Career Coaches

Briana Hernandaz - Amelia County High School Career Coach

Briana is new to career coaching at Amelia High School. She comes from a military family and was born in Ft. Carson, Colorado. She has traveled to many places before settling down in Virginia. She graduated from Virginia Tech University with a double major in Sociology and Criminology and a minor in Peace Studies and Violence Prevention. Since graduating with her bachelor’s degree, Briana has worked as swim instructor and behavior coach for children and young adults diagnosed with autism. Her favorite hobbies are being outdoors, whether it is reading a book, eating food at a Richmond food festival, or playing her favorite sport, rugby. Brianna looks forward to being a resource for information regarding college admissions, financial aid, scholarships, dual enrollment, and all career/academic-related events.

Ms. Hernandez’ contact information is:

Phone: 804-878-0806

Email: Bhernandez@jtcc.edu

Bernadine Johnson - Bluestone High School Equity Career Coach

Bernadine Johnson has been a Career Coach at Bluestone High School since 2019. She is a retired Clinical Care Coordinator, former SVCC board member, Charlotte County School board member, and Community Action Advisory Board member. Previous community service and work experiences have allowed Bernadine opportunities to interact with students, parents, and other professionals for goal setting. Ms. Johnson says, “Career coaching provides an opportunity to support students as they plan and empower them to discover their potential, market their skills, and seek the means necessary to achieve success.”

Ms. Johnson's contact information is:

Phone: 434-372-5177

Email: bernadine.johnson@southside.edu

https://mcpsweb.org/?page_id=28897

Krisha Jones - Brunswick High School Career Coach

Krisha Jones is a graduate of Brunswick High School (BHS). She is in her 12th year as the BHS Career Coach and enjoys helping students to reach their full potential. A Brunswick High School Class of 2021 Graduate, Dulce Ruby Trejo, says, "Mrs. Jones was very helpful and always answered my questions in a quick manner. She was there whenever I had questions - day or night. Mrs. Jones helped with everything from my first questions about Southside to enrolling. The information she provided helped me solidify my career choices. She also helped me see all the pros about attending Southside and made me feel very welcomed."

Mrs. Jones’ contact information is:

Phone: 434-848-2716

Email: krisha.jones@southside.edu

https://bhs.brunswickcps.org/

Krisha Jones - Brunswick Academy Career Coach

Krisha Jones began working as a Career Coach for Brunswick Academy in 2021. She assists students with steps of the FAFSA application, career aspirations, college plans, and workforce training. The Head of Brunswick Academy, Brittney Wiedman, says, "Having access to a Career Coach will be a tremendous asset for our Seniors."

Mrs. Jones’ contact information is:

Phone: 434-848-3779

Email: krisha.jones@southside.edu

https://www.brunswickacademy.com/

Tammy Wiley - Buckingham County High School Equity Career Coach

Tammy Wiley is looking forward to working with each student and helping them map out a path to success! Tammy is not a new face to SVCC or career coaching; she has been employed in several capacities over the last few years as High School Career Coach, Adult Education Instructor and Online Learning Specialist/Integrated Education & Training (IET) Coordinator/Transition Specialist and REV Coach.  As a former High School Career Coach for four years, she knows the importance of reaching students and building relationships.  She works cooperatively with school counselors, faculty and administration to assist and motivate students to graduate from high school and enroll in postsecondary education. Ms. Wiley helps students who lack a clearly defined academic and career path develop individualized career pathway plans that guide their progression along a chosen pathway.

Mrs. Wiley’s contact information is:

Phone: 434-969-6160

Email: tammy.wiley@southside.edu

https://www.bcpschools.org/home

Melissa Colbert - Central High School Career Coach 

As a business owner in Southside Virginia for 25 years, Melissa Colbert knows first-hand the importance of having a skilled and trained workforce. She knows the value of education and the challenges students face if they don’t have a clear pathway. Without support of school counselors, administrators, teachers and career coaches, the majority of students will graduate with IDK (I Don’t Know). She has been a career coach for 11 years. Central High School’s School Counselor, Stephanie Powers, says, “Mrs. Colbert is an integral part of the Central High School Counseling Department. She is always willing to go the extra mile to assist students with planning for their future. She helps students as they prepare for all ventures of life after high school.”

Mrs. Colbert’s contact information is:

Phone: 434-696-2137

Email: melissa.colbert@southside.edu

https://www.lunenburgcountyschools.org/o/central-high

Tammy Wiley - Cumberland High School Equity Career Coach

Tammy Wiley is looking forward to working with each student and helping them map out a path to success! Tammy is not a new face to SVCC or career coaching; she has been employed in several capacities over the last few years as High School Career Coach, Adult Education Instructor and Online Learning Specialist/Integrated Education & Training (IET) Coordinator/Transition Specialist and REV Coach.  As a former High School Career Coach for four years, she knows the importance of reaching students and building relationships.  She works cooperatively with school counselors, faculty and administration to assist and motivate students to graduate from high school and enroll in postsecondary education. Ms. Wiley helps students who lack a clearly defined academic and career path develop individualized career pathway plans that guide their progression along a chosen pathway.

Mrs. Wiley’s contact information is:

Phone: 804-492-4214

Email: tammy.wiley@southside.edu

https://www.cucps.k12.va.us/o/chs

Tina Maxey - Fuqua Career Coach 

Tina Maxey has been a career coach for 14 years. She is involved in community organizations such as the Dillwyn Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and enjoys working with students. Tina works closely with school counselors to assist seniors with the daunting task of the college admissions process. Maxey says, “It is a joy to have the opportunity to meet with high school students and discuss their career aspirations and educational goals. Each student has a unique story and it is fulfilling to partner in navigating a path to success. I work forward to continuing to help guide students with their career journeys.”

Ms. Maxey’s contact information is:

Phone: 434-392-4131

Email: tina.maxey@southside.edu

https://www.fuquaschool.com

Henry “Buck” Brockwell - Greensville County High School Career Coach

No stranger to education, Buck’s career path has included being a Work Cooperative Teacher as well as Director of Vocational Education. He uses a series of You-Tube presentations emphasizing ethics, apprenticeship, STEM-H, retail of the future, do rich and poor people think differently, cool inventions and famous people’s success stories to communicate with students and talk about career plans. According to Mr. Brockwell, “When a student makes informed decisions, I feel they are preparing for the future.”

Mr. Brockwell’s contact information is:

Phone: 434-634-2195, ext. 2196 or 2197

Email: buck.brockwell@southside.edu

https://www.gcps1.com/Domain/11

Karl Staten - Halifax County High School Career Coach 

Karl, a graduate of Halifax County High School, works with students to develop a realistic plan of action to encourage success after high school. He is a resource for information regarding college admissions, financial aid, scholarships, dual enrollment, and all career/academic-related events. Mr. Staten says, “I love the career coaching program and the difference that we make in students’ academic goals and employment aspirations. It’s even more fulfilling when I can assist students who may not have much academic support at home. My goal is to make sure every student that I meet has a plan after high school.”

Mr. Staten’s contact information is:

Phone: 434-575-2047

Email: karl.staten@southside.edu

https://www.halifax.k12.va.us/news/all

Tina Maxey - Homeschool Co-Op Career Coach

Tina Maxey has been a career coach for 14 years. She is involved in community organizations such as the Dillwyn Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and enjoys working with students. Tina works closely with school counselors to assist seniors with the daunting task of the college admissions process. Maxey says, “It is a joy to have the opportunity to meet with high school students and discuss their career aspirations and educational goals. Each student has a unique story and it is fulfilling to partner in navigating a path to success. I work forward to continuing to help guide students with their career journeys.

Ms. Maxey’s contact information is:

Email: tina.maxey@southside.edu

Tina Maxey - Kenston Career Coach

Tina Maxey has been a career coach for 14 years. She is involved in community organizations such as the Dillwyn Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and enjoys working with students. Tina works closely with school counselors to assist seniors with the daunting task of the college admissions process. Maxey says, “It is a joy to have the opportunity to meet with high school students and discuss their career aspirations and educational goals. Each student has a unique story and it is fulfilling to partner in navigating a path to success. I work forward to continuing to help guide students with their career journeys.”

Ms. Maxey’s contact information is:

Phone: 434-292-7218

Email: tina.maxey@southside.edu

https://kenston.org/

Bernadine Johnson - Nottoway High School Equity Career Coach

Bernadine Johnson has been a Career Coach at Nottoway High School since 2021. She is a retired Clinical Care Coordinator, former SVCC board member, Charlotte County School board member, and Community Action Advisory Board member. Previous community service and work experiences have allowed Bernadine opportunities to interact with students, parents, and other professionals for goal setting. Ms. Johnson says, “Career coaching provides an opportunity to support students as they plan and empower them to discover their potential, market their skills, and seek the means necessary to achieve success.”

Ms. Johnson's contact information is:

Phone: 434-292-5373

Email: bernadine.johnson@southside.edu

Bernadine Johnson - Park View High School Equity Career Coach

Bernadine Johnson has been a Career Coach at Park View High School since 2020. She is a retired Clinical Care Coordinator, former SVCC board member, Charlotte County School board member, and Community Action Advisory Board member. Previous community service and work experiences have allowed Bernadine opportunities to interact with students, parents, and other professionals for goal setting. Ms. Johnson says, “Career coaching provides an opportunity to support students as they plan and empower them to discover their potential, market their skills, and seek the means necessary to achieve success.”

Ms. Johnson's contact information is:

Phone: 434-447-3435

Email: bernadine.johnson@southside.edu

https://mcpsweb.org/?page_id=28922

Tammy Wiley - Prince Edward High School Equity Career Coach

Tammy Wiley is looking forward to working with each student and helping them map out a path to success! Tammy is not a new face to SVCC or career coaching; she has been employed in several capacities over the last few years as High School Career Coach, Adult Education Instructor and Online Learning Specialist/Integrated Education & Training (IET) Coordinator/Transition Specialist and REV Coach.  As a former High School Career Coach for four years, she knows the importance of reaching students and building relationships.  She works cooperatively with school counselors, faculty and administration to assist and motivate students to graduate from high school and enroll in postsecondary education. Ms. Wiley helps students who lack a clearly defined academic and career path develop individualized career pathway plans that guide their progression along a chosen pathway.

Mrs. Wiley’s contact information is:

Phone: 434-315-2130

Email: tammy.wiley@southside.edu

http://www.hs.pecps.k12.va.us/

Kate E. Tharpe - Randolph-Henry High School Career Coach

Kate E. Tharpe is a graduate of Randolph-Henry High School (RHHS). She has been a career coach there for six years. Mrs. Rhonda Benn, a teacher at RHHS, says, “I would like to start by saying how much I wish there would have been a Career Coach available to me as a high school student! As I watch the conversations our Career Coach, Mrs. Kate E. Tharpe, has with my seniors here at Randolph-Henry, I can’t help but think what a difference it would have made in my life at that age."

Mrs. Tharpe's contact information is:

Phone: 434-542-4111

Email: katherine.tharpe@southside.edu

www.ccpsk12.org