Third Grade

Mrs. Nicolle Farrar is a product of Henrico County Public Schools.  She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Master of Teaching Degree in Teaching Early Childhood Education.  Mrs. Farrar has been a Greenwood Gator since it opened.  She is eager to begin her 28th year of teaching.  She has taught kindergarten, first, second and is currently teaching third grade.  Mrs. Farrar is excited she will be focusing on reading and language arts instruction.  She loves being a part of a student’s transition from learning to read to reading to learn.  Mrs. Farrar teaches with the hope of motivating and inspiring students to think for themselves in a safe and welcoming environment that encourages risk taking.  Mrs. Farrar believes every student can grow academically, socially, and emotionally when they feel loved and respected.  She is looking forward to fostering a classroom where her students communicate and collaborate as they encounter the daily challenges of the third-grade curriculum.  Mrs. Farrar is excited to begin the 2023-2024 school year that is sure to be filled with enthusiasm towards learning! 

Ms. Victoria Riss is looking forward to beginning her sixth year teaching and fifth year as a Greenwood Gator! Ms. Riss graduated from James Madison University (Go Dukes!) with a bachelor's degree in Media Arts and Design and attended the University of Virginia where she earned a master's degree in Teaching. She has taught third, fourth, and first grade. She is thrilled to be teaching both second and third grade this year! Ms. Riss believes it is important for students to collaborate, share, and reflect often. Building relationships with her students and giving her students time to connect with each other promotes a classroom environment in which students feel safe to engage in productive risk-taking. Ms. Riss strives to foster the growth of global citizens through hands-on activities, collaborative work opportunities, and project-based learning. She looks forward to sharing the magic of Greenwood with students in the 2023-2024 school year! 

Mrs. Kimberlee Garnes-Walker is excited to start this school year at Greenwood Elementary School.  This is the start of her 19th year of teaching.  Last year, Mrs. Walker taught fourth grade in Chesterfield County.  Most of her career has been spent in New York City, where she was born and raised.  Mrs. Walker graduated from the State University of New York at New Paltz with a B.S. in Elementary Education.  Later, she received a M.S in Literacy Education from City College.  Mrs. Walker has taught every grade except Kindergarten while living in New York City.    She just moved to Virginia in July 2022.  Her goal for this school year is to develop meaningful relationships with and among students, families and staff.  Mrs. Walker believes in integrating all subjects in her teaching to deepen learning and retention.  She encourages her students to do their best and gives them tools to work through challenges.  Mrs. Walker is super excited to teach as a member of the Greenwood community!

Mrs. Jenny Waters (Mrs. H2O) is ready to kick off her fifth school year of teaching at her new school, Greenwood Elementary! She grew up always being the “new kid” in the Chesterfield, Hanover, Appomattox, and Cumberland areas. Mrs. Waters graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a master’s degree in Teaching. The last four school years, Mrs. Waters has taught third and fifth grade in Chesterfield County. She has always dreamed of becoming a Greenwood Gator since volunteering here during college! Her goal is to put student’s social-emotional needs first as she builds the foundation for her classroom family. She loves to dress up for lessons and is always down to “Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!” with her learning, just like Ms. Frizzle! Mrs. Waters will be teaching third grade 

next school year. She is SO excited for this new opportunity and can’t wait to meet her students and get to know the families and community at Greenwood. Go Gators!

Mrs. Rachel Whitaker is excited and ready for her third year as a Greenwood Instructional Assistant! She resides in Glen Allen, VA and has two daughters. Her youngest will be in 2nd grade and her oldest will be off to middle school (but will forever be a Greenwood Gator at heart)! Mrs. Whitaker truly believes a positive outlook goes a long way and enforces that optimistic learning every day with all her Greenwood Gators! Mrs. Whitaker has a huge heart, enjoys a good joke, and loves to see students grow and succeed. She loves the saying "I believe that we will win" because if we put our hearts and minds into our passions, we will always come out winning. Mrs. Whitaker is looking forward to another awesome year and is honored to be a part of the magic that happens every day at Greenwood!

Mrs. Leslie Wrighter is a product of Henrico County Public Schools. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Radford University. She is celebrating her 26th year of teaching in Henrico and has been a part of Greenwood Elementary since its opening in 2004. She has taught kindergarten, first, second, and third grades. Mrs. Wrighter teaches because she enjoys building relationships and helping students become more confident in themselves. She firmly believes that the best classroom is one filled with laughter. She strives to teach students to embrace differences, learn from mistakes, and to communicate effectively. This year she is teaching Language Arts and wants to ignite a love of reading and writing in each student. Mrs. Wrighter is proud to teach at Greenwood and is excited to welcome students back to school!