Administration

Headshot of Dr. Anthony McLaurin

Dr. Anthony McLaurin, Principal

Anthony J. McLaurin, Ed.D. is elated to serve as Principal of Thomas Dale High School! Dr. McLaurin is entering his 21st year in public education. He began his administrative career in 2012 as Dean of Students at Thomas Dale High School. He later served as an Assistant Principal in Richmond Public schools and returned to Thomas Dale as an Assistant Principal.

Prior to serving as Principal of TDHS, Dr. McLaurin served as Principal of the Chesterfield Juvenile Detention Home and G.W. Carver Middle School. Dr. McLaurin is proud to serve as the first Black Principal in TDHS history. He graduated from Hampton University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science earned both a Master’s degree and Doctorate of Education from Virginia State University. Dr. McLaurin and his wife Takeya have three children, Anthony Jr, Camren and Noah. A.J. and Camren graduated from Thomas Dale in 2023 and 2025 respectively. Noah is entering her sophomore year at the Castle. Dr. McLaurin is Chair of the Chester YMCA Board, Founder and Board member of the Chesterfield County Juneteenth Steering Committee and supporter of numerous community organizations. He loves to attend live sporting events, traveling, spending time with family and perfecting recipes on the barbecue grill in his free time.

Dr. McLaurin believes that engagement and teamwork are the keys to ensuring an outstanding academic experience. He looks forward to continued collaboration with the Chester community to ensure that each TDHS Knight is prepared to achieve excellence after graduation.

Anthony_Mclaurin@ccpsnet.net

Headshot of Heidi Hicks

Heidi Hicks, Assistant Principal

Mrs. Hicks has 27 years of experience in education in Chesterfield County Public Schools at the secondary level. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English from James Madison University, a MT in Teaching Secondary English from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an endorsement in Administration and Supervision from Virginia State University.

Heidi_Hicks@ccpsnet.net

Headshot of Catherine Mazzola

Catherine Mazzola, Assistant Principal

Catherine Mazzola started teaching in 2009 and has 12 years of experience teaching secondary French. She taught at the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School, Midlothian High School, and the Virginia Governor’s French Language Academy. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in French from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision from the University of Virginia. She also holds endorsements in both Gifted and ESOL education. Mrs. Mazzola is all in for the Thomas Dale Knights and is proud to have been serving on the TD Administration Team since Fall of 2020. She is married to Jason Mazzola and together they have a daughter, Ramona Jane, who was born in January of 2022 during Catherine’s time as a Dean at TDHS.

Catherine_Mazzola@ccpsnet.net

Headshot of Jeffrey Millner

Jeffrey Millner, Assistant Principal

Mr. Millner is originally from Danville, Va. He received his Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology from Saint Paul’s College in Lawrenceville, Va. Next, he completed his Exceptional Education requirements at Virginia Union University. He went onto Regent University to receive his Masters of Education in Educational Leadership.

Mr. Millner has been in education for over 20 years. Since leaving the classroom as an exceptional education teacher, he has served as an instructional leader in Henrico County and West Point Public Schools.

In his spare time, you will find him cheering for his favorite college team (Go Tarheels), spending quality time with his son and reading.

Jeffrey_Millner@ccpsnet.net

Headshot of John Green

Dr. John Green, Assistant Principal

Dr. John O. Green is excited to be a part of the administration team at Thomas Dale High School. Dr. Green graduated from Elizabeth City State University with a BA in Business Management and continued his education receiving certifications in K-12 Special Education, 9-12 High School Business, and 6-12 General Education from Longwood University. He received a Master’s Degree in PreK-12 School Administration and Supervision from Cambridge college. Dr. Green recently completed his Doctorate Degree from Marymount University.

Dr. Green has been in education for over 30 years serving students and families as a classroom teacher, school administrator, and Central Office Director, in the Public Schools System in North Carolina and Virginia. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his daughters and cooking.

John_Green@ccpsnet.net

Headshot of  Kendall Chase

Kendall Chase, Dean of Students

Mrs. Chase has been in education for more than 15 years. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Human Services from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. She also received her Master’s Degree in Special Education from Old Dominion University in 2020. She recently received a second Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She has worked for Chesterfield County Public Schools for the past 14 years, her most recent role was Dean of Students for Thomas Dale High School. She is excited to continue being a Knight on the Thomas Dale administrative team.

Mrs. Chase and her husband Ricardo have three children, Arian, RJ and Carson, she also has one fur baby named Prince. When Mrs. Chase is not busy with her own studies, she enjoys spending time with family and enjoying her favorite reality television shows.

Kendall_chase@ccpsnet.net

Meg Dolle, Dean of Students

Ms. Dolle grew up in Chesterfield, and has spent most of her educational career in CCPS. After a BA in English and Secondary Education from James Madison University and staying on for an MA in English, she started teaching in Albemarle County 1999. From 2002-2026 she taught many different English courses and the Mythology elective at Manchester High School. She has recently completed a second Masters in Education Administration and Supervision, and is excited to be a Knight in service to the families of Thomas Dale.

meg_dolle@ccpsnet.net

Lavenia Daniels, Dean of Students

Lavenia Daniels, M.Ed., is excited to join The Castle as Dean of Students. With nine years of experience in education and a background in human services, she is passionate about building positive relationships and fostering a safe, supportive environment where all students thrive. Before joining Thomas Dale, Mrs. Daniels served as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) teacher and Department Chair at Monacan High School. She was also recognized as Chesterfield County Public Schools' Beginning Teacher of the Year in 2020. She earned her bachelor's degree in Human Services from Old Dominion University and her master's degree in Educational Leadership from Franklin University. Outside of school, Mrs. Daniels enjoys live music, diamond art projects, jigsaw puzzles, true crime podcasts, and adventuring with her partner. Go knights!

lavenia_daniels@ccpsnet.net

Headshot of Richard Talman

Richard Talman, Director of Student Activities and Athletics

Mr. Talman is in his 8th year as Director of Student Activities at Thomas Dale High School. Prior to his time at Thomas Dale he served as Sports Director at the Shady Grove YMCA. He spent the previous 11 years in collegiate athletics and recreation serving as the Assistant Director of Club Sports & Intramurals and Director of the Emory Sports & Fitness Camp at Emory University while also serving as the Men’s Club Soccer Coach. He began his career at Hampden-Sydney College where he had various roles including Director of TigeRec, Director of Athletic Facilities, Assistant Director of Intramurals & Fitness, and had stints as Head Cross Country Coach and Volunteer Assistant Soccer Coach.

Mr. Talman has a Master of Education in Sport Leadership from VCU and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management from West Virginia University.

Richard_Talman@ccpsnet.net

Dr. Maia Johnson, Counseling Coordinator

Dr. Johnson is thrilled to join the Thomas Dale family as School Counseling Coordinator! Entering her 17th year in education, Dr. Johnson has served as an Exceptional Education Teacher, School Counselor, School Counseling Coordinator, Division Coordinator of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and Assistant Adjunct Professor. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Master of Education in Counselor Education with a concentration in School Counseling, and Doctor of Education in Educational Administration and Supervision, all from Virginia State University! Dr. Johnson is a proud wife to a fellow educator and mother of four children. Her family resides in Chesterfield County. In her spare time, Dr. Johnson enjoys making memories with her family, cheering on her children at their sporting events, and convincing anyone who will listen that this is the year the Dallas Cowboys will win the Super Bowl!

One of Dr. Johnson’s favorite quotes comes from Rita Pierson and states: "every child deserves a champion; an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists they become the best they can possibly be.” Dr. Johnson is committed to being a champion for students! EVERY KNIGHT. EVERY DAY.

maia_johnson@ccpsnet.net