✨ What motivated the best educators to step into the classroom? 🌟
❤️ Find out in this video where some of our 2025 Teachers of the Year share the inspiration that makes them say, "This is what made me want to teach." 🏫
🎥 https://youtu.be/xTlB5ngtcBc?si=1IKJsNmPz4IQ99ZJ
🧠 Oscar Smith High School’s Scholastic Bowl Team is taking on Grafton High School in an exciting Battle of the Brains showdown!
🗓 When: Saturday, December 7 at 10:00 AM
📺 Where: WTKR Channel 3
Show your support and cheer on our amazing team including, Kyle VanSlyke, Benjamin Piersall, Zachary Gatchalian, Alina Ahmed, Vedant Dixit, Riley Cornelisse, Hannah Sprague as they showcase their knowledge and skills. 🐾💙💛
✨ Good luck, Tigers! You’ve got this! #InspireCPS
🍂 We are grateful for our amazing students, families, and staff who make our school community so special. Wishing you a joyful and restful Thanksgiving filled with love and laughter! 🦃
Reminder: All schools and offices will be closed November 27 - November 29.
👀 Tune in this Saturday for Battle of the Brains and catch the Great Bridge High Wildcats take on Jamestown High Eagles in an epic showdown of intellect. 🧠
📺Where: WTKR News Channel 3
🗓 When: Saturday, November 30th at 10:00 AM
🍀 Good Luck to team members: Rayhan Ahmed, Colby Dominek, Peter Mackiewicz, Isaiah Suazo, and Oliver Toth!
Who will claim the victory? Watch to find out! 💡#InspireCPS
🎉 Huge congratulations to our final #CPSTOY25 finalist, E.W. Chittum's Kimberly Holt! 🎉
🎓 With a Master’s in Elementary Education and an endorsement in Library Media from Old Dominion University, Kimberly has dedicated 14 years to inspiring young minds. After nine years as a classroom teacher, she transitioned to being a school librarian, where she has spent the past five years sharing her love of reading with every student in her school. ❤️
🥉A three-time Literacy Teacher of the Year, Kimberly proudly serves as the chair of the @Virginia Reader's Choice Virginia Readers' Choice committee, working to ignite a passion for books across Virginia. Beyond her work with students, she’s a leader in professional growth, creating STEAM-integrated lessons and sharing her expertise at librarian conferences to support educators statewide. 📚
📖 In her free time, Kimberly loves diving into a good book, scrapbooking, and traveling with her husband. ✈️
👏 Her dedication, creativity, and passion make her an invaluable asset to our school community. Congratulations, Mrs. Holt!! #CPSCelebrates
🎉 We’re proud to celebrate November’s Power of the Peake winners! Yesterday, we surprised three honorees:
🌟 SUPPORT: Diane Overmiller - Executive Assistant in Human Resources
🌟 TEACH: Rebecca Karch - Teacher at G.W. Carver Intermediate School
🌟 LEAD: Helene Robinson - Principal at Southwestern Elementary
Congratulations to these three exceptional staff members—representing three categories - teach, support, and lead. This award recognizes dynamic individuals and celebrates their inspiring work in our district. #PowerOfThePeake #CPSCelebrates #InspireCPS #EmpowerCPS #engagecps
👉 To learn more about the program and nominate someone to be the next Power of the Peake, visit: https://www.cpschools.com/o/cps/page/employee-recognition
🎥 Check out this video from yesterday’s visits: https://youtu.be/VyTi775Nci4
🎶 Last week, the Greenbrier Middle School 8th Grade Orchestra performed at the Virginia Music Educators Association 2024 State Conference, showcasing their incredible talent under the direction of their orchestra teacher Kirsten Gardner! 👏 #CPSCelebrates
🌟Kaitlyn Gabriel, is a passionate 6th-grade Civics and Economics teacher at Oscar Smith Middle School! She is also a #CPSTOY25 finalist! 🌟
Mrs. Gabriel holds an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University and a B.S. in Middle Level Education with a concentration in Social Studies from Shippensburg University. 🎓
📚Voted "Most Inspiring to Students and Staff," she is passionate about making her classroom a lively and inspiring space where content truly comes alive. Mrs. Gabriel is a true leader! From mentoring new teachers to guiding colleagues through impactful student engagement strategies, she’s dedicated to fostering growth and excellence in education.
As a proud Navy wife and loyal friend, Kate enjoys her time coaching on the soccer field and spending time with her husband and their beloved cat. 🐾⚽❤️
Let’s celebrate Mrs. Gabriel for being an amazing teacher and colleague!👏👏👏 #CPSCelebrates
🎉 #CPSTOY25 finalist Kimberly Midgette is a dedicated 4th-grade Special Education Teacher at Great Bridge Intermediate with nine years of experience! 🌟
🎓 Kimberly earned her B.S. in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University and holds endorsements in Special Education and Read Theory. Before entering the classroom, she served as Sr. Youth Director at the YMCA , where her passion for supporting individuals with diverse abilities began.
Mrs. Midgette has an incredible gift for connecting with her students. Her innovative lessons make learning both fun and meaningful, sparking a genuine love for education in her classroom. She believes that true inclusion happens through role-modeling, awareness, and respect for all. ❤️ Additionally, Kimberly goes above and beyond to support her fellow educators, sharing her expertise and positivity to create a truly collaborative and uplifting environment. 💪
🏈 When she’s not teaching, Kimberly loves cheering on her two boys at football and wrestling, spending time with her husband, or working out at the Y.
👏 We’re so lucky to have her inspiring both students and colleagues every day! 👏
🎙 Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming education with Maria Kainz, a first-year English teacher at Oscar Smith High, and Andrew LeClair, a technology innovation coach from Hickory Middle. Together, they discuss the opportunities and challenges of incorporating AI into classrooms, offering insights on how it can enhance personalized learning and prepare students for a tech-driven world. This episode highlights their dedication to creating thoughtful, ethical approaches to using AI while inspiring meaningful conversations about its role in education. Listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform or visit https://www.cpschools.com/page/amplified! 🎧
✨ This morning, the Vivace Quartet from Grassfield High School set the tone for the Virginia School Boards Association State Conference with a beautiful performance during the opening session. 🎻
#CPSCelebrates #InspireCPS #VSBA2024AC
🌟 Katie King is an incredible 4th-grade teacher at Southwestern Elementary and one of this year's #CPSTOY25 Finalists! 🌟
With a B.S. in Liberal Studies (Elementary Education K-6) from Longwood University, Katie has accomplished so much in her first five years of teaching. She’s the science point of contact, mentors practicum students and a student teacher, and leads programs like Girls on the Run and after-school tutoring. Katie believes in empowering her students by making them feel valued and supported every step of the way. ❤️
Her kindness and collaborative spirit shines in her teamwork with colleagues, where she’s always sharing resources. As a leader, mentor, and role model, Ms. King inspires both students and staff every day. She’s known for her structured and organized instruction that helps students meet any challenge head on.
🏃♀️ Outside the classroom, Katie is a long-distance runner, competing in 5-10 races annually and always training for her next big goal. She’s also a music lover, enjoying concerts and festivals with her sister, Darcy. 🎶
Three words that describe Ms. King? Hardworking, genuine, and nurturing. We’re proud to celebrate her achievements! 🌟 #CPSCelebrates
💻 Family Webinar - Youth & Mental Health 💻
Join us as we learn more about the most common mental health issues affecting today's youth and how to navigate these challenges together.
👉 For more information and to register, visit: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=35284534
📜 Congratulations to Samuel Crowe, a University of Virginia student, on being named a Rhodes Scholar! A 2021 graduate of the International Baccalaureate Program at Oscar Smith High School, Samuel was praised by a former teacher for his curiosity, conceptual understanding, and commitment to global issues. He was also described as a passionate learner with a big heart for others.
👏 Samuel is only the 57th Rhodes Scholar from the University of Virginia. Way to go, Samuel! Keep doing great things! #InspireCPS #CPSCelebrates
🎥 Check out this WAVY TV 10 story highlighting Samuel: https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/chesapeake/chesapeake-native-named-2025-rhodes-scholar/
📖 You can also read more in this UVA article: https://news.virginia.edu/content/uva-student-latest-rhodes-scholar
🎥 Check out this WAVY TV 10 story highlighting Samuel: https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/chesapeake/chesapeake-native-named-2025-rhodes-scholar/
💡Shining a spotlight on #CPSTOY25 finalist, Eileen Mooring! 🌟
🎓 With an incredible 22 years in education, Mrs. Mooring holds a M.S. in Curriculum & Instruction from Averett University and a B.A. in History and Social Science Secondary Education from Old Dominion University. She inspires her students at Hickory High School through her passion for teaching, extensive knowledge, and student engagement.
Mrs. Mooring has taught various subjects, including World History I & II, U.S. History, Psychology, and AP Government. She believes active participation is key to deeper understanding. For example, instead of simply lecturing, she involves her students in role-playing activities, allowing them to experience the complexities of compromise and collaboration firsthand. This approach helps students connect with the material on a deeper level, empowering them to succeed both academically and in life. 📜
As the Senior Class sponsor, she goes above and beyond to create unforgettable experiences for Hickory High’s Senior Hawks. Eileen wholeheartedly believes in teachers helping teachers. She demonstrates this by sharing her teaching resources and mentoring new teachers. Eileen is a dedicated advocate for her students and colleagues, making her beloved presence within her school community. 📚
Outside the classroom, Mrs. Mooring is grateful for the support of her husband, Chuck, and treasures time spent with her five children and eight grandchildren. ❤️
👏 Let’s celebrate, Eileen Mooring's dedication to educating future leaders! #CPSCelebrates
✍️📂☎️Today we celebrate National Education Support Professionals Day! Thank you to all those who keep our schools running and thriving from behind the scenes. We could not do it without you! #CPSCelebrates
🌍 Calling all students! Join us for Geographic Information System (GIS) Day with a fun virtual scavenger hunt adventure! Use GIS technology to solve clues and uncover answers along the way. Complete the quest for a chance to win a prize! 🎉
🗓️ The GIS Quest is open now through December 4 and can be accessed using these links:
🔗 Elementary (K-5) Link: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=35377731
🔗 Middle/High (6-12) Link: https://www.cpschools.com/events?id=35377710
📍 Don’t miss out on this exciting journey—start your quest today! 🗺️✨ #InspireCPS
🌟 It’s time to celebrate #CPSTOY25 finalist Julie Carey King! 🌟
In her 17 years of dedicated teaching, 10 of those right here in Chesapeake, Julie has truly impacted countless students' lives. Julie holds an M.S. in Education from Old Dominion University and a B.A. in Sociology from Virginia Wesleyan University. She brings a wealth of knowledge and heart to work every day. ❤️
Her approach to education is all about building positive, healthy relationships with her students, creating a safe, welcoming space where they can learn, grow. Julie’s belief in “meeting students where they are” speaks to her deep understanding that every child is unique, each bringing a world of experiences to the classroom. She empowers students daily and embraces flexibility, compassion, and openness to learning. 📚
Julie’s influence reaches well beyond the walls of her own classroom. As the special education chairperson, Julie brings leadership, guidance, and a wealth of expertise to Butts Road Intermediate. She delivers a range of special education services across multiple classrooms, providing students with instruction that meets their unique strengths and needs. 💪
Outside of the classroom, Julie loves family beach days, bike rides with her kids, board games, and reading with her little dog, Leo, by her side. 🏖️🚲📖🐕
We’re so proud of you, Julie! Keep inspiring! 👏 #CPSCelebrates
👏 Congratulations to the 2024 W!se Gold Star Teacher Award winners!
This award recognizes teachers whose students achieve a 93% or higher pass rate on the W!se Financial Literacy Certification Test and their dedication empowering students with essential financial skills.💲#CPSCelebrates
🌟 Congratulations to our 2023-2024 W!SE Blue and Platinum Star Schools! 🌟
We’re proud to celebrate these prestigious awards in financial literacy! 💲
Shout out to our dedicated educators and hardworking students for this incredible achievement! 🎉 #CPSCelebrates #InspireCPS
