Nichole Bennett
President
Bio coming soon!
Lisa Parrish
Executive Director
Bio coming soon!
Jessica Chenoweth
President Elect
Bio coming soon!
Rachel Ambrose
Rachel Ambrose - Past President
Rachel is the Regional Program Manager for the Peninsula Regional Education Program in Newport News, VA. As Regional Program Manager she oversees the ABE, GED, ESOL and workforce programs in Newport News, Hampton, Poquoson, York, Williamsburg and James City County. Rachel’s previous experience includes being a classroom instructor, regional education specialist for adult education and the specialist for adult federal programs and career pathways at the Virginia Department of Education. She is the past president of the Virginia Association for Adult and Continuing Education (VAACE).
Contact information: rachel.ambrose@nn.k12.va.us
Betsy Mathias
Treasurer
Bio coming soon!
Board Members
Andrea “Dre” Clements
Andrea “Dre” Clements - Board Member
Andrea “Dre” Clements serves as the Regional Specialist for Region 5 Adult Education, supporting programs and learners throughout the Roanoke Valley region. With a career rooted in education and service, Dre has taught both English as a Second Language (ESL) and GED® preparation for adult learners in Region 5, worked with the Migrant Education Program, and lived in Spain, where she facilitated Cambridge bilingual education programs. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association for the Transformation of Adult Education (NAFTAE), an organization dedicated to engaging community leaders in recognizing and advancing adult education. Outside of her professional work, Dre enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, playing guitar, and running.
Shaketta D. Thomas
Shaketta D. Thomas - Board Member
Shaketta D. Thomas is currently the school assessment coordinator for the Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC). Ms. Thomas completed her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Virginia State University, a master’s in adult education from Regent University, and is presently pursuing a Ph.D. in educational psychology, also at Regent University.
She is a staunch advocate for correctional education. Never one to back down from a challenge, she has made great efforts in ensuring that correctional education is not an afterthought, but an essential component of Adult Education. Ms. Thomas is an active member of the Virginia Association of Adult and Continuing Education where she serves as the secretary on the board. She is also a member of the Correctional Education Association and an active participant in the GEDTS® Corrections Forum and the Virginia Special Education Advisory Board.
Ms. Thomas is passionate about adult education and advocating for the needs of her students within correctional education. This advocacy extends beyond the inmates’ period of incarceration and into their functional needs upon reentering into society. She collaborates with adult education centers across the Commonwealth of Virginia to ensure that students continue to receive services upon release. As a trained Dialogue Practitioner, Ms. Thomas understands the importance of using one’s voice to create healing and effective change. She is always looking to engage herself in the latest challenges of adult education with hopes of advancing the individual and group difficulties that impact the field.
