The Emory & Henry College Department of Education held a successful 35th B. G. Raines Education Forum on Tuesday, March 19, in Abingdon at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center where two future teachers committed to two different educational pathways now offered at Emory & Henry.
At the culmination of the Forum, 10th grader Zoe Sage from Marion Senior High School (Teachers For Tomorrow, 1+1+2 pipeline toward degree) and Amanda Barker from Valley Institute Elementary School (Grow Your Own Paraprofessional pipeline) committed to make preparations to join the region’s best educators.
These Grow Your Own opportunities are made possible at Emory & Henry due to the strong relationships with its educational partners in the PK-12 and community college sectors as well as grant funding and support from the Virginia Department of Education. The Grow Your Own Paraprofessional pipeline cohort will start in May 2024 and the Teach for Tomorrow group could start as early as Fall 2026.
At the table (left to right): Amanda Barker from Valley Institute Elementary School and 10th grader Zoe Sage from Marion Senior High School (Teachers For Tomorrow)
Standing (left to right): Dr. Matt Frederick, VP for Admissions at Emory & Henry; Cindy Jackson, Principal at Valley Institute Elementary School; Dr. Sandy Frederick, Chair of the Education Department at Emory & Henry; and Dr. Kimberly Williams, Elementary Supervisor from Smyth County Schools. Both Williams and Jackson are Emory & Henry teacher preparation alumni.
“This signing represents the College’s commitment to preparing the region’s best educators,” said Dr. Sandy Frederick, Chair of the Education Department at Emory & Henry College. “Additionally, these Grow Your Own opportunities are made possible by the strong relationships we have with our educational partners in the PK-12 and community college sectors, as well as, the Virginia Department of Education. Emory & Henry is committed to partnering through the region and commonwealth to see that more teachers are available for the success of future students and families in the area.”
This year’s Forum featured the 2024 Virginia Teacher of the Year Jeff Keller, and the Keynote Speaker Dr. Tiece Ruffin. Mr. Keller is a history teacher at John Handley High School in Winchester, Va. Dr. Ruffin is a U.S. Fullbright Scholar, Mother-scholar, Full Professor of Africana Studies and the Chair of the Department of Education at the University of North Carolina Asheville.
