virginia teacher november/december issue
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The Leader in Me, Nature's Classroom, Bricks 4 Kidz, and more in this issue!TRANSCRIPT
A MAGAZINE FOR EDUCATORS ACROSS VIRGINIA
THE LEADER IN MENovember-December 2012
www.VirginiaTeacherOnline.com
INSIDE
BR ICKS4 KIDZNATURE ’ SCLASSROOM
www.VirginiaTeacherOnline.com
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Letter From the Editor
2
How do you determine the effectivenessof a good leader? I tend to agree withMartha Peak’s (Group Editor, AMAMagazines) standards:
“My father had a simple test thathelps me measure my own leadershipquotient: When you are out of the office he once asked me, does youstaff carry on remarkably well without you?”
This should be the ultimate goal ofevery teacher - for our students tocarry on remarkably well without us.But how is this goal achieved?
This issue of Virginia Teacher has the answers.
“The Leader in Me” is a characterbuilding program proven to nurtureresponsible and proactive studentsready to meet any challenge. Butdon’t take my word for it. Here are a couple testimonials:
After just one year of implementation,we have seen leadership skills emergein both students and teachers. It is refreshing to see students taking responsibility and ownership for theirlearning and self-discipline, and it isa joy to see children attempting tocreate Win-Win situations as they seekto understand others and resolvetheir differences. ~Marian Holder,Third-grade Teacher, Nash Elementary, Texas
As educators and parents, our ultimate goal for our children is tohave them be successful in life, and to
do the things we would like them todo when we are not around. Our job,therefore, is to prepare them for life,not to guide every moment of everyday of their existence. What betterway to do that than through teachingtimeless principles? ~Dr. Beth Sharpe,Principal, English Estates Elementary,Florida
“The Leader in Me” success storiesyou will read about in this issue don’tcome from Texas or Florida. They arefrom local schools right here in Virginia. It is just one more example ofhow Virginia teachers are tapping intocreative ideas in order to develop future leaders who will ultimatelycarry on remarkably well on theirown.
Yours in Education,
Editor & Publisher
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4
ContributorsPublisher and Editor-in-ChiefDory Suttmiller
Production, Design and DistributionBreeger Media Group
WritersBrandy CentolanzaJessica FilosaBud Livers, PH.D
Mission StatementThe mission of Virginia Teacher Magazine is to inform and inspire educators in Virginia by providing current and relevant information on career development, educational enrichment and personal growth.
DisclaimerThe views and opinions of writers andcontributors that appear in VirginiaTeacher Magazine do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of VirginiaTeacher Magazine’s publisher, editor, staff and affiliates. The information inVirginia Teacher Magazine is provided as a service to the readers of VirginiaTeacher Magazine for information purposesonly. Virginia Teacher Magazine is notresponsible for problems arising out ofreference to the included material.Information on a commercial product orservice does not imply an endorsement byVirginia Teacher Magazine. Reproductionwithout permission is prohibited. Allphotographs are property of and credited to Virginia Teacher Magazine, unlessotherwise noted.
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Virginia Teacher Magazine325 Flax Mill WayChesapeake, VA 23322Phone 757-620-2631Fax 757-410-0783Web www.VirginiaTeacherOnline.com
BRANDY CENTOLANZA
Brandy Centolanza is a freelance writer who covers education, health, parenting, travel and community issues in Hampton Roads and Richmond. She has writtenfor several local publications, including The VirginiaGazette, The Daily Press, The Health Journal, Next DoorNeighbors Magazine, Richmond Family, and VirginiaTeacher. She lives in Williamsburg with her husband, two children and two cats.
JESSICA FILOSAJessica received her Bachelor of Science in Education fromLong Island University in 2003. She taught third and fifthgrade for 7 years at Tanners Creek Elementary School inNorfolk, Virginia. She earned her Master of Science at OldDominion University in 2009, where she researched the impact of incorporating Technological Literacy lessons onScience and Mathematic SOL scores. In 2011, she workedfor the Chesapeake Public School District as a fifth gradeteacher for Greenbrier Intermediate School. Currently, sheis the director of Bricks4Kidz in Virginia Beach.
BUD LIVERS, PH.D.
Bud is the Emerging Technologies Coordinator for a NavyCommand in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and is a Senior Faculty member at the Cambridge College Regional Centerin Chesapeake, Virginia, in the M.Ed., Special Educationprogram. He taught students with an emotional distur-bance at a regional public day school, and was an AssistantProfessor of Teacher Education at Chowan University inNorth Carolina. He headed the Jails Education Program inVirginia Beach, Virginia, tasked with providing special education services for incarcerated youth and youngadults. Bud received his Ph.D. in Educational Planning, Policy, and Leadership, withemphasis in Special Education Administration from The College of William & Mary, inWilliamsburg, Virginia.
Table of ContentsThe Leader in Me 6Learn about an exciting new program growing in schools across the nation.
Making the Grade 10Bricks 4 Kidz: helping students learn Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.).
Old School vs. New School 12School yards become nature’s classroom
Class Reunion 16Gloria C. Coston: Kellam High School, Class of 1973
Join the conversation! "Like" Virginia Teacher
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6
An exciting new program is growing
in schools around the nation. Based
on the work by best-selling author
of “The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People”, Stephen Covey’s
tried and true principles for
effective living have been adapted
for use by school children. This
year there are programs in over
1,000 schools worldwide. Twenty
one of these are in Virginia, and
thirteen of those schools - Public
and Private, Elementary, Middle
and High Schools – are right here
in the Richmond-Tidewater
corridor, with more schools
coming onboard regularly.
The Leader in Me was first piloted
at A.B. Combs Elementary School
Leadership Magnet School, in
Raleigh, NC. Twice a year educators
from all over the world are invited
to learn about the school in a
day-long seminar where they are
greeted by students, see a
presentation of flags from countries
that are represented at A.B. Combs,
and learn more about what makes
this model so unique.
NOT JUST ANOTHER “PROGRAM”Unlike other programs that target
only academic skills, the 7-Habits
materials are designed to address
the whole child. Principal Lavern
Chatman at Newtown Elementary
School says, “7-Habits is not a
program, but a mindset. It is a
philosophy to help boys and girls
THE LEADER IN ME:Transforming Schools, One Student at a TimeBy: Bud Livers
Unlike other programs that target only academicskills, the 7-Habits materials are designed to addressthe whole child.
Schools that are implementing TheLeader in Me are different from
other schools, and you can see it
immediately when you enter the
building. There are posters on the
walls describing each of the 7-
Habits, and how they are practiced
there. The hallways don’t carry the
traditional names of “3rd Grade” or
“500 series”. Instead the halls have
names like “Synergy Drive”,
“Proactive Parkway”, “Sharpen the
Saw Street” or “Win-Win Highway”.
The morning announcements
include a student talking about
the Habit of the Week, or maybe
a student choral group singing
the “Wanna Be, Wanna Be
Proactive” rap.
The students at The Leader in Meschools are different, too. They
hold eye contact when speaking
with you. Some schools even have
student-leaders, or student
ambassadors who greet visitors at
the door and help direct them to
their destinations. If you are there
to attend a Parent-Teacher
conference, you may find the
opening minutes of the meeting are
student-lead. The student introduces
the participants, explains the
purpose of the conference, and
then presents a portfolio with
selected samples of student work.
become better citizens. We are
building and developing lives. TheLeader in Me program helps do
this. Do I know what to do when
no one is looking?”
THE LEADER IN MEIn The Leader in Me, Stephen R.
Covey describes notes following:
“What these schools are doing isteaching basic leadership principles to young students – asyoung as five years old. They areteaching neglected skill sets formaking good choices, for gettingalong well with others, and formanaging time wisely. In addition, they are providing authentic opportunities for students to apply them by givingstudents leadership opportunitiesin the classroom, in the school,and in the community. All thisthey are doing in a way that isimproving student achievementand restoring discipline and acharacter ethic in the classroomsand on the playgrounds. Whatdelights teachers is that they aredoing it in a way that does notcreate “one more thing” for themto do, but rather offers amethodology that many describeas “a better way of doing whatwe are already doing.”
gives kids the tools to recognize
when they see bullying and to step
in and do the right thing,” he
stated. “It takes courage and
leadership to do that.”
Charles City County Public Schools
have implemented The Leader inMe division-wide. With this initiative
being implemented across the
board at the elementary, middle
VIRGINIA TEACHER MAGAZINE |NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2012 7
Our students have always been grounded in astrong academic program, but imagine the impactof students who graduate with eight years of Character and Leadership skills as well.
Lou Goldberg, Principal at St.
Mathews School had experience
with the 7-Habits while he was in
the Navy, and saw how these habits
could be beneficial in a school
setting as well. “Our students have
always been grounded in a strong
academic program, but imagine the
impact of students who graduate
with eight years of Character and
Leadership skills as well.” As further
proof of the effectiveness of this
program, Goldberg reports that when
last year’s 8th graders graduated and
went to High School, St Matthews’s
graduates swept the recent elections
for Student Council positions at
their follow-on school.
“We want children to speak the
language and use these as skills for
life”, notes Brenda Phillips, Principal
at John B. Cary Elementary School.
“Staff are using this in classrooms,
and are very excited. We sent the
information home to the parents,
and presented it at Open House.”
7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE STUDENTSThe Leader in Me, is designed to be
integrated into a school’s core cur-
riculum and everyday language so
that it isn’t “one more thing”
teachers and administrators have to
do. It becomes part of the culture,
gaining momentum and producing
improved results year after year.
“The 7-Habits definitely add value
to our program”, says Elementary
School Principal Tim Sullivan. “The
first three – Be proactive, Begin
with the End in Mind, and Put First
Things First find application in our
academics. The next three – Think
Win-Win, Seek first to Understand,
then to be Understood, and Synergy
are all about working together. We
use those heavily in our guidance
and counseling programs. The last
one, Sharpen the Saw – is hit hard
in our PE program.”
Many schools make this program a
cornerstone in their anti-bullying
campaigns. “Teach kids to be leaders,
and you don’t have bullying” says
Lou Goldberg, St. Matthews’
Principal. “Students are encouraged
and taught how to form positive
relationships with other students. It
and high school levels, students are
able to carry what they learn from
one school to the next. For specific
examples of how these principals
can be applied in a school setting,
check out the links on the Websites
for Charles City Elementary, Middle
and High School.
Stephanie Crutchfield, Principal at
Charles City High School notes,
“Here at Charles City the incoming
9th graders arrive with the 7-Habits
already in mind. They hit the floor
running, and we can build on what
they learned at the Middle School
and further develop these principles
in their lives. We teach them to
‘Begin with the end in mind’ as they
look at earning credits toward
graduation, or while reviewing
Carnegie Units. Already
understanding concepts like
Principal Lou Goldberg, along with teacher Lauren Keller, Asst PrincipalDr Leiann Galvez, and several 8th grade students pose with their copiesof “7-Habits for Highly Effective Teens”
8
‘Sharpen the Saw’ gives them a
common vocabulary.”
THE 7-HABITSHabit 1 - Be Proactive: I am a
responsible person. I take initiative.
I choose my actions, attitudes, and
moods. I do not blame others for
my wrong actions. I do the right
thing without being asked, even
when no one is looking.
Habit 2 – Begin with the End inMind: I plan ahead and set goals. I
do things that have meaning and
make a difference. I am an
important part of my classroom
and contribute to my school’s
mission and vision, and look for
ways to be a good citizen.
Habit 3 – Put First Things First: I
spend my time on things that are
most important. This means I say
no to things I know I should not
do. I set priorities, make a
schedule, and follow my plan. I
am disciplined and organized.
Habit 4 – Think Win-Win: I
balance courage for getting what I
want with consideration for what
others want. I make deposits in
other’s Emotional Bank Accounts.
When conflicts arise, I look for
third alternatives.
Habit 5 – Seek First to Under-stand, Then to Be Understood: I
listen to other people’s ideas and
feelings. I try to see things from
their viewpoints. I listen to others
without interrupting. I am
confident in voicing my
ideas. I look people in the eyes
when talking.
Habit 6 – Synergize: I value other
people’s strengths and learn from
them. I get along well with others,
even people who are different from
me. I work well in groups. I seek
out other people’s ideas to solve
problems because I know that by
teaming with others we can create
better solutions than any one of us
alone. I am humble.
Habit 7 – Sharpen the Saw: I
take care of my body by eating
right, exercising and getting sleep. I
spend time with family and friends.
I learn in lots of ways and lots of
places, not just in school. I take
time to find meaningful ways to
help others.
7-HABITS... COMING TO ASCHOOL NEAR YOU???Greg Furlich, Principal at Kingston
Elementary School notes they have
been incorporating the 7-Habits
into their school philosophy for a
couple of years now. This year he
will be leading his staff as they
complete their formal training and
alignment with the program. “It
began slowly” Furlich noted. “One
teacher, who had practiced this at
another school, started doing these
things in her classroom. Other
teachers were interested, and they
started incorporating these ideas on
their own. And it spreads from
there. Eventually I had several
teachers wanting to know about the
program, and how we could
incorporate it fully here.”
All employees at the school are
given this training – not just the
teachers and administrators, but
the bus drivers, Cafeteria workers,
custodians, secretaries…everyone
at the school. For best effect, The
Leader in Me habits need to be
ubiquitous throughout the school.
Parents love the program. Many
even buy the books on their own
and are teaching it to their children
who attend other schools.
Student Leaders incorporate 7-Habits into their school electioncampaigns.
Principals Gloria Coston-Diamond Springs ES, Timothy Sullivan-BettyM. Williams ES, and Lavern Chatman-Newtown ES, lead their schools inembracing the 7-Habits of Highly Effective Students.
VIRGINIA TEACHER MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2012 9
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Dr. Charlene Brooks, Principal at
J.B. Fisher ES in Richmond said she
had studied 7-Habits while doing
her doctoral work, and was excited
by the prospect of introducing
these tenants to her students. She
anticipates this program will be a
true game-changer and will be well
received by the members of the
school community.
FUNDING OPTIONS…Ways to pay for this program areoften as varied as the schools themselves.
■ In some cases, The Leader inMe is a part of the regularschool budget and supportedby the school division.
■ Due to the positive effect thisprogram has on improving literacy among school children,Title I schools may use federalgrant funding support.
■ Ms. Brenda Phillips, Principalof John B. Cary ElementarySchool in Richmond recentlywon the R.E.B. Award for Distinguished EducationalLeadership. She is applyingher award money to acquireThe Leader in Me curriculumat her school.
■ Often times the local PTA, excited by the prospect oftransformation offered by thiscurriculum will hold specialfundraisers and pay for it outof the PTA budget.
■ Partners in Education andother corporate sponsors canbe enlisted to help out as well.
For further information on how youcan get started on your own Leaderin Me initiative, ask any of the principals quoted in this article, orcontact Kelly Kennedy Scott, FranklinCovey Education Representative [email protected],or (804) 836-4511. VT
BRICKS4 KIDZInternational tests show that other
countries are passing American
students in mathematics and
science. So what can we do to help
our students become successful in
these areas? How can we get our
students to become excited about
learning mathematics and science?
A brand new program offered in
Virginia answers these questions!
Bricks 4 Kidz programs incorporate
the love of LEGO® bricks with
Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.)
concepts. Kids are thrilled to be
using LEGO® bricks, so they don’t
even realize how many skills they
are acquiring!
Bricks 4 Kidz offers several hands-
on programs, such as in-school
field trips, after school classes, and
preschool classes, developed by
teachers, architects, and engineer-
ing professionals. Children ages 3-
13+ can explore transportation,
animals, robots, laws of motion,
and much more with teacher led
discussions and one of a kind
model plans! Bricks 4 Kidz teachers
bring all of the necessary materials
to your school or facility. At the end
of each lesson, students take home
a sheet explaining the vocabulary
and concepts learned based on the
model. These dynamic programs
are sure to excite kids of all ages!
In-School Field TripsBricks 4 Kidz field trips provide
hands-on lessons that correlate to
the Virginia Standards of Learning
10
Making the Grade
using LEGO® bricks. Teachers can
choose from numerous topics such
as Simple Machines, Ancient
Civilizations, and How Things
Work or we can design a program
specifically for your needs.
Lessons are 45 to 90 minutes and
include an engaging teacher-led
discussion, Bricks 4 Kidz Project
Kits which contain LEGO® bricks,
full-color model plans, and take-
home material. Students work in
pairs to build their models to
promote teamwork and
cooperation. Bricks 4 Kidz lessons
offer differentiated model plans to
make sure ALL students can learn!
Therefore, some models are even
motorized! Children are amazed by
what they can create with our
step-by-step model plans and a
little bit of determination!
Remember you won’t have to
worry about a bus with our
in-school field trips, since we bring
everything to you! Please contact
your locate Bricks 4 Kidz Director
to start planning your unique field
trip today!
After-School ProgramsBricks 4 Kidz after-school classes
are taught in 6-week sessions and
focus on themes like Amazing
Animals, Space Adventures, or
Gadgets & Gizmos. These hour
long classes expose children to the
fundamentals of engineering and
architecture, construct models
using our Bricks 4 Kidz model
plans, and time for them to express
their creativity during free-play at
the end of each class.
Bricks 4 Kidz provides everything
for the sessions! Classes reinforce
science and mathematics skills and
SOL’s that children learn in school.
Even children’s problem solving
skills and self-esteem grow as they
are challenged each week to build a
new model!
By: Jessica Filosa
New & Exciting Educational Programs Linked to the Virginia Standards of Learning
Eliana Quaresma is learning about alligators in a preschool class offered by Virginia Beach's Bricks 4 Kidz Director, Jessica Filosa.
VIRGINIA TEACHER MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2012 11
Preschool ClassesChildren ages 3-5 will be delighted
to get their hands on DUPLO®
bricks! The Bricks 4 Kidz preschool
curriculum includes essential
preschool skills such as, letter
recognition, patterning, colors,
counting, fine motor skills, and
position and ordering. Classes are
offered in 4-8 week sessions
throughout the school year and
are based on the ABC’s.
Each week, children learn about
the letter of the week, build a
model using Bricks 4 Kidz model
plans, build the letter of the week,
enjoy free-play, and the class ends
with a fingerplay or song.
Contact UsPlease call or email one of our
Bricks 4 Kidz Directors to find out
more information or to schedule a
program. If you don’t see a Bricks 4
Virginia Air & Space Center
PEOPLE HAVE Explored HERE FOR OVER 400 YEARS .
COME REACH FOR THE STARS. Contact Bruce Newton at 800.487.8778 VisitHampton.com
Kidz in your area, contact us and
we will try to get a Bricks 4 Kidz
program started by you. Also,
Bricks 4 Kidz takes pride in their
community, so make sure to invite
Bricks 4 Kidz to your next event!
Remember at Bricks 4 Kidz we
learn, we build, and we play with
LEGO® bricks!
• Jessica Filosa
Virginia Beach Director
(757) 301-9710
• Robin Fraizer
Chesapeake, Suffolk,
Smithfield, Carrollton Director
757-925-9917
• Robin Burke
Ashburn & Leesburg Director
571-210-KIDZ (5439)
• Robin Kocen &
Michelle Maistelman
Richmond & Henrico Directors
804-938-3535
LEGO® is a registered trademark of the
LEGO® Group of companies which does not
sponsor, authorize, or endorse these
programs. VT
Turning School Yards Into Nature’s Classrooms
On a warm sunny afternoon in
September, kindergarten students at
Matoaka Elementary School in
Williamsburg-James City County
School Division left their classrooms
to plant seedlings for beets, spinach,
lettuce, cabbage, and broccoli in the
school garden. They each took turns
watering what they sowed with a
watering can and will return to the
garden later in the year to pick and
eat what they planted.
“Any educator knows that
experience is the best teacher,” says
Dawn Forgit, a kindergarten teacher
at Matoaka. “Few children
experience the joys of getting dirty,
planting seeds, discovering an
insect, or taking the time to watch a
plant grow. Our Matoaka garden
gives students all these experiences
and more. My kindergarten class
went out to the garden after the
first week of school, and already I
12
have referenced that experience
half a dozen times in other
classroom lessons.”
That’s exactly what Matoaka
principal Andy Jacobs envisioned
when he created the garden in
2007. The goal of the garden is “to
provide a convenient, accessible
natural resource for our teachers
and students in order to make con-
nections to related curriculum and
instruction, and, let’s not forget, an
appreciation for the wonders of the
natural world around us,” Jacobs
says. “I believe students love the
opportunity to explore and
experience the world beyond the
classroom walls.”
Teachers, students, parents and
other volunteers maintain the
garden year-round with the guidance
of Williamsburg/James City Master
Gardeners.
“While the students are in the garden,
they have the opportunity to
explore their surroundings,” says
Leanne Conrad, a Master Gardener
and parent. “There are fragrant herbs
to smell and touch, like lemon balm,
peppermint and oregano. In the
warmer months, the garden is full
of butterflies, grasshoppers and
ladybugs. We even have tree frogs
that have taken up residency in the
tool chest this year.”
Several other schools in the
Williamsburg-James City County
School Division also have gardens,
including Stonehouse Elementary
School, where the School Habitat
Garden there serves “as an outdoor
classroom for the school and
community and features over 100
species of Virginia native plants
that attract and feed butterflies, birds,
hummingbirds and other wildlife,”
says Jan Newton, education chair for
By: Brandy Centolanza
Few children experience the joysof getting dirty, planting seeds, discovering an insect, or taking thetime to watch aplant grow. Our Matoaka gardengives students allthese experiencesand more.
Old School vs. New School
VIRGINIA TEACHER MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBERR 2012 13
the Virginia Native Plant
Society and a volunteer with
Stonehouse’s garden.
“Schoolyard habitats are great places
to teach kindergarteners about
colors, shapes and sizes,” Newton
said. “They are great places to teach
second graders about the life cycle of
a butterfly, and third graders about
soil and erosion. They are great
places to get inspiration for creative
writing, drawing and photography, to
inspire both children and adults
about the environment and the
relationship between native plants
and animals, and to interact with
nature and unwind from a stressful
event or day.”
�Going to Nauticus was
I went on a HUMONGOUS, real -life Battleship!
I built an underwater robot!I piloted a tugboat down the river!
I TOUCHED a living fossil! I saw an awesome movie on a HUGE screen!
On the Downtown Norfolk Waterfront
One Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VA 23510 | Nauticus.org (800) 664-1080 | [email protected]
e, Norfaterside DrivWOne v080 | reser0) 664-1(80
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I believe studentslove the opportunityto explore and experience the world beyond theclassroom walls.
That’s part of the reason Richmond
Public Schools formed a Garden
Taskforce last year. Richmond has 34
school gardens.
“The gardens provide real-life
application of science and
mathematics for students,” explains
Victoria Oakley, the school
division’s chief academic officer.
“The lessons and activities provide an
integrated curriculum that correlate
with the Standards of Learning.
The gardens have taught students
the importance of cooperation,
empathy of living things, and
reducing their carbon footprint.”
School gardens especially offer
middle and high school students the
opportunity to be hands-on. Middle
school students at Hunter B.
Andrews School in Hampton
designed the garden there.
“The students decided a cement
block lasagna bed was the best bed
for our grassy courtyard,” explains
Jessica Scott, the garden’s
coordinator. “The raised bed would
reduce weeds, retain water, and be
14
high enough for all students to enjoy.
The students also researched the
lowest prices from area businesses to
purchase supplies.”
Students in Robert Horvath’s special
education class at Jamestown High
School in Williamsburg-James City
School Division care for the school’s
butterfly garden.
“The purpose of the garden is to
provide a unique teaching strategy,
and the benefits to the students and
learning are many,” Horvath says.
“They are truly engaged in the
activity. They are excited to see the
butterflies and nature in action.
Students are learning the anatomy of
the butterfly as well as plants. They
learn what plants and vegetables
grow in what season as well as how
to care for them. In addition, they are
developing team building skills as
well as developing their eye-hand
coordination, strength and
endurance. Lastly, they learn to
follow directions and responsibility. If
they do not take care of the garden,
plants die, and they realize the
importance of their tasks.”
The lessons and activities provide an integrated curriculum that correlate with the Standards ofLearning. The gardens have taught students theimportance of cooperation, empathy of livingthings, and reducing their carbon footprint.
VIRGINIA TEACHER MAGAZINE | NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2012 15
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Meanwhile, students in the Teens Go
Green Club with the Middle Years
International Baccalaureate Program
at Plaza Middle School in Virginia
Beach maintain five gardens.
“Students enjoy the real work that is
involved,” shares life science teacher
Robert Carroll. “They can see their
work paying off, whether it is by
creating a new planting bed, leaving
a nicely weeded bed behind or
harvesting cool weather crops in the
fall and late spring. The students are
our labor force. They are moving
wheelbarrows, mixing planting
media for our tree nursery, weeding
and watering.”
Carroll is a strong proponent of
having a school garden and
encourages other schools to start
one. School gardens “can be used to
energize the science curriculum with
hands-on outdoor classes,” Carroll
says. “Growing your own food is a
great way to be green or increase
sustainability. Gardens create a large
amount of insect diversity, which
really interests students. Garden
events add excitement to the school.
Many students have never tasted a
radish or arugula. Running outside to
harvest and test out some of the crop
is always a fun event for everyone.
Gardens add to the beauty of the
school ground and afford pride to
the students who help create a better
school ground, and people,
especially young people, like to be
connected with the Earth.” VT
Who was the teacher you remember most and why?
My favorite teacher happened to bethe school librarian at Court HouseElementary, Mrs. Sue Buffington.Mrs. Buffington introduced me tobooks and encouraged my love ofreading. I will never forget her forthat.
If you could do High Schoolover again, what would you do differently?
If I could, I would take better advantage of the academic and extra-curricular opportunities offered by the school. So many students just try to get by, not takingadvantage of the plethora of opportunities they have before it istoo late. If I could repeat a grade Iwould repeat 10th grade. I think that 10th grade is the last year toturn around poor grades and makenecessary changes.
What one thing did you learn inschool that has served you wellin your post-school years?
I have always had a love of people.The seventies was a great time for diversity and school allowed me theopportunity to meet and enjoy a variety of people.
How did you decide to become aschool principal?
I always knew I wanted to work withpeople. I considered social work, buta supervisor convinced me to go intoteaching. As a teacher, I absolutelyloved the children. I treated them asmy own. I have always been a
Class ReunionKELLAM HIGHSCHOOL, CLASS OF ‘73
16
goal-oriented; so just one year afterreceiving my teaching certification, Iwent back to school for my Mastersin Curriculum and Instruction(Urban Education). During my internship for the Masters, I organized and ran the summerschool at North Landing Elementary.The principal at that time, David Voliva, convinced me to go back toschool and take classes for Adminis-tration and Supervision. By Decem-ber I had completed the five classes Ineeded for the principalship.
To what do you attribute your success in life?
People often ask me about my success, and how my husband and Ireared two very nice kids who hap-pen to be a doctor and lawyer. First, Igive credit to God because we couldnot have done it without him. Secondly, I would say that you haveto love your spouse more than youlove yourself. Last but not least, ittakes a lot of hard work and
By: Bud Livers
Gloria C. CostonPRINCIPAL, DIAMONDSPRINGS ELEMENTARYSCHOOL
dedication. Our children saw usworking full-time while attendingnight school. We studied at night, onweekends, and even while riding inthe car. We modeled a strong workethic. We taught our children to havegood morals; to live with integrity,and to work for excellence. The values I tried to instill in my children are the same values I try toreinforce for my students and staff atDiamond Springs. VT
BIOGRAPHY:Gloria Coston was born in Virginia Beach,(formerly named Princess Anne County),and has a strong family connection withKellam High School. She is the third of tenchildren, all graduates of Kellam, and hertwo children graduated from there as well.Previously, she attended Princess Anne Elementary School (formally known asSeaboard Elementary) then attended CourtHouse Elementary during the first year ofintegration at the Beach.
While working full-time for VB Fire Department she took education classes.After leaving the Fire Department to pursue her teaching career, she wasawarded by the City, in the form of aProclamation, the date of December 28,1994 as Gloria F. Coston Day, signed by former Mayor Meyera E. Oberdorf, with theOfficial Seal of the City of Virginia Beach affixed to the proclamation. She taught atAlanton Elementary and Princess Anne Elementary before going into school administration. After three other administrative postings, in July 2010 shewas assigned as principal at DiamondSprings Elementary.
Gloria is married to John H. Coston, FireCaptain, City of Virginia Beach. They havetwo adult children, Ayesha Coston Kelly,M.D. and John H. Coston IV, J.D.
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