Posted on November 19, 2008

About Our People


Wolf Trap Award Winners* FCPS staff members Debbie King, Head Start teacher at Crestwood (left in photo), Amy Fieldman, preschool special education teacher at Deer Park (second from left), Robbie Ellen, Head Start assistant at Mosby Woods, Becky Barker, kindergarten teacher at Mosby Woods (third and fourth from left), and Janine Stegall, Head Start teacher at Belvedere (far right), were among 24 teachers honored at the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts on October 28. All had participated in teacher-artist partnerships that were coordinated by Wolf Trap. The teachers were nominated by the artists they partnered with for going above and beyond in creativity and use of the arts in their teaching.

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* Lake Anne staff members, Kathi Sheffel, homeless liaison, Myriam Goldin, social worker, Linda Hajj, principal, and Brendan Menuey, assistant principal, presented at the recent national conference of the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth in Crystal City. Sheffel and Goldin’s presentation, “One Trauma After Another: The Impact of Homelessness Upon Children’s Mental Health,” discussed effects of trauma on children and encouraged schools to become trauma sensitive. Hajj and Menuey’s presentation, “It Takes a School: A Team Approach,” covered how schools can meet the needs of homeless students.

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Robert Latham


* On September 29, Robert Latham, optics and modern physics lab technology instructor at TJHSST, presented the annual educational accomplishments of the Optical Society of America and served as the high school physics representative for committee discussion at the 2008 national meeting of the Liaison Committees for Education and Underrepresented Minorities of the American Institute of Physics in College Park, Maryland.


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Anne Pegram


* Anne Pegram, English teacher at Falls Church, participated in a Digital Showcase presentation on the topic "In the Classroom, Out in the Community," which featured her ongoing research project promoting cultural diversity and oral history, at the 42nd Annual Oral History Association Conference in Pittsburgh on October 18.

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* Several FCPS teachers presented at the 44th Annual Virginia Social Studies Educational Conference (VCSS) in Richmond the weekend of October 17 through 18: 

  • Heather Beckmann, pre-AP 9th grade world history and geography teacher, and Cathy Ruffing, 11-12th grade AP government and law in action teacher, at Centreville High, presented "America’s Next Top Models: Using Model Judiciary and Model United National Programs to Reinforce Social Studies Standards."
  • Allison Rozycki, fourth grade teacher, and Jan Rubenstein, ESOL teacher at North Springfield, presented "A Cross-Curricular Primer: Engaging Students in Civil War History." 
  • Katie Blomquist, fifth grade teacher at Sunrise Valley, presented "Engaging Economics: Interactive Visuals for the Primary Grades."
  • Susie Orr, elementary social studies specialist and Patti Winch, middle school social studies resource teacher in the Instructional Services Department, presented "The Power of Foldables: Beyond the Basics."
  • Doreen Pagliaro and DeAnn Best, kindergarten teachers at West Springfield Elementary, presented "A 'History Mystery,' Discovering the Real George Washington, Using Primary Sources and Artifact Boxes in K-3 Grade Social Studies Lessons."
  • Susan Bardenhagen, fourth grade teacher at Union Mill, presented "Studying the Regions of Virginia Using Science and Tourism."
  • Lisa Felder, Title I language arts resource teacher in the Instructional Services Department, presented "A New Life in America: Picture Books That Support the Immigration and Migration Experience."
  • Cindy Agner, fourth grade teacher, Jill McDaniel, third grade teacher, and Amanda Reece, fourth grade teacher at Orange Hunt, presented "Big Books Bringing History Alive."
  • Tanya Lee Siwik, second grade teacher at Kings Park, presented "Socience: Changing Our Perspective, Integrating Science and Health Objectives Into the Social Studies Story."

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How Do I Get Mentioned in About Our People?

Submit your good news for About Our People to Supergram editor Andy Grunig at andy.grunig@fcps.edu. We want to hear from you!

Editor's Note: Send your electronic photo along with your good news.

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