Chris Freeman, AP environmental science teacher at Kellam High School, has been selected to receive the 2016 Presidential Innovation Award for Environmental Educators (PIAEE). The White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) administers the award in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to recognize outstanding teachers and students in grades K-12 who employ Read More…
Author: lawicks
Smith, White named Instructional Leaders of the Year
At the close of the 2016 Administrators’ Conference, Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence gave away the conference’s highest honors, the Elementary and Secondary Instructional Leader of the Year awards. At the elementary level, College Park Elementary School’s Dr. Sterling White was named the Instructional Leader of the Year. Salem Middle School Principal Dr. Jim Smith was Read More…
First Colonial High School educator named gifted association teacher of the year
Growing up, there was no way that Missy Sullivan would ever become a teacher. Her parents were both educators and her childhood dream was to become a flight attendant. But one day in college while walking by an elementary school the life of this now-First Colonial High School gifted teacher changed. “I’m a big believer Read More…
Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council leads workshop for teachers on best engagement practices
As class was just getting underway, the instructor immediately caught students’ attention with his first instructions, “We’re going to start off with a personality test.” Although everyone in the room was a Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) student or staff member, this wasn’t your typical class. The instructor was Reed Curtin, rising senior in the Mathematics Read More…
Summer classes offer insight into National Board Certification
Ocean Lakes Elementary fifth-grade teacher Erin Williams always had National Board Certification in the back of her mind but never thought she was up to the challenge. “Honestly, the students I had this year taught me a lot about perseverance, commitment and the ability to overcome challenges,” said the 13-year teaching veteran. “If I have Read More…
Riding the digital wave at summer ITEC mini conference
Attendees carried coffee, snapped photos with smartphones, typed on tablets and connected with laptops. Paper was nowhere to be found. That was by design. “For those of you who have just arrived, you’ll notice we don’t have schedules on the chairs, we have a QR code,” Sheila Teri announced to teachers finding seats in Corporate Read More…
Employee Input Survey results are in…
What do employees think about working for Virginia Beach City Public Schools? The results of this year’s Employee Input Survey, presented to the School Board on June 21, revealed that 85 percent of employees agreed they are proud to work in Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS), while an even higher 88 percent agreed the Read More…
Asbestos (AHERA) Management Plans Available
The Environmental Protection Agency, as required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) of October 1986, requires all school facilities to have an inspection for asbestos-containing building materials and to have a detailed management plan identifying these materials. The AHERA Management Plans are available in each school’s main office for review by parents, teachers Read More…
Program helps first-year principals
Dr. Karin DiMaggio knew that although it was her first year as principal of Glenwood Elementary School, she wasn’t alone. “I knew that I had a lifeline—just someone that I could call anytime who was in my same shoes,” she added referring to her mentor, veteran principal Krista Barton-Arnold of Parkway Elementary School. The two Read More…
PLP session introduces PE teachers to archery
“Can I kill it?” Elizabeth Werbiskis asked Karen Holson of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). Werbiskis was distracted by a large insect crawling in her direction just as she and her classmates assumed a shooting stance and steadied their archery bows. She would use her shoe, not an arrow, Werbiskis clarified, Read More…
