Area educators honored for integrating technology into the classroom

The Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium (SVRTC), affiliated with Longwood University, recently held its fifth annual awards banquet at Longwood. Teachers and representatives from the 25 school divisions that comprise the consortium were recognized for integrating technology into the classroom. Sam Nixon Jr., chief information officer of the Commonwealth of Virginia, presented the keynote address.

The SVRTC coordinates the acquisition and integration of up-to-date and emerging  technologies and training for K-12 students and staff and other citizens to enhance learning and encourage economic development in Southside Virginia. The Institute for Teaching through Technology & Innovative Practices (ITTIP), an outreach of Longwood's College of Education and Human Services that researches and develops technology-integrated strategies and models, works closely with the SVRTC and is its administrative agent. The SVRTC and the ITTIP are headquartered in South Boston.

The SVRTC Division Leadership Award was presented to the Nottoway County Public Schools. Dr. Daniel Grounard, superintendent of the Nottoway County schools, and Michelle Wallace, director of instruction and grants for the Nottoway County schools, accepted the award, which recognizes an SVRTC school division that advances technology in the educational setting.

The SVRTC Technology Leadership Award went to Dr. Anthony Jackson, superintendent of the Henry County Public Schools. This award recognizes an administrator, educator, or community member who advances technology in the educational setting.

The SVRTC Technology Teacher Award went to Deborah Jamerson (Appomattox County), Kate Davis (Charlotte County), Erin Ford (Colonial Heights), Margaret Korrow (Cumberland County), Jenney Walters (Dinwiddie County), Tim Fowler (Lunenburg County), Joyce Hankins (Martinsville), Kristopher Reed (Mecklenburg County), Alexa McMillian (Nottoway County), Justin Collins (Patrick County), Lori James (Pittsylvania County), Kacey Potter (Prince Edward County), Chris Waugaman (Prince George County) and Tocarra Patterson (Sussex County). This award recognizes a technology teacher who advances learning through integration of technology into the curriculum.

The SVRTC Instructional Support Award went to Daniel Richardson (Appomattox County), Emily George (Charlotte County), Honor Zalewski (Cumberland County), Betty Spiers (Dinwiddie County), Nicole Matthews (Henry County), Debi Sutphin (Lunenburg County), Steve Tatum (Martinsville), Janelle Langford (Mecklenburg County), Jason Buchanan (Nottoway County), Somer Ojodeagua (Patrick County), Suzanne Smith-Tucker (Prince Edward County) and Pat Bagley (Sussex County). This award recognizes an instructional support person who advances a school division's technology environment through providing crucial instructional technology support.

The SVRTC Technology Support Award went to Jason Cubbage (Amelia County), April Johnson (Appomattox County), Lamont Thompson (Dinwiddie County), Teh-Way Lee (Henry County), John Nemeth (Lunenburg County), Margie Agee (Martinsville), Tracy Ellis (Mecklenburg County), Elizabeth Hendricks (Nottoway County), Dale Pruitt (Prince Edward County) and Eric Byrd (Sussex County). This award recognizes a technology support person who advances a school division's technology environment through providing crucial tech support.

In his remarks, Sam Nixon, a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates who grew up in Southside Virginia, talked about where he thinks technology will be in the future. Those who attended the awards banquet included State. Sen. Frank Ruff, whose district includes Farmville.