Text Box: Volume 1, Issue 1 Text Box: Page # Text Box: Ms. Dickerson loves math and has always wanted to teach. She just completed her masters degree from the University of Virginia in Mathematics Education with the requirements for a K-8 Math Specialist. Her undergraduate degree is from The College of William and Mary, and she is originally from Fincastle in Botetourt County. Susan Broniak spent part of school year 2006-07 as a long term substitute for Robert Hill, a sixth grade teacher out on medical leave. She is now a 7th grade science teacher on the Spruce team. In 2004 she decided to switch careers to become a teacher, after several years of working in HR at a Fortune 500 company in Richmond, Virginia. Ms. Broniak has a degree in History from LSU and a Master’s in HR and Education from GW. Susan was born in Chicago, but spent most of her formative years in Baton Rouge. Her husband, Brian, graduated from Virginia Tech and is now working at the corporate research center for SunGard. From the day he stepped onto the drill field at Virginia Tech he knew that Blacksburg was home, which prompted them to move to the area in 2006. They are happy to have a home here in the mountains. When she is not teaching, Susan is an avid photographer, bird watcher, and reader. Jenna Busch is excited about joining the staff at Christiansburg Middle School as a 7th grade English teacher on the Apple team. She is originally from Swartz Creek, Michigan. Last year she married her husband, Jeremy, and they moved to the beautiful mountains of Christiansburg, Virginia. They love all the outdoor activities that the area has to offer, and they continue to enjoy meeting new friends and participating in new experiences. Jenna’s hobbies include hiking, reading, singing, going to musicals, traveling, and participating in new adventures. In fact, this summer she had a wonderful time whitewater rafting in West Virginia. Ms. Bush looks forward to beginning the new school year at CMS and sharing her passion of literature with her students. Mr. Thomas Deron Casto is originally from Jackson County, West Virginia, but he has lived all over the country since graduating from West Virginia University in 1991, courtesy of the US Army. He received a Master’s degree from Troy University in 1999. Mr. Casto is married and has two children. His wife, Kristy, is currently a full-time graduate student at Virginia Tech. This fall his oldest daughter, Shanna, started college at Fairmont State University in West Virginia. His youngest daughter, Leah, is now an 8th grader at CMS, and his son Ben is in the 2nd grade at CPS. Mr. Casto enjoys spending time with his family and working on their house and yard. However, this part of the country is ideal for outdoor activities, and he does his best to make time for fishing and hunting. Mr. Casto also likes to read and learn more about historical events, particularly about history that occurred in this region. He looks forward to passing this knowledge on to his students in a way that is interesting and thought provoking. He expects this school year to be a learning experience for him and his students and anticipates nothing but the best for everyone. EIGHTH GRADE Richard Talbot is eager to return to Montgomery County as an eighth grade science teacher on the Oak team. He hails from Blacksburg, Virginia and just graduated from the University of Virginia with a Master of Teaching degree. He hopes people will not hold this against him, as everyone makes mistakes now and again. He has two guinea pigs, Tiggles and Bits, and is currently in the market for fish for his aquarium. Richard is an avid sport fan, and tries to play soccer in his spare time. Susanna Bingley has returned to teaching after taking some time off to be a stay-at-home mom. She lives in Blacksburg with her husband, two sons, and three dogs. She also tutors high school juniors and seniors for the SAT.