Virginia Kindergarten Readiness Program

Meet the VKRP Team

The VKRP team is comprised of faculty and staff at the University of Virginia’s Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning (CASTL)

Principal Investigators

Amanda Williford

Amanda Williford, Ph.D.

Professor, Associate Director for Early Childhood Education, CASTL
Principal Investigator
Amanda WIlliford - Bio

Jessica Whittaker, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Director of Birth to Eight Initiatives
Co-Principal Investigator
Jessica Whittaker - Bio

Staff

Jamie DeCoster profile photo

Jamie DeCoster

Associate Professor Jamie DeCoster - Bio
Virginia Vitiello profile photo

Virginia E. Vitiello

Associate Professor Virginia E. Vitiello - Bio

Traci Kutaka

Research Assistant Professor Traci Kutaka - Bio

Ann Partee

Research Assistant Professor Ann Partee - Bio
Wanda Weaver profile photo

Wanda Weaver

Research Scientist Wanda Weaver - Bio

Jenifer Davis

Project Manager Jenifer Davis - Bio
Elise Rubenstein profile picture

Elise Rubinstein

Senior Data Specialist Elise Rubinstein - Bio
Ryan Kiley profile photo

Ryan Kiley

Research Specialist Senior Ryan Kiley - Bio
Jhonelle Bailey profile photo

Jhonelle Bailey

Research Scientist Jhonelle Bailey - Bio

Cloe Frank

Program Management Associate Cloe Frank - BIo
Genevieve Matthew profile photo

Genevieve Matthew

Research Specialist Intermediate Genevieve Matthew - BIo

Brittany Rettig

Education and Outreach Specialist Brittany Rettig - Bio
Benita Voran profile photo

Benita Voran

Data Management Specialist Benita Voran - Bio
Katie Kinsella profile photo

Katie Kinsella

Research Specialist Intermediate Katie Kinsella - Bio
Laura Helferstay profile photo

Laura Helferstay

Research Specialist Laura Helferstay - Bio
Kelly Hughes profile photo

Kelly Hughes

Education and Outreach Specialist Kelly Hughes - BIo
Yin Gu profile photo

Yin Gu

Research Specialist Intermediate Yin Gu - Bio
Angel McCray profile photo

Angel McCray

Research Specialist Intermediate Angel McCray - Bio

Technology Team

Kathy Neesen profile photo

Kathy Neesen, Ph.D.

Research Scientist
Instructional Design Lead
Kathy Neesen, Ph.D. - BIo
Matthew Semanik profile photo

Matthew Semanik

Web Developer
Web Development & Technical Support
Matthew Semanik - Bio
Sarah Lydic profile photo

Sarah Lydic

Instructional Designer
Instructional Design Specialist
Sarah Lydic - BIo