Teach for Virginia
To the Editor:
I do not work for a large corporation or make millions of dollars. I spend my days discussing the alphabet and numbers. But I think I have one of the most important jobs in the world. I am a teacher.
I wake up early, work late and have a hard time not thinking about my classroom – even in the summer. I look forward to seeing my children solve a problem or “get” something for the first time. And they simply count on me to be in the classroom every day.
The Teach in Virginia program is looking for others who want to join me. Teach in Virginia is a non-profit organization created in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education to recruit non-licensed, potential teachers and licensed teachers to teach high-need subjects throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Teach for Virginia began recruiting a few months ago and is currently recruiting teachers for the 2005-2006 school year. The Teach in Virginia program continues to look for highly qualified, motivated individuals. It is a selective program that is seeking those who want to:
* Make a difference.
* Inspire students to academic excellence.
* Challenge themselves.
* Confront educational issues head-on.
* Assume leadership roles within their schools and division.
* Make a greater impact.
The program needs high achievers and critical thinkers who want to use their subject knowledge to ensure the academic achievement of the students who need them the most.
As an educator, I implore you to use your skills to provide an opportunity for all children throughout the state to succeed. For more information on the Teach in Virginia program or to apply online, please visit www.teachinvirginia.org.
Signed,
Paige Tucker
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Law and order
Greetings,
On Feb. 22 (approximately 10:15 p.m.) I was at the Main Hospital visiting a friend. I stepped out into the lobby area facing Marshall Street when several VCU police officers stepped in and approached an elderly black woman whom I had seen on various occasions sitting quietly in the warmth.
The officers knew the woman by name, and one officer in particular – a white female – young-looking enough to be her granddaughter, spoke to the woman in a tone that harkened back to Jim Crow time: “Why are you in my hospital?”
Her next sentence was, “Didn’t I tell you next time I see you I’m taking you to jail?” I was shocked at this sight, yet yielded my tongue, allowing the officers to perform “their duty.”
Handcuffed, the homeless woman was led out into the open lobby of the hospital like some common criminal.
My questions to the faculty, student body and the dedicated police force is this: What publc service was provided here? Is the campus any safer? Is it justified for a young woman to speak to a woman more than twice her age in a manner reminiscent of plantation days simply because she’s homeless?
Signed,
D. Lynn
Editor’s Note:
Seeking a response to the allegations in this letter The Commonwealth Times met with Henry Rhone, vice provost for student affairs and enrollment services, and deputy chiefs Tina Buck and Carlton Edwards from the VCU Police Department.
In response to the allegations of officer misconduct, Edwards said an investigation would follow. “Anytime a complaint comes in – no matter how minor it may be, or quite large – we’re going to investigate it … we have an internal affairs department. When we have a complaint, it goes through that process.” Buck concurred with Edwards, saying, “We’re like any other police department – when a complaint is lodged we go through a thorough internal investigation.”
Rhone said that the situation will be followed up. “This is not something that is ignored … The police are adept at handling complaints that come from the public … there are a number of factors that could have impacted the encounter and I think we need to look at this from multiple perspectives.” Rhone further said: “I think the readers want to be reassured the police are working for the benefit of the VCU community.”