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Announcements:

May 13, 2013


FOLKS----This is a compilation of information from NASSP website, and some information I have added.  I think some of you might be very interested in the configuration map.  His gathering of MS Characteristics from practitioners from across the US must have hit several STW oriented respondents as the list became quite similar to STW domains.  He is a wonderful leader, and also a fine musician who loves to perform with his group.
 
Sandy
   
NASSP is pleased to announce the winners of its 2013 Dr. Ted Sizer Dissertation Competition, Dr. Ken Nicely  for the middle school competition.
The winning entries exemplify NASSP's long-term commitment to supporting best middle level and high school leadership practices. This award program is intended to focus professional and scholarly attention on the complex problems facing high school and middle level leaders, and bring the national research agenda to bear on issues of concern for school leaders.

Dr. Ken Nicely, winner of the middle level competition, is the director of secondary instruction and technology for Roanoke (VA) County Public Schools. His dissertation, Middle Level Schools in an Era of Standards and Accountability: Adaptations of the Features of the Middle School Concept,explored the development and testing of an innovation configuration map for the middle school concept implemented in the context of standards and accountability.
  
Ken Nicely, winner of the middle level competition, is the director of secondary instruction and technology for Roanoke (VA) County Public Schools. Nicely completed his doctorate at Virginia Tech under the tutelage of James Craig in March 2012.  His dissertation, Middle Level Schools in an Era of Standards and Accountability: Adaptations of the Features of the Middle School Concept, explored the development and testing of an innovation configuration map for the middle school concept implemented in the context of standards and accountability. The product of the process was the development of a diagnostic tool that may be used in future research to identify acceptable forms of implementation of the middle level philosophy of education.
“Dr. Nicely’s study comes at an opportune time as many middle level schools are struggling to find a way to maintain the middle level concept in an era of standards and accountability,” said Patti Kinney, NASSP associate director of middle level services. “His creation of a diagnostic tool to aide in the identification of critical features of the middle level concept in today’s educational context should prove valuable to both researchers and practitioners.”
 
Prior to his appointment to his current position at the central office, Dr. Nicely was principal of Hidden Valley Middle School, A Virginia School to Watch which was recently redesignated.
Ken is a member of VMSA Board of Directors, and has graciously served on and been chair of site visit teams for Schools to Watch.  Our congratulations to Dr. Nicely on his recognition from NASSP for a fine research study.

May 13, 2013

Surprise and excitement were among the emotions running through Chesterfield County schools today when three teachers learned they are the school division's top Teachers of the Year.  School system and county leaders brought flowers, banners, cakes, and balloons as they announced the awards to these terrific teachers:  Tracey Zavel is Chesterfield's Teacher of the Year, as well as Chesterfield's Middle School Teacher of the Year.  Zavel teaches civics and economics at Midlothian Middle.  She began her teaching career in 1999 in North Caroling after earning her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Asheville.  She joined Chesterfield County Public Schools in 2005 and has been at Midlothian Middle since 2010.

August 8, 2012

A link to a video of a panel on Early Warning indicators - a great topic with wonderful input, especially from Balfanz.
http://www.middlegradesforum.org/index.php/newsroom

June 20, 2012

"Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement" (VISTA) is actively looking for Science teachers who will begin teaching next year as well as Science teachers who are just finishing their first year of teaching.  You can find additional information from the flyer at this link and the website - http://vista.gmu.edu.

May 22, 2012

Our own Ken Nicely was chosen as the outstanding graduate student for Virginia Tech in the Education Leadership Program!   Congratulations to Ken and keep up the good work!!
  

April 20, 2012

The 2012 McGlothlin Award winners include Mr. Thomas Foster, Dunbar Middle School for Innovation, Lynchburg, Virginia.  This awards are given annually by the McGlothlin Foundation of Bristol, Va. Only teachers in selected portions of Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia and Kentucky are eligible. Two winning teachers, one from grades K-5 and one from grades 6-12, must use $10,000 of the $25,000 award for international travel, and then apply that experience to enrich their teaching.

"The McGlothlin Foundation's goal is for the awards to inspire recipients, their students, their peers, and indeed, their entire school. It is our intent to find the best teachers in today's classrooms around our region. We want to recognize their fine work, reward them for it, and by so doing inspire others to the high qualities they exemplify. Certainly, this award will recognize in a rather significant way what we consider one of the most important professions-and one with so many unsung heroes."

http://www.blueridgepbs.org/educate/mcglothlin-awards-for-teaching-excellence
4-12-2012

iteea

The Technology and Engineering Program Excellence Awards are sponsored by the association with the corporate sponsorship of Paxton/Patterson.

The following Programs of Excellence for Virginia were recognized:

Lanier Middle School, Fairfax, VA

Crestview Elementary School, Henrico, VA

The Technology and Engineering Teacher Excellence Awards are sponsored by the association with corporate co-sponsorship of Goodheart Willcox Publisher.

The following Teachers of Excellence for Virginia were recognized:

Elizabeth Markely Kautz-Scanavy, Glen Allen, VA

Garret Evans, Herndon, VA

Dana Newcomer, Norfolk, VA
4-12-2012
 Karen S Poindexter Gym

On April 11, 2012, Marsteller Middle School in Prince William County Virginia dedicated the gymnasium to the former principal and former Executive Director of Virginia Middle School Association, Karen S. Poindexter.  Karen was the ultimate professional, the greatest friend to middle school kids, and a role model for anyone wishing to be a leader in middle grades education.  Her professionalism, knowledge, judgement, interpersonal skills, and leadership were an inspiration to all who knew her.  She began her career as a physical education teacher at the high school level, excelling as a coach especially in  gymnastics, and was a judge for gymnastics at the state level.  She moved to work with the  middle grades as an assistant principal, and became an authority on good practices to produce success for all.  Her son, his wife, and grandson were joined by her sisters, a niece and many friends at the dedication.  The current Marsteller staff, its band, and 7th grade men's chorus presented the dedication in a manner befitting an honor for this much missed educator.  Karen was very active in the Virginia Schools to Watch program, and Marsteller has been a STW through its second redesignation this year.  Congratulations to everyone involved with this effort!