Lisa K. Kerry is a native of Chesapeake, VA and a proud graduate of Indian River High School.  She began her college career at Hampton University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Arts with a minor in Early Childhood Education, and then eventually her Master of Teaching Degree.  Later in her career, Ms. Kerry earned an Endorsement in Administration and Supervision PK- 12, from Old Dominion University.

Ms. Kerry began her teaching career with Hampton City Schools and Virginia Beach Public Schools before returning home to Chesapeake Public Schools.  As an educator in Chesapeake, Ms. Kerry worked as a Kindergarten teacher at Southeastern Elementary School and as the Technology Integration Specialist at Camelot Elementary School, where she was selected as the Teacher of the Year in 2010.

As an employee of Chesapeake Public Schools, Lisa Kerry has served in a variety of capacities.  She has been the School Testing Coordinator, PTA Teacher Liaison, and PTA Vice President.  She has also served on a number of committees including the Child Study Committee, Enhanced Student and Teacher Assistance Team (ESTAT), School Improvement Committee, and the Parent Involvement Committee.  Ms. Kerry has created and led a variety of  parent workshops and webinars offered through Chesapeake Public Schools.  She continues to create meaningful partnerships with the communities and families, while providing a support system for parents within the school setting.

Ms. Kerry resides in Chesapeake with her two daughters.

Laura Lerf grew up in Chesapeake and is a proud graduate of Chesapeake Public Schools. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English with a minor in Psychology from Christopher Newport University, and her Master of Arts in Urban Education from Norfolk State University.

She began her career with Chesapeake Public Schools as a middle school English teacher at Indian River Middle School, and then went on to become the 6th grade counselor at Hugo Owens Middle School.

Throughout her employment with Chesapeake Public Schools, Mrs. Lerf has served as the Purple Star Coordinator and School Testing Coordinator, sponsored numerous clubs, and has hosted multiple parent events at her previous schools. She was recognized as Indian River Middle School’s Reading Teacher of the Year in 2011, and was selected as the VFW’s Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2020-2021 for her work with military-connected students. Mrs. Lerf has a passion for working with families and providing supports necessary to help with student engagement and achievement.

Mrs. Lerf resides in Chesapeake with her husband and two children.

April Darnell grew up in Chesapeake and is a proud graduate of Chesapeake Public Schools. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a minor in Early Childhood Education from James Madison University, and her Master of Science in Elementary Education from Old Dominion University.

Mrs. Darnell began her career with Chesapeake Public Schools as a kindergarten teacher at Great Bridge Primary as well as Hickory Elementary School, where she was selected as Reading Teacher of the Year in 2014. She went on to become a first grade teacher at Butts Road Primary, where she was selected as Teacher of the Year in 2019. Many of her years were spent as a LEAD inclusion teacher, working with kids with Autism. She has a passion for working with special needs students and celebrating each student’s unique capabilities. Currently, she is working with special needs families through book clubs and Sibshops as well as other family engagement events. Mrs. Darnell joined the FACE team in 2022.

Mrs. Darnell resides in Chesapeake with her husband and two children.

Ana Medina grew up in a small countryside borough of Bayamón, Puerto Rico. She received her Bachelors degree in Hotel and Restaurant Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and her Masters in Food Management from New York University.

Mrs. Medina began her career in 1998 as a private college instructor in Hospitality Management for nearly 13 years in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She then moved with her husband and two children to Virginia in 2010, and joined Virginia Beach Public Schools (VBCPS) in 2011. In 2015, Mrs. Medina was named the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year for VBCPS in Culinary Arts. She then joined Chesapeake Public Schools, teaching English Language (EL)Learners, and in 2022 became a member of the Office of Family and Community Engagement (FACE).

As a member of the FACE team, Mrs. Medina’s goal is to advocate for English Language Learners and multilingual families and connect them with the resources necessary in order to succeed. She is a firm believer that, throughout life, we should always help others even if we know that they may not be in a position to help us back.