Science Department Faculty

The main phone number is 804-354-6800.

Mr. David Barnes has been with the Governor's School since 1992. During this time he has taught Biology and developed and taught Meteorology, Environmental Science, FIRC, and Geopolitical Science. Mr. Barnes has also been the ninth grade team leader and sponsor of OM, Ecology Club, and Rocket Club. Before coming to the Governor's School Mr. Barnes taught in Patrick County. Mr. Barnes holds a B.S. in Forestry from Virginia Tech and has had experience with The U.S. Forest Service and The Virginia Tech Department of Forestry and Wildlife.

back to top

Mr. Don Blanton brings 14 years of teaching experience to the Governor’s School.  Mr. Blanton graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Health and Physical  Education with a minor in Athletic Training and Sports Injuries. He has also earned endorsements in  Driver’s Education, Gifted Education and is a Red Cross Professional CPR and First Aid Instructor.  Mr.  Blanton Coaches Wrestling and sponsors the Key Club, Red Cross Club, Life Smarts Team, and Ping Pong Club.  He also enjoys spending time with his family, where much of his time is spent with Baseball, Swimming and Scouting.

back to top

Mr. Tom Boyle, a resident of Richmond for the past 15 years, comes to the Governor's School with the following varied background of academic credentials and professional experiences.

• B.M. in Music Therapy from Michigan State University
• Director of Music Therapy services for short term adult, adolescent and child psychiatric patients
• Carter Memorial Hospital, Indiana University Medical Campus, Indianapolis, IN.
• B.S. Mechanical Engineering - Purdue University at Indianapolis Process/Project Engineer for the imaging process associated with the hi-tech, high volume manufacture of multi-layer printed wiring boards.
• AT&T Microelectronics, Richmond, VA.
• Masters Degree, Engineering Management - Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
• Teaching Certificate, Secondary Physics - VCU, Richmond, VA.

back to top

Mr. Mike Brown came to Maggie Walker after three years as the Head Athletic Trainer at Virginia  State University. He currently teaches 9th Grade Health and Physical Education and coaches the golf team. Mr. Brown graduated from VCU with a B.S. in Science and an emphasis in Athletic Training. He completed the requirements for his teaching license in 2006. He is also certified in athletic training by the NATABOC. Away from school, he enjoys the outdoors, golf, watching football and spending time with his wife and three children.

back to top

Mr. Jeremy Clark came to Maggie Walker in 2006 after nine years teaching experience with Chesterfield County Public Schools.  There he served as science department chair for five years and taught both IB and AP Chemistry.  He currently teaches Chemistry Plus, the science component of FIRC, and Forensic Chemistry.  He holds a bachelors degree in Chemistry from Mary Washington College and worked briefly in a commercial lab before entering the teaching profession.  Mr. Clark enjoys spending time with his wife on their mini-farm in Hanover County and plays drums in the region’s premiere all faculty rhythm and blues band, The Faculty Lounge Lizards.

back to top

Dr. Amy Compton - holds Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University and an undergraduate degree from Mary Baldwin College.  Her academic areas of focus are the biological basis of behavior and Applied Behavior Analysis.  She worked for a number of years in psychopharmacology research at VCU, and she has taught Psychology courses as adjunct faculty at VCU, Mary Washington College, and the University of Richmond.  In her business, K9 Behavior & Training Services, she provides canine behavioral consultations and training programs to veterinarians and dog owners.  When she is not working, Dr. Compton enjoys training and showing her own dogs, whitewater paddling, and playing with her grandchildren.

back to top

Mrs. Pam Edgerton began teaching in 1989, and joined the Governor’s School faculty in the fall of 1998.  As an alumna of the University of Richmond, she has enjoyed living in the Richmond area for over twenty years – central Virginia allows easy access to both the mountains and the beach.  Her love of science began in her youth; living on a farm and having parents in health care professions allowed her to explore many aspects of the life sciences.  When not involved in school activities, Mrs. Edgerton relaxes by riding horses, reading fiction, and making baskets. 

back to top

Ms. Paige Hawkins brings seventeen years of teaching experiences to the Governor's school. Ms. Hawkins is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor's of Science in Health and Physical Education. She is certified in Driver's Education and Gifted Education. She has coached field hockey for 19 years, gymnastics for 6 years, and softball for 11 years. She was named to the Who's Who Teaching Education Association in 1997. In the fall of 2001, she was hired as co-activities director for Maggie Walker Governor's School. She enjoys biking, working out, yoga, the ocean and playing with her cats, Nikita and Rizzo.

back to top

Mrs. Martha Hicks is married with two boys, both of whom graduated from the Governor's School. She has a B.S. in Biology and a M.Ed in Biology Education. She has taught for 17 years in both Chesterfield County and at the Governor's School. Before that, she was an associate teacher at the Mathematics and Science Center, an enrichment program for regional public schools. Mrs. Hicks attended the Woodrow Wilson Leadership Institute for teachers at Princeton as the only representative for the state of Virginia. At the Governor's School, Mrs. Hicks has taught Honors Biology, AP Biology, Human Genetics and a senior seminar in Forensic Science.

back to top

Mr. Harold Houghton received his B.A. in 1974 from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. He then spent two years teaching in Harambee schools in Kenya, East Africa. He returned to the United States to earn an M.A.T. in Mathematics from the University of Virginia. After 14 years at Clover Hill High School, he joined the staff at the Governor's School in 1993. He finds great pleasure in fixing things. Mr. Houghton is the sponsor of the Student Pugwash.


back to top

Mrs. Anna Shore joined us in 2006 from Henrico County Public Schools where she served as the Chair for the Specialty Center for Science, Math, and Technology. She holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Science and an undergraduate degree in Biochemistry.  Earlier on her life path she managed a research microscopy laboratory,  directed safety and environmental compliance for a power company, painted nursery murals, and taught aerobics courses.  Most of her recreational time is spent hiking national parks and international heritage sites.  Mrs. Shore teaches chemistry, environmental science, and biology and she sponsors the student environmental club.

back to top

Ms. Jennifer Todd first started teaching chemistry in Chesterfield County Public Schools in 2001 and joined the faculty at Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School in 2007.  She earned her B.S. in Chemistry from William and Mary and her M.Ed. in Instruction from UVA.  Ms. Todd first started working with youth at Camp Sandy Cove, where she worked for 8 summers.  Consequently, after college she went to Australia for six months to volunteer at youth camps in Sydney and Melbourne.  In her free time, she still enjoys traveling, when possible, and loves to watch movies, play video games, and hang out with friends.

back to top