CHESTERFIELD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
CHESTERFIELD, VIRGINIA
CCPS MEMORANDUM #35 (2015)
TO:
SCHOOL BOARD
FROM:
DR. MARCUS J. NEWSOME
SUPERINTENDENT
April 28, 2015
SUBJECT: RECOGNIZING STAFF ACHIEVEMENTS
Southeastern Region Elementary Art Educator Award
In a School Board meeting just over a year ago, we congratulated Swift
Creek Elementary art teacher Jimi Herd for being named Virginia’s
Elementary Art Teacher of the Year. That statewide award put him in the
running for the Southeastern Region Elementary Art Educator Award of
the National Art Education Association.
Two weeks ago, Mr. Herd received that Southeastern Region award —
meaning that he is recognized as the top elementary art teacher from
10 states (Virginia, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee), the Virgin
Islands and Puerto Rico. This prestigious award, determined through a
peer review, recognizes his exemplary contributions, service and
achievements.
But wait — there’s more!
The National Art Education Association will choose the recipient of its
2016 National Elementary Art Educator Award from among Mr. Herd and
this year’s three other regional winners. So, perhaps about a year from
now, we will be congratulating Mr. Herd on another national recognition.
He has worked eight years for Chesterfield County Public Schools.
Virginia’s National Distinguished Principal
In a surprise presentation at Falling Creek Elementary at the end of
March, Principal Pam Johnson was named Virginia’s 2015 National
Distinguished Principal.
This annual award is presented to just one principal in Virginia by the
National Association of Elementary School Principals in conjunction with
the Virginia Association of Elementary School Principals. Mrs. Johnson
was nominated and selected by her fellow principals through a
statewide search process.
“At the helm of every successful school is a successful principal,” said
Gail Connelly, executive director of the national association. “[We]
recognize the outstanding leadership of these principals and their
commitment to creating successful learning communities. Because of
them, students thrive academically, teachers grow professionally, and
communities are strengthened.”
Mrs. Johnson has served as principal of Falling Creek Elementary for
seven years and has worked a total of 12 years for Chesterfield County
Public Schools.
Award for Teaching Excellence
Cosby High government teacher Renee Serrao won the 2015 Award for
Teaching Excellence from the Virginia Education Association. This annual
award honors an individual who demonstrates instructional expertise and
creativity and exhibits leadership within the Virginia Education
Association and the greater community.
The motto in Renee Serrao’s government classroom has become, “Let’s
invite everyone — some of them will surely say yes!” And some of them
surely have: During the 2008 presidential campaign, her students held
candidate forums with Gov. Terry McAuliffe speaking for Barack Obama
and former Sen. George Allen speaking for John McCain. Instead of
writing traditional research papers, Mrs. Serrao’s students pen persuasive
letters to the editor, track bills in the General Assembly, email legislators,
create campaign ads and attend political debates.
As Christopher Averill, the social studies department chair at James River
High, puts it, “To walk into her government class is to step into an
alternate universe where time stops and the Constitution reigns. [Renee
Serrao] is a deeply civic-minded person who inspires students to cherish
and participate in their own governance.”
Mrs. Serrao, who has worked for Chesterfield County Public Schools for 22
years, is now in the running for the 2015 Award for Teaching Excellence
given by the National Education Association Foundation.
MJN/tb