By Debbie Adams
Herman L. Horn Elementary School has welcomed five new faculty and staff members for the
2025-2026 school year—Kendall Baker, Sarah Collins, Catherine Dullaghan, Dan Evory, and
Ashley Ferguson.
Dullaghan, Dan Evory, Sarah Collins, Kendall Baker, and Ashley Ferguson. (photo by Debbie Adams)
Kendall Baker is teaching third grade at HLH. She is originally from the Charlottesville-area
and moved to Roanoke after living in Arlington for the last few years. She graduated from
Fluvanna County High School and earned both her Bachelor and master’s degrees from James
Madison University (Go Dukes!)
“I have taught fourth grade for the last four years and am excited to make the transition to third
grade for this upcoming school year! I chose to work in Elementary Education after working
throughout high school and college at a summer camp and loving the experience of helping
campers try new things, get out of their comfort zone, and make lifelong memories all together.
“This will be my first year in the Roanoke County area and we moved here because my fiancé is
from the Botetourt area originally. Some activities I really enjoy are reading, being outdoors, and
any kind of crafting hobby.
“I am excited to join the Herman L. Horn community, and I am looking forward to a great year
in third grade!”
Sarah Collins is teaching Art at Herman L. Horn and Bonsack Elementary schools. She is also
the Gifted Art teacher at Bonsack. She is from Roanoke and a graduate of Northside High
School. She earned her associate’s degree in General Studies from Virginia Western Community
College and her bachelor’s in Visual Education Arts from Liberty University. This is her first
year in teaching.
“A lifelong love for art brought me to this position. I just completed my student teaching here
last school year and was very excited to see the position become available.”
She comes from a large family, many of whom are teachers—multiple cousins, her grandmother,
her older sister, and two younger sisters.
Collins is also a tumbling and stunting coach at Defy Gravity in Vinton.
Catie Dullaghan is an Instructional Assistant in the Preschool program at HLH. She is from the
Bonsack area of Roanoke and a graduate of William Byrd High School. She earned her Bachelor
of Science degree in Psychology from Roanoke College, with a minor in disability studies.
“I’ve been working with kids since I was young. I started subbing in RCPS last year. Through
subbing, I discovered that I loved working within the preschool classroom. It quickly became my
favorite space to be in.
“I love to read. I am one of four girls who all graduated from WBHS. I volunteer at MAPLES, an
organization that helps bring adaptive sports into the community serving people with and without
disabilities. I am also in Grad School working on my masters in Marriage and Family Therapy.”
Dan Evory is teaching Special Education at HLH. He is originally from Valhalla, New York. He
earned his Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Foreign Languages from Elon University in
North Carolina and has completed coursework at UVA-Wise in Special Education. He has spent
eight years as an educator.
“I am working on my third career! After my three sons graduated from college, I wanted to give
back to my community by using what I had learned as a dad to help little ones and their families.
Special Education is a perfect fit.
“My wife and I moved from Ohio to Roanoke to take care of her father. I knew Herman L. Horn
Elementary was the place for me before I was done with the interview. I love the Vinton area, the
people, and the school staff/administration. It feels like family.
As for his spare time interests, “I like to read, walk, and try new restaurants in the Roanoke
area.”
Ashley Ferguson is working as bookkeeper and at the front desk at HLH. She is originally from
Texas. She is a graduate of George Wythe High School in Wytheville.
“I have always loved working in an office setting and working with children and adults.”
She and her family have lived in Vinton for many years; their son attends William Byrd High
School. Their family loves “going camping, fishing, kayaking, and riding our side by side.”
