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Clarke County wins VSBA innovation award; teachers recount Switzerland study‑abroad project-based learning and VR work
Summary
The Virginia School Boards Association presented Clarke County Public Schools with a Showcasing Innovation Award for its Jumpstart program. Teachers who traveled to Switzerland described an accompanying professional-development project that integrated computer science, VR and project‑based learning into multiple grade levels.
Clarke County Public Schools received the inaugural Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Showcasing Innovation Award in the category for districts with fewer than 10,000 students, officials said at the school board meeting June 25.
Megan Gordon, chair of the VSBA Valley Region, presented the recognition and said the award honors the district’s work with the Clark County Jumpstart program — cited in the award materials as a partnership that gives students “real world experience, college credit opportunities, and a clear path toward high‑demand career fields.” Gordon told the board: “It’s an honor to be here this evening on behalf of the Virginia School Boards Association to present you with this award.”
The district credited several staff and outside partners for the program. Shane Coleman, identified in the meeting as work‑based learning coordinator, and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Kathy Lehi were noted as key staff leaders. District officials also thanked Blue Ridge (partner organizations and individuals including Leslie See and chef Steve Weiss) for their role in placements and hands‑on learning.
Teachers also described a related immersive professional‑development initiative funded by grant support and linked to a Shenandoah University course. Patrick Halsman, supervisor in instructional technology, and classroom teachers who participated said the course combined college coursework in project‑based learning with a study‑abroad itinerary in Switzerland. Participants reported taking part in VR demonstrations, classroom visits to Swiss schools, and industry demonstrations of VR applications; the group then adapted those experiences into classroom units that blended computer science, project‑based learning and arts integration.
Third‑grade teacher Mandy Bayless told the board the trip re‑energized her instruction and prompted classroom pivots that emphasized student choice, hands‑on experiments and cross‑grade collaboration. Middle‑school teacher Jacqueline Kraus described using VR in summer‑school lessons and offering colleagues professional development on virtual‑reality and project‑based design.
Why it matters: the presentation illustrated how district professional development and partnerships with postsecondary institutions and industry can be used to expand course options and work‑based learning for students in a small district that cannot house all career‑technical programs locally.
Board members and staff asked participants to document materials and share lesson plans so other teachers can adopt the units. The district said grant funding purchased equipment such as a 3‑D printer and class VR headsets to support the classroom rollouts.
