Commonwealth of Knowledge Recertification Committee

Commonwealth of Knowledge
Teacher of the Year Recertification Committee

Lesson plans are evaluated for recertification points by the Commonwealth of Knowledge Recertification Committee on a monthly basis. Single lesson plans are eligible for 10 recertification points, and unit lesson plans are eligible for up to 30 recertification points. Linda B. Koutoufas, Region II and 1999 Virginia Teacher of the Year, serves as chairman of the 20 member committee. Official notifications will be mailed on the 15th of each quarter: March, June, September, and December.

How to Write a Better Lesson Plan

1. Please be sure to check that the SOL stated in the lesson is actually carried out in the plan. Standards that are stated must match what is in the context of the plan. Anyone reading these lessons should be able to discern a clear connection. If this is not the case, the plan should be revised by the author and resubmitted. Check the Standards of Learning guidelines for accuracy.

2. Grammar and mechanics reflect the professionalism of the author. A typo is one thing, but grammatical errors are not acceptable. An author should have a colleague proof read his/her lesson plan for accuracy and completeness. These lessons reflect not only the author, but educators as a whole.

3. Plans should be clear, well organized, and easy to follow. There should be enough elaboration in the procedure so that the beginning teacher, as well as the veteran, can understand and use it. Lessons should be more than "Show pictures and discuss." Discussion questions, as well as scoring rubrics, are immensely helpful. These should demonstrate that time and effort went into the plan.

4. Lesson plans are reviewed by the Teachers of the Year Committee on a monthly basis. If an author's lesson plan is rejected, comments will be issued, and the plan can be resubmitted. Official notifications will be sent out on the 15th of each quarter: March, June, September, and December.

Virginia Teacher of the Year Program

The Virginia Teacher of the Year Program is sponsored by the Virginia Board of Education and Virginia Department of Education in cooperation with corporate business sponsors, the Council of Chief State School Officers, and Scholastic Incorporated

Virginia has participated in the National Teacher of the Year Program for the past thirty-five years. This program, sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and Scholastic Incorporated, recognizes and honors teachers who represent the best in teaching across the nation.

The State Teacher of the Year program is an opportunity to recognize those who inspire children and share their talents with others. Students, teachers, administrators, and parents in every community may share in the process, as outstanding teachers are selected as city, regional, and state teacher of the year.

This program offers the opportunity for local school divisions to focus public attention on education, and to share in the honors awarded to the local, regional, and state teachers of the year. Classroom teachers become ambassadors for education, a forum through which they can highlight the local education story.

Virginia is fortunate to have two remarkable educators chosen for national honors. Mary Bicouvaris of Hampton, 1989, and Phil Bigler of Fairfax County, 1998, were chosen as National Teachers of the Year.

All school divisions and accredited nonpublic schools in Virginia are encouraged to participate in the State Teacher of the Year program. Candidates who are selected on the local level prepare a portfolio, based on the requirements for the national program, which is submitted to the Department of Education.

These portfolios, which highlight the accomplishments of the nominees and address educational issues are reviewed by a twelve member panel representing teachers, principals, administrators, parents, colleges, businesses, and the current Virginia Teacher of the Year. Eight teachers are selected on the strength of their portfolios.

For the last ten years, a special awards ceremony has been held to honor the regional winners. On the day of the ceremony and banquet, the teachers are interviewed, and that evening, the Virginia Teacher of the Year is announced. That individual represents the Commonwealth in the National Teacher of the Year program.

Region I
Carolyn Powell Henly teaches English at Meadowbrook High School in Chesterfield County. James J. Parach, principal at Meadowbrook, states, "Mrs. Henly is an exception; she has been an inspiration to me and our staff…she is all that personifies wisdom, conviction, dedication to cause, technological astuteness, and many other characteristics too numerous to list. She has brought strength and leadership to this school."

Region II and Virginia Teacher of the Year
Linda B. Koutoufas teaches third grade at Woodstock Elementary in Virginia Beach. According to the principal of her school, Perry Williams, "Linda Koutoufas is like a highly skilled maestro who conducts the orchestra to ultimate perfection…She is a master teacher who energizes her students, makes them feel special, and involves students and their parents in the learning process. She is the most exceptional teacher with whom I have had the pleasure of working."

Region III
Margaret F. Hardt teaches ninth and tenth grade English at West Point High School. Dr. Jane Massey-Wilson, superintendent of West Point Public Schools, said, "Meg is one of the most enthusiastic, passionate, intellectual, and nurturing teachers I have known. She exhibits the polish and sophistication we want in our students to ensure success. She demonstrates the compassion and integrity young people must develop to become adults. She is a leader in teaching to high standards and high expectations."

Region IV
Regla Armengol teaches Spanish immersion in the second grade at Bailey's Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences. Mark H. Emery, chairman of the Fairfax County School Board, and Dr. Daniel A. Domenech, superintendent of Fairfax County Public Schools, wrote, "Regla Armengol is a talented teacher and an outstanding educator who has created a dynamic learning program through which she makes the Spanish language and culture live in her classroom. Mrs. Armengol reaches children in a unique way."

Region V
Carolyn A. Rankin currently teaches third graders at T.C. McSwain Elementary School in Staunton. Linda L. Lunford, principal at T.C. McSwain, writes, "Mrs. Rankin is certainly the best third grade teacher I've ever known. Her positive, joyous approach to meeting the needs of each child in her classroom is delightful to see and so very effective. Children respond to her teaching without the slightest hesitation and become active, involved learners."

Region VI
Benjamin F. Bazak teaches mathematics in grades nine through twelve at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke City. Ms. Ginny Weckstein, a student of Mr. Bazak, states, "He (Mr. Bazak) gives more time to his students than any other teacher I know, holding not only a seemingly numberless parade of help sessions before and after school for interested students, but also 'calculus parties' at his home, events simply to celebrate the success of the students with whom he spends so much time."

Region VII
Linda W. Kelly teaches child care and clothing careers and construction at the Smyth County Career and Technology Center. W. L. Lemmon, a former president of the Virginia Board of Education, had this to say about Linda, "Linda really cares about professional development. She really cares about memberships. She really cares about theory. But mostly and overwhelmingly, she cares about students. She cares about their self-respect, their learning, and their lives in and after school. She is a Master Teacher!"

Region VIII
Paula P. Duncan teaches ninth grade world history at Cumberland High School in Cumberland County. The division superintendent of Cumberland County Public Schools, Dr. Harold Dodge, wrote, "Paula is an outstanding teacher, classroom manager, and instructor. She manages to bring the classroom curriculum matter to 'life' in ways that encourage her students to become active learners." James Thornton, assistant principal at Cumberland High School, stated, "She (Mrs. Duncan) is a true professional, performing her duties with the utmost efficiency and ability."

For more information, contact the
State Teacher of the Year Coordinator
Virginia Department of Education
P.O. Box 2120
Richmond, Virginia 23218-2120
(804) 371-2522