Academic Faculty of Carlbrook School

Christopher Soto, Ed.M., Ed.D.
Dean of Academics
An advocate for enhancing school engagement through the encouragement and facilitation of positive student-teacher connections, Dr. Soto holds a Master’s degree in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University and a Doctorate in Foundations and Practices of Education from the University of Pennsylvania. He has worked with students and their families in private educational settings for over 14 years, most recently at the Charter High School for Architecture and Design in Philadelphia.

Melissa Peacock, M.A., M.A.
Assistant Dean of Academics
Ms. Peacock graduated summa cum laude with her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairmont State College, studied at the Universite de Caen in France, and earned two Master of Arts degrees in both French and Secondary Education from West Virginia University. She has taught at the high school and college level for many years, and most recently worked as a Translator for AXA Corporation.

Malissa Takacs, M.S.S.A., L.S.W.
Director of College Counseling
After graduating with honors with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Ms. Takacs earned a Master of Science in Social Administration from Case Western Reserve University. A Licensed Social Worker and experienced educational advisor, she has worked as a guidance counselor and admissions counselor in both secondary and post-secondary institutions, most recently serving as Assistant Director of Admissions at Bluffton University in Ohio.  Since joining Carlbrook, Ms. Takacs has earned a Certificate in College Counseling from UCLA.

Craig Bartholomew, Ph.D.
Chemistry & Environmental Sciences
Dr. Bartholomew holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Oregon State University and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from Kansas State University. In addition to his extensive work in the private sector - most notably as Vice President of R&D for a contract research firm - he has teaching experience at both the high school and college levels, including adjunct faculty positions at Wright College and Illinois Institute of Technology. Most recently, Dr. Bartholomew taught Chemistry, Physics, and Environmental Science at Montini Catholic High School in Illinois.

Jean Bartholomew, M.A.
English Literature and Composition
With over 15 years of educational experience, Mrs. Bartholomew holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Northern Iowa, a Master of Arts in English from Kansas State University, and is a candidate for a Master of Liberal Arts from Harvard University. In addition to her prior work as a freelance writer and editor, she has worked as an English Instructor at both College of DuPage and Kansas State University.

Richard Boykin, M.A. 
World History and Religious Studies
A Doctoral Candidate, Mr. Boykin holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Religion from Duke University and a Master of Arts in History from Indiana University, with the British Empire comprising his dissertation topic and major field of study. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and most recently served as an Associate Instructor of History at Indiana University.

Barbara Carnavale
Music
Mrs. Carnavale holds a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance and is an accomplished pianist with broad music skills, including conducting, composition, embellishment and vocal. At Carlbrook, she teaches music appreciation and music theory.  In her spare time, Mrs. Carnavale provides private music lessons in South Boston, VA.

Jonathan Cochran, M.A., M.Ed.
Physical Education & Nutrition
Mr. Cochran holds a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and a Master of Education from Radford University, as well as a Master of Arts in Physical Education from Virginia Tech. Johnathan holds a Virginia teaching license and has previously held positions at Clinton Community College, The Discovery School of Virginia, and the Montgomery County School System. Johnathan is certified in CPR and as a US Track and Field Coach.

Armando Cooper
Spanish Language and Literature
Mr. Cooper received his Bachelor of Science degree from Norfolk State University, completed extensive graduate work at St. Ambrose University and the Army School of Engineering and Logistics, and is a candidate for a Master of Education degree from Averett University. He has taught English and Spanish language and literature at the high school and college levels for many years.

Erica Derr, M.L.S.
Librarian
A member of the American Library Association, Ms. Derr received her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Master of Library Science degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She has worked for the past several years at North Carolina magazine and in the Greensboro public library system.

Lisa Ellis, M.Ed.
English Literature & Composition
Ms. Ellis has been a classroom teacher in Arizona, California, and Washington.  She holds a B.A. in Sociology with a Social Work Option from the University of Texas and a M.Ed. in Creative Arts from Lesley University, and has taught English, mythology, medieval literature, speech and dual-enrollment classes at the high school level.  Prior to entering the field of education, she spent approximately five years working in the social services field with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters organization.

Tammy Ferguson, Ph.D.
Biological Sciences
Dr. Tammy Ferguson holds a B.S. in Biology from Virginia Polytechnic and State University and a Ph.D. in Microbiology/Immunology from Virginia Commonwealth University. Most recently, Dr. Ferguson was employed as a scientist at the Institute for Sustainable Resources at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, VA.　 She was previously employed as a research associate at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Virginia Commonwealth University as well as at the Fralin Biotechnology Center at Virginia Tech.

Tamara Liaschenko
Dance & Theatre
With a Bachelor of Arts degree from CUNY-Queens College and over 20 years of physical training for both dance and theatre, Ms. Liaschenko has an extensive knowledge of health and fitness and an active interest in PE curriculum development. An accomplished dancer, she has performed in numerous local and regional productions and has served as a dance instructor for several years.

Travis Quay, M.A.
Humanities and Latin
Mr. Quay holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Civilizations from the University of Cincinnati and a Master of Arts in Classics with an emphasis in Classical Archaeology from the University of Arizona. He has worked in both the Cincinnati Art Museum and the Arizona State Museum, participated in archaeological excavations in Crete and Tuscany, and taught Latin and Greek at both the secondary and college levels for several years.

Scott Ramey
Mathematics
Mr. Ramey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religion from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and has completed graduate coursework in Logic and Mathematics at Texas A&M University, UNC-Greensboro and North Carolina A&T University. For the past few years he has worked as a mathematics instructor at High Point Central Senior High School in North Carolina.

Leslie Robinson
History and Social Sciences
Ms. Robinson graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Tulsa, and has worked as an anthropological field researcher and educator both in the United States and England. She is a candidate for a Master of Arts degree in Humanities from King's College of the University of London, with an emphasis on Imperial and Commonwealth History.

Scott Schwartz, M.A.
College Counselor
Mr. Schwartz holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Arts in Professional School Counseling from Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. While at Appalachian State, he served as a Student Conduct Counselor and was responsible for counseling students who violated the school’s code of conduct. He completed his practicum as a counselor at Avery High School in Newland, NC. In this role, he provided individual counseling and assisted with attendance and scheduling duties. Most recently Mr. Schwartz was employed as an interim counselor at the NC School of Science and Math where he provided college, career, individual and group counseling.

Mathew Stafford, M.F.A.
Fine Arts
Originally awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Biology and Zoology from Humboldt State University, Mr. Stafford taught for several years before returning to school to pursue a lifelong interest in painting and ceramics. He subsequently earned a Bachelor in Fine Arts from Humboldt State University and a Master of Fine Arts from San Diego State University. A dedicated artist, his work has been exhibited at numerous galleries in California.

Robert Testa, M.S.
Physical Sciences
Mr. Testa holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo, a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, and a Master of Science in Education (Math and Physics) from the State University of New York at Brockport.  A former Engineer for Kodak/ITT Industries, he holds a permanent New York State Teacher Certification in Physics and Mathematics and has several years of teaching experience at the high school level.