Welcome Back Teachers!

The 2008-09 school year is off to a great start, and I want to take a moment to thank the teachers of Chesterfield County Public Schools!

A high-quality educational system is critical to the vitality of Chesterfield County; and, one of our School Board’s core beliefs is that effective teaching is the most essential factor in student learning. Our students cannot be successful workers and productive citizens by learning only reading, writing and arithmetic. The needs of a global economy are changing daily, and we must equip our students with skills required to achieve success. To do otherwise would put our community at risk.

We are fortunate to have some of the very best teachers in the country working right here in Chesterfield County. Nicole Winter is one example. Last week I was joined by Dr. Billy Cannaday, Virginia State Superintendent for Public Instruction, Board of Supervisors member, Marlene Durfee and School Board member U. Omarh Rajah as we interrupted Mrs. Winter’s AP U.S. History class at Cosby H.S. to inform her that she had been selected as Region I Teacher of the Year (see press release dated September 17, 2008). Eight of the last 12 Region I Teachers of the Year have been from Chesterfield County Public Schools.

To be considered “highly qualified” in the commonwealth of Virginia, a teacher must have obtained state certification and be teaching at the level and in the content for which he/she is endorsed. The Virginia Department of Education’s web site provides a searchable database the public can visit to determine a teacher’s license and/or endorsement area. The link to the site is
https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/tinfo/.

It is our charge to ensure that Chesterfield County students are prepared for success after high school. Thank you to our teachers for all you do on behalf of Chesterfield County’s children!