DOLLY PARTON’S IMAGINATION LIBRARY WILL EXPAND IN LYNCHBURG THIS YEAR

The Dolly Parton Imagination Library, an international initiative that sends free books to children from birth to age five, is extending its reach to additional Lynchburg-area zip codes this year. Local education-focused nonprofit The Aspire Foundation began partnering with DPIL last fall and has since signed up many families who reside in the 24501 and 24504 zip codes.

“When we started the program last September, we didn’t know how fundraising was going to go,” says Aspire Foundation co-founder Mary Omotoye. “We decided to start the program in 24501 and 24504 because according to the U.S. Census Bureau, those are the most socioeconomically challenged areas in Lynchburg. We are happy to announce that we now have enough funding to open the program up to 24502 and 24503 as well in 2020!” Grants from the Schewel Family Foundation, Centra Foundation, Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation, and Mustaches 4 Kids increased DPIL funding significantly.

Omotoye first learned about DPIL when she and her family lived in Cleveland, Ohio. She and her husband, Samuel, enrolled their two young sons in the program and received free books for about half a year. When the family moved to Lynchburg, however, they discovered that DPIL was not available. For the Omotoyes, this absence proved to be an exciting opportunity rather than a disappointment.

“I checked the Imagination Library website and found out that in order to be an affiliate of the program, you have to be a nonprofit organization,” Omotoye notes. “I talked to my husband about it and we thought, ‘Why don’t we start a nonprofit?’ We always had it in mind that we eventually wanted to do nonprofit work in the education sphere, so we thought this initiative was a great place to start.” The couple founded the Aspire Foundation in 2018.

Rox Cruz, a local mom and Freedom Schools Site Coordinator for The Listening, Inc., was one of the many parents who was excited about DPIL coming to Lynchburg.

“I am a major Dolly Parton fan, so I’ve known about this program for over 10 years,” Cruz says. “Once I had my first son, I wanted to sign him up for the program right away. We were living in Florida at the time, but unfortunately our zip code was not eligible for the program. I was so stoked to find out we were eligible in Lynchburg!”

Beloved country music artist Dolly Parton founded DPIL in 1995, and the program has since expanded beyond Dolly’s home state of Tennessee to all 50 states and to Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. Childhood literacy is a passion of Parton’s largely due to her own upbringing.

“Dolly Parton’s father was illiterate, and she grew up very poor. Her mission is to provide books for all children, no matter their family’s income,” said Omotoye, who also experienced a humble childhood. “My husband and I are immigrants and didn’t have a lot growing up, but good educations and a love of books and learning helped us find success—I’m a pharmacist and my husband is a physician.”

By 2003, DPIL had mailed one million books, and now the program sends out over one million books per month. DPIL earned the Library of Congress Best Practices Award in 2014, and the initiative’s 100 millionth book was dedicated to the Library of Congress in 2018.

Enrolled children between ages birth and five receive one free, high-quality book each month until they turn six. The books are selected by an expert panel and come from reputable publisher Penguin Random House. Titles are age-appropriate, at least two bilingual titles are sent to each child each year, and DPIL’s partnership with the Braille Institute of America ensures that blind and visually impaired children receive Braille books.

Cruz, whose sons are one-and-a-half and four, is especially grateful for the addition of bilingual books to their home library.

“My husband is Puerto Rican, so it is really meaningful to us that this program occasionally sends out bilingual books,” she says. “I was so excited when my four-year-old received A Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats in English and Spanish last month.”

Although DPIL is beneficial for all children in the targeted age range, it is ideal to enroll a child at birth.

“What’s special about this program is that it really starts from birth,” says Omotoye. “We’re really trying to target that age group before kindergarten because there are tons of studies that show that just having books in the home early on in a child’s life—before the child is even talking—is incredibly impactful on brain development and reading readiness.”

Of course, reading to your child is even more beneficial than simply having books in your home. “For parents, the DPIL books are a reminder to be more intentional about sitting down and reading with your children,” Cruz says.

Omotoye adds that DPIL has a “large impact with a relatively low financial input.” It costs $25 per child per year, which comes out to $2.10 per book including shipping costs.

With the upcoming inclusion of additional Lynchburg zip codes, the Aspire Foundation will be focusing on registering new families for DPIL in 2020. Existing partnerships with Miriam’s House, Johnson Health Center, Richeson Drive Pediatrics, the Jubilee Community Center, and Lynchburg City Schools (specifically the Pre-K Headstart program) will continue to raise awareness of and participation in the program, and Omotoye hopes to work with even more community partners this year.

“To register as many children as possible, we want to partner with places that provide services and programs for children,” she says. “We have many wonderful community partners already and are hoping to partner with One Community, One Voice and other organizations in the near future.”

Cruz highly recommends enrolling in the program as a supplement to taking your children to the library.

“We love taking our kids to the library, but this program brings free books to us when we’re too busy to go out or it’s flu season and we don’t want to risk our kids getting sick,” she notes.

Although the long-term benefits of DPIL, libraries, and reading books in general may be lost on little ones, the joy of receiving a free and personalized gift in the mail applies to folks of all ages.

“For kids, it’s simply a gift that they get in the mail,” Cruz says. “There’s a kind of magic in receiving snail mail, especially when you’re receiving something wrapped up with your name on it. My four-year-old thinks Grandma Dolly sends him the books personally!”

To check your family’s eligibility for DPIL, visit aspirefound.org. Although it is possible to register online, Omotoye recommends doing a written registration form at this time. To learn more about DPIL, visit imaginationlibrary.com.

Free Grants And Low-Cost Loans For College Might Be As Close As Your Laptop

High school seniors sweat two questions every fall: Will I get into college, and how will I pay for it?

Chances are, they and their families started agonizing over these challenges years ago, and that’s good: Their forward thinking is beneficial, especially when it comes to paying the high price of higher education, which ranges annually from $25,290 to $50,900 (see box). Planning hopefully means they’ve saved money—but, understandably, they still might not have enough stashed away. Most often, that is the case. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that in 2016, 85 percent of bachelor’s degree-seeking students received financial aid. According to Big Future, an online student planning tool offered by College Board, the SAT-creator, about 57 percent of financial aid is in the form of grants, and 34 percent in federal loans.

Tina Russell, director of financial aid at Christopher Newport University, describes these two types of aid as gift aid and self-aid, which can also include work-study jobs.

“Gift aid—grants or scholarships—is the best type of aid,” she notes, “as it does not have to be repaid.”

Exploring how much aid a student may qualify for is a multi-step process. Those who have specific colleges in mind can visit each school’s website and find a net price calculator. A student can enter his and his family’s financial information, such as income and bank accounts, to receive an estimate of his bill at the school, regardless of the listed price.

To qualify for aid, students must fill out the FAFSA—the free application for federal student aid. It opens online each year on Oct. 1. Again, the student will enter his and his parents’ financial information and answer other questions. At the end of the report, he can see a guide as to what he might expect for aid—either as grants he doesn’t need to repay or loans that can be paid back shortly after college graduation. Some federal loans do not accrue interest during college, while others do. Most students qualify for the loans, and the loan amount increases from $5,500 freshman year to $7,500 senior year.

Students forward the completed FAFSA® to each school they’re applying to. Some colleges ask for more detailed financial information as well. The schools then use the data to make a financial aid offer, which could also include funding from the state, the school and private sources.

“The best solution for seeking the best terms for aid is to research and apply for all aid sources, including scholarships, early,” Tina advises. “Contact each institution to ensure you have completed all required steps. Not all institutions are in a position to negotiate. Private colleges typically have an advantage when it comes to negotiating the terms of an aid package.”

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Average Annual Cost of College in 2018

In-state public colleges: $25,290
Out-of-state public colleges: $40,940
Private colleges: $50,900
Source: ValuePenguin

The Common-wealth Is A World-Class Higher Education Destination For Local And Out-Of-State Students Alike

For Virginia residents and out-of-state students alike, the commonwealth’s higher education institutions offer exceptional value and a wide range of programs to meet the needs of all types of students. Whether you are a student athlete looking to play at the collegiate level, a nontraditional student seeking to advance your career, an aspiring doctor, or something in between, Virginia has a higher education program where you will thrive.

During the 2018–2019 academic year, there were 521,471 students enrolled in Virginia’s higher education institutions, according to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. And it isn’t just enrollment that’s impressive. The commonwealth also boasts the second-highest public four-year graduation rate in the country. And in 2017, Virginia was named the No. 1 state for higher education by SmartAsset, a finance website. SmartAsset also noted that Virginia always ranks in the top 10 states for higher education.

According to SmartAsset, “Virginia’s public colleges and universities effectively educate their students. Virginia has one of the highest average graduation rates in our study at 70 percent. And, the average 20-year return on investment for graduates is $442,660, which is the fourth-highest ROI in our study. Additionally, the student-faculty ratio in Virginia rates seventh lowest in the nation.”

Virginia is home to 15 four-year public universities, 13 of which offer graduate programs. Students seeking associate degrees can choose from one of 23 two-year schools in the Virginia Community College System, or the Richard Bland College of William & Mary. There are also 28 private college options in Virginia, a great choice for students seeking small classes with an average student-faculty ratio of 11:1, more personalized attention and a focus on opportunities for campus and community involvement.

While Virginia colleges boast programs that encompass all areas of study, one major area of growth that sets the state apart is technology. When Amazon was considering Virginia as a site for its new headquarters, Virginia Tech promised to build a 1 million-square-foot Innovation Campus, and George Mason University vowed to open a new School of Computing and an institute for digital innovation. Amazon selected Northern Virginia as the site of their new $2.5 billion headquarters, so these schools are now working to hold up their ends of the bargain. Additionally, Northern Virginia currently has 33,000 unfilled jobs in cybersecurity, and universities are prioritizing technology programs to meet increased demand in the region.

Students pursuing careers in the medical field are also drawn to Virginia’s higher education institutions. Virginia’s four medical schools—Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine, University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine, Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine—are all highly ranked institutions. And while the cost of earning a medical degree is always substantial, Virginia doctors see a high return on their investment. Graduates who decide to practice medicine in the state can expect to earn 436 percent above the national median income for all occupations.

Many aspiring lawyers also set their sights on Virginia universities. Of the nine law schools in Virginia, UVA, William & Mary and Washington and Lee University rank the highest. UVA Law is the second-oldest continuously operating law school in the country and is perennially ranked among the nation’s top 10 law schools. William & Mary was the first university to offer a professional law education back in 1779. Additionally, William & Mary was ranked No. 1 on the list of Top 10 2019–2020 Military Friendly Graduate Schools and No. 5 for best law schools for government jobs, according to PreLaw Magazine. This year Liberty University School of Law placed 7th out of 203 schools for passing the bar exam, based on the American Bar Association’s pass rate data.

Virginia universities also draw top-notch athletes with their exceptional athletic programs. This year, the UVA Cavaliers took home the NCAA men’s basketball championship—one of the most recognized college athletics championships. The Cavaliers also won the 2019 NCAA men’s lacrosse championship this past year for the sixth time in their history. Virginia Tech, James Madison University and Old Dominion University all boast excellent athletic programs as well, providing student athletes with many options for playing their sport while receiving an exceptional education.

No matter what type of higher education program you are looking for, there are myriad factors that come into play when deciding which institution to attend. But if you’re seeking a world-class education, an excellent student-to-faculty ratio and a high return on your investment, looking no further than the commonwealth certainly has its benefits.

Two Professors Develop Life-Saving Technology

The energy buzzing through a college campus is generated by more than curious students: Faculty members—and their vision for the future as they double as professors opening minds and researchers improving the world—ignite their communities with possibilities. That’s especially the case with two professors who recently received honors and grants to continue developing new technology:

A computer program to treat cancer more precisely
For more than 15 years, Khan Iftekharuddin, Ph.D., has been researching brain tumors and now does so at Old Dominion University, where he is an engineering professor, associate dean for research and graduate programs and director of Vision Lab. He has secured funding from the Whitaker Foundation and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including a grant in 2016 with teams from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, University of California San Diego and University of Iowa.

Dr. Iftekharuddin’s goal is to provide doctors with a tool to pinpoint where cancerous tissue ends and healthy tissue begins. This can be difficult: Gliomas, the most common adult brain tumor, often intertwine with healthy tissue instead of forming a single mass. He and his researchers are training their as-of-yet-unnamed computer program to find elements in brain cancer patients’ MRI scans that relate to specific outcomes. They do so by first exposing the program to a large quantity of scans and then introducing new scans, on which the program uses computational methods to see patterns and identify a tumor’s shape.

Knowing the shape guides doctors delivering radiotherapy and follow-up treatments to patients. Patients may also have a better chance of being accepted into clinical trials with the results.

The program’s promise is strong—judges ranked it number one in a recent international competition sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and the Medical Imaging Consulting and Computer-Assisted Intervention Society—and so is its further development.

“We’ve obtained another NIH grant to study the process to bring this type of technology to patients’ bedsides,” says Iftekharuddin. “This research has also moved beyond just detection of brain tumor. We have been working on automated glioma grading and patient survival prediction using clinical, radiology, molecular and other patient data.”

Technology to protect wildlife and businesses
The Miracle on the Hudson, the nickname given to the safe water landing provided in 2009 by a US Airways pilot, is well known thanks to a movie, as is the fact that geese being sucked into the plane’s engine caused the crash. Lesser known is that 70,000 birds at the nearby airport were intentionally slaughtered in the eight years immediately after in an attempt to prevent bird-plane collisions. Yet, according to an Associated Press report in 2017, planes continued to collide with birds and did so at a rate higher than before the 2009 crash.

Bird collision is a topic John Swaddle, Ph.D., the newly appointed chair of the biology department at William & Mary, knows well. Nearly 10 year ago, he began studying birds and noise pollution. He noted birds’ sensitivity to noise and their resulting avoidance of places, in particular those areas with noise that has a frequency—or pitch—similar to their own sounds. Such environments make it difficult for birds to hear each other and lead to them to being too frightened to frequent the area. Dr. Swaddle developed sonic nets—spatially controlled

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Two Mistakes Students Make
1. Ignoring mail: Not responding to information requests on time can cause a student to miss out on aid. They should monitor emails, mail and student portals regularly and respond to requests as soon as possible.

2. Forgetting the requirements: Many grants and scholarships have requirements, such as maintaining a certain grade point average and meeting annual application deadlines. Students must understand and meet the criteria for continued aid.

—Tina Russell, Director of financial aid at Christopher Newport University

5 Pieces of Advice to Improve the School Year

Whether a child is starting school for the first time or returning to the classroom as a senior student, heading “back to school” is the perfect time to start fresh and begin the year in the right mindset.
We asked people in all areas of Lynchburg City Schools to give their best piece of advice to students of all ages.

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“Be involved as much as you can.”

Marcy Farris sent her son, Ben, off to school for the first time in the fall of 2016. She said during the transition process, she made sure to go to all the orientations she could and ask every question possible. “If you have questions, ask them,” she says. “Chances are someone else is wondering the same thing.” In fact, many times after a meeting she would have several parents come up to her and thank her for asking the questions they were too scared to voice.
Farris said her son’s school, Bedford Hills Elementary, was always supportive and never made her feel as if the question was too small or insignificant. If they didn’t know the answer, they were willing to find out. She felt much more prepared this year as Ben returned for his second year. Now that she has a year of the school routine under her belt, she plans on being involved as much as her schedule will allow her.

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“Tell your children what to expect.”

As the principal of Dearington Elementary School, Daniel Rule is no stranger to the back-to-school mindset. However, this year is a little bit different, as his oldest headed off to Kindergarten this fall. “A lot of time, children are excited to go to school, but that excitement fades when they realize they have to keep coming back day after day for years and years,” says Rule.
Get them interested in meeting new friends and learning new things. For example, in the weeks leading up to the first day, Rule gave his child regular “Kindergarten tests” by asking him to perform tasks such as showering by himself or pouring milk. “It really gets him excited about things,” he says.
Rule’s final piece of advice is to make sure your child knows their bus number. While the teachers will know it, it’s helpful if the child knows what number to look for and has it written down somewhere they can easily check, such as on their backpack.

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“Every new year is a chance to start fresh.”

“Often, students get into their heads that just because they had a bad year or weren’t a good student last year, that this year is going to be the same,” says Catherine Bragg, eighth grade English teacher at Dunbar Middle School.
However, Bragg doesn’t let this attitude stay around for very long in her classroom. On the first day of school, she lets her students know they can start fresh if they would like, giving them a chance to do better. “My eighth graders are still trying to decide if they want to participate in school or not, so I try to encourage them as much as I can,” Bragg says.
In the classroom, Bragg spreads this idea to daily life as well. She reminds students that just because they were grumpy or tired the day before doesn’t mean they can’t do well in the present. She encourages parents to utilize this mentality at home and has seen it turn student
mindsets around.

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“Don’t be afraid to reach out to teachers and peers about anything you need help with.”

Mary Kate Comerford is a rising senior at Heritage High School. “When starting a new year and a new grade, it’s a big change and adjustment,” she says. Comerford says she has a lot of questions at the start of each year and utilizes those around her for answers.
Normally, she asks upperclassmen about teachers—what to expect about their personality and workload. However, last year she had a history teacher who was new to the school. Since none of her peers could offer any information, Comerford went straight to the teacher to get answers. The teacher responded by laying out all the expectations for the year, a timeline Comerford could use to anticipate assignments, and guidelines for assignments. Comerford says, “Reaching out to her made me more comfortable. I didn’t have to go in blind.”

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“Stay on top of your grades.”

As the director of Heritage High School’s Future Center, Leidra McQueen helps prepare high school students for college. “Your GPA starts ticking on day one of high school, and it’s important for students not to let it slip,” she says. The clock starts even earlier for those who take high school classes while still in middle school. Even though GPAs carry over from year to year, McQueen says each year is still an opportunity to start fresh and recommit to doing well.
For those who struggle with a low GPA, assistance is available. Both E.C. Glass and Heritage high schools offer assistance through Beacon of Hope. The two Future Centers offer tutoring, SAT and ACT prep courses, financial aid assistance and college admission guidance.

Our 3rd Annual Top Teachers reception was held on March 4; hosted by The Timberlake Tavern and catered by Friends Catering, the event drew nearly 100 guests to honor some of the region’s best educators. A panel of judges selected the Top 25 after reviewing nominations sent in from the community. Check out our photos of some very heartfelt, memorable moments. And thank you to all of the teachers in the Hill City!

 

 

 

 

Being a teacher is more than just a job; it’s more than just a career. It’s a calling. It takes a truly special (and very, very patient) individual to educate, nurture and inspire our young people.

In our 3rd annual Top Teacher awards, Lynchburg Living is recognizing a few of the area’s most deserving educators. After reviewing nomination forms submitted by members of the community, a panel of judges selected our 2016-2017 winners.

From their favorite memories to their biggest challenges, learn more about the Top 10 on the following pages. They represent multiple school systems and grade levels. But they all had so much in common—including how they love it when a student finally understands something for the first time or how they wish they had more time in the day.

To all Central Virginia educators, not just those on this list, we thank you for your perseverance and dedication. You are pillars of our community.

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Lynchburg’s Top Teachers

Crystal DeLong
School: Liberty High School
Years as an Educator: 19
Currently Teaches: 9th grade World History II, Practical Law, 12th grade AP Government

Special Recognition:
• 2017 Region 5 Teacher of the Year
• 2017 Bedford County Teacher of the Year
• 2017 Liberty High School Teacher of the Year
• 2002 Staunton River Middle School Teacher of the Year

Educational Background:
• University of Bath-United Kingdom, Master of Arts in Education-International Education
• Roanoke College, Bachelor of Arts-History
• Virginia Tech, Master of Arts-Political Science (present)

Why did you become a teacher?
For as long as I can remember, I always wanted to be a teacher; I believe that everyone has a calling and I know without a doubt that I have been called to teach. Nothing feels more natural than stepping into a classroom and interacting with students. My passion for history runs
deep, and I am privileged to be able to share that every day with my students.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
As a teacher, the greatest thing I can do is to inspire my students to become life-long learners. The “Aha!” moments when a student finally grasps a concept are the moments and accomplishments that make teaching fulfilling. That is why I continue to come back every day and year after year. Even when challenges seem insurmountable, nothing is more rewarding than making a difference in a student’s life.

What are your biggest challenges?
Some days the biggest challenges I face in the classroom are helping a student to grasp a concept or to take ownership of their learning. Through differentiation and personalized learning I hope to be victorious in those situations. Paperwork and grading can feel overwhelming at times, but overall, the rewards of teaching greatly outweigh the challenges we face as teachers.

Looking back at your career, what would you say is your greatest personal accomplishment?
One of the most rewarding things I have been a part of in the past 10 years is Model United Nations (MUN). It was incredible to watch students’ worldviews expand as they became more exposed to other cultures and countries. Several of my MUNers have shared how MUN gave them confidence in speaking and debate, as well as expanding their worldview.

Describe a favorite memory with your students.
A good teacher invests in her students and school both inside and outside the classroom. The service aspect of National Honor Society was one of the main reasons I agreed to be the advisor. Serving alongside my students at the Big Island Fall Festival, Roanoke Rescue Mission or with Habitat for Humanity has provided lots of great memories.

If you could pass along one thing to others about the education field, what would it be?
I am grateful to have the opportunity to teach your children. Thank you to all those who support public education. We need your support as parents and stakeholders to be successful in the classroom. Thank you for entrusting your children to us.

From Her Nomination:
“[Crystal Delong] is a selfless individual that comes to work every day to make a difference in every student’s life. She has natural leadership ability and articulates the needs of the school to ensure that Liberty High School is the best that [it] can be. As the leader of Liberty High School, it is a pleasure to work with such a dedicated teacher and she deserves to be recognized for her outstanding commitment to Liberty High School, Bedford County Public Schools, and the field of Education!”
—Kathy Dills, Principal of Liberty High School

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Justin Neal
School: Yellow Branch Elementary
Years as an Educator: 5
Currently Teaches: 2nd grade

Special Recognition:
Received two grants from DonorsChoose.org

Educational Background:
• Liberty University, Bachelor of Science-Education
• Liberty University, Master of Arts-Elementary Education

Why did you become a teacher?
In elementary school, I always struggled with reading, decoding and comprehension. I remember what it felt like to sit in class and not know the words or understand the words. I remember sitting in my Title 1 Reading teacher’s classroom when I first learned to discuss and apply what I learned from reading. I remember how elated I was in that very moment. From the moment I joined the world as a true reader, I knew I wanted to teach others.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is that very moment when a student understands a concept I have taught them. It is truly amazing to watch my students apply the concepts they have learned to everyday life on their road to becoming a successful life-long learner. It is also very rewarding to see students improve throughout the year who have struggled.

What are your biggest challenges?
The biggest challenge I face as a teacher is getting all the tasks completed that need to be done. From lesson planning to grading papers to data collection, it is hard to fit everything in… in a timely fashion. However, I always remind myself that it will all get done, even when I feel otherwise!

Looking back at your career, what would you say is your greatest personal accomplishment?
My greatest personal accomplishment in my career is the relationships I have built with my students and their families. As teachers, we have a lot to do daily. I firmly believe in building relationships with my students and their families first, and everything else will fall into place.
I still keep in close contact with my former students and their families.

Describe a favorite memory with your students.
I would have to say my favorite memories are my end of the year award ceremonies. Our year together is displayed in pictures along with music. The reactions I get from my students and their parents are truly heartwarming.

If you could pass along one thing to others about the education field, what would it be?
If I could pass along one thing to anyone thinking about or pursuing a career in education, it would be to simply love your students. Let your students know you care, hold them accountable, and show them how fun learning can be. Create a positive, safe learning environment and your students will amaze you.

Teaching is hard every moment of every day, but it is certainly very rewarding.

From His Nomination:
“Justin is so fun and caring and really goes the extra mile every day to make learning exciting. He has a passion and energy for his students that is
rare and I could not be happier that my daughter has the opportunity to be influenced by such an involved teacher that truly loves his class and teaching.”
—Kelly Dalton, parent

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Emily Morris
School: Perrymont Elementary
Years as an Educator: 10
Currently Teaches:
Instructional coach, grades K-5

Special Recognition:
• 2011-2012 Perrymont ElementaryTeacher of the Year
• 2014-2015 Perrymont ElementaryTeacher of the Year

Educational Background:
• Liberty University, Bachelor of Arts-Elementary Education

Why did you become a teacher?
My elementary school teachers had a very positive impact on my life, and I wanted to do the same for young students.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Seeing teachers and students excited about learning and about sharing what they have learned with others.

What are your biggest challenges?
Helping teachers meet the needs of all students in their classrooms, on such a wide range of learning levels, with limited time.

Looking back at your career, what would you say is your greatest personal accomplishment?
Bringing teams of teachers together to share their learning and to work as a team in order to help all their students be successful.

Describe a favorite memory with your students.
One of my favorite memories was having the students’ family members come in for breakfast in the classroom and our morning meeting.

If you could pass along one thing to others about the education field, what would it be?
Share your learning with others—no educator is an island. Working together you can achieve so much more for your students.

From Her Nomination:
My son thrived in her classroom. She brought science to life, and went above and beyond to schedule guest speakers on various subject material. Her joy over her students is obvious.”
—Parent

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Debbie Lester
School: Brookville High School
Years as an Educator: 14
Currently Teaches: Economics and Personal Finance, VA/US Government

Special Recognition:
• 2014 Outstanding Economic Educator of the Year

Educational Background:
• Liberty University, Bachelor of Science-Social Science and History

Why did you become a teacher?
I love to inspire, encourage, and motivate—it was a natural fit for what I believe is my calling in life. Even as a young child, I loved playing school and having order. It’s funny because I enjoyed teaching in Sunday School and leading women’s fellowships but didn’t figure out that I should really be in the classroom until I was 30!

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Building real relationships with my students and seeing them succeed not only in the classroom but in their lives. I believe that in order for me to have the most impact on my students lives, I have to be the “real” me. They know me for all my strengths, weaknesses, and craziness…but most of all they know I genuinely love teaching and I love them.

What are your biggest challenges?
I think there is a general belief by some that teaching is no longer honorable. There is a lot of negativity about public education that sometimes makes it discouraging. Being able to come into my classroom and focus on the reason I teach is what makes it all worth it.

Looking back at your career, what would you say is your greatest personal accomplishment?
I love teaching Economics and Personal Finance. These are skills they will use their entire life. My favorite unit to teach is the stock market. We play the Stock Market Game each spring and have had great success with our teams every year. I have had the opportunity to take some of my students to Richmond and Washington, DC for recognition for building the most profitable portfolios in 10 weeks. Many of these students have never even left the Lynchburg area and for them to be able to be honored was a great experience for them.

Describe a favorite memorywith your students.
I think my favorite memory comes from this year and taking on the crazy student spirit club, renamed The Swarm. For several away football games, we took students on a spirit bus to cheer on our boys. The first game we had 52 students; the second game we had 102. Yes, it was crazy and loud, but we made really awesome memories for them!

If you could pass along one thing to others about the education field, what would it be?
Teaching is not for the faint of heart. It takes all of you—your heart, your soul, your mind—to teach and grow these students. Be prepared for great joy and great heartache. It is sort of like being a parent. Sometimes, you don’t see the payoff until after they are grown. Teachers invest all of themselves into their students because they see the great potential that lies within…it isn’t an easy job but like my dad has always told me: if everything was easy, it wouldn’t be worth it!

From Her Nomination:
“Our school has many kids that do not have a great home life, and Debbie fills a void many students have. She supports them, loves them, and treats them all like her very own.”
—Lindsey Sharman, co-worker

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Ronda Chandler
School: Amherst County High School
Years as an Educator: 12
Currently Teaches: Health and Physical Education, 9th grade Girls

Special Recognition:
• Received Golden “A” from student for being an Inspirational Teacher

Educational Background:
• Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, Bachelor of Science-PreK-12 Health and Physical Education
• Emporia State University of Kansas, Master of Science-Health, PE and Recreation

Why did you become a teacher?
I grew up around children and liked the idea of inspiring young minds. I also was a year-round athlete throughout school and wanted the opportunity to be involved in school sports.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
When you have that one student who recognizes everything you do for your job is to help them be the best they possibly can. Knowing that the information that has been given to a student has been taken and applied to their future is not only a memorable but rewarding experience.

What are your biggest challenges?
A big challenge for me, as with any public educator, is funding. Physical Education equipment is expensive and the classes tend to be on the larger side. I have to be creative with the equipment I have while making class engaging and informative.

Looking back at your career, what would you say is your greatest personal accomplishment?
My greatest personal accomplishment would be completing my master’s degree while teaching full time and coaching the varsity girls’ soccer team.

Describe a favorite memory with your students.
Some of my fondest memories with my students are years after I have had them in class, and they come back to tell me how much they enjoyed my class. Also telling me that I have helped to show them that Physical Education could be fun and enjoyable is something I hold special.

If you could pass along one thing to others about the education field, what would it be?
To be an effective teacher you need to remember to not sweat the small stuff and to pick your battles with students. Remember, no one is perfect and everyone has their bad days, teachers and students alike. It takes just one smile or one compliment to brighten a student’s day and to leave a lasting impression.

From Her Nomination:
“She can always tell when something is wrong with one of her students. She often notices that I am anxious before I even tell anyone… She does her best to make health and PE fun… She makes gym interactive and comes up with ways to include all students… [Ms. Chandler] is not only an amazing teacher but a wonderful person who models compassion.”
—Grace Hall-Matson, student

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Karen Rodriguez
School: New London Academy
Years as an Educator: 28
Currently Teaches: 5th Grade

Special Recognition:
• Bedford County Teacher of the Year (2004)

Educational Background:
• Concord College, Bachelor of Science
• University of Virginia, Master of Arts in Education-Curriculum and Instruction

Why did you become a teacher?
As long as I can remember, I have always valued education. Through life experience, I came to recognize that regardless of a person’s background, the opportunity to learn can be a game changer. I therefore chose to become an educator. This career would allow me to the give the gift of learning and impart knowledge, allowing my students to grow to their fullest potential.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
There are many rewards in the teaching field. However, for me, the most rewarding is the interactions I have with my students. Within my classroom, we build a community filled with learning, laughing and sharing. Our lessons extend beyond the curriculum. When my students exit the classroom, I feel confident they are better equipped for life’s challenges.

What are your biggest challenges?
In the high stakes world of testing, my biggest challenge is creating a meaningful and engaging curriculum. Today’s educational environment is highly focused on student assessment. I want my students to recognize that learning is much more than testing. Therefore, I strive to create lessons that are student-centric with choice and meaning.

Looking back at your career, what would you say is your greatest personal accomplishment?
As I look back on my career, I feel my greatest accomplishment is the opportunity I have been given to mentor young educators. It is an honor to be able to work with the next generation of teachers and share my experiences. I am hopeful to provide continued leadership to my peers.

Describe a favorite memory with your students.
One of my favorite memories is receiving a call from a high school teacher telling me about a letter a former student of mine had written.

The letter explained how the student’s perspective towards acceptance and respect of others was forever changed after her fifth grade year. I felt proud that beyond the academics, she had learned a lesson of love and compassion.

If you could pass along one thing to others about the education field, what would it be?
To look past the demands of the profession and recognize the purpose of your work. Some days, you will be frustrated and overwhelmed. When that happens, look toward your students: within them lies hope and the motivation to continue. Simply, they are worthy of your best.

From Her Nomination:
“[Mrs. Rodriguez] creates a safe and caring learning environment for all her students each day… She takes time to listen to my son…really listen to him. She engages all her students in learning. She is a difference maker.”
—Michelle Fluker, parent

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Julie Speck
School: Heritage Elementary School
Years as an Educator: 13
Currently Teaches: Kindergarten

Special Recognition:
• 2012-2013 Heritage Elementary Teacher of the Year
• Received a 2017 grant for $1,310 for Augmented Reality Software (Learning Alive Plus) from Lynchburg Education Foundation
• Received $5,309 in grants through DonorsChoose.org over the past 5 years

Educational Background:
• Central Michigan University, Bachelor of Science-Elementary Education

Why did you become a teacher?
As a child (with a younger sibling), I spent countless hours playing school in my free time. As I continued my schooling, I saw just what an impact a teacher can have on a student. Teachers essentially are shaping the next generation! I think it’s an honor (and a calling) to be able to do that daily!

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Every year I get a classroom full of students, some of which have never even held a pencil and can’t tell you their full name. After a year of hard work, these same students are leaving my classroom able to write short stories, read books independently, and do simple math problems. Seeing how much of a transformation each student makes at the end of the year has to be the most rewarding part of my job!

What are your biggest challenges?
Not having enough time in the day. Teaching is definitely not an 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. job! You teach until 3:30, make sure everyone gets home correctly, and return to your room to get ready for another day. In Kindergarten, that requires getting everything set for the next day, writing lesson plans, mentoring new teachers, attending meetings, searching for new grant options, researching new strategies, calling parents, and so much more.

Looking back at your career, what would you say is your greatest personal accomplishment?
I believe my greatest accomplishment so far is staying current in the field of education. I am constantly researching new technology, instructional items, curriculums, etc. Being that many of the students I am currently teaching will probably have jobs that do not yet exist, I feel like it’s important to stay on top of new trends and ideas.

Describe a favorite memory with your students.
On the 100th day of school, I LOVE to celebrate the number 100 with my students! I dress up as a 100-year-old granny named Miss Alice. The students are so sweet and empathetic, always willing to help me get around the school and complete a day packed full of activities involving the number 100! Some students join in the fun and dress up also.

If you could pass along one thing to others about the education field, what would it be?
FLEXIBILITY! Teachers make hundreds, if not thousands, of decisions during the day and are required to always be flexible. You may have an amazing lesson planned only to find out your smart board won’t turn on, the copier is broken, or there is no more paper, so you need to do something else. As professionals, the expectations people have for you are also ever changing. No two days will ever be the same or go entirely as you have planned, but it will definitely be rewarding!

From Her Nomination:
“Julie spends countless hours at home and at school finding ways to reach students. She is usually the last teacher to leave in the evenings and comes in to work on many weekends. She looks for new ways to help students stay engaged and enjoy school.” —Christine Harp, co-worker

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Jessica Hott
School: Bedford Middle School
Years as an Educator: 15
Currently Teaches: 7th grade Civics & Economics

Special Recognition:
• 2015-2016 Bedford Middle School Teacher of the Year
• 2015-2016 Bedford Area Educational Foundation Grant Recipient-Digital Makerspace
• 2014-2015 Stonewall Jackson Middle School Teacher of the Year
• 2011 Richmond Flying Squirrels Baseball Teacher of the Year Nominee
• 2002-2003 Stonewall Jackson Middle School Beginning Teacher of the Year

Educational Background:
• Lynchburg College, Master of Education-Educational Leadership (present)
• Virginia Commonwealth University, Master of Education-Special Education
• Lynchburg College, Bachelor of Arts-Early Childhood Development

Why did you become a teacher?
Ever since I was old enough to remember, I had remarkable teachers who invested their time and energy into my future. Their nurturing support in my formative years was instrumental in my decision to become a teacher. Particularly Mrs. Palmer, who instilled the importance of character and self-determination.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
It’s all about the students! Walking into the classroom each and every day seeing a room full of smiling students ready and eager to learn. I love reaching the needs of all my students through creative, innovative and differentiated instruction. The joy of teaching is seeing sparks go off when students grasp content material and make connections with the past and present.

What are your biggest challenges?
Competing for my students’ attention and desire for technology while providing and promoting innovative learning experiences with that same technology is an ongoing challenge. In addition, differentiated instruction utilizing technology can be difficult with limited resources.

Looking back at your career, what would you say is your greatest personal accomplishment?
In 2013, a student asked if I would sponsor her participation in the National History Bee, and I was able to recruit three more. The next year, I held a school-wide competition with over 80 students battling for one of four spots. After three years, the National History Bee became a county-wide competition with schools working together to prepare history buffs for the national competition. It is a rewarding feeling to see students soar and exceed their own expectations.

Describe a favorite memory with your students.
My all-time favorite memory was of a 1920s unit. In collaboration with the school librarians, we turned the library into a 1920s speakeasy. Along with 1920s décor, stations were set up around the library. They included activities with 1920s slang words, a costume photo booth for students, KaHoot trivia and dancing the Charleston. Students were excited, engaged and quite impressed their teacher would dance the Charleston with them!

If you could pass along one thing to others about the education field, what would it be?
One daily contribution to education is something I think may be the smallest and easiest act: be kind. Students model behaviors from their teachers, and as much as we desire academic success, being kind never goes out of style. Teach kindness!

From Her Nomination:
“Ms. Hott is the type of teacher that will go above and beyond whether she was recognized as a Top Teacher or not. She truly cares for her students and puts in long hours to prepare lessons that promote critical thinking and application. She cares about the students that have less than others and she always advocates for their needs.” —Rhetta Watkins,
principal at Bedford Middle School

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Robin Powell Wood
School: Robert S. Payne Elementary
Years as an Educator: 40
Currently Teaches: 3rd grade

Special Recognition:
• 1st “Teacher of the Year” for Robert S. Payne
• Recognized as “Teacher of the Year” by Wal-Mart

Educational Background:
• Longwood College, Bachelor of Science-Education

Why did you become a teacher?
My paternal grandmother was a teacher as I was growing up. I was fortunate enough to live behind her, so visits occurred frequently. My siblings, cousins and I would sit in rocking chairs on her big front porch and play “Kiddie College.” My grandmother would ask questions for us to answer. She made learning fun.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
Helping a child learn when they doubted themselves is amazing, but the most rewarding part is when I can make a difference in their lives. I want my students to feel safe, loved and admired. I want to help them see the value in making good choices and becoming the best person they can.

What are your biggest challenges?
There are many challenges day to day in every classroom. Can I solve all problems? No, but I have to try. I have to let my students know that they are all important to me and that I am one of their biggest fans. They speak, I listen.

Looking back at your career, what would you say is your greatest personal accomplishment?
One year I had a student that was a “selective mute” who did not talk to many people at all. My daughter, who also works at my school, and I gave up our lunch and recess time to work with her. Once we got her laughing, words were not far behind, then sentences.

It wasn’t long before her mother was telling me what the child was doing at home.

She started going to sleepovers and even church. Her mother wrote to me several times over the years to let me know that her child was still progressing wonderfully.

Describe a favorite memory with your students.
My favorite memories are when my former students come back to see me years later. Hearing their successes makes what I do worth it. Some of my former students are in the military (one flew rescue missions on a Black Hawk), a few are in education, some are in the medical field, and others have families they are proud of. Many times I go out in Lynchburg and hear, “Excuse me. Are you Mrs. Wood? You were my teacher. Remember when…” Luckily, I do still, “Remember when.”

Most of the time I even remember their names. They ask, “Are you still teaching?”
I can proudly say, “Yes, I am.”

If you could pass along one thing to others about the education field, what would it be?
Teaching is not easy. In the beginning, you will go home crying about your experiences. How could I have been a better teacher today? How can I make a difference? Your heart breaks over the hardships that some of your students are dealing with. You have to dry your tears and find joy and purpose in what you are doing. Find ways to help your students cope with any hardships. Create a classroom of trust and mutual caring. First, you have to build community in that classroom. Then the learning will come.

From Her Nomination:
“Her motherly love and high expectations create a motivating environment for all students. It is evident that she cares personally for each child and takes a genuine interest in each one’s life. She takes the time to find out what is important to them and she remembers the details-the things that
matter to her students.”
—Becky Scott, co-worker

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Betsy Layne
School: James River Day School
Years in Education: 20
Currently Teaches: 1st grade

Special Recognitions:
• Nominated for the Disney Teacher Award
• William M. Walker Family Meritorious Teaching Award

Educational Background:
• Elon College, Bachelor of Arts-Education
• University of Virginia, Master of Arts-Reading

Why did you become a teacher?
My mother and kindergarten teacher were instrumental in my decision to become a teacher. They instilled the love of creative play in me. I still remember climbing through refrigerator boxes and creating a drive up window to my house for shopping. Every summer I was a camp counselor for the recreation department in my hometown of East Aurora, NY. It was in that close knit community where I learned to connect with children early on.

What is the most rewarding part of your job?
The joy I get when a child has that, “I think I can, I know I can” moment and their eyes begin to sparkle because they finally made a connection is unbelievable. That is the gift of teaching and making connections is key. When I look back on my career, I have built friendships of a lifetime. I have been blessed to work with individuals who are positive and upbeat, which is contagious.

What are your biggest challenges?
My biggest challenge is time. I often wish I had more time in the day to engage in learning experiences with my students. I feel success when my students say, “The day is already over? You know what that means, time flies when we are having fun!” I often think that when you love what you are doing, the time really does pass too quickly.

Looking back at your career, what would you say is your greatest personal accomplishment?
Getting my master’s degree before I became a mother. This gave me the opportunity to pursue my passion of becoming a reading specialist. My most recent accomplishment is that I have begun to embrace technology after years of trying to hold on to my “flip phone.” This year, my first graders became global engineering partners with a class in Bangalore, India. This has been a really cool experience.

Describe a favorite memory with your students.
Looking back, I think of the time when we took our kindergarten students to Virginia Beach. When we finally arrived at the beach, it was unreal to see my students’ expressions when I announced, “Roll up your pants and run through the ocean!” Many of my students had never left their small town before, and here they were, in the ocean, frolicking with their friends. That was an awesome day that I will never forget!

If you could pass along one thing to others about the education field, what would it be?
To have a sense of humor and to connect with your students and their families. I feel blessed to have worked with so many amazing families over the last 20 years. One thing that I strive hard to do is build character in my students.

My goal is to help my students become the best “tiny” citizens they can be.

From Her Nomination:
“My daughter was very nervous joining a new school and a new class at the end of the school year. After she spent a morning in the class before our move, Mrs. Layne had each student sign a welcome card for my daughter and then sent it to our home….The students in her class are engaged, happy, and come home every single day excited to go back the next.” —Michelle Davis, parent

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Top Teachers 11-25

Tosha Weddle
Stewartsville Elementary School

Diane Brown
Dunbar Middle School

Amanda Barclay
Forest Elementary School

Michael Long
E.C. Glass High School

Sarah Davis
Brookville High School

Jennifer Anderson
Virginia Episcopal School

Dana Beall
Linkhorne Middle School

Nathan Kurko
Amherst Middle School

Kerry Doremus
Paul Munro Elementary School

Barry Calloway
Bedford Science and Technology Center

Victoria Meredith
Rustburg High School

Traci Miller
Amherst County High/Middle School

Jonathan Collins
Amherst County High SChool

Ashley Nowell
Bedford Hills Elementary School

Michael Myers
Campbell County Technical Center

Your Virginia529 Questions Answered

Years before Tamara Parker adopted her daughter, Jenna, she and her husband were already thinking about how they’d pay for a child’s college education. “It was before she was even born,” Parker said, referring to 4-year-old Jenna.

Lately, Parker has been thinking more and more about the cost of college. After all, according to CollegeData.com, “a ‘moderate’ college budget for an in-state public college for the 2016-2017 academic year averaged $24,610. A moderate budget at a private college averaged $49,320.”
Multiply that times four and a bachelor’s degree—what Parker envisions for her daughter—can easily run six figures. For a lot of parents, that’s a shock.

“One of the largest misconceptions about college is it’s a lot more expensive than most people think it is or plan for,” John Hall, certified financial planner at Lynchburg Wealth Management, said.

“A lot of folks, they’ll look at, ‘What are my tuition costs?’ Books can be a couple hundred bucks. Supplies, room and board is expensive. It all adds up to be your combined college cost. Sometimes, folks will pay for the tuition but still have a financial burden because they haven’t planned for all the expenses of college.”

To tackle this problem, Parker is thinking about a 529 plan.

As described at Virginia529.com, 529s—named for the IRS section code that established the tax advantages for such plans—“help you plan and save for qualified higher education expenses at eligible educational institutions.”

There are two basic options: Virginia529 prePAID, in which tuition costs are more or less locked in, and college savings plans, which act much like an investment account. In the savings plan category, there are three options—inVEST, CollegeAmerica and CollegeWealth—which have subtle differences and are further explained on the Virginia529 website.

Some kind of 529 plan is offered by all U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and money saved is tax free when used for college. In Virginia, there are additional tax benefits as well.

Parker shared some of her questions with Lynchburg Living:
My biggest concern is if Jenna doesn’t go to college, what happens to that money? I don’t want it locked in and we can’t touch it. If we have an extreme emergency and we have to touch that money is it even an option?

According to Hall, all money saved through a 529 plan is “tax free, as long as it’s used for education. It works the same way as an IRA or 401K. So, as long as you take it out for the purpose it’s intended for, you’re not paying taxes on it when you take it out.

“There are scenarios where you do [pay taxes]. If your child ends up not needing it…or might get other ways to pay for college—a scholarship—you have to do something with the money. You can transfer it to an immediate family member … and that’s a tax-free transfer, but if you take it out for no educational expenses, there would be a penalty and taxes on it at that time.”

Are 529s just for four-year, Virginia colleges or can they be applied to community college, or even a university in another state? Can it be used for a trade school?

“It just has to be a qualified higher education expense,” Hall said. “It can be trade school or community college. It includes books. It doesn’t have to go to tuition. In some cases, room and board. It depends on how it’s classified. No apartments, but on-campus housing.”

And you’re not limited to Virginia schools. “A lot of folks think if my kid doesn’t want to go to U.Va. or Tech, and wants to go to Alabama, it won’t pay for them, but it will,” Hall said.

Michael Farris, dean of enrollment management at Central Virginia Community College, added a caveat, however. While a 529 plan will pay for out-of-state schools, he said, out-of-state tuition is more expensive.

“The best bang for your buck … would be to stay in state,” Farris said, “because if you’re going to a school out of state—I’ve seen this often—money they save, that could effectively be paying the in-state rate … is only going to go about half as far.”

Does Jenna have to use it immediately, right out of high school? Can she delay going to college?
According to Virginia529.com, college savings plans—inVEST, CollegeAmerica, CollegeWealth—require that funds be used within 30 years “after the beneficiary’s projected high school graduation date.”

If the account was opened after graduation, funds must be used within 30 years of that point.

For prePAID plans, funds have to be used within 10 years of high school graduation.

Another common question involves whether you need a financial advisor to set up a 529 or if you can do it yourself. “You can do it on your own,” Hall said. “For lots of folks, particularly here in Virginia, I recommend going directly to the Virginia529 website.

“You can purchase a plan or invest in a plan there. It’s cheaper than if you went to a bank or financial advisor, unless the financial advisor chooses not to charge you. For a lot of folks, that option makes sense and I do encourage people to look at that.”

Not intending to put himself out of business, however, he added, “Financial advisors can help parents plan for education expenses, keeping the family’s entire financial picture in mind. I simply wanted to state that there’s an easy option in Virginia to invest in a 529 plan directly online, and it’s a good option that I often recommend.”

No matter what route you take, local professionals say the 529 is a good plan. “I recommend it, most definitely,” Farris said. “I don’t say that lightly. Saving for college is a challenge, and an extreme challenge because of the cost and so many variables and unknowns. If the family has the means to do it, I’d highly recommend doing it.”

Everything you need for a successful school year

Lit From Within: Heritage High Goes Back to School

Sunlight streams through the upper windows, flooding the central hallway. Appropriately dubbed “Main Street,” this corridor is the primary lifeline of the newly opened Heritage High School (HHS). It’s grand, expansive, and, most importantly, brand new.

“It looks new; it feels new; it smells new, and it sounds new,” Head Principal Tim Beatty said. “Because of the layout of the building and the technology that our students will be exposed to, the new building should be a game changer for our staff and school community.”

So, how much of a “game changer” can one building be, you may ask? That all depends on how the building came to be and why.

A HISTORY OF LIMITATIONS
“Poor lighting, leaking after rain storms, freezing or suffocating temperatures, narrow hallways, five [congested] floors—” these are “just a few” of the problems that plagued their old building according to Michele Wisskirchen, an alumna and now HHS teacher.

As teachers, “we worry about our students not being safe, not having the access to technology, or not being comfortable as they learn,” Wisskirchen explains. “It’s hard for them to take an SOL test with sweat pouring down their faces.”

“Limited” is how teacher and alumni Alex Drumheller describes education in the old building.

In fact, at Drumheller’s HHS graduation ceremony in 1987 the temperature was higher than 90 degrees when a storm broke and led to rain water pouring through the gymnasium roof.

Ben Copeland summarizes it this way: “This building is new, warm, inviting and bright versus what was old, dark, dingy and leaky.” As the Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Administration for Lynchburg City Schools, Copeland has been leading this project since August 2012.

To arrive at this fresh start, Herculean efforts were required. Input was gathered from “teachers, parents, students, community [members], City Council and the School Board,” Wisskirchen recalls. All of these people were “gathering together, throwing out ideas of what we wanted and needed on endless sticky notes.” Those ideas were distilled to trends then themes and—finally—a design.

Standing in the new building today, Copeland says, “It’s been my major project, and I’m thrilled. I think it could change the student culture.”

Perhaps, even be a game changer.

A CLEAN SLATE
Upon entering “Main Street,” you see soaring, open ceilings, wide walkways, and light, lots of natural light. In fact, “natural” describes the aesthetics all around. Brick, natural wood and burnished concrete floors compose the majority of spaces, creating a warm space more reminiscent of an attractive college campus than a traditional high school. But, after walking a bit, you start to notice the total absence of lockers.

Instead of lining the hallways, lockers are housed in four bays strategically placed around the building. Designed to prevent hallway congestion, they allow students to stop at their lockers without interrupting the flow of foot traffic because they’re anchored at three-way intersections with hallways leading off of them. The bays are also adjacent to staircases and entrances feeding in from the bus drop off zone.

The search for natural light—a priority for everyone—led to this unique building layout according to Copeland. Gone is the double-loaded corridor with classrooms on each side—a design of the past. This building is like “a big academic horseshoe with the main street hallway, an interior courtyard…support spaces in the middles of the hallways, [and] all the classrooms on the outside [where] we’ve got the courtyard in the middle, which allows you to get light to the interior classrooms.”

“Natural light’s proven to help education,” Copeland adds. “It helps learning, so we got as much light into the building as we can.”

When planning began, Copeland says ideas were simply crystallizing; they were asking The Big Questions, starting from the ground up. They needed to know: “What’s it need to look like? Is it going to be a two-story building? What departments need to be next to each other?”

These questions helped to identify “clusters” he says, which became building blocks for the structure and kicked off the process of preliminary design drafts, feedback, revision, more drafts, and so on. Purposeful attention to layout enhances student learning, teacher collaboration and overall efficiency.

Consider the “circulation in the building—the flow,” Copeland says. “You walk down hallways in this building, and every hallway brings you back to somewhere. There’s only one, true dead-end hallway. In the academic wing, if you turn consecutive lefts, you’ll come back to where you started.”

Nothing was done by accident; Copeland was very intentional about gleaning input for each space and function of the school. And it shows.

ENHANCED STUDENT EXPERIENCE
Here’s where things get particularly detailed, and the idea of a “game changer” seems especially apt. Inside each of these bright, window-flanked classrooms, you find an environment primed for learning: visibility is optimized; distraction is minimized. Beatty’s assertion that student engagement will look differently isn’t an exaggeration. Any teacher will tell you that distractions are the enemy of student engagement. A student neglecting to charge their Chromebook (a standard issue item for every HHS student) could lead to the loss of valuable time. However, with the addition of multiple, retractable power cords hanging from the ceilings and the inclusion of numerous wall outlets, Chromebooks can stay continuously powered. And with the implementation of desk clusters and the addition of three TV monitors in every classroom, Copeland says that from “whatever orientation you’re facing” in a classroom—you can see a screen.

Since the old building “wasn’t adequate for modern education [and] didn’t lend itself to education in the last 10 years,” as Copeland says, there had to be what Beatty calls a “mindset shift.”

And part of that mindset shift will be an ongoing challenge for teachers, albeit one they welcome with open arms.
Wisskirchen is in a collaboration room, meaning it has “five different team project-based workstations all linked together via technology, so students can work together in groups,” Copeland says, and then teachers can easily project information onto all of the work station screens at once.

“I have lots of new technology to learn,” Wisskirchen says. “But learning is an opportunity for growth, and new technology will help our students engage in instruction and will help teachers differentiate their instruction for all types of learners.”

Intentional teacher input also influenced particular departments—those “clusters” Copeland mentioned. Drumheller says, “The arrangement of the rooms will. . .provide optimal use of technology and collaboration between students and teacher” because prep rooms are placed between larger classroom labs. . .[and we have] updated lab equipment, [which] will allow us to impact the education of our students in a profound way [because] we have been limited” in the past. He adds, “Being an Environmental Science teacher, it was quite funny not to be able to see outside.” Of course, like many other classrooms, Drumheller’s now faces out to the courtyard from up on the second story.

Lead art teacher Jon Roark is also excited about the windows and a direct doorway to the courtyard from his classroom.

Roark—whose collaborative work with students is visible all throughout the region from projects with the Academy Center of the Arts to published books—finally has facilities that match the talent he cultivates. The art suite is truly top of the line, equipped with 20 MacBooks, a pottery room with wheels and a large kiln, student work centers, ample storage, and, plenty of natural light.

“Now, we have the option to grow the program,” Copeland says.

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY
By Copeland’s estimation, and many others’, this new building will also finally reflect the community aspect and aspirations of the students who attend.

“My favorite memories are the interactions between teachers and students,” Wisskirchen says. “The school embraces the diversity of its students, and I always felt I was a part of something. . .It is a family atmosphere, and students are accepted for who they are.”

Appropriately, certain elements in the design emphasize this concept of community: the spacious courtyard; the cavernous gymnasium with basketball courts Beatty describes as “beautiful”; the keeping of the indoor track, which has long been Heritage’s claim to fame; the two-story media center with views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and ample seating for group or individual study.

Teachers will also benefit from improved opportunities for collaboration inside their five teacher work centers, all of which have conference tables, small kitchenette areas and flexible seating options.

Wisskirchen is looking forward to “seeing [students] congregate in the commons area, and for the community to see an example of what we can accomplish together.”

Now, at the end of this four-year project, Copeland says this is his favorite part, to see it all completed.

“To be given something like this, as much thought and effort went into it—students can now work to their highest level.”

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By Jennifer Redmond | Photos by LaSHONDA Delivuk