Virginia O’Malley School: Kingston Elementary School Area: gifted resource teacher; grades K - 5 Total Years with VBCPS: 8 Total Years as a Teacher: 12 Ginny O’Malley says…“I teach because I want to make a difference in a child’s view of the world. Teaching is a way to inspire children to believe in their abilities to learn. Education is a vehicle to present children with challenges to problem solve. This learning opportunity builds their awareness as to how they can find a passion in their heart to make a difference in their community.”
Tracy J. Coffin School: North Landing Elementary School Area: mathematics, science, and social studies; grade 3 Total Years with VBCPS: 20 Total Years as a Teacher: 21 Tracy Coffin on teaching…“Teaching is the greatest reward. It is the career that makes all other careers. The best thing about teaching is working with a variety of students who make each day challenging. My personal reward is when I connect with a student to help them grow, take a risk with their thinking, and achieve success. I am proud to call myself a teacher.”
Dawn E. Garvey School: Corporate Landing Middle School Area: social studies; grade 6 Total Years with VBCPS: 16 Total Years as a Teacher: 16 Dawn Garvey says…“My belief is that change and constant challenges give us purpose. Where can I find more rewarding challenges and more ongoing changes than in the teaching profession? Each morning I marvel at my opportunities to help shape the minds of future generations in positive ways. Each evening I rest assured that during the course of each day I am making a difference.”
Deborah U. Price School: Plaza Middle School Area: advanced mathematics; grade 6 Total Years with VBCPS: 19 Total Years as a Teacher: 19 Deborah Price on teaching…“I teach because every morning there is a classroom of children waiting for me to make math meaningful and exciting to learn; to convince them that what they are learning will impact their lives. They are waiting for me to persuade them not to settle for less than their best. They are waiting for me to create an atmosphere of caring and acceptance. I teach because today I will make a difference.”
