Administration

Mrs. Katherine Hutchison

Principal

Mrs. Katie Hutchison is proud to serve as the Principal of William Byrd Middle School and is entering her second year in this role. Before becoming principal, she served as Assistant Principal at William Byrd Middle School for six years, where she built strong relationships with students, staff, and families while helping lead a positive and supportive school culture.

Mrs. Hutchison earned her bachelor's degree from The College of William & Mary, graduating with a double major in History and Secondary Education. She later earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from George Mason University.

Prior to joining the William Byrd community, Mrs. Hutchison taught middle school history and coached track in Botetourt County for 10 years. Her classroom and coaching experiences continue to shape her leadership, with a strong focus on high-quality instruction, meaningful relationships, and ensuring every student has the opportunity to succeed.

Mrs. Hutchison is honored to serve the William Byrd Middle School community and is committed to creating a school where students are challenged, supported, and inspired every day. She is incredibly proud to be part of the Terrier family and looks forward to partnering with students, staff, and families to ensure every child is Terrier Strong and Future Ready.

Mrs. Allison Thornton

Assistant Principal

Ms. Allison Thornton is entering her 20th year with Roanoke County Public Schools and is proud to serve as the Assistant Principal at William Byrd Middle School. Ms. Thornton earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science, with concentrations in Health, Physical Education, and Driver Education, from Radford University, and later completed her Master of Education in School Administration at Liberty University.

Throughout her career, Ms. Thornton has had the privilege of serving students in a variety of roles, including as a Health and Physical Education teacher, Driver Education instructor, varsity volleyball coach, middle school softball coach, department chair, Athletic Director, and now Assistant Principal. These experiences have strengthened her passion for building positive relationships with students, supporting teachers, and fostering a school culture where everyone feels valued, supported, and challenged to reach their full potential.

Ms. Thornton is especially proud of the collaborative culture at William Byrd Middle School and the unwavering commitment of our faculty and staff to helping every student succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Ms. Thornton is excited for the upcoming school year and looks forward to continuing to build upon our strong traditions while creating new opportunities for our students, staff, and school community to thrive.

Mrs. Jordan Persinger

Assistant Principal

Ms. Jordan Persinger is excited to begin her first year as an Assistant Principal at William Byrd Middle School. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Finance from Hollins University, a Master of Science in Career and Technical Education from Virginia Tech, and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Radford University.

Before joining William Byrd Middle School, Ms. Persinger taught Business and Marketing at William Byrd High School, where she also served as the DECA advisor, coordinated the cooperative education program, and coached varsity volleyball. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to helping students develop the knowledge, confidence, and leadership skills needed for success both in and beyond the classroom.

Ms. Persinger is excited to build meaningful relationships with students, families, and staff while fostering a positive and supportive school culture. She looks forward to partnering with the William Byrd Middle School community to ensure every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.