Our Team

Mrs. Buck earned her Bachelor's degree in Christian Education from Bryan College and has been blessed with a career centered on serving others. She began her professional journey as an Office Administrator before spending twelve wonderful years in childcare while raising her two children. Most recently, she served as the Office Manager at a private Christian school for three years, where she discovered her passion for building meaningful relationships with students and their families.

Mrs. Buck loves creating a warm, welcoming environment where every child and family feels known, valued, and supported. She is passionate about serving others and believes that strong relationships are at the heart of a thriving community.

Outside of school, Mrs. Buck enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, and running.

Hailey Burke graduated from James Madison University and is working on her Master's Degree in Elementary Education through Liberty University. She has been proudly teaching preschoolers for the past two years and is excited to bring her passion for hands-on learning and differentiated instruction to this amazing community.

Hailey Burke is passionate about creating a safe and nurturing classroom that teaches the whole child, which develops the student academically and physically. She believes that fostering a love of learning in her students through being a positive role model, while also developing the educational lessons to best fit the needs of her students, is important for their growth. Ms. Burke believes that developing a classroom built on the foundation of kindness, structure, and encouragement will foster a positive environment that benefits the whole child. She looks forward to getting to know each student and helping them build a lifelong foundation and love of learning!

Harbor Light Academy is proud to welcome Lina Edwards to its teaching faculty, bringing nearly two decades of experience across both public and private school settings. Guided by the belief that "educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all," Lina strives to cultivate not only knowledge, but also character, confidence, and compassion in every student she teaches.

Lina began her teaching career in Fairfax County before continuing in Virginia Beach City Schools and Isle of Wight County. Her experience also includes GED programs for young adult learners in Suffolk and Isle of Wight County, reflecting her passion for supporting students at all stages of life. A Virginia Tech graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, she spent the past decade at Trinity Lutheran School, teaching fourth grade before transitioning to middle school for grades 6–8.

Lina believes that by nurturing curiosity and wonder in learners of all ages, students can discover their own strengths and passions. She strives to create a classroom environment rooted in trust, allowing each learner to take risks, explore ideas, and realize their full potential.

A proud 40-year resident of Smithfield, Lina and her husband Mark raised three children — Carly, Tyler, and Will — and she is now a grandmother ("Mimi") to Marshall, Annie, and Austin. She also enjoys time with her two dogs, Maggie and Frankie.

Martha Hernandez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Christopher Newport University and brings a deep commitment to student growth and development to her classroom. With a background in early childhood education and administrative experience that includes writing preschool Bible curriculum, she has cultivated a strong foundation in both academic and character-based instruction.

Mrs. Hernandez has spent more than 15 years in elementary education, where she is passionate about helping students develop a love of reading and confidence in their writing. She believes that strong communication skills open doors for lifelong learning and strives to create a classroom environment where students feel encouraged, supported, and inspired.

A firm believer in educating the whole child, Mrs. Hernandez emphasizes character development and encourages her students to practice kindness, responsibility, and service to others. Her approach reflects her long-standing dedication to children's ministry, where she has volunteered for over 25 years.

Outside of school, Mrs. Hernandez enjoys spending time with her family. She lives in Hilton Village with her husband, Juan, and their two dogs. She is the proud parent of two adult sons and she is excited to welcome her first grandchild this summer.

Emily Madden brings nearly two decades of experience in health and physical education to Harbor Light Academy, where she will serve as Head of the Physical Education Department and lead the development of the school's athletics program. With 18 years of teaching experience across elementary and middle school levels, she is passionate about helping students build confidence, develop lifelong healthy habits, and experience the value of teamwork and sportsmanship.

Emily holds a Bachelor of Science from Radford University in Exercise, Sports, and Health Education and a Master of Science from California University of Pennsylvania in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. She was a Division 1 athlete and field hockey player at Radford. She has been recognized for excellence in education, including being named Isle of Wight County Teacher of the Year, and has served as both a teacher and Athletics Director. In addition to her work in the classroom, she has contributed to statewide health education initiatives and has been actively involved in coaching and community-based fitness programs.

A local resident of Carrollton, Emily is excited to return and serve the Smithfield/Carrollton community and invest in its students and families. She and her husband have two daughters who will also be attending Harbor Light Academy, making this new chapter especially meaningful for their family.

Katie Manicone was originally raised in Buffalo and now happily lives in Hampton. Katie brings both heart and dedication into everything she does! She earned her Associate's Degree in Computer Science in 2017 and is deeply rooted in her faith and involvement in her local church.

Her journey has included working in early childhood education with children from birth to 2½ years old and also working in sales. But through every season, one thing remained clear — her true passion is working with children! For the past two years, she has joyfully returned to the classroom doing what she loves the most!

Katie loves seeing the world through the eyes of children and believes every child is wonderfully unique. Her passion is helping students grow into kind, respectful individuals while discovering the learning style that helps each child thrive. Teaching isn't just a job for Katie — it is a true calling and she absolutely loves what she does!

Shannon Rutledge earned a B.A. in Psychology from Mary Washington University and holds a Virginia teaching license in PK–4th grade. Mrs. Rutledge has 35 years of experience working with children in both public and private schools and is passionate about helping students grow academically, spiritually, and personally.

She believes that strong relationships are the foundation of a successful classroom. Her goal is to foster a safe, nurturing environment where students are challenged academically, encouraged to grow in character, and given the confidence to reach their full potential. She enjoys making learning engaging, meaningful, and hands-on while helping students develop curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. Mrs. Rutledge provides engaging, meaningful instruction that challenges students to think critically, develop strong character, and pursue excellence. She believes that building positive relationships with students and their families is one of her highest priorities and she truly believes that when home and school work together, children thrive.

She has lived in the southern end of Isle of Wight her entire life and she is the proud parent of two adult sons. She enjoys spending time with her family and her animals, reading, and spending time in Chincoteague viewing the wild ponies.

Maggie Scott is an experienced early childhood educator with 16 years of teaching experience spanning Pre-K through second grade. She earned her undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State University and holds a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Gardner-Webb University.

Maggie Scott is passionate about helping young learners build strong foundational skills in reading and math that support long-term academic success. She believes in teaching the whole child by fostering not only academic growth, but also confidence, creativity, and emotional development within the classroom. Her dedication to early education and student-centered learning has allowed her to positively impact students and families throughout her career.

Maggie Scott resides in Smithfield with her husband, Sam, and their two children, Heath and Ruthie.

Lesley-Anne Spivey is a dedicated, student-centered educator with over eight years of experience in independent schools. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Learning, with a concentration in Elementary Education, from the University of Lynchburg (formerly Lynchburg College).

She began her teaching career in public school as a third-grade teacher before transitioning to independent schools, where she has taught in classrooms ranging from Pre-K to 8th grade. In addition to her work in the classroom, she has coordinated school-wide events, fundraisers, and community engagement initiatives that strengthen school culture and build meaningful connections among students, families, and staff.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lesley-Anne stepped away from the classroom and explored a career in healthcare, driven by a desire to serve and support others during a time of uncertainty. This experience deepened her sense of calling to work in service-oriented roles and ultimately reaffirmed her passion for education. In 2023, she returned to the classroom with renewed purpose at Trinity Lutheran School in Newport News, where she was committed to nurturing the whole child and fostering both academic growth and strong character.

Raised in Newport News and Smithfield, Virginia, Lesley-Anne is a proud graduate of Smithfield High School and has deep roots in both local communities. She is a proud mother of three daughters and resides in Newport News with her husband, Nick.

She is passionate about partnering with families and creating a classroom community where students are known, supported, and inspired to grow in confidence, character, and a love of learning. She is excited to continue living out these values as part of the Harbor Light Academy community.