SchoolMatters Blog

My resignation from the school board

Earlier today I resigned from the Albemarle County School Board effective immediately.  It has been a difficult decision because working on behalf of the students in our community has been a very rewarding experience and I will miss it very much.

I am grateful to the voters for entrusting me with the immense responsibility that comes with school board service. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to serve and represent the people of Albemarle County.  I am confident the school board will establish an efficient and effective process for appointing someone to complete my term which ends in December 2011.

My letter explaining my decision is below.

Brian Wheeler

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August 5, 2010

Mr. Ron Price
Chairman
Albemarle County School Board
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA  22902

Dr. Pam Moran
Superintendent
Albemarle County Public Schools
401 McIntire Road
Charlottesville, VA  22902

Dear Ron & Pam:

I am writing to inform you of my resignation as the At-Large member of the Albemarle County School Board effective immediately.  I have decided to resign for both personal and professional reasons.  

During the past year, I have mentioned to you both that I did not intend to seek re-election to a third term in 2011 so that I could spend more time with my family.  Having just watched my daughter graduate from high school and my son from middle school, I am reminded again of how quickly our children grow up right before our eyes.  My wife Jean is also re-entering the workforce and that will require more flexibility in my schedule.  Thus, after further consideration, I think it will be best for our family if I complete my work on the school board sooner than I had previously planned.

In my professional life, Charlottesville Tomorrow will be celebrating its fifth year of operations this September.  Our work to inform and engage the public on critical quality of life issues in this community is more important than ever.  As Executive Director, the organization needs more of my time and attention to ensure that we are successful with our strategic plan and fundraising goals.

I am very honored to have had this opportunity to serve and represent the people of Albemarle County.  I am grateful to the voters for entrusting me with the immense responsibility that comes with school board service.  With your leadership and this community’s support, I know Albemarle County Public Schools will continue on the path toward being the world class school division our community expects and deserves.

Sincerely yours,

Brian A. Wheeler

Cub Scouts pack 492 have taken over this blog

This blog is being borrowed tonight for Cub Scout Pack 492 so they can work on their Communicator Award. These Cub Scouts are Internet Communicators!   Brian Wheeler

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Mom this is our Valentine's Day greeting to you!

Listen: Download cubscouts-valentine.mp3

New Teacher Academy

Today before work I dropped in on the Albemarle County Public Schools New Teacher Academy.  This two day event for all new teachers in the division presents a series of workshops on such subjects as: classroom management; content oriented meetings with instructional coordinators (e.g. all the world language teachers get together with our central office staff leading that program); and effective homework and practice for students to master new information and skills.

In attendance were 132 new teachers to our division, about 43 of which are entirely new to teaching.  Some of the new administrators were also in attendance.  I had some good conversations over breakfast and learned we had a number of career changers in the mix as well (some of which were also longtime area residents joining the profession).

One of the new goals for the Division in 2005-07 is to "recruit, retain and develop a diverse cadre of the highest quality teaching personnel, staff, and administrators."  As part of this effort we want to "support career-switcher teachers in attaining their certification and becoming highly qualified."

Superintendent Kevin Castner pointed out to this group that they were individually chosen because we saw in them their potential for excellence here in Albemarle.  I wish them well as they start the new year with our children.  Brian