Carr joins Mary Johnson, a first-grade teacher at Clark Elementary School in Charlottesville, in sharing the award.

“Jennie is a resourceful and creative teacher so it comes as no surprise that she is the recipient of this award,” said , director of EMU’s MA in education program. “We are proud of Jennie’s recognition…. She is a gift to the students she teaches.”

“Teaching is about inspiring and challenging young minds, enhancing learning with interactive technology, and providing a safe, encouraging atmosphere for every child to reach individual goals and find personal success,” said Carr. “The award was a true honor.”

The award 鈥� supported through a grant from the Verizon Foundation 鈥� recognizes Virginia teachers who use “Thinkfinity” resources into the classroom. Thinkfinity is Verizon Foundation鈥檚 free web portal providing access to online instructional resources, including lesson plans aligned with state standards, reference materials and interactive tools for students, according to a release.

鈥淕reat teachers are always on the lookout for new sources of lesson plans, reference materials and activities that engage students and support increased learning,鈥� said Patricia I. Wright, superintendent of public instruction at the VDOE.

Carr was nominated by her peers for the awards program. Nominations included lesson plans using Thinkfinity and a video demonstrating it in the classroom.

Carr received $1,000 stipend to conduct workshops on Thinkfinity, $1,000 unrestricted cash prizes and iPads. The gifts were provided through a Verizon Foundation grant.

Four 草莓社区 seniors preparing to become teachers have been recognized for exemplifying the necessary traits for an exemplary career in public education.

Named “Teachers of Promise” by the state of Virginia were:

• Katrina J. Martin, Peachtree City, Ga., an elementary education major with PreK-6th grade licensure. She is seeking a teaching position this fall with either Harrisonburg City or Rockingham County school systems.
• Rachel A. Sims, Perkasie, Pa., a mathematics major seeking licensure in grades 6-12 with TESL minor;
• Kendal L. Swartzendruber, Keezletown, Va., a special education major with certification in mental retardation and emotionally disturbed.
• Shannon D. Yoder, Harrisonburg, Va., a history and social science major seeking licensure in grades 6-12.

The students were honored during a two-day institute held mid-March at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.

‘Touching Children’s Lives’

“The ‘Teachers of Promise’ seminar was a meaningful event that encouraged me as I prepare to enter the profession,” said Martin. “The seminar also was a good reminder that the teaching career is about much more than simply teaching academics – it is about touching children’s lives.”

The Teachers of Promise Institute is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Education, the Virginia Milken Educator Network and the James Madison Center. This institute offers a quality professional development opportunity for pre-service teachers from all of the commonwealth’s 37 accrediting institutions.

Participants are selected by their university on a competitive basis and represent the commonwealth’s most promising and gifted pre-service educators.

In an effort to support its strongest teacher candidates, the state provides guidance for the new Teachers of Promise by providing them with mentors who are veteran teachers who have been recognized as “Teachers of the Year” in Virginia.

Teaching: ‘a true profession’

Lori H. Leaman, assistant professor of , attended the institute with the four students.

“The institute felt like an affirmation of EMU

Five 草莓社区 seniors preparing to become teachers have been recognized by state education organizations for their achievements.

Named “Teachers of Promise” by the state of Virginia were:

• Julianne C. Burkholder, Linville, Va., early childhood education major with English as a Second Language (TESL) endorsement. She will teach preschool at Fulks Run (VA) Elementary School this fall.
• Jeremy P. Dayton, Harrisonburg, elementary education, PreK-6 major, will teach second grade at Stone Spring Elementary School, Harrisonburg.
• Andrea N. Gahman, Souderton, Pa., elementary education, K-6, with a TESL endorsement, will be employed as a second grade LEAP teacher at Keister Elementary School, Harrisonburg.
• Jennifer E. (Jen) Holsopple, Archbold, Ohio, history major, secondary history and social science major with an English endorsement, will be an eighth grade geography teacher at North Fork Middle School, Quicksburg, Va.
• Rachel A. Swartzendruber, Indianapolis, Ind., special education K-12, teaching 9-12 grade students in areas of learning disabilities and emotional disturbance at Broadway (VA) High School.

The students were honored during a two-day institute held late March at James Madison University in Harrisonburg.

Teachers Remain in State

The “Teachers of Promise” initiative, sponsored in part by the Virginia Department of Education and supported by the Virginia Milken Educator Network and the Governor’s Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant, is designed “to honor the best and brightest future educators” and “to encourage outstanding teacher candidates from Virginia’s teacher education programs to remain in the state.”

In an effort to support its strongest teacher candidates, the state provides guidance for the new Teachers of Promise by providing them with mentors who are veteran teachers who have been recognized as “Teachers of the Year” in Virginia.

Lori H. Leaman, instructor of , attended the institute with the five students. “The institute felt like an affirmation of EMU

Three 草莓社区 students preparing to become teachers have been recognized by state education organizations for their achievements.

Jesse M. Rodriguez, a K-12 special education major from Grottoes, Va.; James H. Bergey, a senior secondary education and history/social studies major from Chesapeake, Va.: and Theodore M. (Ted) Erickson, a senior PreK-12 health and physical education major from Harrisonburg were recognized as "Teachers of Promise" by the state of Virginia.

The three men were honored at a two-day event held at James Madison University and the Spotswood Country Club in late March. ( was also one of only two Virginia students to receive an award and scholarship from the Virginia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (VACTE).)

The "Teachers of Promise" initiative, sponsored in part by the Virginia Department of Education and supported by the Virginia Milken Educator Network and the Governor’s Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant, is designed "to honor the best and brightest future educators" and "to encourage outstanding teacher candidates from Virginia’s teacher education programs to remain in the state."

In an effort to support its strongest teacher candidates, the state provides guidance for the new Teachers of Promise by providing them with mentors who are veteran teachers who have been recognized as "Teachers of the Year" in Virginia.

Lori H. Leaman, instructor of , attended the institute with the three students. "The institute felt like an affirmation of EMU