Meet the Teachers

Welcome to fourth grade Patriots!  I am Mrs. Simpson. I graduated from Louisa County High School in 2000!  I earned my Bachelors Degree in Education from UVA Wise.  This will be my 21st year teaching.  I have taught grades 4 and 5.  I love to spend time with my family and my dog "Lady." I am so excited for this school year! 

Welcome 4th Grade Patriots!! I am Cindy Gunderman and I am excited to start my 3rd year teaching in Louisa! This is my 28th year being a teacher. I grew up in New Jersey and taught there for 22 years before moving to beautiful Virginia. I received my graduate degree from the University of Scranton in 2020.  I spend much of my free time reading, crocheting and hanging out with my 5 children and 3 grandchildren. I have 4 daughters (Paige, Brooke, Saige, and Hailey) and 1 son (Hunter).  I can’t wait to meet all of you and look forward to a fabulous school year!

I am Kathryn Ricotta and I'm excited to be teaching History again this year, as well as Math too! 

This is my 12th year of teaching.  I earned my Bachelor's degree at VCU and then headed to University of Richmond to complete a teaching degree.  

When I'm not at school, I love to be outside.  I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and working in my garden.  At home I have some chickens, two naughty kittens, a dog, and even bees too! 

I can't wait to start another amazing year with you all! 

Hi, my name is Jennifer Wallace and I am so excited to be teaching my favorite subject! After graduating with my Associate's degree in Early Childhood Education from Germanna Community College, I went to the University of Mary Washington for my Bachelor’s degree. I worked with Fifth grade as an Instructional Assistant for 7 years and this will be my fifth year teaching 4th grade Math. I have two sons, my oldest is working and my youngest is headed to Coastal Carolina this year, and a spoiled Weimaraner named Bailie.  I am excited to meet and get to know all of my students! Looking forward to a great year! 

Hello Patriots!  My name is Betsy Leale and I am so excited to be back at Thomas Jefferson.  I grew up in West Virginia and attendend WVU.  I later obtained my Reading Specialist certification from VCU.  I began my teaching career at Thomas Jefferson in 1999.  Most recently, I have taught third and fourth grade at Jouett before making the transition back to TJ.  This will be my 20th year teaching.  My husband, Dan, teaches at LCMS and we have three children.  Our oldest, Daniel, attends and plays baseball at Bridgewater College.  Our daughter, Riley, is a freshman at Coastal Carolina University, and Gable, is a sophomore at LCHS this year.  We also have two spoiled dogs, a black lab and a miniature schnauzer.  I look forward to a great year!

Hello, 4th grade families! My name is Mrs. Ali Hodell, and I am so excited to be one of your teachers this year! I attended Juniata College for my undergrad and completed my Master's Degree at the University of Virginia.  My Master's Degree is in Curriculum & Instruction with an emphasis in Gifted.  I am entering into my 21st year of teaching. I spent 1 year teaching in Amherst county, but quickly saw the light and came to Louisa where I have been an elementary teacher and/or gifted specialist for the last 19 years! I live with my husband, who is a teacher at Trevilians, 2 sons, who are at Trevilians and LCMS, and our 3 dogs, Keva, Elsa, and Jett.