PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT REBECCA GELLER — rebeccargeller@gmail.com or 202.236.3755
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FAIRFAX COUNTY TEACHER OF THE YEAR
ENDORSES JANIE STRAUSS
Brigitte Lavey, the 2009-2010 Fairfax County Teacher of the Year and a 38 year teaching veteran, publicly endorses Janie Strauss because of the “positive difference Janie Strausshas made in furthering quality education in Fairfax County. I have been impressed with her leadership, budget expertise, and vision over the years. Her focus is always on the students and giving teachers and schools at all levels the tools and resources they need to provide a first-class education. Moreover, Janie’s commitment is intensely personal. As a mother of four FCPS graduates whose needs spanned special education, general education, and advanced academics, she brings a unique perspective to this position. In addition, as a former classroom teacher, her understanding of the issues is based on personal experience, not hearsay or theory. She is uniquely qualified for this position, andI hope that Dranesville families and my fellow educators will join me in supporting Janie Strauss on November 8.
Educators throughout Dranesville know the importance of strong leadership on the County School Board and whole-heartedly throw their support to Janie Strauss. FCPS educators committed to the students and parents of Fairfax County have publicly endorsed Janie Strauss for School Board in a letter to the Sun Gazette editor on October 31, 2011 (please see http://www.sungazette.net/mclean-greatfalls-vienna-oakton/commentary/strauss-deserves-a-new-term-on-school-board/article_a6973bd0-0325-11e1-ab5c-001cc4c03286.html).
“The teachers on this list are luminaries in FCPS, people who have worked in Dranesville with Janie for years. Her voice on the School Board is intelligent, respectful and always strong. As people in the debates have seen, she is not abrasive but rather works to find the facts and to make collaborative, informed decisions that are best for all the constituents in the school community — especially students. We teachers believe that consensus building should continue to be goal on the School Board, not divisiveness, and so we support Janie Strauss enthusiastically,” says Cathy Colglazier, former English chair at McLean High School and Thomas Jefferson High School.
Educators agree that Janie Strauss is the right leader to propel FCPS into the 21st century. “Children in our community have no greater advocate and friend than Janie Strauss. On the issues that matter most, Janie leads from experience grounded in compassion and caring for all our students,” says Elizabeth Lodal, former principal, McLean High School and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
For the past 18 years, she has been a leader who knows how to deliver results. She has ended the pay freeze for teachers and secured a 3.5% salary increase. Janie Strauss has cut the Central Office budget and driven resources into classrooms. She brought full day kindergarten to all Dranesville schools and focuses on supporting high student achievement for all. She is an advocate, a leader, and a visionary. Janie Strauss is the reason that schools are the crown jewel of Fairfax County.
Educators trust Janie Strauss’ judgment and encourage voters to cast their ballots for Janie Strauss. They trust Janie Strauss as an educator who listens, who get results, and who can lead FCPS into the 21st century. The following educators publicly endorse Janie Strauss for School Board:
- Frank Benzinger, former Principal, Forest Edge Elementary School
- Phil Bigler, National, Virginia, & Fairfax Teacher of the Year, former History Teacher, TJHSST & McLean HS
- Linda Bigler, former Spanish Teacher, TJHSST
- Bill Blackwell, former English Teacher & Chair, McLean HS, TJHSST
- Shirley Bloomquist, former Director of Student Services, TJHSST & West Springfield HS
- Judy Bowns, Theater Arts and Dance Specialist, former English Teacher, Langston Hughes MS & Herndon HS
- Ottilia Calhoun, former Spanish & German Teacher, Longfellow MS
- James Catlette, former Social Studies Teacher, Langley HS
- Sara L. Coleman, former School Psychologist, TJHSST & Bren Mar Park ES
- Catherine Colglazier, former English Chair, TJHSST and McLean HS
- Sandra Connelly, Guidance Counselor, Herndon HS and TJHSST
- Vicki Doff, former Guidance Counselor, TJHSST
- Mary Dolson, former English Teacher & Journalism Advisor, Langley HS
- Sandy Furick, former Principal of Spring Hill ES and Colvin Run ES
- Sara Geer, Elementary Teacher, Haycock ES
- Libby Hankins, former 7th grade Science Teacher, Longfellow MS
- Margaret Lunter Harris, former Guidance Counselor, TJHSST
- Jeremy Hays, Marketing Teacher, Langley High School
- Judy Howard, former Admissions Director, TJHSST
- Dean Howarth, Physics & Living History Teacher, McLean HS
- Barrett Kashdan, Counselor & FEA Building Rep., McLean HS
- Brigitte Lavey, FCPS Teacher of the Year(2010), English Teacher, Langley HS
- Elizabeth Lodal, former Principal, TJHSST, McLean HS, Hughes MS, Kilmer MS
- Lara Maupin, former Social Studies Teacher & Student Government Advisor, TJHSST
- Greg Miller, Assistant Director of Student Activities, Herndon HS
- Joan Packer, former Health & PE Teacher, Peer Mediation Coordinator, 8th grade School Counselor, Longfellow MS & Conflict Resolution Specialist
- Patty Pearson, former Social Studies Chair, McLean HS
- Michael Piotrowski, Marketing Teacher, Langley High School
- Nina Pitkin, former Director of Student Services, TJHSST & Robinson SS
- Tricia Poythress, Marketing Teacher, Langley HS
- Dr. Gail Ritchie, FCPS Teacher of the Year (2000), NBCT, Instructional Coach
- Elaine Rudd, former English Teacher, Langley HS & Langston Hughes MS
- Eleanor Saslow, former Director of Student Services, West Springfield HS, President of Virginia State Board of Education
- Melissa Schoeplein, Social Studies Teacher, Diversity Chair & former Student Government Advisor, TJHSST
- Sylvia Shenk, former French Teacher, Longfellow MS & Headmistress, Village Green Day School at Lowes Island
- Rebecca Sipos, former English Teacher & Journalism Advisor, McLean HS & Lee HS
- Karen Singer, Modern Languages Teacher & Chair, Langley Teacher of the Year, Langley HS
- Rich Slivosky, former Math Teacher & 8th period Coordinator, TJHSST
- Nancy Stansberry, former Kindergarten Teacher, Spring Hill ES
- Janice Stoodley, former Asst. Principal, McLean HS, Director of Student Services, Marshall HS & Key MS
- Audra Sydnor, former Dranesville Cluster Superintendent & FCPS Principal of the Year
- Milde Waterfall, English Teacher, TJHSST, McLean HS, Dunn Loring Alternative School, & Kilmer MS
- Jack Weiss, former guidance counselor, McLean HS
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Janie Strauss for School Board
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