💡 President's Message 💡
Hello Innovators,
VATFACS is gearing up to present one of the best and most interactive Professional Development Institutes. This year, we have two dynamic keynote speakers, Mr. Jorge Valenzuela and Dr. Dwayne Whitehead. These two keynote speakers will bring us many strategies and hands-on ideas that will provide a wealth of information to enhance our students' classroom experience. There will be several training and credentialing sessions offered during and after the institute, including CPR, First Aid, and AED training, ServSafe Food Protection Manager Training and Testing, AAFCS PrePac Broad Field FCS credentialing, and Teacher Cadet Curriculum 12th edition training offered during and after the institute. Don’t forget to wear your VATFACS SWAG and plan to purchase new items that will help expand your VATFACS attire!
There is still time to show off your talents and skills through presenting your most “Empowering” lesson or “Innovative” projects that will assist students with career readiness, college readiness and most of all an understanding of creating a sustainable lifestyle. Let us join in assisting each other to create “Empowering” future leaders. Your presentations are needed and will definitely help other FCS educators. Please submit Education Session proposals and Best Practice Round Table Topics by March 31st.
There is still time to show off your talents and skills through presenting your most “Empowering” lesson or “Innovative” projects that will assist students with career readiness, college readiness and most of all an understanding of creating a sustainable lifestyle. Let us join in assisting each other to create “Empowering” future leaders. Your presentations are needed and will definitely help other FCS educators.
In looking forward to all of the exciting sessions that has been crafted to support academic success and professional growth, we have:
- Lynnette Thompson-Cole from Take Charge Today and will engage us with ready-to-use activities that make earning and managing money clear and relevant for CTE students.
- Laura Daniel from Madison County Public Schools who will highlight strategies by integrating entrepreneurship concepts, skills, and mindsets into their courses, along with FREE resources.
- Elaine Lombardi from Virginia Beach City Public Schools will provide strategies for implementing child development and nutrition concepts.
- Mary Rapoport from the Virginia Egg Council will provide innovative demonstrations of how to incorporating eggs into your diet.
The Virginia Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (VATFACS) offers four scholarships in support of current & future FCS teachers to further their education and training. If you or someone you know could benefit from financial support in seeking an FCS graduate or undergraduate degree or attending a professional development workshop, submit your application today. The deadline for all scholarship applications is due by April 15, 2025. Click the links below for more information. For questions or concerns, contact Toshieba Ragland, VATFACS Past President, tragland@fcps.edu.
Please be reminded without your “Empowerment” there would be no VATFACS. We all need that one or two who will support and motivate not only the students but FCS educators as well.
Sincerely,
Catrina Cheek
2024-2025 VATFACS, Inc. President
Lynnette Thompson - Coles, Teacher Trainer, Take Charge Today
Lynnette Coles is a Training Team member of Take Charge Today, housed at the University of Arizona. She is a 19-year veteran educator, currently working in Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. She taught Financial Literacy for Teens in the classroom for 16 years, and has written and updated Financial Literacy curriculum.
Laura M. Daniel, FCS Teacher, Madison County Public Schools
With a passion for CTE, especially in curriculum writing, Laura has 17 years of teaching experience. She has taught high school FACS in parenting and life planning for three years, followed by 14 years in her ever-evolving current position in middle school FACS & Business. She is dual endorsed, seeking an AAFCS certification in Family and Consumer Sciences - Human Development & Family Studies, and recently completed her Master’s Degree in Education - Career and Technical Education from Virginia Tech.
Drawing on her experience of offering many different classes, subjects, and school-wide initiatives at Wetsel Middle School in Madison, VA, she gets inspired by serving on curriculum writing committees! Most recently she has been involved in the Make It Your Business curriculum review and Family and Consumer Sciences Exploratory I/II/III.
WMS FCCLA chapter members earned 2024 Fall Challenge Test awards in six different areas. WMS FBLA chapters have earned state and national awards in esports, economics, and a Dress to Impress Scholarship. She is currently a Virginia Personal Finance Teacher Fellow.
Laura is passionate about providing students opportunities so that they can grow and embrace new experiences. She received her B.S. in Communication Studies with minors in Family and Consumer Sciences, Business, and Art - Graphic Design from Bridgewater College.
Elaine Lombardi, FCS Teacher, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Elaine just completed her 19th year of teaching, all of it in Alternative Education. her student population fluctuates every week. Because of this, she has designed projects that can usually be done in one class period and keep students engaged.
Mary Rapoport, Consumer Affairs/Educational Director for the Virginia Egg Council
Michelle Williams named 2025 Virginia ACTE New Teacher of the Year
Michelle Williams teaches Family and Consumer Sciences Exploratory 1, 2, and 3 classes, Nutrition and Wellness, and Careers and You courses at both Thomas Hunter Middle School and Mathews High School. She began her career in education in 2004 as a substitute teacher and transitioned to teaching middle school Math and Reading full time in 2008. Following the stress of the Covid pandemic, she decided to switch content areas and fulfill her lifelong dream of teaching Family and Consumer Sciences, where she had to build and supply her classes completely from scratch.
With overwhelming support from her small community off the Chesapeake Bay, Michelle has been instrumental in developing a thriving set of courses, earned both State and National CTSO awards, and continues to create new and varied opportunities for her students both in the classroom and throughout the community.
Michelle has been happily married to her high school sweetheart, Tony, for 36 years. Together they have three children, a wonderful daughter-in-law, and beautiful grandchildren: Erica, Jason (Aryah), and Stephanie, Walker and Violet. In her spare time, she enjoys sewing, canning, and spending time with her family.
Michelle will advance to represent Virginia in the Region II ACTE Awards round. Congratulations, Michelle!
