Governing Board

J. Burnsworth
Mr. Dan Edwards

Mr. Peter Baker


Mrs. Rebecca Bragg
Ms. Wanda Cooper
Mrs. Fran Thompson
Mrs. Tamara Hammen
Mrs. Wendy Howard
Ms. Franklin
Mr. Ron Taylor
K. Melnyk

Mr. Joe Burnsworth - Green Run Collegiate was created to provide all students in Virginia Beach access to a rigorous, global curriculum and an opportunity to achieve their personal goals. Every student, regardless of their neighborhood, socio-economic status, or family background deserves a challenging, engaging curriculum that prepares them for a successful and fulfilling future. No one should be denied this opportunity because of a test score and the expectations someone else holds for them.




Mr. Dan Edwards -  As school board chair I presented the school’s charter request to the State Board of Education for approval and was thus involved in “birthing” the school a decade ago.  I have wanted to become more involved in the support and governance of the incredible work it is doing.






Dr. Pete Baker -  Currently serves as Curriculum Coordinator within ODU's Career Switcher Program.

Pete earned his Ph.D. from ODU in 2012, his Master's in General Secondary Education from ODU in 2008, and his BA in English Literature and Composition from the School of William & Mary in 2005. In addition to his work in the Career Switcher Program, Pete serves as a Lecturer in ODU's School of Continuing Education & Professional Development.

Pete's current research agenda includes studies on epistemological beliefs development, early childhood policy, and instructional technology. Pete enjoys fishing, live music, and sharing life with his wife and young daughter.





Mrs. Rebekah Bragg is a Green Run Collegiate Parent of two girls. She is a graduate of ODU with a Bachelors degree in Political Science and International Communications. Mrs. Bragg currently works full time as a Learning Consultant.





Ms. Wanda Cooper owns her own practice, "The Cooper Law Firm", which focuses on a variety of areas, to include criminal defense, restoration of rights and corporate/business.  She graduated from ODU and received her law degree from Regent University School of Law.  She is a member of the Virginia Beach Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar.  




Mrs. Frances Knight Thompson is a graduate of Hampton University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. She also holds a Master of Science in Education degree in Guidance and Counseling from Old Dominion University and an Endorsement in Gifted Education from the University of Virginia. Mrs. Thompson retired from VBCPS in 2014 after more than 40 years of service.




Mrs. Tamara Hammen is from a military family and spent a number of years in other countries.  She entered VBCPS during her middle school years and is a proud Honor Graduate from Green Run High School.  She graduated from Radford University and graduated with Honors and a B.S. in Business with a specialty in Human Resources. Since the fall of the 2019-2020 school year, Mrs. Hammen has been serving as a Governing Board Member for Green Run Collegiate.









Mrs. Wendy Howard worked in Higher Education, primarily at Strayer University, for 15 years helping to transform the lives of non-traditional students through education.  Mrs. Howard has also worked in corporate accounting and finance in financial planning and strategic management roles.  Currently, Mrs Howard works part-time for the Elizabeth River District of the United Methodist Church.











Ms. Jennifer Franklin










Mr. Ronald Taylor is retired from the United States Navy with over twenty-two years of service to his country.  Currently, Mr. Taylor serves the City of Virginia Human Rights Commissioner; the mayor's African American Roundtable and the City of Virginia Beach Public School's Equity Council.  Mr. Taylor believes and promotes education because education is the key that unlocks all dreams, potential and blueprint in an individual.  He believes that our prize possessions can be taken away however never our level of knowledge in education.





Mrs. Kimberly Melnyk was elected to the school board in November 2014. She has lived in Virginia Beach for 40 years and is a product of VBCPS, having attended Old Donation Elementary School, Brandon Middle School and Green Run High School. She graduated from Longwood University with a Bachelor of Science in Education and taught for VBCPS at Glenwood, Strawbridge and Christopher Farms Elementary Schools. Mrs. Melnyk was appointed by City Council to the Vision to Action Community Coalition, serves on the Board of Directors for Virginia Musical Theatre and is a member of the Governor's School for the Arts Regional Board.  She is a mentor at Green Run Elementary School, volunteers with the VBCPS Beach Bag Program and is a member of the Social Ministry Team at Holy Spirit Catholic Church.  She is a former employee of Premier Millwork and Lumber Company, her family owned and operated business. She and her husband, George, have three children, one of whom still attends VBCPS.