Gov. Terry McAuliffe was at Kellam High School yesterday afternoon, and he was there for one reason: to hear what teachers had to say about education in Virginia. It was the governor’s sixth education roundtable event held this year, and two of the teachers in attendance were Rosemont Forest’s Bradley Ward and Landstown High School’s Tom Anderson.

Ward and Anderson joined teachers from , Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, Isle of Wight, Williamsburg – James City County and York County. Also taking part in the roundtable conversation were State Secretary of Education Anne Holton and Virginia’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Steve Staples.

Teachers were asked a few different questions, including what they needed to have more creativity and innovation in the classroom. Teachers responded there was a need for more resources – more funding; more time for personal planning and research; and more opportunities for collaboration.

McAuliffe told attendees to the event that education was a priority for him in his budget planning process this year. McAuliffe also pointed out that Virginia has cut more than 5,000 jobs in education since the recession.

To address the needs of education, McAuliffe also asked the teachers if they could be governor for one day, what would they do?

Of the answers given, two of the most popular with the audience were restoring funding to the 2008-levels as well as letting school start before Labor Day.

McAuliffe’s visit to Kellam High School is one of the final stops on his statewide education tour. He has also met with groups of parents, students and community members across Virginia to talk about education priorities and the future of Virginia’s education system.