Congratulations to all staff members who were recognized for their stellar performance with Certificates of Achievement.

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June 2011

Ken Blackstone
Director
Communication Services

Mr. Blackstone is commended for coming to the rescue of a school employee who needed assistance immediately. On June 1, Vicki Fornasar’s foot became pinned under her car in the parking lot of the Kelly Leadership Center. He quickly responded to her call for help. Mr. Blackstone showed calm concern and kindness while making sure she was all right before having someone call 911. His quick action and efforts ensured that Ms. Fornasar was able to escape without serious injury.

Tamika Dudley
Teacher at Fred M. Lynn Middle School
Basketball Coach at Woodbridge High School
Ms. Tamika Dudley is commended for her courage and actions that saved a life. On December 28, 2010, Woodbridge High School’s basketball Head Coach George Washington collapsed during a game, suffering from a heart attack. Ms. Dudley began CPR and called for someone to get the closest AED available. Medical professionals later said her quick action saved Coach Washington’s life.


Dr. Marie Sobers
Transition Coordinator
New directions Alternative Education Center

Dr. Marie Sobers is commended for her outstanding performance as Transition Coordinator for the New Directions Alternative Education Center. She not only fulfills her responsibilities but also provides staff in-service training and mentors multiple students.  Her focus on volunteerism and modeling through leadership encourages the development of teacher leaders. Dr. Sobers covers classes, maintains a digital lab, provides breakfast and lunch coverage, and works with students on the third Academic Remediation Shift. She volunteers to take on roles such as coordinating senior photographs, being liaison with SPARK, coordinating student leadership opportunities at the division and national level, and maintain the New Directions Instructional Newsletter. Dr. Sobers continues to focus her energies on supporting teaching and learning in whatever manner is asked of her by colleagues or administration. Dr. Sobers’ outstanding performance will not only serve as a legacy, but an inspiration to the staff that follow in her footsteps.


May 2011

Jan Easton
Physical Therapist
Special Education

Mr. Blackstone is commended for coming to the rescue of a school employee who needed assistance immediately. On June 1, Vicki Fornasar’s foot became pinned under her car in the parking lot of the Kelly Leadership Center. He quickly responded to her call for help. Mr. Blackstone showed calm concern and kindness while making sure she was all right before having someone call 911. His quick action and efforts ensured that Ms. Fornasar was able to escape without serious injury.

 

Ms. Jan Easton is commended for her outstanding performance as Physical Therapist for the Office of Special Education. Her compassion and respect for students with disabilities and their families is always first and foremost in her work. Ms. Easton’s interventions coupled with her giving spirit make her an exceptional professional and role model for her colleagues in both their professional and personal lives. She has inspired those around her to do more and give more as professionals to better meet the unique and sometimes challenging needs of all students. Her dedication extends outside of school to ensure that families have the necessary support and resources to meet all the needs of their children.


Laura Szupinka
Algebra Teacher
Special Education Department Chairperson
New Directions Alternative Education Center

Ms. Laura Szupinka is commended for her outstanding performance as algebra teacher and special education department chairperson at New Directions Alternative Education Center. Ms. Szupinka was transferred to New Directions Alternative Education Center as a special education teacher with emphasis on teaching mathematics to our most at-risk students. She was thrust into the position of department chairperson during the height of a significant change process — the development of the school’s first special education department. While maintaining a full class load, she took on the critical duty with professionalism and grace. Ms. Szupinka facilitated the school’s inaugural use of the electronic IEP program and developed procedures to coordinate effective use with Division staff. Simultaneously, Ms. Szupinka successfully facilitated instruction in Algebra I with her students’ passing the SOL at a 91 percent rate. Ms. Szupinka’s reputation for providing World-Class service is well deserved.

March 2011

Jennifer Stuever
Fifth-Grade Teacher
Ashland Elementary

Jennifer Stuever is commended for being selected to serve on a committee of the Virginia Department of Education to help determine the cut scores for the fourth-grade Virginia Studies End-of-year SOL test. Ms. Stuever is now using this information to train teachers on how scores are determined and how this information benefits student learning. This was a responsibility that she took upon herself by volunteering to be on the committee and train other teachers.

Christina Ross
Social Studies Teacher
Osbourn Park High School

Ms. Christina Ross is being commended for developing a mentorship program for OPHS students to tutor and support the academic and social growth of students at Yorkshire Elementary and West Gate Elementary Schools. The OPHS mentors have been trained in methods to support younger students with basic reading, math skills, mural painting projects, and community outreach efforts.

January 2011

Sharon Tudor
Secretary, Battlefield High School

Sharon Tudor is commended for her outstanding job performance as secretary at Battlefield High School. She meticulously takes care of details that make the testing and IT programs run smoothly. Her knowledge of the testing rules and regulations allows for complex testing situations to run without a hitch. The same expertise is also evident as she works with parents and students concerning SchoolFusion and Edulink.

Aside from her excellent work ethic, the attribute which sets her apart from her peers is the way in which she communicates with students and parents. Although they frequently enter the office timidly, she quickly responds to their needs, with students and their parents leaving the office confident, their questions answered or their concerns addressed. More importantly, they walk away from Battlefield feeling as if they have an ally and new best friend. 

December 2010

Old Bridge Elementary School Teachers
Jan Beach, First Grade; Alyssa Rumbaugh, Second Grade; Terrie Schmith, First Grade

These teachers are commended for conducting a pajama drive at Old Bridge Elementary for the Hilda Barg Homeless Shelter in Woodbridge. They discovered that an overwhelming number of area children are living in shelters and would benefit from receiving warm, clean, nighttime clothing. Their campaign inspired the Scholastic Book Clubs to partner with the Pajama Program to donate a new book matching every new pajama contribution. The pajama drive was well received by the Old Bridge community which gave new pajama sets towards this initiative to help area children. These teachers’ generosity and compassion for others is greatly admired.

Leona Matusiak
Secretary
Fred M. Lynn Middle School

In November 2010, in the course of her normal duties, Ms. Matusiak received a call that aroused her suspicion. The caller was reporting that a child would be absent from school and Ms. Matusiak thought it might be the child herself calling. She contacted the parents and confirmed that the mother did not call. Ms. Matusiak wisely had written down the cell phone number that appeared on caller ID and contacted the school’s Resource Officer, advising him of the situation. A few hours later the child was found and police were able to track down and arrest a man believed to be responsible for picking the girl up at her bus stop.

In a busy office where Ms. Matusiak receives many calls, the fact that she took time to follow through speaks not only to her instinct, but her sense of responsibility. She is commended for taking action that may have saved this child from grave danger.

October 2010

Miriam Rodriguez
Bookkeeper
Signal Hill Elementary School

Miriam Rodriguez is commended for her outstanding job performance as bookkeeper at Signal Hill Elementary School. She not only performs her job responsibilities efficiently, she always finds time to assist in the clinic, with the yearbook, faculty, PTA, and many other projects that need a helping hand. The “clean sweep” she coordinated last year led to the whole building taking part in cleaning out closets and storage rooms. Her translation skills are appreciated by the staff, students, and parents. Ms. Rodriguez’s organizational skills, work ethic, and willingness to help others make her a hero to all staff at Signal Hill Elementary School.

Kathleen Avery
Special Education Teacher, Battlefield High School

Kathleen Avery is commended for her outstanding job performance at Battlefield High School. She provided backup coverage for the special needs department chair during her maternity leave in August and September.  In fact, she exceeded expectations, performing effectively in the dual role of department chair and full-time special education teacher. Ms. Avery was instrumental in opening this school year with the largest special education population to date. She worked countless hours preparing new student schedules, teachers' duties, writing IEPs, attending eligibility, conferences, preparing for the return of special education teachers, and implementing training for staff. Ms. Avery ensured all students' educational needs were met, facilitated a staff meeting to discuss effective, research-based instructional interventions and the new special education processes in Prince William County Schools, and training regarding curriculum-based measurements.  

Thanks to Kathleen Avery for her admirable performance and dedication toward providing a World-Class Education to Prince William County students.