Teachers
Teachers
Ms. Norris has served as the director of the Center for Information Technology since 2009. She has a degree from Virginia Wesleyan College and an education certificate from Mary Baldwin University. She is the proud mother of two sons and grandmother of three granddaughters and two grandsons. She also loves technology, reading, crocheting and gardening.
Contact: lmnorris@henrico.k12.va.us, (804)-364-8027
Ms. Ellyson is the CIT Geometry teacher. The 2023-2024 school year was her first year working with Ms. Norris in the CIT. Ms. Ellyson has been a teacher at Deep Run High School for 10 years teaching Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra Functions and Data Analysis, and Algebra 2.
Contact: krellyson@henrico.k12.va.us
Ms. Jantrania attended the University of Virginia and studied math and computer science. She's been teaching at Deep Run since 2018. (Fun fact: Her favorite food is pecan pie.)
Contact: njantrania@henrico.k12.va.us
Mr. Miller attended the University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science where he received a BS in Computer Science. Following this, he worked for Blackbaud Inc. as software engineer, project manager, and program manager. He started his teaching career in Charleston, South Carolina and began teaching in the CIT following a move to Richmond in 2024. His academic interests include programming language theory and design, server-side architecture, and cybersecurity. Personal interests include taking things apart that probably shouldn’t be taken apart and then trying to put them back together, cycling, golf, and hiking.
Ms. Musk has been teaching 9th grade English at Deep Run since 2021. She received a B.A. in English and Psychology and a M.A.Ed. in Secondary English Curriculum & Instruction from William and Mary. In her free time, Ms. Musk enjoys knitting, birdwatching, making pottery, and reading.
Contact: kamusk@henricok.12.va.us
Dr. Palen has a doctorate from the University of Michigan in algebraic number theory and enjoys teaching students from different levels and backgrounds. Some of his personal interests include philosophy, classical studies and statistics. While he has lived and taught around the world, he holds CIT students as nicest overall.
Contact: jjpalen@henrico.k12.va.us
Hello Deep Run Community!
I’m Mr. Smart, and I am thrilled to join the Wildcat family this year. My roots run deep in local education—I graduated from Chesterfield County in 2002, earned my degree from Christopher Newport University in 2006, and spent the last 20 years teaching at James River High School.
While this is officially my first-year teaching at Deep Run, I’ve felt like part of this wonderful community for two decades. My wife is the school librarian here, and our daughter, who turns 14 this October, is currently an 8th grader at Short Pump Middle School.
I am so excited to step into this new chapter and get to know our students, families, and especially the incoming Classes of 2029 and 2030. Here’s to a fantastic school year together
—Go Wildcats!
Contact: bmsmart@henrcio.k12.va.us
Ms. Tambellini graduated from Western University with a degree in journalism. She’s been teaching since 2005 and has began teaching at Deep Run in 2019. She enjoys reading and spending time with her family and dog, and participates in the Monument 10K and Tacky Lights Run each year.
Contact: mbtambellini@henrico.k12.va.us
Mrs. Western graduated from James Madison University with a Master of Arts in Teaching with concentrations in Middle School Math and Science. Throughout her career in education, she has added endorsements in Business & IT and Computer Science. She has been teaching Computer Science since 2019. She cherishes time with her family, especially with her young son who loves being outdoors and playing with their two energetic Labrador retrievers. She also loves to do anything craft related, from DIY projects to journaling.
Contact: epwestern@henrico.k12.va.us