Kim Baylor embodies all of the positive attributes of a physical educator. Recently, Ms. Baylor focused her lessons on the fight against childhood obesity and with her help, students who usually walked around the track started running three to five miles. 70 of her students signed up to run in a half Marathon. So, every Saturday morning for three months, she picked up her students for training. This year Ms. Baylor also volunteered to work on a Freshman Success Teacher team. She maintained her PE duties, taught five classes, and participated in team planning. She had also set a goal of visiting each of her student’s homes before the end of October. She did it. She completed this goal after school, on weekends, and during her runs while training for her first marathon.

Debbie Hilliard is a pre-kindergarten paraprofessional who takes her role in the cultivation of our future leaders very seriously. She models the habits of Powerful Literacy, works with her students one-on-one to improve reading and writing skills, and implements what she has learned from her gifted endorsement courses at UVA. She constantly utilizes a variety of discipline techniques that encourage the students to attend to the task at hand and stay motivated. Ms. Hilliard knows that if her students are challenged, they will be able to demonstrate higher levels of thinking and understanding.

The Fifth Grade Team at Oceanview Elementary works together to exceed all expectations. Their SOL scores illustrate this. Their students scored a 100% in reading, 97.5% in writing, 99% in math, 96% in science and 91% in Virginia Studies. The team also eliminated the Black/White achievement gap in reading, writing, and math; and closed the gap significantly in science and social studies. The team members clear hurdles by relying on each others strengths and willingness to share ideas to get the job done. By working together, they accomplish more than the sum of their parts, giving the students equal and powerful educational opportunities.

Deborah Marshall refuses to settle for complacency and consistently learns about technology in the classroom. Her goal is to assist each of Granby’s teachers in meeting the needs of their students. Her various training sessions include using web-pages as an instructional tool. She also teaches students about e-Sembler and Internet Safety. In addition to teaching, Ms. Marshall is also the Test Chair and is responsible for Quarterly Assessments, SOL exams, and school performance reports. For the 2nd year in a row, Ms. Marshall competed in and won a state-wide contest for one of her innovative lesson plans.

Dr. Sylvia E. Spratley has been the recipient of many awards and accolades, but she is most proud of her legacy of “High Expectations” for all at Tidewater Park. Through her leadership skills, teachers and staff are held accountable for data dis-aggregation, high stakes assessment results, and student growth for the whole child. Under her leadership, the school’s SOL scores have grown by leaps and bounds. Fellow colleagues and teachers look to her for direction and mentorship because she freely shares resources, advice, and important facts. Thanks to her honesty and consistency over the years, the parents and staff at Tidewater Park Elementary respect and follow her vision for world-class students.

Teresa Giusto teaches multiple grade levels but each of her students feels that they are special to her. She works with students before school, during her planning time, at lunch, and after school whenever they need support. Her test scores reflect the amount of studying and work she puts into her lesson plans. They consistently rate among the highest in the city. Last year, the whole 8th grade class passed the Algebra I test. Often, her former students return to tell her that they are doing well in their math classes thanks to her solid teaching.

Betsy Davis makes students feel both welcome and challenged when they enter Granby’s media center. Each day the media center opens an hour before school and closes nearly two hours after school because she believes students need access to resources. Ms. Davis is currently working with instructional technology resource teachers on a statewide initiative called “Share the Skies” that will enable students to study astronomy in real time, during the day in their classroom. It’s just another way she’s helping to get valuable resources to students.

Carol Zeisler is not only an accomplished and respected oboe player; she is also a valued music teacher. Her band members are given the opportunity to perform at school assemblies, joint concerts with Granby High, at concerts for families and community members, and in scholarship-opportunity contests, as well. Ms. Zeisler’s current and former students annually audition for and are selected to play in the District II Band and Norfolk’s All-City Band. Each semester, Ms. Zeisler coordinates a successful concert with the Northside band, chorus, and orchestra. She also mentors new teachers throughout the school system. Her love of music and teaching make her respected by everyone.

Paul Yizar believes in parental accountability. As the Truancy Technician at Granby High School, he utilizes a firm, but fair approach to get, and keep students in school. His work has been recognized by Juvenile Court Judge Joe Massey, and Norfolk Public Schools’ pupil personnel department, which uses his work as a model for all Truancy Technicians. Mr. Yizar has single-handedly improved Granby’s attendance in only one year.

Andrea Edwards, the school secretary, proves that all stakeholders are invaluable to the successful achievement for all students at Tidewater Park Elementary. Ms. Edwards knows every child by name, their parents, siblings, and grandparents. So, teachers often come to her for advice about helping troubled students. They know she will keep everything confidential because of her love and concern for the children. Parents often come to enroll and register their children without proper documents. Ms. Edwards calls the necessary organizations to help them complete enrollment. She has even paid for Birth Certificates and Social Security cards with her own funds, allowing parents to reimburse her later.