W. E. Cundiff Elementary introduces new faculty and staff for 2025-2026

By Debbie Adams

W. E. Cundiff Elementary School in Vinton opened the 2025-2026 school year on August 14
with eleven new faculty and staff members—Leann Alford, Ana Boush, Anna Bui, Casey
Dickson, Jennifer Foley, Anjoilique Hardy, Anne Jackson, Olivia Robertson, Ashley Roop,
David Van, and Mickayla Volker.

Ashley McCallum remains principal at WEC with Heather Everhardt continuing to serve as Asst.
Principal.

Leann Alford is the Special Education Coordinator at Cundiff this year. She is originally from
the Salem/Glenvar area where she attended Fort Lewis Elementary School and graduated from
Glenvar High School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from
Mary Baldwin, and her Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education, her Education
Specialist in Curriculum & Instruction certificate and her EdD Educational Leadership degree
from Liberty University.

This is her 17th year in education.

“I am excited to work with the students, faculty, and staff at W. E. Cundiff,” Alford says.
She is married with two adult children and several pets (and grand-dogs) and enjoys cooking,
baking, reading, and listening to podcasts.

Ana Boush is a new special education teacher at Cundiff. She is from Vinton and a graduate of
William Byrd High School. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from the
University of Virginia in the Class of 2022 and her Masters’ in Education in Early Intervention
from Trinity College Dublin with the Class of 2024. She taught third grade for two years at
Preston Park Elementary in Roanoke City.

As for why she chose to teach special education, Boush says, “Special education allows me to
provide the individualized support and strategies students need to thrive academically and
socially.” Her grandparents are Laura and Galen Conner of Vinton.

Anna Bui is returning to W. E. Cundiff as a second-grade teacher. She was formerly a Special
Education teacher at Cundiff during the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school years. She is from
Roanoke and graduated from Hidden Valley High School in 2017. She earned her Bachelors in
Elementary Education from Radford University in 2021. This is her fourth year of teaching.

“Second Grade is really the sweet spot and is my personal favorite age!’ Bui says. “I am coming
back to W.E. Cundiff after taking a year off to be a mom. The second-grade team is like a second
family! I am so excited to be back at Cundiff!

“My husband and I are both from Roanoke and together we have a son, two cats and a dog!”

Casey Dickson is an Instructional Assistant at Cundiff this year. She is from Vinton, attended
W. E. Cundiff, and graduated from William Byrd High School in the Class of 2004. She earned
her Bachelor’s of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences and Early Childhood Education
from Bridgewater College in 2010 and has been working in education for 15 years.

“I started out as a substitute for W.E.C. for the past few years and loved the school so much I
wanted to do something more permanent,” Dickson says. “Instructional Assistant is the best fit
for me and my family at this point in life. My youngest is a student at W.E.C. and I wanted to
find something that worked with my children’s schedule.

“My favorite things to do are go on vacations to the beach or away to a cabin in Tennessee with
my family during the holidays.”

Jennifer Foley is the PBIS coach at Cundiff this year. She is originally from New Jersey but
moved to Virginia during her teenage years. She is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School and
Radford University. She has been in education for 17 years.

“Over the past 3 or 4 years I have seen a need in the social/emotional side of education where
students weren’t able to be/feel successful academically due to behavioral struggles, so I started
to educate myself on why and how I how I can help be a positive resource to students, teachers,
and my school through taking courses/training to receive certificates in Conflict Resolution/De-
escalation, Trauma Informed Resilient School, and Youth Mental Health Coaching.”

“My previous school closed at the end of this past school year, and I came across the PBIS
position which felt like the perfect position for me during this transition.”

Foley says Vinton “has become a sweet spot in my heart as we have raised our children in this
community over the past 12 years.”

As for her interests outside of school, “I love all outdoor activities, dogs, and volunteering to
help others. But more than anything, I love to be with my family. Especially traveling and
making memories with them.”

Anjoilique Hardy will be a school counselor at W. E. Cundiff this year.

Anne Jackson will be an ELA teacher at Cundiff during the 2025-2026 school year. She is
originally from Roanoke and a graduate of Hidden Valley High School. In fact, “I was part of the
second graduating class of Hidden Valley High School–and fun fact– I was part of the Titan
Twelve!”

Jackson earned her Business degree from Virginia Tech (go Hokies!) and her Master of Teaching
from the University of Southern California. She began her teaching career in 2012.

“I have been teaching in Blacksburg for the last eight years; however I have recently moved back
home to Roanoke and I am so excited to be teaching at W.E. Cundiff!”

“I have a wonderful husband, Connor, and we have a beautiful 10-month-old daughter, Lennon.
I’m a huge Hokie, and we spend our weekends in the fall cheering them on!”

Olivia Robertson will be teaching third grade reading at Cundiff. She will be the third-grade
representative on the 2025-2026 PBIS team. She was born and raised in Vinton and graduated
from William Byrd High School.

“I graduated from Virginia Tech with an undergraduate degree in Human Development
(Childhood Pre-Education). I also graduated from Virginia Tech with my Masters’ degree in
Elementary Education, Curriculum and Instruction.”

This is her first year as a teacher. During work on her undergraduate degree, she did field
studies with a second-grade class and her previous fifth grade teacher at Herman L. Horn in
Vinton.

“During my graduate program, I spent time in Roanoke City and Montgomery County for
observations and student teaching. While student teaching, I spent my time in a third-grade
classroom. When offered the third-grade position at W.E. Cundiff, it felt like it was meant to be.

During student teaching, I had experience working with different subjects, reading included.

“Growing up in the area, I had close friends that went to W.E. Cundiff. I knew about the school
and spent some time there during my senior year of high school as a Team Terrier mentor. I
always knew I wanted to come back and teach at a Vinton school. Miss McCallum and W.E.
Cundiff have made that dream become a reality, and for that I am so thankful.

“My parents are from this area. I attended Vinton Baptist Church my entire life and have had
community outreach opportunities because of them. When I was little, my father was involved
with the Dogwood Committee. I was his shadow on Dogwood Day as we set up for the 5K,
cheered runners on, and spent the day celebrating, etc. In 2020, I was named Dogwood Queen.

During my interview I remember it was pointed out that I had said I wanted to return to Vinton
to teach upon graduation from Virginia Tech. To see my dreams come to fruition is such a
blessing. I have extreme pride in my hometown. I feel it is my duty to serve the Vinton
community by teaching as they served me growing up.

“I have wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. One year for Christmas, my
parents set up a ‘school’ in our basement. They had found old school desks, a projector,
and school supplies. When I couldn’t get my friends to come over to be my students, I
opted for my stuffed animals and dolls.”

Ashley Roop will be the ESL teacher at W. E. Cundiff and Bonsack Elementary schools. She is
originally from Roanoke and a graduate of William Byrd High School. She earned degrees in
Spanish Education, Art Education, and Education Studies from Roanoke College.

This is her second year of teaching, and her first year of teaching elementary school.

“I love learning about other languages and cultures.  Language learning can be challenging but it
is rewarding.  I want to provide support for students who speak other languages.

“I chose to work in education because of my love of learning.  I hope to help my students by
encouraging their love of learning.

“I enjoy spending time with family, friends, and my two Yorkie puppies.  I love drawing,
painting, crocheting, and anything to do with art.  I also do live caricatures for events and art
commissions.”

David Van is the new Health and P.E. teacher at Cundiff. He is originally from Hampton,
Virginia, and a graduate of Kecoughtan High School. He earned his bachelor and Master’s
degrees from Longwood University and has been working as an educator for seven years.

“I loved working and helping peers learn new skills—it was always an exciting experience and
journey. When I was a student working with newer athletes, I loved helping them understand
techniques and tactics. The enjoyment of seeing them understand and use those skills was
amazing!”

Van and his wife moved to the Roanoke area to be closer to family. She has a deep connection
here.

Mickayla Volker will be an Instructional Assistant at Cundiff. She is originally from Fort Mill,
South Carolina and a graduate of Fort Mill High School. She earned her Bachelor of Business
Administration and Project Management from Liberty University. This is her first year in
education. She decided to become an IA to become more involved in the school her children
attend.

“I was a sub for RCPS last year and worked at Cundiff a lot. I fell in love with the kids and the
staff and applied to be full-time.”

“I love to be involved in helping with whatever my kids are involved in,” Volker says. Fun
fact—she is also a tailor.