Classroom Guides
Kimberly Seipel-Parks
Kimberly Seipel-Parks is the founder of the Yadkin Valley Community School. She serves as Head of School and lead teacher in the Lower Elementary classroom. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with her B.F.A. from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 2000. Kimberly taught photography classes at the Technical College of the Lowcountry and USC-Beaufort before returning to her hometown of Elkin. She holds her Montessori credentials from the North American Montessori Center for children ages 6-9. She loves teaching and learning from the school’s younger students because they are so creative and inquisitive. She is a certified Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) parenting coach and incorporates the strategies taught in Triple P, such as raising happy, confident kids and encouraging positive behavior, into her classroom.
Joe Dougherty
Joe Dougherty is the lead guide for Upper Elementary classroom. Before joining the Yadkin Valley Community School, Joe taught science at Lewisville Elementary School. He has also taught at the Migrant Workers Head Start in Boonville and as a secondary school English teacher in Nicaragua. His enthusiasm and creativity shine through in his lesson plans, and his laugh is contagious.
In addition to his teaching experience, Joe brings a unique set of skills that will enhance the classroom. He plays the guitar and loves to incorporate music into his lessons. He is also a farmer (which comes in very handy with our garden in the outdoor classroom).
Bachelor of Arts from York College of Pennsylvania
Orton Gillingham Trained
Fluent in Spanish
Perry Lloyd
Perry Lloyd teaches 7th-8th grade language and cultural studies. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in European History at Washington and Lee University. He has been an educator for 35 years serving in positions at Rutherfordton-Spindale High School, Elkin High School, and Bridges Academy. Perry holds certifications in social studies, language arts, and exceptional children. He and his wife Penny have three children and four grandchildren (with another on the way). Perry has recently written and published a book entitled The Ponderings of a Grateful Scribe: Poems, Fables, Parables, Folktales and other Prose.
Whether he is in the classroom, coaching wrestling, leading Sunday School, or writing a book, Perry is always teaching. Having taught both Advanced Placement classes and Exceptional Children classes, he has a true passion for helping children succeed in their own unique ways. When asked about his teaching style, Perry said he is a storyteller, an entertainer, and wants to bring history to life through hands-on projects.
Travis Snyder
Travis joined Yadkin Valley Community School in 2021 as the Middle School Math Teacher. He currently teaches 7th – 8th grade math and science while also serving as the Assistant Head of School. Travis began his teaching career in 2012 as a middle school instructor of math and science at Washington Montessori Public Charter School in Washington, North Carolina. While there, he also helped launch a Montessori high school program and served as the High School Coordinator and Math and Science Instructor during its inaugural year. A family move took Travis to Colorado where he served as the Director of Middle School Education at the Montessori School of Denver. There he was tasked with properly developing a newly-formed urban Montessori middle school program. Travis holds a Montessori Secondary I – II Certification through the American Montessori Society.
Outside of the classroom, Travis enjoys spending time with his wife, three kids, and two dogs. He also enjoys biking, exercising, building guitars, tinkering with anything mechanical, and writing and recording music with his kids.
Education:
MEd in Secondary Montessori Education, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH
MFA in Wood Design, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
MA in Maritime Studies, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
BA in Philosophy, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC. Minor: Science
Montessori Secondary I – II Certification, American Montessori Society
Maddie Barron
Maddie Barron is the lead teacher in the Kindergarten classroom.
Stacey Carter
Stacey Carter assists in the Lower Elementary classroom.
Lisa Silva
Lisa Silva assists in the Upper Elementary classroom.
Caroline Beverley
Caroline Beverley teaches music classes to our students with a focus on regional folk songs, traditional dances and song writing. Caroline grew up in NYC and studied classical piano, composition and theory. She taught herself guitar, bass, mandolin, lead vocals and harmonies by playing music with her family and friends. Since moving to Elkin, North Carolina in 2012 she has taught string band music through Junior Appalachian Musicians, Surry Community College and at workshops at various fiddlers conventions and festivals throughout the region. She plays full time with the New Ballard’s Branch Bogtrotters featuring fiddler Eddie Bond, National Endowment for the Arts recipient 2018. Caroline writes music as well as plays guitar and sings with Sparta, NC based old time band Gap Civil and Athens, Georgia based band Klezmer Local 42.