Teachers Travel to China

Barrett Brown, International Languages Chair, and Jeff Hall, Fine Arts Chair, are traveling in China as part of a week-long delegation sponsored by the College Board and the Hanban/Confucius Institute Headquarters. The "Chinese Bridge Delegation: Taking the Next Step" is designed "for educators to strengthen their institution's Chinese programs and partnerships."

Coach Hall and Ms. Brown are documenting their travels on the web at http://web.mac.com/elearn/china/coachinchina.html, and they will present to colleagues and students upon their return.

"I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to learn about this fascinating country," said Ms. Brown. "I hope to be able to make some personal contacts that will result in a relationship between Maggie Walker and a Chinese school."

"This is a wonderful opportunity for our staff, students and school community," said Director Fred Morton. "This type of partnership is critical to the mission of our school ,and we are grateful to have this national and international connection for our faculty."

Funding for the teachers' registration fee was provided by the Governor's School Foundation. The rest of the funding for this delegation was provided by the Hanban and College Board.

2008-9 Annual Giving Report Published

Please be on the lookout in the mail for the 2008-9 Annual Giving Report from the Governor's School Foundation. The report is also posted on the Foundation's website at www.governorsschoolfoundation.org/images/2008-9_Annual_Giving_Report.pdf

A special thanks goes to Jane Scheibe and a cadre of parent and Student Ambassador Volunteers who prepared the bulk mailing. (See below.)

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.

School Beautification

Work has begun on the large, square bed in front of the Lombardy Street entrance. Thanks so much to the PTSA Landscaping Committee, especially co-chairs Lynn Carruth and Chamie Valentine.

Thanks also to Ginny Morrow of Morning Glory Gardens, who created the landscape design.

World Dodgeball Record Set

162 students and faculty members from the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School set the world record for largest dodgeball game this past Friday, October 23, on the Maggie Walker athletic field. Evidence of the game will be sent to the Guinness Book for official verification.

The game was organized by two seniors, Wil Van Winkle from Richmond and Carter Hadley from Chesterfield. Both have been active in the school’s annual charity dodgeball tournaments.

For more information, please see the article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch, as well as the accompanying photo essay: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/education/article/DODG23_20091022-220407/301072/

Photo by Ginny Cross '10.