Second Grade

Mr. Jacob Clark ​​is absolutely thrilled to be joining Greenwood this year teaching second grade! This will be Mr. Clark’s first year teaching, although he has been a part of the Greenwood community since the school opened, having attended as a kid! He graduated from James Madison University (Go Dukes!!) with a master's degree in Teaching. He also received his bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies from JMU. Mr. Clark believes that every student in his classroom has gifts and talents that they can find and grow. He hopes to make authentic and meaningful connections with each of his students and their families, creating an incredible community that can accomplish great things. Mr. Clark hopes to make his classroom a place where magic happens every day, no matter how small. Ever since interning at Greenwood as a senior in high school, Mr. Clark has found that teaching makes his heart happy. He tries to make an impact in the lives of every student he meets! Mr. Clark is looking forward to an awesome year ahead. Go Gators!

Mrs. Kaitlyn Glessner is excited for another AMAZING year teaching second grade at Greenwood! Mrs. Glessner grew up in Fredericksburg, VA and went to Liberty University where she received her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She spent her first seven years as an educator in Spotsylvania County teaching Kindergarten, second grade, and third grade. Mrs. Glessner moved to Richmond in 2019 and has been blessed to have taught at Greenwood for three years now! Mrs. Glessner believes in a classroom culture where students feel “at home” and comfortable to be themselves, take chances, make mistakes, and LEARN! She sees her students as a family and works hard to create a sense of belonging in the classroom. Mrs. Glessner’s goal as a teacher is for students to love reading, love exploring, love discovering, and love learning! She is excited to help each student gain more confidence academically, socially, and emotionally. Mrs. Glessner is PUMPED for the 2022-2023 school year and all the magic that will take place!

Ms. Katie Hall is ready for another exciting year at Greenwood teaching second grade! She grew up on a farm in western Hanover County and graduated from Randolph-Macon College with a bachelor's degree in Developmental Psychology and Elementary Education. Ms. Hall has been a part of the Greenwood community since 2011, initially working with the K-2 Exceptional Education team and then as an intervention teacher. She has also taught kindergarten and first grade during her time at Greenwood. Ms. Hall fully embraces the growth mindset perspective, believing that all children will learn — and develop a love of learning — by challenging themselves and building a confident inner voice. In her room there is a saying: ‘When you make mistakes, your brain grows!’ She hopes to show every child that missteps should be embraced and celebrated, not feared. Ms. Hall teaches to help every student feel loved and welcome, and know that school is a place for them to feel safe and free to explore, ask questions, make mistakes, and express themselves. Ms. Hall can’t wait to share another magical year at Greenwood!

Mrs. Cindy Leigh has taught for over 38 years, 33 of which have been in Henrico County! She has been a Greenwood Gator since the school opened in 2004! She holds a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Eastern University, and a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Averett University. Mrs. Leigh began her teaching career in NJ before relocating to VA. She has taught first through fifth grades and looks forward to teaching second grade again this year. Mrs. Leigh is a cancer survivor, an experience that has inspired her teaching philosophy: to challenge all students to set high goals, reach for them every day, and never let anything stand in the way of achieving those goals. Her vision is to create a classroom where students feel positive toward life, and work together as a family of learners. Because Mrs. Leigh believes every child can achieve great things, she will challenge her students to open their world to success by having a positive growth mindset! Mrs. Leigh is excited to have her students begin their Second Grade Crush Experience: the Magic Happens Here Season!

Ms. LeYuani Wilson is a product of Henrico County Public Schools. She received her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from JMU, and her master’s degree in Education, as well as her Gifted Endorsement, from VCU. Ms. Wilson has enjoyed teaching for twenty-seven years, and has taught twelve years at Greenwood. She believes in presenting her students with project-based learning opportunities that cultivate their creativity while developing their critical thinking skills. Her vision is to create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable exploring endless possibilities while working collaboratively to achieve success. She enjoys getting to know her students during her morning meetings and building relationships with them that extend beyond the classroom. Ms. Wilson is excited to meet her new Gators, and believes that with love, support and encouragement, magic will happen. Bring on the 2022-2023 school year. Together, Ms. Wilson and her students will have a magical experience!