2008 Excellence in Education Award Winners
Virginia Tech
College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
School of Education
Superintendent Region 1
School: Prince George Education Center
Program: Prince George County’s Program of Accelerated Learning
Program Originator: Cheryl Perkins
This program was developed to help students that were unsuccessful in the 7th grade and were two years behind their natural graduating class. The students in the program do not qualify for any special services. The program concentrates on Math and Reading remediation using a small teacher to student ratio. Cheryl Perkins is the program originator.
Superintendent Region 2
School: Virginia Beach City Schools Princess Anne High School
Program: Using Data to Build a Learning Community
Program Originator: Patricia W. Griffin
This program initiative focuses heavily on the use of data to set goals, identify priorities, and drive decisions throughout the school. The objective was to create a high performing school characterized by an environment of high expectations for both academics to personal/social performance.
Superintendents’ Region 3
School: Northumberland County Public Schools
Program: Students Training for Algebra Readiness (STARS)
Program Originator: Amy S. Lamb
This program was designed to promote the mathematical achievement of at-risk students who display mathematical aptitude. STARS provides algebraic focused activities to 5th and 6th graders to enable them to successfully complete Algebra I in grades 7 or 8.
Superintendent Region 4
School: Central High School in Woodstock, Virginia
Shenandoah County Public Schools
Program: Falcon Nest Preschool Program
Program Originator: Connie R. Pangle
The high school students become members of the preschool staff through enrollment in the Early Childhood Education course. It is expected that high school students will gain invaluable experience working with young children.
Superintendent Region 4
Schools: Five Elementary Schools in Culpeper County Public Schools
Program: STRIDES – Striving Towards Research-based Interventions and Data-driven Evidence for Student Success
Program Originators: Angelique Wynkoop and Karie Lane
This program involves five elementary schools in Culpeper County Public Schools. The mission of STRIDES is to use the resources and staff expertise efficiently to catch and solve student problems early and to close the gap between current performance and expected levels of achievement before the gap gets even wider. Also, to provide teachers with new tools to reach the students.
Superintendent Region 5
School: Dearington Elementary School for Innovation
Lynchburg city Public Schools
Program: DESI Mundo
Program Originator: Barbara Clair
This program enables students to apply real world experiences. Economics, math, and writing make up the main focus of the project. Each student is a citizen of DESI Mundo and is responsible for contributing to society. Students work in classroom jobs and earn wages that can be spent to purchase items in the Mundo Store, or to engineer items sold on “Market Day”.
Superintendent Region 6
School: Henry County Schools
Program: Explore Camp
Program Originator: Melany Reeves Stowe
The camp is a four-day summer enrichment opportunity in which students explore appealing camp problem-solving sessions that tackle real-world challenges through participation and hands-on experiments. Classes include: Lights! Camera! Action! Music!, Pottery and Jewelry making and Spanish Fiesta to name a few.
Superintendents Region 7
School: Northwood Middle School Smyth County Public Schools
Program: Food Back Pack
Program Originator: Betty D. Webb
The program provides nutritious meals to children over the weekend during the school year. The bulk of the food items come from donated sources to the Second Harvest Food Bank. During the last five minutes of school on Friday or the last day of school for the week, the students go to the school auditorium to pick up their bags.
Superintendent Region 8
School: Halifax County Schools
Program: Dual-Enrollment
Program Originator: Shawn Haws
The Dual-Enrollment program objectives were to assist students in the development of a career pathway that will better prepare them for college or immediate entry into the workforce. After 3 years work, the project has resulted in 23 culturally diverse students receiving an Associate of Arts or Science Degree prior to obtaining their high school diploma.