Cover Photo by Lisa W. Cumming Photography I Hope You Enjoy This Year’S Teachers Now You Can Lose Weight and Mentors Issue
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® Cover Photo by Lisa W. Cumming Photography I hope you enjoy this year’s teachers Now You Can Lose Weight and mentors issue. In addition to tradi- tional teachers within our public school with a measurable and safe medical plan. system, we’ve also brought you some mentoring and teaching stories that in- troduce you to some of your neighbors “I’ve lost over 80 lbs!” who are touching the lives of others from all walks of life. “I started this weight loss program in January The older I get, the more I understand of this year. I like it because it is the only thing how important education is - not in just that has worked for me. When I retired from the Coast Guard in 2005 I let things go and subject matter - but in practical ways too. Meredith Collins, Publisher I started having issues - high blood I probably developed the skills sets to pressure, borderline diabetes and my produce this magazine from the 25 years I spent working for different joints bothered me. I was 5’8” and 285 1/2 lbs. I wore a size 44 pants. newspapers. However, I learned what would allow me to be successful Now, six months later, I wear a size in business by listening and learning from those around me who knew 38. Dr. Capps is wonderful. more than I did. There is a big difference. She is always positive and encouraging.” That’s the great thing about teachers who are really good at what they ~ David Loase do. They find interesting and creative ways to get their students to listen. • Medically supervised When that occurs it becomes more than facts or figures. It becomes an weight loss program opening in a young person’s mind for evaluation of what is being said • Full body composition and it builds the foundation for students to become independent think- analysis HEALTH ers. The more someone can wrap their arms around what they are being INSURANCE NOW • Program options to meet ACCEPTED taught the more it is assimilated into their base of knowledge and be- your individual needs comes something they may be able to use in life rather than regurgitate • Meal replacement and on demand. It becomes a full understanding with roots rather than a whole food options surface recall. That is truly learning! available We enjoy recognizing the teachers of the year for their successes as • Professional counseling 5424 Discovery Park Blvd., Suite 203 educators and we support the many teachers and mentors in our com- munity who are giving of themselves to enrich the lives of others. NDN “I use Williamsburg Inside Drug for some 3. Teachers of the Year 30. Lise Embley 8. Shawn Preston 34. Robin Carson of the most 13. Mary Addeo 37. Lee Williams important parts 16. Anthony Green 40. Holly Hunt 18. Tab Broyles 43. Margaret Cullivan of my life.” 21. Dr. Jocelyn Henry Whitehead 46. Sue Liddell I rely on them for my drug care, finding 24. Dr. Jennifer Taylor 50. Hey Neighbor! necessary medical aids for my husband, 27. Jason Blanchard 55. In the Neighborhood and sending packages to my © 2012 Collins Group, LLC. Williamsburg’s Next Door Neighbors is a community publication three daughters in England solely owned by Collins Group, LLC. It is published monthly for Williamsburg area residents. through their Post Office. I The stories within this publication are intended to introduce readers to their neighbors and are can always find the home not endorsements for those individuals, their abilities, interests or profession. health aids I need at Wil- liamsburg Drug when I can’t find them at other places. And...everyone who works there is un- failingly knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. ~ Lynn Clark ● Short Term Rentals (757) 229-1041 ● Full Service Pharmacy 240 McLaws Circle ● US Post Office (Next to Starbucks) ● FREE Delivery Route 60 near Busch Gardens in Monday thru Friday Market Place Shopping Center 2 NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORSSEPTEMBER2012 By Narielle Living The dream begins with a teach- grade at James River Elementary, er who believes in you, who an International Baccalaureate tugs and pushes and leads you Program school. International to the next plateau, sometimes Baccalaureate Programs teach poking you with a sharp stick children from a global perspective, called ‘truth’.” ~ Dan Rather promoting international-minded- ness and cooperative learning. Each year the Williamsburg- When she first started teaching James City County School Divi- there, Carol specifically requested sion honors three teachers who the difficult classes. “I think that’s have demonstrated exceptional where you get the most personal standards of teaching and pas- rewards,” she says. sion for their work. These are While she maintains structure teachers who strive to create in her classroom, she also keeps classrooms that educate as well CAROL MEIER flexibility in her day as well. She as inspire students to learn. This Lisa W. Cumming Photography teaches a wide range of students year’s honorees are: Carol Meier, Jamal Oweis nally came to Virginia, she taught at a private from intellectually gifted to special education and Mary-Lyons Hanks. They were nominated school for two years and then transferred to the and recognizes the importance of differentiat- by co-workers and recently recognized at a cer- Winchester public school system for another ing her lessons. “I do a lot of team building in emony and reception at the College of William 16 years. She has been teaching at James River the classroom, and the kids learn to help each and Mary’s School of Education. Each of them Elementary since 2005. other and work problems together.” Carol is de- fosters a creative learning atmosphere in the Carol did not foresee this recognition for her termined to help each child. classroom and engages students in learning on teaching abilities being awarded to her. “I don’t want any kid to think they can’t suc- all levels. “My principal called me in one day, and both ceed,” she says. she and the Assistant Principal were waiting for During the most recent school year, Carol Carol Meier, me. They were very serious when they told me took her students on a field trip to Jamestown Teacher of the Year for Elementary Schools they had something they needed me to read.” Settlement. “I had two students who were un- Carol Meier graduated from the University The paper was the announcement that she able to make it, so I called their parents and set of Northern Iowa, which has been known as a had been chosen as Teacher of the Year for the up a time one weekend when I could take them leading teacher’s college. With a Bachelor’s De- elementary school level. “I was very surprised,” myself. I wanted them to have the chance to gree in Elementary Education, she then went she says. see this place and experience the history first- on to complete graduate coursework at James Carol lives in the Williamsburg area and hand.” Madison University, Shenandoah University has three children, two in college and one just For Carol, every day and every year of teach- and University of Virginia. When Carol origi- returning from Afghanistan. She teaches 4th ing is different. “That’s one of the things I like NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORSSEPTEMBER2012 3 the most,” she explains. “I’m careful to maintain a rapport with my stu- dents, without crossing the boundary into friendship. I want them to succeed, and I do what I can to make that happen.” Carol sites two main reasons for her success: family and co-workers. “My parents were instrumental in making sure I went to college, and my mother went to work just to pay my tuition. Plus, it was my hus- band who encouraged me to start off by substitute teaching. That’s what started me down this road.” Carol insists that she would not be where she is today without her co-workers. According to her, being Teacher of the Year sounds like just one person doing something good, but it takes an entire school to make it happen. “It’s like that old saying about how it takes a village, because this re- ally involves the entire community here. My co-workers work so hard in the collaboration and implementing of our plans, and that’s really what makes our school and our students successful,” she says. “Christine timed our order so we could benefit from a Hunter Douglas rebate. The certified Hunter Douglas installer first visited our home to confirm perfect Jamal Oweis, measurements. When installing, he was most professional and wouldn’t settle for anything less than perfection. Another Hunter Douglas rep visited us later Teacher of the Year for Middle Schools to tweak remote control coordination. The staff at Jackson Thomas Interiors Jamal Oweis has taught in the Williamsburg-James City County called to give us updates about our shade order and called after installation to make sure we were happy. We love the peacefulness, beauty and convenience of school system for 33 years, and currently teaches Algebra 1 and Geom- our new shades! What’s next - the rec room?” Betty Anne DesRoches etry at Hornsby Middle School. He also coaches the basketball and base- “Christine proved to be invaluable in the execution of the interior design of our ball teams. Jamal received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from home. The dedication to providing quality workmanship is the reason we have the College of William and Mary. done business with her for the past 8 years.” Gary and Susie Warren Receiving this recognition was not something that was on his radar.