Each Center for the Humanities teacher is specially selected to teach in the Center due to their experience and understanding of the humanities. Each faculty member has a deep commitment to the high academic standards of the program, to student support and achievement, and to the student-centered educational philosophy of the Center.
Our faculty members have earned many honors and hold positions of leadership within the school district. Our teachers are department chairs, HEA/VEA leaders and members, Teacher-Of-The-Year winners, AP readers, prestigious grant and fellowship winners, and advanced degrees holders. Each teacher is fully trained and accredited in his/her own specific courses and has a vast understanding of the Humanities courses. Most importantly, the Center teachers create a nurturing environment where students feel loved and supported.
Our faculty members have earned many honors and hold positions of leadership within the school district. Our teachers are department chairs, HEA/VEA leaders and members, Teacher-Of-The-Year winners, AP readers, prestigious grant and fellowship winners, and advanced degrees holders. Each teacher is fully trained and accredited in his/her own specific courses and has a vast understanding of the Humanities courses. Most importantly, the Center teachers create a nurturing environment where students feel loved and supported.
Bruce Marr: Director, Level I History
Bruce Marr was named Center Director in the 2009-2010 school year after many years as a social studies teacher in the Center. Mr. Marr is a graduate of the University of Richmond. Mr. Marr has been teaching World History and Geography in Henrico County since 1996.
A former Teacher of the Year and REB award winner, Mr. Marr is loved by his students. They always rave about what they learn in his class as he makes every lesson fun and interesting with an original "Mr. Marr twist". He teaches World History II outside of the Center as well, and sponsors Key Club.
A former Teacher of the Year and REB award winner, Mr. Marr is loved by his students. They always rave about what they learn in his class as he makes every lesson fun and interesting with an original "Mr. Marr twist". He teaches World History II outside of the Center as well, and sponsors Key Club.
Jamie Wolfe: Level I English
Mrs. Jamie Wolfe has been teaching at Hermitage since 2014. 2022 is her first year teaching in the Humanities Center, and she is having a lot of fun with staff and students. She teaches the level 1 Honors English 9 class as well as Foundations of Civilization class with Mr. Marr. Outside of the center, She teaches 9th grade English, Creative Writing, and Advanced Writing and Composition. Mrs.Wolfe grew up in Central Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Lock Haven University where she earned her bachelor (2002) and master’s (2008) degrees. Her free time is spent with her family, friends, and some good books. Mrs. Wolfe loves working with the students at Hermitage because she gets to experience great learning experiences along with them.
Devon Garrett: Level II English
Jimmy Day: Level II History
Mr. Day started his teaching career at Hermitage in 2016. In the Center, Mr. Day teaches AP Human Geography. Outside the Center, he teaches World Geography. Mr. Day also coaches the Debate Team and serves as the sponsor for Asian Club and Rho Kappa (Social Studies National Honor Society). He majored in History and Economics at the University of Virginia, and then earned his Masters in Teaching from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Mr. Day has lived all over the country, and he’s happy to be here in Richmond now! Mr. Day’s favorite books are the Harry Potter series; so much so that he and his wife, Gabi, named their two dogs, Ollivander and Finnegan, after Harry Potter characters. In his free time, Mr. Day likes to keep up with international soccer and play hockey with his friends.
Jennifer Jones: Level III English
Mrs. Jennifer Jones joined the Hermitage Panther family in 2000 and the Center for the Humanities in 2003. She teaches AP English Language and Composition and Age of Discovery in the New World to the juniors in the Center. In addition, she teaches English 11 outside the Center, coaches the Hermitage Forensics team, and serves as the English Department Chair. Mrs. Jones is a graduate of Longwood University and became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2020. When she is not looking for new and exciting ways to help students grow as readers, writers, and thinkers, she enjoys all types of outdoor activities, reading, and spending time with her family. Mrs. Jones believes words are powerful, laughter is healing, and learning is a shared experience. She considers Hermitage High School and the Center for the Humanities her second home and feels honored to be a part of such an extraordinary staff and student body.
Sid Taylor : Level III History
Mr. Taylor, who began teaching in the Center in 2020, was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. In fact, Mr. Taylor is a Hermitage alum, and he is grateful to have the opportunity to teach AP U.S. History and Level III Humanities to current and future generations of Panthers! During his post-secondary years of schooling, Mr. Taylor studied U.S. history and culture at the University of Virginia, where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. In his free time, Mr. Taylor enjoys reading, following sports, and staying current with developments in the transportation industry.
Melissa Hyde: Level IV English
A graduate of James Madison University, Mrs. Hyde has dedicated her time and effort to being the wonderful, loving teacher that all students adore. Mrs. Hyde teaches AP Literature and Composition along with the senior Humanities curriculum, and has been a teacher in the Center since 2001.
Outside the Center, she teaches AP Literature and Composition and English 10. Mrs. Hyde has sponsored many clubs and always finds the time to make Hermitage High School one of the most spirited and most welcoming schools in Henrico County. It is no secret that Mrs. Hyde loves her two children, but ask any Center student, and they will tell you she loves each of her students like her own.
Whether through an excellent lesson on the foundations of writing or through sharing a batch of home-made cookies, Mrs. Hyde helps the students feel confident and secure in their home in the Center for the Humanities.
Outside the Center, she teaches AP Literature and Composition and English 10. Mrs. Hyde has sponsored many clubs and always finds the time to make Hermitage High School one of the most spirited and most welcoming schools in Henrico County. It is no secret that Mrs. Hyde loves her two children, but ask any Center student, and they will tell you she loves each of her students like her own.
Whether through an excellent lesson on the foundations of writing or through sharing a batch of home-made cookies, Mrs. Hyde helps the students feel confident and secure in their home in the Center for the Humanities.
Jeannine Chewning: Level IV History
A graduate of Furman University, Jeannine Chewning has been at Hermitage since 2001. She teaches AP Government & Politics in the Humanities Center and U.S. History outside of the Center. In addition, she served as the President of the Henrico Education Association and the long-time NHS sponsor, and curently is the Herm gradebook trainer. Mrs. Chewning's quirky sense of humor and knowledge of current events make her students excited about the class.
Her theory is that every aspect of government and history could be made into an action movie, starring Mark Wahlberg or Denzel Washington. Mrs. Chewning wants her students to be active participants in government, and in doing so, the students leave Level IV with a deeper understanding of the political system.
Her theory is that every aspect of government and history could be made into an action movie, starring Mark Wahlberg or Denzel Washington. Mrs. Chewning wants her students to be active participants in government, and in doing so, the students leave Level IV with a deeper understanding of the political system.
