Foundation grants strengthen teaching, learning and entire school community
When it invests in professional development, the Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School Foundation isn’t simply paying for conference registrations or coursework. The Foundation is investing in the people who make the school exceptional.
Whether helping new teachers earn their gifted education endorsement, supporting faculty as they stay current in rapidly changing academic disciplines, or ensuring staff members have the latest training in school operations, these Foundation grants ultimately translate into an elevated student experience.
“When faculty and staff have opportunities to learn and grow, they bring new ideas, resources and experiences back that strengthen our programs and classrooms,” said Kristin Janssen, the school’s executive director.
Those investments – which totaled $36,000 last year – include helping new faculty earn their gifted education endorsement, a requirement for all Maggie Walker teachers. While content expertise is essential, teaching gifted learners requires specialized preparation to differentiate instruction from traditional classrooms. That preparation includes training in inquiry-based instruction, depth and complexity, and the social-emotional characteristics and needs often associated with gifted students.
And that preparation shapes the experience students encounter every day.
“It creates a classroom experience that emphasizes depth over coverage,” said Janssen, who brought extensive credentials and experience in gifted education when she arrived at Maggie Walker last year. “Students have opportunities to explore topics in greater detail, make connections across disciplines, engage in discussion and take active roles in their learning.”
For English teacher Peter Cashwell, his graduate-level endorsement training is bringing new dimensions in his classroom.
“My coursework has offered me new ideas to implement, as well as providing the theoretical underpinnings of the practical teaching skills I’ve developed during my career,” Cashwell said.
The experience has also given him a new perspective on teaching. “It’s been instructive to experience asynchronous online courses from the student side,” he said, “rather than just the instructor side.”
Learning that comes back to the classroom
Foundation support also gives faculty and staff opportunities to stay current in their fields and bring fresh ideas back to Maggie Walker by attending national and state conferences. In addition to direct curriculum insights, those experiences create networking opportunities to engage with peers – often leading to new courses and enhancements to existing programs.
German teacher Kristen Macklin used her Foundation grant to attend an Advanced Placement Summer Institute in June, where educators prepared for significant changes coming to the AP World Language and Culture exams.
In addition to helping her better prepare AP German students, Macklin will share her learnings with colleagues teaching French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese and Japanese.
“The grant allows me to take part in these experiences to learn and grow as a teacher and to reinvigorate my curriculum and enthusiasm for teaching the material,” Macklin said. “I’m grateful we have the Foundation and school culture that actively supports the continuing education and development for teachers.”
Already armed with a doctoral degree in psychology and experience teaching at the college level, Tyler J. Goldberger used a grant to add high school licensure to his credentials this year.
“As someone who is new to secondary teaching, I have really enjoyed studying successful practices and policies to support my students both in and out of the classroom,” said Goldberger, who teaches psychology at Maggie Walker. “I have picked up many tips and tricks that I look forward to implementing going forward.”
Professional development also strengthens the school’s behind-the-scenes operations.
As co-coordinator of school counseling, Joy Cobb recently assumed responsibility for PowerSchool, the student information system that manages scheduling and supports communication with students and families. After longtime staff member Karl Zweerink retired, Cobb became responsible for building the school’s master schedule – a complex process affecting every student and teacher.
Having never received formal training, Cobb used Foundation funding to attend PowerSchool University.
“It was an invaluable experience,” she said. “It allowed me to connect with a community of PowerSchool users from around the country and better my understanding of how I can use PowerSchool.”
Today, that knowledge helps her better support students and families while ensuring one of the school’s most important operational systems runs smoothly.
An investment in the entire school community
The Foundation’s commitment to professional learning reaches every part of Maggie Walker, including campus safety.
Capt. Warren Smith, one of the school’s security officers for the past 20 years, used Foundation funds to complete required recertification through the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice. The training keeps him current on evolving school security practices, changing legislation and emerging safety tools.
“Security is ever changing,” Smith said. “For example, prior to Columbine in 1999, we didn’t have active shooters and active shooter drills as we do today, so we didn’t learn about them back in the day but do now.”
For Smith, continuing education is essential to protecting the school community. “I would encourage anyone who is able to seek out professional development to learn about new tools and information,” he said.
Foundation support is especially meaningful because, unlike many traditional school divisions, regional Governor’s Schools do not have access to federal funding and other dedicated professional development resources. “The Foundation helps fill that gap,” Janssen noted.
Those investments also foster a culture of continuous growth for educators.
“We have many faculty and staff members who spend a significant portion of their careers at MLWGS,” she said. “I believe opportunities for continued learning play a role in that.”
Professional development complements the Foundation’s support for classroom innovation, student travel, competitions and other educational enhancements. Together, those investments create the exceptional learning environment for which Maggie Walker is known.
“I’m grateful for the Foundation’s continued support of professional development,” Janssen said. “Their support has provided opportunities that would otherwise be difficult, if not impossible, for us to offer, and we are grateful for that partnership.”