In the face of a nationwide teacher shortage, it's all the more urgent that we focus on cultivating great teachers in our schools.

One of the ways we're addressing the issue is helping current staff who want to further their education and become full-time teachers through a budding partnership with Mary Baldwin University. A $30,000 grant just awarded to SCS by the Virginia Department of Education will help us support a robust grow-your-own program and reimburse college tuition for selected teacher candidates.

We are fortunate to already have excellent staff who have grown from paraprofessionals to full-time teachers in SCS, and we look forward to developing more. Below are a few of their inspiring stories.

"I always had a kid with a disability in my class growing up. They were treated like one of us. Inclusion is very important, and I’m always a fighter for that. Everyone had my back as I continued my education. It’s a family atmosphere. I love Staunton, and I love the people I work with here."

"I feel very supported by the administration, and I’m very grateful for the administration that I work for. I don’t really have any interest in being anywhere else because I feel so comfortable and safe here among my colleagues. I feel comfortable being who I am."



"I’m deaf in my left ear and have a disability, so I just kind of lean toward kids with disabilities. Even in high school, Mr. Brown (Ware principal) always supported me as a student because he knew about my struggles. It was nice to know that I had everybody’s support as I tried to achieve my overall goal of becoming a teacher."

"Everything dominoed into me getting where I am now. It was pretty lucky. When I was at the middle school finishing up one of my classes for my teaching license, they secretly put together $500 for me to put towards my class. It makes you feel like you’re in a good place. I’m very, very happy here."



"I started my teaching journey a long time ago. I was almost done with my education, and life kind of happened, and I needed to find full-time work. But I always came back to teaching. When I first started this journey, I never thought I’d be back at Ware teaching. I’m thankful to be where I am now."

"My mom got unexpectedly sick and soon passed away. I was motivated to finish what I started and graduate for her and kind of make it a memorial for her. Staunton City Schools has been very good to me. They’ve helped me through the hardships that I’ve been through just to see me surpass my career goals."

"I wasn’t sure I’d be a good teacher when I was in college, but when I got the job at McSwain, it became possible for me. I was doing a lot of one-on-one aid, explaining things in different ways to students, and I realized I could help students “get it.”

"It’s a place where you can keep growing. I really love making relationships with children; that’s definitely my strength. Every day is different. Every day is a challenge. I think we learn so much from each other, which makes it interesting."

As part of its commitment to serving the Staunton community, the Staunton Lions Club partnered with us to help celebrate our Teachers of the Year and Support Staff of the Year for the second consecutive year.

The group wrote thank you letters and enclosed a $100 gift with each letter to all the winners of the awards in each school, a total of 14 employees. SCS recognizes a teacher and a support staff member from each school annually in the fall for their outstanding work. The winners are nominated by their peers. We appreciate the Staunton Lions Club's generosity and support!