Virginia Beach Schools Names 2005 Citywide Teacher of the Year Lisa Langston, an art teacher at Strawbridge Elementary School, was today named the citywide 2005 Virginia Beach City Public Schools Teacher of the Year. In a surprise visit made to her classroom this morning, Superintendent Timothy R. Jenney and Associate Superintendent Sheila S. Magula made the announcement and presented her with an engraved school bell and other congratulatory gifts. Chosen from an initial pool of 87 teachers representing their schools, Langston was one of five finalists selected to receive classroom visits by the Teacher of the Year Selection Committee. According to Chairperson Shea Paisley, while all the finalists were outstanding, Langston was remarkable in her ability to translate her artistic vision into lessons that incorporated not only art but also the core curriculum. “Lisa Langston is truly a master teacher,” said Paisley. “She is an insightful teacher leader who is innovative, creative and tireless as she motivates and inspires her students and colleagues through unique and meaningful art lessons. Her professionalism and sensitivity to her students’ educational needs lead directly to the success she has in helping students achieve, not only in art, but also in their core coursework.” Langston is a six-year veteran teacher and taught at Windsor Oaks Elementary School for three years prior to joining the faculty of Strawbridge Elementary in 2001. Currently, she teaches art to students in grades one through five. According to Dr. Anne Wolcott, coordinator of fine arts with the Virginia Beach school division, Langston’s “mastery of current thought and practice in the field of art education is always in evidence and is clearly an inspiration to her students and peers…. Her experiences range from conducting workshops for schools and community organizations, serving as a mentor and cooperating teacher, chairing citywide art committees and art shows, as well as being a prolific artist,” said Wolcott. “Her support of the Fine Arts program has put our elementary school art program on the map!” Langston has assumed numerous leadership roles. She has served on the VBCPS citywide Social Studies and Fine Arts committees, the Committee for the Development of Mentor Program for VBCPS New Teachers, the Elementary Art Curriculum Development Committee and has been a member of numerous education and fine arts associations. She participated in the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia Teacher Institute for four years as well as the Virginia Elementary and Middle School Committee School Renewal Conference in 2000. In addition, she has been a presenter at several local and state conferences and served as chairperson of Virginia Beach schools Youth Art Month and Teaching Artists Exhibit. Langston has received numerous awards and recognitions, including being her school’s nominee for the 1998-1999 Sallie Mae First Year Teacher Award and the Virginia Art Educator of the Year for 2000, the recipient of the PTA Life Member Award, the Tagged by the Superintendent Award in 2003, and the recipient and coordinator of a grant for an after-school fine arts program for at-risk students. Langston holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and has taken graduate credits toward a master’s. For more information about the Virginia Beach Schools 2005 Teacher of the Year Program, please contact Shea Paisley at 757.474.8411 or Linda Koutoufas at 757.427.4433. ###

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