Comments Document

As a former Apprentice School Instructor from Newport News Shipbuilding and 7-Year Night School Teacher of Newport News Public Schools, I encourage you all to vote YES in support of HB1023. It is so important that those of us who did not take the traditional route of pursuing a degree in Elementary or Secondary Education, yet we still possess the Subject Matter Expertise, the earned career professional experience, as well as related courses that will strengthen our ability to serve as CTE Adjunct Instructors, Professors, and Teachers, while filling a critical need of identifying skilled and knowledgeable educators throughout the Commonwealth, who chooses Teaching as a second career path. Please vote YES! Thank you,

Comments Document

I think it is extremely valuable to bring in industry experts to the classroom. Students can see an accurate, up-to-date snapshot of the industry. In my experience, when I work with schools to bring special guests, it adds a lot of insight for the students, builds bridges from eduction to the work force, helps students learn how to converse with relevant industry-specific language as well as technology, keep informed of industry trends, can learn a path for themselves to enter the industry/industries post-education, picture more of a future for themselves, and/or add clarify for their future goals, and gain so many more skills/knowledge that transfers into the education environment. Furthermore, adding the Diploma seal for excellence in fine arts adds to those opportunities. It allows arts students' work to be seen, recognized, and for those who wish to pursue these fields or contribute to them in some way of the future, this starts their journey towards excellence, mastery, and/or skill acquisition. Without the diploma, students may not have the ability nor motivation to add that extra class, take a summer opportunity, etc. We can set ourselves apart from other states who do not have this option and help students have a leg up when applying to higher education institutions or other professional opportunities. Please see the attached document sighting studies, professional articles, and more with the benefits of students participating more in arts programs in schools.