Greetings FCS Superheroes,
Happy CTE Month! In honor of celebrating this month of LOVE filled activities, let’s reflect on
why you LOVE the reason that you belong to this great FAMILY of FCS educators? What is your
WHY? Why are you an FCS educator? Why do you show up and show out every day in the
trenches?
My WHY revolves around the students. I LOVE being a CTE - FACS educator because of all the
fascinating students I have been able to learn from, teach, inspire, and mentor. I LOVE
being a FACS educator because I am able to be “their person” to talk to, and an adult in the
school building to confide in when they are having a rough day . I LOVE being a FACS educator
because there are so many options when it comes to teaching FACS. I LOVE being a FACS
educator because of the many opportunities for mentorship, leadership, advancement, and
professional development to keep skills sharp as we evolve. I LOVE being a FACS educator
because hands-on learning is vital to my teaching style and is so important in the world today. I
LOVE being a FACS educator because HOME ECONOMICS has come so far since its inception. I
LOVE being a FACS educator because I get to teach real-life hands-on skills that students will
take with them into the next chapter of this “JOURNEY”, we call life. I LOVE being a FACS
educator because I have had the incredible opportunity to be mentored by the ELITE
SUPERHEROES of today and have built relationships that will last a lifetime. Hopefully you all
have a wonderful CTE month filled with so much LOVE your heart it gives you the energy
needed to continue on!
The VATFACS Summer PDI is a fantastic way to celebrate the value of FCS Educators, our
achievements, and accomplishments while supporting one another.
We cannot wait to see you all at VATFACS, PDI soaring through Harrisonburg in July!
Your Wonder Woman President Signing off!
Tosheiba Ragland
Outstanding New Virginia CTE Teacher of the Year
Michaela Amari was recognized as the Outstanding New CTE Teacher of the Year award. She is a Family & Consumer Sciences teacher at Signal Knob Middle School in Strasburg. Micheala was selected as the Outstanding New FCS Teacher at the summer VATFACS conference and moved on to the CTE Virginia State level. With this state honor, she will now compete in the 2024 ACTE Region II Conference in Orlando in late September 2024. Michaela will be up against other new CTE teachers from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennese, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. To learn more about FCS awards, sign-up for the organizations email group at VATFACS Listserv | VATFACS. Good luck Michalea. Your VATFACS Board of Directors wish you success!
Virginia ACTE Supervisor of the Year
Supervisor of Career and Technical Education Dr. Lhe Smith was named the Association for Career and Technical Education Administrator of the Year for Virginia. Smith was honored at an awards luncheon on Thursday, Jan. 11, at the Virginia ACTE Professional Development and Leadership Seminar in Richmond. She has held her current position since July 2016. Prior to that, Smith served as assistant principal of Monroe Technology Center.
Kimberly Wilson, Alexandria City High School/ACPS/Region 4
What do you teach this current 23-24 school year?
Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Dual Enrolled Virginia Teachers for Tomorrow
If you acquired a "SUPERPOWER", what would it be and why?
I have two "SUPERPOWERS", the super power of precognition (the ability to see the future, this would allow me to stop unpleasant events happening our world) and the superpower of a heart fixer (this would allow me to mend broken hearts of children, young adults, and adults).
Tell us something fascinating about your educational teaching journey.
My journey has and continues to be a blessing! Filled with trials and tribulations, overwhelming at times, and sometimes like working without an accurate compass. Each year I encounter new students who become a part of my life and me a part of their lives (over the years affectionately gaining the title of Mama Wilson). Watching them learn, grow, and mature; through their joys, sorrows, and mistakes to blossom into wonderful young women and men. I've been challenged in ways that have tested my resolve and commitment, sometimes beyond my understanding and comfort zone, and yet provided me a sense of fulfillment and overwhelming emotions (happy, sad, indifferent, etc.). Stepping into leadership roles, powerful connections networking with peers, and gaining meaningful friendships for a lifetime. As I, near the end of this journey (32 years) it is humbling and indescribably from being recognized as the 2020 ACTE Teacher of the Year, sharing my knowledge and expertise in leadership roles, to a service ministry that is larger than me (impacting, influencing and changing lives one at a time). I am so thankful for this rewarding and blessed journey!
Diane Breinig, Briar Woods High School/Loudoun County/Region 4
What do you teach this current 23-24 school year?
Intro to ECE, ECE I & II, VTfT I & II (Teacher Cadet)
If you acquired a "SUPERPOWER", what would it be and why?
Being Invisible, so I could move in and out of places without being seen. "Fly on the wall"
Tell us something fascinating about your educational teaching journey.
Basically started teaching because I wanted to be a coach. Became a "career switcher" before I technically had a career. I was on a provisional license when I started teaching in NC and I started as a business teacher because I had a business degree! Then I became a coach and started teaching. I have taught in 3 different states. NC, FL, and VA. I have been in VA the longest. I am looking forward to retiring in 5 years.
Charla Curtis, Appomattox County High School / Appomattox County / Region 8
What do you teach this current 23-24 school year?
Child Development & Parenting, Economics & Personal Finance, Teachers for Tomorrow, Life Planning
If you acquired a "SUPERPOWER", what would it be and why?
I am torn between invisibility and speed. Invisibility would be great for those times when someone is looking for me. :) Speed would be terrific in getting everything done....SUPER FAST!
Tell us something fascinating about your educational teaching journey.
I taught for 1st, Kindergarten and PreK for 16 years and then was an instructional coach at the Primary, Elementary and High School levels before moving to FACS this school year. I am loving being back in the classroom and teaching FACS is me getting to teach and live what I love all day long. Each class that I teach touches an interest or passion that is me and now I get to share that with our students.
