2023 October BEST Winners
- Dr. Aaron Hurd, Nominated by a Colleague
Aaron Hurd is one of Virginia High’s best because he encourages student involvement in our daily routines. His Video Media Tech class now allows our students to make the daily announcements and news. He advises the students on three major fields: journalism, communication, and video production. We have a dedicated YouTube channel that hosts our news crew’s episodes. VHS’s clubs and after-school activities (football, basketball, scholastic bowl, clubs, etc.) now get interviewed and showcased for all our students to see.
Aaron is a problem-solver who seeks to help his administration, colleagues, and students have a better experience in the world of technology every day. He has a unique way of having the students learn and practice real-life experiences in his classroom that will one day produce technology-ready students who are better communicators, collaborators, and problem-solvers. He also accompanies his students to numerous events to make sure they have video, sound, and interview coverage of what is important to our students.
- Bill Lancaster, Nominated by a Parent
My children are new to BVPS this year. They were nervous about riding the bus and we were blessed with Mr. Bill as our driver. There is not a day that goes by that our 8 year old daughter doesn’t come home with another fantastic story to tell about Mr. Bill. He is engaged with the children on the bus and has made this experience an incredible one.
Mr. Bill has a way of making the bus an adventure for the kids. From hanging their drawings up on the bus that they make for him to singing them lullabies when it is just too early to be awake. He also has the entire bus join in to give them a round of applause for making it through another day as they exit the bus in the afternoons. He both starts their day and ends their school day on a positive note. So many children need that in their lives. Mr. Bill is an outstanding leader for these children. He teaches them to respect others, corrects them when they are wrong, and praises them for the good they do. We are beyond thankful that our kiddos ended up on Mr. Bill’s route.
- Danielle Rife, Nominated by a Colleague
Danielle Riffe is the best of BVPS because her classes prepare our student to be responsible citizens. She is constantly bringing our state and local legislators into her classes to make sure our students understand that our legislators work for them. She coordinates guest speakers from different fields and life experiences to make community connections.
She constantly brings our students to traveling exhibits that our students may not have access or knowledge of. She has taken her students to the Museum of Middle Appalachia, Rocky Mount, and the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts traveling Artmobile exhibit. She helps students sign up to vote if they are unregistered and every student leaves her class more prepared for the structure and role of being a productive citizen. She models good citizenship for each student.
- Bobby Simpson, Nominated by a Colleague
I would like to nominate Bobby Simpson for BEST of the Bearcats. He has worked for BVPS for 6 ½ years. He started in 2017 when we were both hired at the job fair. He became the floor specialist in 2019. Bobby does not just work in one school but he works in all of them. He keeps the BVPS hallways looking amazing. I think sometimes his job is overlooked and taken for granted but he is the only one that does this job at every school. Bobby is always kind and polite to all staff and administrators. BVPS is lucky to have him.