Virginia Secretary of Education Laura Fornash was the speaker for the recent SVRTC awards ceremony on campus. The Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium (SVRTC), affiliated with Longwood University, recently held its sixth annual awards banquet at Longwood. Teachers and representatives from the 25 school divisions that comprise the consortium were recognized for integrating technology into the classroom. Laura Fornash, Virginia secretary of education, presented the keynote address. The SVRTC coordinates the acquisition and integration of up-to-date and emerging technologies and training for K-12 students and staff and other citizens to enhance learning and encourage economic development in Southside Virginia. The Institute for Teaching through Technology & Innovative Practices (ITTIP), an outreach of Longwood’s College of Education and Human Services that researches and develops technology-integrated strategies and models, works closely with the SVRTC and is its administrative agent.
The SVRTC and the ITTIP are headquartered in South Boston. The SVRTC Technology Leadership Award went to Dr. Amy Griffin, superintendent of the Cumberland County schools, who is a Longwood alumna. She earned a B.S. at Longwood in 1989 and an M.S. at Longwood in 1995. The award recognizes an administrator, educator, or community member who advances technology in the educational setting. The SVRTC Division Leadership Award was presented to the Charlotte County school division. The award recognizes an SVRTC school division that advances technology in the educational setting.
“This exciting consortium brings together several communities, K-12 education and higher education to form an innovative partnership focused on student learning and success through technology,” Secretary Fornash said in her remarks. “In our fast-paced society, our students, teachers and parents need to keep up with the ever-changing technology. Students must access to technology that will enhance learning, increase productivity, promote creativity and help equalize learning opportunities.”The ceremony, held March 22, was attended by Longwood President Patrick Finnegan, who presented the Technology Teacher Awards. Secretary Fornash presented the Division Leadership and Technology Leadership awards; Dr. Deneese Jones, dean of Longwood’s College of Education and Human Services, presented the Technology Support Awards; and Troilen Seward, legislative advocate for the Virginia State Reading Association, presented the Instructional Support Awards.