Teachers Achieve National Board Certification

Lynn Reed of the Mathematics Department and Dr. Janet Spencer of the English Department received National Board Certification this month. The year and a half long application process includes expert external evaluation, self-assessment and peer review.

"This is one of the most challenging things that teachers can engage in as a professional activity," said Director Fred Morton. "To be selected as an NBCT is a high recognition, and we are very proud of both Ms. Reed and Dr. Spencer and delighted to have them as teachers at Maggie Walker."

For more information about the National Board Certification process, see www.nbpts.org.

MLWGS Students Beautify Walker Gravesite

Student members of the Maggie L. Walker Civic Society recently spent their Saturday morning working on the upkeep of the gravesite of Maggie L. Walker at Evergreen Cemetery. Students cleared weeds around the headstone and planted a flower bed on November 14.

“Parts of the cemetery are overgrown and not maintained,” said Merci Best ’13. “We will probably go back next month to continue [our work].”

The MLW Civic Society’s efforts are in partnership with the National Park Service and with Virginia Roots, a non-profit organization overseeing the restoration efforts at Evergreen. The Civic Society has also supported fundraising efforts to erect a National Historic Marker for Maggie Walker.

Pictured from left to right are D’monte Pittman ’13 (seated), Ms. Joy Davis, Sasha Jervay ’11, Emily Sloane ’11, Kia Jordan ’13, Merci Best ’13, Johnny Mac Yates ’13, and Mrs. Lisa Williams. Not pictured are Mr. Irvin Charles and Mr. Karl Zweerink

Teacher Wins R.E.B.

English teacher Lisa Williams just received a $10,000 R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence. Mrs. Williams plans to use her award to visit Africa and the American Midwest to further her study of the impact of slavery and the legacy of the Civil Rights Movement.

“I am honored to be the recipient of this award, which will allow me, as a teacher, to continue in the pursuit of life-long learning,” said Mrs. Williams.

R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence were established in 1988 to recognize public school teachers in the metropolitan Richmond area who “have distinguished themselves by their inspiring classroom performance.” Each year, grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 are given to approximately fifteen teachers to support their professional development activities.

Current Governor’s School teachers who have received this award in the past include Denise Yagel and Kerry Sheppard from the English department, John Barnes from the Mathematics department, and John Wilkes from the Social Studies department.