{"id":13280,"date":"2025-03-04T08:58:32","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T13:58:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/?p=13280"},"modified":"2025-04-29T16:15:17","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T20:15:17","slug":"breaking-barriers-women-in-construction-at-virginia-beach-city-public-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/breaking-barriers-women-in-construction-at-virginia-beach-city-public-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking Barriers: Women in Construction at Virginia Beach City Public Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Building the Future, One Trade at a Time<\/h2>\n<h2><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/photo_collage.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-13281\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/photo_collage-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/photo_collage-1024x576.png 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/photo_collage-300x169.png 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/photo_collage-768x432.png 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/photo_collage-1536x864.png 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/photo_collage-400x225.png 400w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/photo_collage.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<p><strong>At Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS),<\/strong> women are proving that craftsmanship knows no gender. From painting and pest control to HVAC maintenance and safety, these skilled professionals are not only keeping schools running\u2014they\u2019re inspiring the next generation to see the trades as a path filled with opportunity, purpose, and pride.<\/p>\n<p>For <strong>Women in Construction Week<\/strong> (celebrated each year in March) we\u2019re spotlighting some of the dedicated women behind the scenes at VBCPS:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Lien Roach, painter craftsman III<\/strong> \u2013 Bringing color and life to classrooms and hallways.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chala Dozier, pest control technician<\/strong> \u2013 Ensuring schools remain clean, safe, and pest-free.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Brooke Smith, occupational health &amp; safety specialist<\/strong> \u2013 Keeping schools compliant and safe.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Melisa Curtis, general maintenance craftsman (filters)<\/strong> \u2013 Maintaining air systems across VBCPS buildings.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Jade Davis, refrigeration craftsman<\/strong> \u2013 Keeping refrigeration systems running to support school operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each of these women has carved out a place for themselves in the trades, overcoming challenges and proving that skilled labor isn\u2019t just a job\u2014it\u2019s a career of resilience, problem-solving, and impact.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Lien Roach: Painting a Path to Success<\/h2>\n<p>With <strong>over 30 years of experience<\/strong>, <strong>Lien Roach<\/strong> has built a career in painting\u2014one that has taken her from subcontracting to a role at VBCPS, where she beautifies learning environments for students.<\/p>\n<p>While many may not immediately associate painting with craftsmanship, Lien\u2019s work is about more than just color. She sees firsthand how a freshly painted classroom can boost student morale. <em>\u201cThis kid walked by the room and thanked me for making it look better. Little stuff like that is rewarding\u2026 that\u2019s the best part of it, really.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Her journey in the trades wasn\u2019t always easy. Early on, she found herself as the only woman on construction sites, working twice as hard to gain respect. But her persistence paid off. Now, she hopes to see more women take up tools and embrace the financial independence, flexibility, and sense of accomplishment that come with a career in the trades.<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-13287 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-300x209.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"209\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-300x209.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-1024x712.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-768x534.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-1536x1068.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-2048x1424.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-400x278.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-1-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-13288\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-1-300x209.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"209\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-1-300x209.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-1-1024x712.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-1-768x534.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-1-1536x1068.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-1-2048x1424.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Lien_Roach-subject_photo-1-400x278.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Chala Dozier: Protecting Schools, Inspiring Students<\/h2>\n<p>For <strong>nearly 19 years<\/strong>, <strong>Chala Dozier<\/strong> has worked in the trades, and today, she plays an essential role in keeping our schools pest-free and safe for students and staff. Her work isn\u2019t just about maintenance\u2014it\u2019s about education and prevention.<\/p>\n<p>One of her favorite parts of the job? Interacting with students who are curious about her work. <em>\u201cThey think I\u2019m a glorified chemist,\u201d<\/em> she laughs, explaining how she uses chemicals safely to control pests while protecting the environment.<\/p>\n<p>Breaking into the industry wasn\u2019t without challenges. Early in her career, she faced pushback from those who didn\u2019t believe a woman belonged in the trades. But she never let that stop her.<\/p>\n<p>Her advice? <em>\u201cTrades are never going to die. Once you learn that skill, it\u2019s yours\u2014you own it.\u201d<\/em> She believes that as long as women are encouraged to explore these career paths, more will see the value in skilled trades.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-13298 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-300x197.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-300x197.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-1024x671.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-768x504.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-1536x1007.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-2048x1343.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-400x262.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-2-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-13297 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-2-300x205.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"205\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-2-300x205.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-2-1024x700.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-2-768x525.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-2-1536x1049.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-2-2048x1399.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Chala_Dozier-subject_photo-2-400x273.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Brooke Smith: Ensuring Safety &amp; Environmental Health<\/h2>\n<p>With an educational background in <strong>environmental science<\/strong>, <strong>Brooke Smith<\/strong> didn\u2019t initially picture herself in the trades. But after starting as an occupational health &amp; safety technician at VBCPS, she quickly realized the impact she could have on creating safe, compliant school environments.<\/p>\n<p>She works closely with craftsmen, plumbers, carpenters, and HVAC teams, ensuring that school facilities meet health standards. Whether she\u2019s coordinating the testing of drinking water for lead or inspecting the quality of indoor environments, her role is all about keeping schools safe for students and staff.<\/p>\n<p>What has made her experience even more rewarding? The mentorship and support she\u2019s received. <em>\u201cYou can do hard things. You just have to be willing to learn and listen.\u201d<\/em> She encourages others to stay curious, eager to learn, and never stop growing in their careers.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-1-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-13299\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-1-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-1-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-1-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-2-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-13300\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-2-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-2-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-2-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-3.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-13301 size-medium\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-3-226x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"226\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-3-226x300.jpg 226w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-3-772x1024.jpg 772w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-3-768x1019.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-3-1158x1536.jpg 1158w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-3-400x531.jpg 400w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Brooke_Smith-subject_photo-3.jpg 1284w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 226px) 100vw, 226px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Melisa Curtis: From Bus Driver to General Maintenance Craftsman (filters)<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Melisa Curtis<\/strong> didn\u2019t start her career in maintenance\u2014she was a bus driver with VBCPS for eight years before transitioning into the role of general maintenance craftsman. But with a background in construction technology and a Class C contractor\u2019s license, she knew she had the skills to thrive in the trades.<\/p>\n<p>Today, she maintains air filtration systems across the division, ensuring that students and staff have clean, well-ventilated environments.<\/p>\n<p>Melisa does not back down from challenges. <em>\u201cYou can do anything you want to do. Try it\u2014if you don\u2019t like it, try something else.\u201d<\/em> She encourages young women to explore different paths and find what fits them best.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-13305\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-1-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-13306\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-1-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-1-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-1-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-1-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-1-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-2-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-13304\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-2-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-2-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Melisa_Curtis-subject_photo-2-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Jade Davis: A Fresh Start in Refrigeration<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Jade Davis is proof that a willingness to learn and the drive to improve every day are key to success in the trades.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>With no prior experience in skilled trades, Jade transitioned from customer service roles to becoming a Refrigeration Craftsman at VBCPS in October 2023. With 86 schools and centers in the division, her days are busy maintaining freezers, cleaning ice machines, and troubleshooting refrigeration systems\u2014skills she\u2019s built through on-the-job learning, mentorship, and hands-on training. She is also taking classes to further develop her expertise and plans to continue growing in the field.<\/p>\n<p>One of the most rewarding parts of her job? Visiting schools and talking with others about her job and the trades\u2014something she wishes she had been exposed to earlier. <em>\u201cIf I had known about the trades in school, I would have gone straight into them.\u201d<\/em> She hopes that by sharing her experience, more young women will see <strong>skilled trades<\/strong> as <strong>a viable and fulfilling career path<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Her advice for women entering the trades? <em>\u201cBe patient and give yourself time to learn everything\u2026 Push yourself and believe in yourself.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-2-2-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-13308\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-2-2-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-2-2-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-2-2-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-2-2-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-2-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-2-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-2-2-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-3-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-13307\" src=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-3-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-3-300x200.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-3-768x512.jpg 768w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-3-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-3-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Jade_Davis-subject_photo-3-400x267.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>More Women, More Opportunities<\/h2>\n<p>While each of these women took a different path into the trades, they share a common thread\u2014a passion for craftsmanship, problem-solving, and demonstrating that women belong in the industry.<\/p>\n<p>The future of women in construction and trades is growing and more young people are being encouraged to explore technical and career education. Programs like those at the <a href=\"http:\/\/techcenter.vbschools.com\/\">Virginia Beach Technical &amp; Career Education Center<\/a> open doors for the next generation of skilled tradeswomen.<\/p>\n<p>As Women in Construction Week reminds us, the trades offer stability, opportunity, and purpose\u2014and these women are proof of that.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Interested in a career where you can make an impact?<\/strong> VBCPS offers opportunities to <strong>build futures\u2014and grow yours.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Explore career paths in maintenance, skilled trades, and beyond. <strong>Learn more and apply today:<\/strong> <a href=\"http:\/\/www.vbschools.com\/careers\">www.vbschools.com\/careers<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Building the Future, One Trade at a Time At Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS), women are proving that craftsmanship knows no gender. From painting and pest control to HVAC [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":13281,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[213],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13280","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-staff-stories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13280","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13280"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13280\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13373,"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13280\/revisions\/13373"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13281"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13280"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13280"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.vbcpsblogs.com\/core\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13280"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}