+ VSL Educators & Staff

Heather Harrell, Executive Director, CEO

Heather earned her undergraduate degree at Columbia University, her Doctor of Medicine degree at Baylor, and her Juris Doctorate from Northwestern. Heather's extensive academic career includes serving as adjunct faculty at The University of Louisville's Brandeis School of Law and Bellarmine University. Her legal background includes experience at several Louisville law firms, including volunteer work for the ACLU. Heather has served on the Children’s Committee of Highland Presbyterian Church as well as on the Board of its Nursery and Weekday School. A mother of three, Heather conceptualized The Village School of Louisville while trying to juggle career, family, friends, community commitments, and self care. This village is a dream come true.

Erin Enriquez, Co-Executive Director, COO

Erin is a multifaceted professional who enjoys and excels in acquiring new skills and capabilities to provide high level support. Over the years she has pursued formal education in the fields of sociology/psychology, health and nutrition, physical therapy, and technology. She holds an associate degree and Microsoft Office Specialist certification from Ivy Tech Community College. She is also a Notary Public. Prior to her employment with VSL Erin served on the Board of Directors as a parent representative and Board Chairperson.

In her free time Erin enjoys relaxing at home and writing D&D campaigns with her partner or playing with her daughter Abby and bonus daughter Cora. Erin is always up for an adventure and loves to travel to faraway places.

Emilie Dyer, Director of Development

Emilie is the Director of Development for the Village School of Louisville. Before joining the Village she served as the Executive Director of Americana World Community Center where she has spent the last 15 years providing education and social support services for the immigrant refugee and underserved community of South Louisville. Born and raised in South Louisville herself, Emilie holds a Masters degree in Sociology which she applies to her personal mission of bringing strength and stability to the community where she works and lives as a single mother raising two children. What she values most about being a part of the Village is that she can support a new generation of youth in discovering their personal life path as they develop their strengths and skills to pursue that future.

Elle Clark, Health & Physical Activity Teacher, Admissions and AP Testing Coordinator

Elle has a Bachelor’s of Exercise Science from the University of Louisville. While attending, she studied health and sports sciences, anatomy, physiology, nutrition, development across the lifespan, sports psychology, and more. Elle has experience practicing yoga at local yoga studios in Louisville. She also has a passion for resistance training, nutrition, and all aspects of health. Her teaching methods are rooted in creating an exciting and active environment for all students while learning various activities, sports, and games to promote a love for movement. When Elle is not at VSL, she enjoys gardening, being in nature, and spending time with her family and two cats, Ajax and Luna.

Susie Roethgen, Visual Arts Teacher and Administrative Support

With her roots in California, Susie followed her passion for the arts across the country. Studying dance in Santa Cruz, fine art in Colorado and earning her BFA from Hunter College NYC where she studied painting under Emily Mason. Susie also discovered a love for working with young children and children with ASD in the NYC Teaching Fellows Program. Susie moved to Louisville in 2004 and has loved raising her kids Sam (21) and Sadie (17) with her husband, Tim in this incredible city. Susie has worked with preschool aged children for the past 14 years and as a Reggio/Montessori/Process Art based teacher for four years prior to coming to Village School of Louisville. When she’s not teaching art, Susie prefers to spend her time painting, gardening, hiking, running or spending quality time with her family, their two dogs and cat.

Tanya Insanally, Lead Teacher Junior High & High School

Tanya Insanally teaches History and Social Studies to the Junior High and High School students. She started out the school year as a parent of two VSL students and was very happy to be asked to join the faculty in October 2023 after moving from Washinton D.C. to Louisville in July 2023.

Tanya attended George Washington University where she obtained a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs and a Master of Arts degree in Secondary Education. She also earned an undergraduate degree in History from the University of Florida. She has more than 10 years of experience teaching World History, AP World History (including the interdisciplinary course with ELA), and AP Human Geography at Oakton High School in Fairfax County, Virginia.

She was born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised there and in Miami, Florida. Since her family is multiracial, diverse and resides in different parts of the world, she has been exposed to many different perspectives and cultures.

Daniel Antoniazzi, Math, Older Elementary, Junior High, and High School

Daniel has been tutoring middle and high school students for more than ten years. He’s worked with teens in math, reading comprehension, writing, standardized test prep, and college essays. After a year of substitute teaching in JCPS, he’s excited to join the Village School and help middle and high school students find joy and a new understanding in math.

Whitney Mattingly, Older Elementary

With a varied background in marketing, art and education, Whitney spent three years as a full-time artist before transitioning to teaching. At VSL, they've taught Art and Cultural Experience classes with Music Teacher Lance O and led diverse clubs, including sewing, visual art and gardening. They've also taught at the Louisville Zoo and engaged in academic research on children's media, advertising and gamification in education. Their approach emphasizes creativity, critical thinking, and hands-on experiences.

Beyond teaching, Whitney enjoys historical and costuming sewing, mixed-media art, and gardening. They're an avid reader, usually clocking over 40 books a year. Family life includes a spouse, twins, a dog, and two cats. They are easy to spot in a crowd with their brightly colored hair and tattoos.

Summer Brown, Middle Elementary

Summer came to VSL as a homeschool parent in search of an inclusive culture. Upon finding VSL, she and Zander decided to embark upon the daily commute from the family farm in Meade County, and they truly found their village! The following year, inspired by the vision for VSL & Finnish model, Summer found her passion reignited, and officially joined the ranks!

Summer graduated Summa Cum Laude from Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education as a young mother. She has experience and continued education across various grade levels, districts, and specialties to include pre-school, literacy, gifted education, and ASL to name a few. She is also a licensed Cosmetologist.

Outside of VSL, you might find her at a coffee shop, at meditation, on a movie date with her three children (two grown) and trying out local venues; otherwise, at home cozied up with her poodle among her plants or singing and dancing in the kitchen while her husband of 25 years does the cooking!

Lance Hereford, Middle Elementary

Lance Hereford is a graduate of Western Kentucky University where he met his wife, Kelly. He has teaching experience in areas of special education, elementary, and technology education. Lance is also an avid outdoorsman, having done an internship with the Tennessee Valley Authority at Land Between the Lakes. Camping, backpacking, and hiking are some of his favorite pastimes and he promotes a love and respect of nature in the classroom. He also enjoys traveling and especially trying new foods.

Lance believes in being a lifelong learner and, as with his outdoor activities, goes by the motto “Adventure is Out There!”

Hannah Graham, Early Elementary

Hannah has a special interest in Kentucky’s unique and diverse ecosystem. She has a background in outdoor education. She studied Biology and English and went on to earn her Masters of Arts in Education. Hannah has led outdoor programs for early childhood through adult learners. She is certified in elementary education and has taught first-fifth grade. Hannah considers herself a lifelong learner. When not teaching, Hannah enjoys exploring natural areas with her daughter and their two dogs. She also enjoys playing guitar, reading, and writing poetry. Hannah believes in the power of building community through dance, art, and music and is excited to share her love of learning with the Village Community.

Sara Babcock, Early Elementary

Sara, originally from California, has been a Kentucky resident for the past 14 years. She attended Victor Valley Community College for early childhood education and has several years of classroom experience teaching POD schools and as a long term substitute. Besides her years in corporate management, Sara is a professional photographer and has a flair for arts and crafts.

When she is not wearing the many hats required at VSL, you can find Sara with her daughter Harmony on yet another adventure.

Linda Hinds, French Teacher

Linda has been a student of the French language since childhood and continues to study even today. Through the years, she's helped many people gain an ability to converse in French - from young children to Phd candidates! Not being a native French speaker, Linda knows the trials of learning this beautiful language and looks forward to introducing VSL students to French language and culture. À bientôt!

Spanish Teacher

Announcement coming soon!

Lance Oliphant, Music Teacher

Lance has a Bachelors of Music with emphasis in jazz guitar studies and music technology from Bellarmine University. While attending, he studied jazz and classical guitar with Craig Wagner and Chris Roseland respectively along with instrumental pedagogy, jazz harmony, jazz piano, drums and Voice. While approaching two decades of performing experience, Lance has played in rock, hip hop, funk, jazz, and classical settings. His teaching methods are grounded in creating a fun environment while honing technique, learning by ear, reading notation, and analyzing theory. Utilizing the students interests, this approach results in a versatile student musician capable of navigating any musical landscape.

Lease Carmona, Village Aide

Lease has lived in Louisville since 2014 and joined the staff as a teacher's aide after their child attended VSL for kindergarten. They went to college for baking and pastry and have a background in early childhood music education. Lease has a passion for working with students of all ages and has worked in communities that follow Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies. Outside of school, you'll find Lease and their child making arts and crafts or roller skating.

Chaney Williams, Forest School Teacher

Chaney Williams is a writer from Central Kentucky who has a BA in English from the University of Kentucky and is pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing: Creative Non-Fiction at Spalding University. She is a grantee of a 2024-2025 Kentucky Arts Council, Traditional/Folk Arts apprenticeship for quilting and an Artist Enrichment grant funded by Kentucky Foundation for Women.

Since 2008 when she was a teacher assistant during high school at an afterschool care program in her hometown, she’s had the joy and privilege of working with youth. She has taught in a wide variety of settings such as a teacher at a play-based cottage school to a Social Justice teacher at a Montessori School. Chaney has a passion for teaching from a mindful and trauma informed perspective. She loves working with children and adolescents because she loves the fact that they teach her as well to be curious about the world around us because of their questions and unique perspectives. It is her goal to encourage children and adolescents to grow to be thoughtful and compassionate adults. She loves spending time with loved ones, foraging for plants for her budding natural dye practice, and hula hooping.

+ Board of Directors

Terry Fontenot, Board Chair

Terry is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist. He is the founder of the Kentucky Association for Play Therapy and is active in his church as a Sunday School Teacher. He has served as both treasurer and secretary for VSL. Knowing the power of play to bring learning and transformation in children's lives, he is excited to have play and joy as a priority in VSL.

Jim Crowley, Board Treasurer, Finanical Expert

Emilie Dyer, Secretary, Parent Representative

Dr. Bruce Whearty, Education Expert

Scott O'Neal, Member at Large

Dan Hill, Parent Representative

+ Advisory Council

Inspired by the proven Finnish educational model, VSL brings together a broad range of experts to serve on the VSL Advisory Council. This Advisory Council reviews school policies, procedures and outcomes to assure that the school is aligned with research-backed practices and with its mission. In addition, the Advisory Council is available to answer questions posed by leadership of the school as they arise. While we are still building the team, our current members include:

Randy C. Whetstone Jr., Ed.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Organizational Leadership & Learning, Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation, and Organizational Development, University of Louisville

Dr. Randy Whetstone, Jr. is university professor, speaker, leadership consultant, researcher, author, organization enthusiast, freelance journalist, and exhibitor of love. He is a Louisville, Ky native and has a global perspective in his commitment to develop people, organizations, and systems for the better. As a servant leader, he puts others first and invests in others to reach their full potential. Dr. Whetstone attended the University of Louisville, earning his bachelor’s degree in Sport Administration. He holds a master’s degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Leadership, and a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership from Spalding University. Aside from being a strong lover of God, food, traveling, and sports, Dr. Whetstone has a strong and sincere love and passion for people, and is continuing to work diligently to make a positive difference in the lives of many.

Beth Malcom, Beth Malcom is a dynamic, cause-driven leader and EOS Integrator with a demonstrated track record in non-profit and person-centered sectors. After starting her career as a therapist, she transitioned to the KY YMCA where she served as President and CEO. She is now the Chief Product & Success Officer of Essential Innovations, a person-centered tech startup. Beth is a certified EOS Integrator and Predictive Index Practioner.

Dr. Kenneth R. Pearson, M.D., Pediatrician, Norton Children’s Medical Group