband, CPT Wes Cox, live in Fork Union. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4225 E-mail: coxk@fuma.org GUIDANCE
MAJ Bob Grant completed a 30 year career in the public schools of Virginia prior to becoming Guidance Director at FUMA in 2002. His previous positions include: Middle and High School Counselor, Director of the International Baccalaureate Program, Norfolk VA Public Schools; Coordinator of SOL testing for the City of Norfolk and both Middle and High School Principal. He is a veteran of the US Navy and the US Marine Corps Reserve. Dr. Grant has been active in community activities, having served on the Board of the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Community Education Board of Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters. Currently he sits on the Board of the School of Education for the College of William and Mary. He resides in Fork Union with his wife and younger son Alexander, FUMA class of 2004. Voice mail#: (434) 842-4204 MAJ John Devault works with cadets as an advisor in the Guidance Department. He has been employed at FUMA since 1999 where hed taught in the Middle School. He is also the Summer School Director. MAJ DeVault previously taught in the Fluvanna County Public School. He received a B.A. from Fairmont State College in West Virginia and holds middle school certification in all academic areas. He will be is working on his Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia. MAJ DeVault and his wife, Heather, live in Fork Union with their two sons, Ford and Davis. Voice mail#: (434) 842-4223 E-mail: devault@fuma.org MUSIC PROGRAM Chief Warrant Officer 2 Bruce Patterson is the Chairman of the Fine Arts program, Bandmaster of the FUMA Bands, Choirs, and bagpipes. He has been a member of the FUMA faculty since 1998. He teaches Upper and Middle School Band, Choir, Jazz band, Pep Band, Chorale, and the Bagpipe Band. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Asbury College in Wilmore, KY, a Master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Troy State University and is working on a Master’s degree in Worship Leading/Divinity at Liberty University. He has professional performance experience as a trombonist and instructor with the United States Marine Corps Band. In addition to his position with FUMA, he holds the position as Executive Officer of the 80th Division Army Reserve Band in Richmond, Virginia. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4219 E-mail: pattersb@fuma.org HOUSEMOTHERS The Middle School maintains a team of Housemothers to provide an overnight adult presence in the barracks. The following individuals are available to assist cadets as surrogate "Moms on Campus." Mrs. Jeni Fick began as the Middle School Housemother in August 2007. Her duties extend from Saturday afternoon through Tuesday morning. She aslo works as an associate broker for a real estate agency in the county. Mrs. Fick is active with the Fluvanna County Habitat for Humanity. She and her husband, Thomas, have 5 children: Benjamin, Heather, Richard, Nathaniel, and David. She has 7 grandchildren. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4329 E-mail: fick@fuma.org Mrs. Annie Finley began working as Middle School Housemother at the end of the academic year in 2005. She has also assisted as a barracks supervisor for the Academy's summer school program. Mrs. Finley is the mother of Ms. Gilmer. Her duties extend from Tuesday evening through Saturday morning. She has one other daughter and 5 grandchildren. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4326 No email address Ms. Robin Gilmer came to FUMA in 2000 in the role as Housemother. Her duties extend from Tuesday evening through Saturday morning. She has four children: Pepsi, Brandy, Jeremy and Caleb. Her sons, Jeremy and Caleb, are both graduates of the Academy. Ms. Gilmer also has 4 grandchildren. Voice mail #: (434) 842-4326 E-mail: gilmer@fuma.org
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