Richmond Public Schools

For Immediate Release
August 9, 2016

VSBA Conference on education brings together
leaders from across Virginia

RICHMOND, Va. - Over 400 Virginia school board members, educators, governing officials, attorneys, and legislators attended the Virginia School Boards Association’s (VSBA) 31st Annual Conference on Education, held recently at the Richmond Marriott Hotel.  The purpose of the conference was to offer participants the opportunity to learn about successful educational practices occurring throughout the state.

“Attending the annual conference on education was inspiring to me as a local school board member,” said Shonda Harris-Muhammed, Richmond City’s Sixth District School Board Representative. “Serving as a presenter at the 31^st Annual Conference was truly an honor. School boards are directly accountable for student achievement, policy development and school board governance. As the VSBA Delegate for four years, I have always gained valuable knowledge that has helped me grow as a school board member, and I am honored”.

Participants had the opportunity to attend their choice of more than 30 mini-workshops on topics such as personnel, career and technical education, curriculum and instruction, partnerships, school/community relations, school law, and STEM education. The presenters included educators from state and local levels, university and college professors, business representatives, and attorneys.

Harris-Muhammed also served as a local presenter, including retired Richmond Public Schools educator, Lola McDowell, who conducted a workshop titled, “It Sounds Kind of Academic and Boring but Not if You Put A Cat in Hat in Front of It.”

Virginia School Boards Association, a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of Virginia school boards, promotes excellence in public education through advocacy, training and services. The Association offers conferences, information, training, and counseling designed to meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s educational leaders.

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