Jolynne Bartley
Associate Director of Children and Youth Services
Phone: 540-568-4113
Email: bartl2jx@jmu.edu
Jolynne has worked with the Institute for several years, first as an Early Literacy Specialist for the Gus Bus, then as the Gus Bus Program Coordinator, and now as the Associate Director of Children & Youth Services. She supervises staff and manages the administrative, logistical, and programmatic elements that ensure successful implementation of the Gus Bus program, Shenandoah Valley Migrant Education Program, Future Forward and Healthy Families. She oversees these grant-funded projects and programs, serving children, youth and families throughout the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. She has a B.S. in Arts Education from the University of Central Florida, an MPA from James Madison University, concentrating in Nonprofit Management, and a Certificate of Nonprofit Management.
Rachel Gagliardi
Program Director
Cell Phone: 540-830-2622
Office Phone: 540-568-5251
Email: gagliarl@jmu.edu
Rachel began her work with the Gus Bus in 2016, when she was hired as an Early Literacy Specialist. She was later promoted to the role of Data and Program Manager, and in fall of 2020 was chosen to be Gus Bus Program Director. Before joining the Gus Bus, she served as a primary school co-teacher of English and Math for pre-kindergarten to 2nd grade at Ramana’s Garden Children’s Home in Rishikesh, India. Rachel has an MPA from James Madison University, concentrating in Nonprofit Management and a Certificate of Nonprofit Management. She received her Bachelor of Science from JMU in Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies with a minor in Elementary Education, concentrating in math, science and technology.
Erica Park
Administrative Coordinator
Email: parkej@jmu.edu
Erica is originally from Leesburg, VA, and received her B.S. and M.A.T. from JMU as a licensed elementary school teacher. After graduating, she taught third grade in HCPS for 4 years before joining the Gus Bus team in 2023 as the Administrative Coordinator. She loved working with children as a classroom teacher and is now using her experience to support the Gus Bus program behind the scenes, helping with data, communications, managing volunteers, and more. In her free time, Erica can be found volunteering with a JMU campus ministry or relaxing at home with her dog.
Janelle Erb
Curriculum and Program Manager
Email: erbjr@jmu.edu
Janelle’s love for reading and inspiring young students led her to the Gus Bus team in October 2022. Previously, as an instructional assistant with Harrisonburg City Public Schools, she enjoyed teaching students in grades K-5. Janelle loves learning herself and is continuing to take classes at Blue Ridge Community College. As our Curriculum and Program Manager, Janelle teaches enrichment lessons at our after-school program at Bluestone Elementary and manages our in-home tutoring program. When she’s not at work you may see her pedaling her bike around town, refilling her coffee mug, or checking out books at Massanutten Regional Library.
Maria Longley
Program Manager (Smithland and Waterman Elementary)
Email: longlemc@jmu.edu
Maria worked from 2016-2017 as a Program Specialist for the Gus Bus, and since 2019 as a Program Manager. A former newspaper reporter, she has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Florida Atlantic University, with a concentration in political journalism. Before joining the Gus Bus, she served as a teacher and facilitator at Raw Learning, a K-12 private school founded on the democratic education model. During her fifteen years as a reporter, she covered beats ranging from municipal government to health and human services and won several Virginia Press Association awards.
Kelsey Hanger
Program Manager (Stone Spring Elementary)
Email: hangerka@jmu.edu
Kelsey is a licensed elementary teacher who previously worked for HCPS in the Special Education Department. She joined the Gus Bus team in January 2023 as a Program Manager. Kelsey has a passion for reading and wants to instill that passion in her students. She loves learning and will be taking courses to further her education.
Jesse Dragovich
Program Manager (Bluestone Elementary)
Email: dragovjc@jmu.edu
Jesse first joined the Gus Bus team while earning his bachelors in English and Creative Writing at James Madison University. His love for reading and education dates back to his early childhood, when he would read aloud Where the Wild Things Are and teach long division to stuffed bears and action figures. Throughout his education, Jesse continued to teach and tutor on the side before becoming a Program Specialist at the Gus Bus. In his current role as Program Manager, Jesse focuses on constantly improving the inclusivity, efficiency, and impact of the Bluestone Elementary School afterschool programs.
Aidan Brown
Program Manager (Keister Elementary)
Email: brow24ar@jmu.edu
Aidan is a native to Page County, VA and has since moved back to the Shenandoah Valley after living in Manchester, NH for the past three years, working to better his community in a wide variety of education and activism positions. He first discovered his love of educating during his AmeriCorps service through City Year, an organization focused on promoting educational equity across America. After his service term ended with City Year, Aidan worked as an instructor for Girls at Work, Inc., in which he helped to inspire girls aged 8-14 find their inner strength and empowerment through woodworking.
Fanty Polanco
Program Specialist
Email: polancfm@jmu.edu
Fanty is originally from the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic she was a dentist specializing in pediatric dentistry. She moved to the United States in 2010. She is currently a Spanish Teacher at Harrisonburg High School, and she is finishing her studies in a master's degree in Social Work. She loves being a part of the Gus Bus because helping our students and their families is her passion.
Ciana Graham-Shelton
Program Specialist
Email: graha2cs@jmu.edu
Ciana recently rejoined the Gus Bus team in January of 2024 and has a background in Social Work. Prior to Gus Bus, Ciana has worked with school-aged children in a variety of settings such as, nannying, court services, as well as a private day school. She has a passion for incorporating positive social and emotional skills to support learning at all levels. In May 2024, Ciana became a first time mom to a beautiful baby boy!
Sunshine Brown
Program Specialist
Email: brown3hp@jmu.edu
Sunshine is a future elementary teacher in her senior year at JMU College of Education. She is Native American and a member of the Upper Mattaponi Tribe of Virginia. Sunshine has a passion for making learning accessible to all students and hopes to help her students become lifelong learners who make a difference in their community.
Brie Bartlett
Program Specialist
Email: bartlebn@jmu.edu
Brie is a junior at JMU who is working towards her degree in elementary education. She is very passionate about mental health awareness and accessible education. Brie hopes to foster a love of learning and be an advocate for all students.
Address
The Gus Bus
MSC 5508
220 University Boulevard
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Phone: 540-568-5251
Email: gusbus@jmu.edu