Browsing: Schools

Cultural competency is one of the buzzwords that teachers, principals and school superintendents will become familiar with in Virginia, if they aren’t already. The General Assembly recently passed and Gov. Ralph Northam (D) signed legislation that requires educational staff to complete instruction in cultural competency for initial licensure or renewal. HB 1904 and SB 1196 passed the Legislature with mostly Democratic votes. Among eastern Chesterfield legislators, Dels. Delores McQuinn (D-Richmond) and Carrie Coyner (R-Chesterfield) and Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond) voted yes, while Del. Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) and Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield) voted no. The bills were among 117 tracked…

During the March 9 Chesterfield County Public Schools board meeting, the board approved up to $7.7 million to purchase “mega trailers” for three schools. The mega trailers, which have restrooms and cafeteria units, include three for Falling Creek Middle School and one each for Hening and Chalkley elementary schools. Josh Davis, chief operations officer, noted that the school district had approved a lease of the five mega trailers almost two years ago for use at Crestwood and Reams elementary schools. “Those buildings have served those schools very, very well,” Davis said. “We’ve come up with a great plan for those…

On Feb. 9, the Chesterfield County Public Schools board unanimously approved a return to in-person learning five days a week for students in grades six through 12 on Tuesday, March 9. Students can still choose to learn 100 percent virtually through the end of the school year. On Feb. 5, Gov. Ralph Northam (D) requested that all public schools offer some form of in-person learning by March 15. Deputy Superintendent Thomas Taylor said that the “overwhelming majority” of teachers will have received two COVID-19 vaccinations by March 9. In spite of that, Taylor said, “We have heard from the [Centers…

Erin Woodby became an educator because she finds joy in helping others learn about the world around them and seeing them grow in their knowledge and understanding. Both of Woodby’s parents are educators – her father was a teacher who worked in administration for CCPS, her mother a diabetes educator – and she said they instilled in her a passion for learning at a very young age. Woodby, who is in her 17th year of teaching, is currently the instructional designer at Carver College and Career Academy. She has been at Carver for nine years, and prior to that, she…

Brooke Kistner loves building relationships with students, especially those in middle school. Kistner remembers how awkward, stubborn and out of place she felt as a middle schooler and said it is rewarding to be a support for students in the same boat. “I was never one of the popular kids in school; in fact, I was extremely quiet and preferred to go unnoticed,” Kistner said. “So to be that teacher who purposely notices students to build a relationship so that they know they are loved, valued and needed is priceless.” Kistner has been teaching since 2008 and is currently in…

Ask Jessica Felice about her teaching style, and she’ll tell you her goal is to be Miss Frizzle from “The Magic School Bus.” Felice said she incorporates any and all teaching styles that reflect her students’ needs while also trying to make the content come to life. “I try to make my students live what we are learning,” Felice said. “If they are experiencing it, they are talking about it, having feelings about it, questioning it and teaching others about what they experienced in my class.” Felice hails from New York, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education…

Nicole Joyner became a special education teacher to help students to believe in themselves. Students with disabilities have a special place in Joyner’s heart, as her three adopted brothers have learning disabilities, and they were in special education. “My brothers came from a household of abuse, both mentally [and] physically. Their parents struggled with drug and alcohol addiction. Many people told my mother they would not be able to graduate from school or be able to go to college [or serve in the] military,” Joyner said. “My brothers had the support of family [and] wonderful teachers who supported [and] encouraged…

In the first few days of a new school year, Lauren Spain plays “Two Truths and a Lie” with her students, which is when they find out she appeared on HGTV’s “House Hunters” with her husband. Spain said the revelation wins her cool points with her students, and, she called her time on the show a funny experience. “If you’ve seen the episode, I promise my husband and I love each other, I love our house, and we do not care that much about crown molding baseboards,” Spain said. Virtual class has replaced in-person for the time being, so Spain hasn’t…

Through its partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, Burlington Stores has donated $5,000 for school supplies to the staff at Marguerite Christian Elementary. The donation is in celebration of its new store, now open in Chester. Representatives from Burlington Stores presented the check today during a virtual “faculty meeting.” A representative from AdoptAClassroom.org helped to secure the donation for Marguerite Christian Elementary, which will provide $5,000 in new supplies for classrooms. “Strong community partnerships are essential to the success of our students and schools,” County superintendent Merv Daugherty said. “Thanks to the support of generous partners like AdoptAClassroom.org and Burlington, the teachers at…

Marguerite Christian Elementary’s Teacher of the Year recipient is a CCPS alumna. Brooke Moseley attended Gordon Elementary, Midlothian Middle and Midlothian High. She said she has many fond memories of growing up in the system from field day to orchestra, soccer practice to Latin class, and many more in between. “Many of my teachers made a meaningful impact on me throughout elementary, middle, and high school,” Moseley said. “Once I graduated from Radford University, I made it a priority to seek employment in Chesterfield County. I hope to make such an impact on my students throughout their time in elementary school.”…

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