Teacher honored at board meeting

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

By PAUL COLLINS – Bulletin Staff Writer

Teresa Davis, a biology teacher at Martinsville High School, was recognized at the city school board meeting Monday night for having achieved National Board Certification, and in a separate matter, some of her students presented a case for why MHS should have a greenhouse.

School division officials and Davis said obtaining National Board Certification is a rigorous process and only a fraction of teachers make it the first year they try.

Davis said the process took more than a year; it was more difficult than her master’s degree work; and she worked on it about every chance she had, including nights, weekends and holidays. But she indicated she found the process valuable. “It makes you critique yourself,” she said.

According to the website of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, candidates for National Board Certification complete 10 assessments that are reviewed by trained teachers in their certificate areas. The assessments include four portfolio entries that feature teaching practice and six “constructed response exercises” (or tests) that assess content knowledge.

Davis said her National Board Certification is in the area of adolescence and young adulthood science.

Certification is valid for 10 years, and the renewal process begins during the eighth year, according to Davis and the website.

On the separate matter, several of Davis’ Advanced Placement Biology students summarized the findings of a project in which Davis assigned them to make their case to the school board about why a greenhouse is needed at Martinsville High School, including how students would use the greenhouse, how the school and community would benefit, and how the greenhouse would be sustained. In addition, the students were asked to propose landscaping in front of MHS in connection with renovations now under way.

What was presented to the school board was a compilation of the students’ many ideas. They include:

• How students would use the greenhouse: for more AP courses and electives, to enhance plant labs, to increase hands-on experiences, to emphasize college majors in science and explore career paths.

• How the school and community would benefit: promote healthier lifestyles with vegetables students would grow; community service hours for students; provide horticultural and agricultural experiences for students; healthier menu choices at school; and food donations to food banks.

• How to sustain the greenhouse: students would volunteer to help clean it; solar energy would help keep energy costs down; workshops in which, for a fee, students would teach younger children some fundamentals about growing plants; growing and selling carnations and prom flowers; selling foods that students grow; having a seasonal pumpkin patch, in which gourds and pumpkins would be grown and sold.

They also presented a plan for landscaping in connection with MHS renovations. They would choose plants that, among other things, are native to the area, perennials for less maintenance, flowers that bloom mostly during the school year and flowers that are full sun because the school faces near south so there is rarely shade.

School board members and Schools Superintendent Pam Heath praised the students. Heath said she had met with Davis’ students previously and their emphases included growing organic food, doing community service, school and community pride and betterment of the community.

Heath said the architect for a MHS renovation project said he will be happy to meet with the students’ about their landscaping ideas.

Some school board members asked how much a greenhouse would cost and where funding would come from. That has not been determined.

In another matter, Travis Clemons, the school division’s executive director of finance and development, gave this update on the renovation project at MHS:

• Roofing is 100 percent complete on several buildings.

• On Building G, which contains science labs, plumbing is 80 percent complete, and duct work, electrical work and masonry work are 95 percent complete.

• On the addition to Building G, the foundation is 75 percent complete and workers are installing some utilities.

• In the mechanical room, chiller condenser pumps are in.

In other business, the school board:

• Approved a teacher evaluation model. Part of the evaluation will be based on growth in student achievement.

• Heath announced that two Patrick Henry Elementary students will compete in the 4-H public speaking finals Jan. 10 at the Henry County Administration Building. They are Finley Underwood and Journey Sunkins.

• Rebecca Crabtree and Ann Hundley gave a report about a project called “Dyeing to Learn,” in which special education classes at MHS and Martinsville Middle School hand-dyed colorful silk scarves. Crabtree is a local volunteer who works each week with Hundley’s MHS special education class. The project gave special education students an outlet for their creativity, and they learned about business and practiced independent living skills such as following directions, communication, math, color coordination and dexterity. They also gained household skills, such as ironing and washing fabric.

Crabtree and Hundley were accompanied at the board meeting by several students. Proceeds from the sale of the scarves will benefit the special education program, possibly for such things as supplies and a wheelchair lift.

• School board members and Heath commented on some things they gleaned from the Virginia School Boards Association Annual Convention.

For instance, Bill Manning, chairman of the Martinsville School Board, said utilizing innovative technology is critical. “I think we are on the right track in Martinsville City Public Schools (MCPS).”

• Heath announced the date of the MCPS Endowment gala fundraiser has been changed to May 4. The event will be from 7 to 11 p.m. Heath said she wasn’t sure if the location had been finalized.

• Heath said MCPS is one of six school divisions that will receive funding from a $2.7 million grant from Virginia Advanced Study Strategies (VASS). According to its website, the mission of VASS is to encourage high school students to prepare for careers in math and science by enrolling in challenging Advanced Placement classes. Heath said she does not yet know how much MCPS’ share will be.

• Readopted the current school board policies subject to review.

• Made these appointments:

— One teacher: Robert Divers, math teacher at the middle school.

— Six coaches: Bonnie Wilson, co-head basketball cheerleading at the high school; Brian Chitwood, assistant coach of varsity boys baseball at the high school; Amanda Gray, assistant coach for varsity girls soccer at the high school; Erika Nicholas, head coach for varsity girls softball at the high school; Nathaniel Hairston Jr., head coach for middle school wrestling; and Robert Divers, head coach of middle school boys baseball.

— Special Education Parent Advisory Committee: Melody Cartwright, Cherie Craig, Annie Via, Orfilda Mata Duarte, Chris and Diane Potter, Darren and Caren Aaron; representing the school division, Jeanne Westphalen; representing Piedmont Community Services, Greg Preston and Lynne Smith.