City of Williamsburg firefighters are used to wielding heavy equipment, but they almost met their match from first-graders at Matthew Whaley Elementary.
The members of the department’s fitness team visited the class Feb. 28 to teach the importance of being active and healthy.
Battalion Chief Robert Washington and Senior Firefighters Trey Phaup and Adam Swale showed students the rigors of firefighting. They brought the garments they wear to protect from extreme heat and smoke, often while climbing ladders, pulling a hose or extracting a victim. Most firefighters don about 50 to 60 pounds of gear when fighting a fire – the weight of a typical first-grader.
Phaup said his favorite part of the experience was seeing how excited the children were to try on smaller versions of the fire suits.
In their new outfits, the students completed a small workout of exercises before competing in an obstacle course similar to the course all uniformed personnel of the Williamsburg Fire Department must complete twice a year. From raising a ladder to carrying real firefighting tools to climbing stairs with a hose on their shoulders, children got a firsthand taste of life in the service. Classmates cheered as they completed the battery of tasks.
The first-graders were not the only ones tired after the experience. Phaup said the young energy wore out the seasoned firefighters.
For Phaup, the day was a chance to give back to his community in a different – but still very meaningful – way. Outside of typical emergency service, he said it was gratifying to give the children a change of pace and explore another important facet of education.
Through team spirit and exciting activity, the students were taught why fitness is so important for their futures.
“Not just for our jobs, but for your whole life,” he said.
Teachers Achieve National Board Certification
Teachers from the York County School Division and Williamsburg-James City County Public Schools have been newly inducted as National Board Certified Teachers.
The National Board Certification process is a rigorous, voluntary endeavor, where teachers demonstrate prowess through an extensive written portfolio – including student work, videotapes, analysis and reflection – and performance on six content-specific assessment exercises.
Teachers hold certification through the board for 10 years.
YCSD teachers who have been designated National Board Certified Teachers for 2013 are: Heather Stark, Queens Lake Middle School; Annyce True, Grafton Bethel Elementary School; Desiree Lawson, Grafton Bethel Elementary School; Kimberly Clore, Grafton Bethel Elementary School; Karolyn Blackburn, Grafton Bethel Elementary School; and Lindsey Cagle, Yorktown Elementary School.
The teachers from WJCC are: Alicia Aschiero, J. Blaine Blayton Elementary School; Elizabeth Crispino, Matoaka Elementary School; Sherry Jones, Stonehouse Elementary School; April Knowles, Jamestown High School; Anne Mooring, Warhill High School; Katherine Plum, Matthew Whaley Elementary School; Valerie Smith, Jamestown High School; and Mary Whitley, Matoaka Elementary School.
Williamsburg Area Reading Council Recognized Teacher of the Year
On Feb. 27, the Williamsburg Area Reading Council held its first WARC Reading Teacher of the Year reception. WARC is a nonprofit educational organization that offers professional development, community involvement and networking for those interested in reading and the teaching of reading at all levels.
Leslie Goldhardt, a first grade teacher at J. Blaine Blayton, was this year’s winner of the honor. Also nominated were Sue Scherling, retired Reading Recovery Specialist at Matthew Whaley Elementary; Susan Alis from Matthew Whaley Elementary School; Leslie Goldhardt from J.Blaine Blayton Elementary School; and Kelly Parsons from Norge Elementary School.
