Maya Angelou once said “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
No, this is not 2003 and Hilda Barg is not running for reelection for Woodbridge District Supervisor but having knocked on over 4,000 doors in the Woodbridge District this year, I have gained great appreciation and admiration for her legendary name in Woodbridge.
Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William (SBGPW), a school readiness initiative established to increase kindergarten readiness received a significant grant of $195,000 from the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) on Wednesday, October 28, 2015.
VECF board member, Dr. William C. “Biff” Rees, a pediatrician with Burke Pediatrics presented the grant check to the Smart Beginnings Greater Prince William board of directors. This financial investment supports quality early childhood education and healthy initiatives for young children ages 0 – 5 in Prince William County, the cities of Manassas, and Manassas Park.
Online event (see link)
What if the secret to a longer, sharper life isn’t found in a pill, but in the people around you?
Join us for a conversation on the science & power of human connection, featuring Ken Stern, author of the just-released “Healthy to 100: How Strong Social Ties Lead to Long Lives,” and Dr. Sara Doyle, MD, a Sunday Health cognitive neurologist specializing in dementia prevention and care.
I have spent more than forty years working in education – including classroom teacher, administrator, district chief information officer, school board member, technology consultant, and founder of an online high school. I had the pleasure of spending a couple of hours in a one-on-one meeting with Tracy talking about education.
I asked her, “What is the single most significant factor in determining a student’s success in school?” She responded, “The student’s home environment.” According to the research – overwhelmingly the correct answer. I then asked her what the biggest factor in the classroom was. She replied, “Keeping the students engaged in learning.” Right again. Very impressive. Though these are the correct answers, they are not the answers you usually hear.
Have you ever taught middle school? Does the thought of it make you cringe?
On a daily basis, there is an abundance of name calling, raging hormones, finger pointing, dirty tricks and excuses, excuses, excuses. No, I’m not talking about Richmond politics – but I easily could be.
It is my pleasure to write this letter as a supporter of Justin Wilk, who is running for School Board in Prince William County. As a parent, I strongly support Justin because he was an amazing motivator that taught in our school district for six years. Justin Wilk was my daughter’s 7th grade Civics and Economics teacher, at Woodbridge Middle School, Woodbridge, VA.
Justin Wilk always displayed a unique style of teaching, which motivated his students, beyond the time they spent in his classroom. In addition to teaching in the classroom, Justin Wilk coached hundreds of students in track, football, and served as an advisor to the Drama Club, and is now a consultant. As a consultant; he has help administrators to promote transparency; and improved community relations.
