At NBE we are dedicated to our students and our community. We work tirelessly to provide a high-quality education while providing a caring and safe learning environment and I am blessed each day to be called the Principal of these Natural Bridge Elementary Rockets.  

My name is Rick Bain and I have been in education for 15 years. I have taught at the 5th grade, 4th grade, and 2nd-grade levels, and I also spent 2 years as Rockbridge County Schools STEM teacher.  I spent most of my career at Fairfield Elementary but was honored to start teaching at NBES 4 years ago.  While teaching at NBE and FES I was able to go back to school and earn my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from JMU.  

While working as an educator I was also being a stepdad. My wife and I met over 14 years ago when my son was in 2nd grade. He is now 22 and starting his teaching career. He is going to be a choir director and will be teaching piano to middle and high school students.  My wife Stacey grew up right here in Rockbridge County and for the past couple of years has been our after school coordinator here at NBES. She and I share a love for this community and the families who live in it.  

Along with being an educator I really enjoy coaching and spending time with family. For years I coached the FES girls RARO basketball team. It was always a good experience to coach and watch the ladies grow as people and players.  I also love spending time with my family. Since I was a young man, March, was a very important month. My Dad is a sugar maker (maple syrup) and we love to cut wood and spend time together as we would boil the sap down to syrup. There are very few bad days in the woods.  

The most important thing you can know about me is that I am dedicated to each and every student and will work very hard to make sure they have a good education and experience here at NBES. I look forward to working with each of you.    

Mr. Rick Bain