Walter A. McFarlane, Superintendent of the Virginia Department of Correctional Education, was named one of the "Best in the Business" for 2001 by the American Correctional Association (ACA). He received a full-page article in Corrections Today, the ACA's international magazine for corrections employees. This year ACA honored 17 individuals selected from 328 nominations. The article outlined his efforts to improve correctional education in the past seven years by setting high standards, stressing inter-agency cooperation, and promoting community relations. "Best in the Business" is a national honor that recognizes excellence in various aspects of corrections. Winners who serve at the federal, state and local levels are selected from throughout the United States and Canada. They may include prison wardens, correctional officers, treatment specialists, educators, administrators, prison service staff and others. The ACA champions the cause of corrections and correctional effectiveness. Founded in 1870 as the National Prison Association, ACA is the oldest association developed specifically for practitioners in the correctional field. The organization is based in Lanham, Maryland and boasts more than 20,000 members nationwide. "I am honored to have been selected for this recognition, but the true credit belongs to our principals, teachers and staff," McFarlane said. "They work at the front lines to make the Commonwealth a better place for all Virginians, and they deserve the praise for what DCE accomplishes." McFarlane joined DCE as its superintendent in 1994 and has overseen a tremendous, but smooth, expansion of his agency. DCE has improved its credibility and accountability in ways that bolster its efforts at "fighting crime through education." During his tenure, DCE unveiled the award-winning Service Learning effort, wherein Virginia Commonwealth University trains undergraduate students to serve as educational tutors in the juvenile schools. This effort benefits DCE students directly and also benefits the larger mission of the agency by exposing aspiring public safety and education professionals to career opportunities in this field. He also oversaw the successful implementation of several successful community service projects and initiated the expansion of the agency's volunteer program. Another significant improvement has been the creation of a substitute teacher program, which has brought continuity to the youth school efforts. It also has helped alleviate turnover problems as substitutes sometimes join school staffs as full-time teachers. He has encouraged the expanded use of inmate aides in the adult schools, and Superintendent McFarlane engineered a cutting-edge program to facilitate ex-offenders' smooth transition back into their communities. For its effectiveness, this program has garnered significant attention within correctional education circles for its effectiveness.

DCE students soon will be able to take advantage of new skills they learned thanks to the Lions Club. Because of a recent donation by local club members, all of the juvenile correctional center schools have access to a new social skills curriculum. DCE is the first juvenile correctional system in the United States to employ Lions Quest. “We are happy to receive such generosity,” said Fannie Page of DCE’s Academic Division. “This will certainly help our effort.” The gift included training for teachers. She valued the donation at approximately $3,000. The Lions-Quest life skills program teaches young people to make healthy decisions about their lives. This includes learning how to say "no" to drugs, alcohol, violence and gang-involvement. For almost 20 years, Lions clubs have sponsored school-based Lions-Quest life skills development curricula. “These are significantly advanced social skills programs that will make a big difference to many students,” Dr. Page added. The curriculum is innovative and flexible and designed for grades 9-12. It moves beyond the classroom to build essential life and citizenship skills through service-learning experiences. Created to help young people become personally and socially responsible citizens, the curriculum offers students the means to gain the knowledge and skills required to make positive contributions with their lives.

Agnes Hagen, a literacy instructor at Staunton Correctional Center, recently won honors from the Public Library Association (PLA) for her books, known collectively as “The Jack Sloan Series.” Her series, designed for new adult readers, was chosen as one of the “Top Titles for Adult New Readers.” Published last year by New Readers Press, the Jack Sloan series was one of five new titles in 2000 cited by PLA as suitable for working with a tutor. Jack Sloan is the protagonist of the four volume series set on the Texas frontier. Outlaws kill his wife and kidnap his son, compelling Sloan to act. The stories contain adult themes including adventure, love, romance, risk and reward. “I am really thrilled because maybe more people will read them and enjoy them,” Hagen said. Don’t forget about a new set of mysteries coming out in late August. One of those stories takes place at the Staunton Correctional Center.” That series involves a new central character who investigates mysteries.

DCE won accolades recently for its efforts to make the public aware of the availability of GRTC public transportation opportunities in the Richmond metro area. Nupa Agarwal, a policy analyst, received a Gold Award for her efforts to spearhead the agency’s ridesharing information campaign, especially regarding GRTC’s recent expansion of its services in Chesterfield County. “I was pleased to do something that brings benefit to the employees and to the environment,” she said. “And I hope more employees will take advantage of this in the near future.” The GRTC Transit System is a non-profit entity that is owned by the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County. Since 1973, GRTC has provided public transportation service in the greater Richmond area. The GRTC Transit System provides fixed-route bus service, curb-to-curb paratransit (advanced reservation) service for disabled persons and specialized services such as CARE, C-VAN, Chesterfield LINK and Ridefinders.

Beth Rohne, an academic instructor at Haynesville Correctional Center, has been named the Correctional Education Association’s Regional Teacher of the Year. Virginia is in one of nine regions in the nation. She was chosen from candidates in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia. “What I have realized in this is that there are many, many excellent teachers in our agency and in the state. What I do cannot compare to what they do, and I have learned much from these people. If it had not been for these co-educators, I would not be receiving this,” she said. “Many people that I really respect were interviewed, so it is quite an honor to win this award.” What makes her classroom effective, she said, is the inmate tutors. “I realize what a team I have in my tutors, this award is their honor as much as mine, because they make this classroom work as much as anybody.” Her supervisor, Principal Phyllis Wilbur, said Rohne deserves accolades for her classroom excellence. “We are delighted that she has been recognized, we always have known she was exceptional, and it is good that she has won this honor. We certainly hope she will win Teacher of the Year.” Fellow DCE teacher Steve Farrell nominated Rohne. “She has quite a reputation, and I have found that she has a healthy interest in education. She has tremendous enthusiasm for her job and for getting things done.” A committee of three CEA members observes each nominee in the classroom. Forms are submitted to the chairman of the committee, who is the previous year’s Teacher of the Year, and a new Teacher of the Year is selected. Any CEA member in the region can nominate a teacher for Teacher of Year. This year there were approximately two dozen nominees. This summer, Rohne attended the national CEA conference held in Phoenix. During the weeklong conference, each regional winner was honored during a special event.

Ten DCE employees received honors at the sixth annual awards luncheon. This year the agency honored three master teachers, six outstanding employees, and for the first time ever, an administrator of the year. The keynote speaker, Jim Meisner Jr., accentuated the event’s theme of “Soaring to Success” with an inspiring presentation concerning the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, and the first manned flight. In his presentation Meisner outlined the drama behind doing what, in that day, was considered impossible. He suggested that DCE teachers succeed where others failed because they find a better way. “You take risks. You overcome setbacks. You are creative,” he said, “and you achieve.” Prior to presenting the awards DCE Superintendent Walter A. McFarlane said the award winners “represent examples of our agency at its finest.” Jacqueline L. Nelson, principal of the Joseph T. Mastin High School Annex received the first Administrator of the Year award. Randall G. Estes, woodworking instructor and Mark Twark, an upholstery instructor at Indian Creek Correctional Center and Ms. Elizabeth W. Jones, a culinary arts teacher at Addison-Perkins High School at Barrett Juvenile Correctional Center were named Master Teachers. Outstanding Employees Awards went to: Andrew Jackson Sr., an assistant superintendent for Career and Technical Education and Brenda McCoy, a grants administrator at the Central Office in Richmond; Joe A. Shrader, a masonry instructor and James E. Ratliff of Keen Mountain Correctional Center; Delores “Ann” Taylor, a culinary arts instructor at the Virginia Correctional Center for Women, and Kris K. Williams, a child care instructor at Joseph T. Mastin High School at Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center.

When fire destroyed a correctional unit kitchen in 1997, corrections officials rented a portable kitchen. The rental served its purpose, but did not replace the original kitchen. Later, when the same correctional officials explored the possibility of buying an emergency operations kitchen, they balked at the high price. So they turned to Gale Conner, a welding instructor at Staunton Correctional Unit. Conner, who previously had developed a number of items to assist correctional operations, gathered his students and went to work. Soon they had developed a field kitchen. “The whole purpose of it, is that we are required to have an emergency feeding plan,” explained Sam Wood, regional food operations manager for the Department of Corrections’ northern region. Now, when emergencies occur, all Wood has to do is hook the cook stove and two ovens to a portable trailer and roll on to the site. The field kitchen can cook “any food you can imagine,” explained Conner, who brings 26 years of correctional experience to his latest effort. While typical field kitchens are identified with barbecue, hot dogs and cotton candy, Conner’s creation can broil, bake, grill and fry foods. And the field kitchen does this on a large scale, “enough to feed 350 people three times a day,” Conner said. Propane heats the mobile cooking kitchen. Its two ovens include six baking/warming racks that accommodate commercial-size utensils. Each oven is an independently operating convection oven. This allows different foods that may require different temperatures to be prepared at the same time. The cook stove has enough cooking surface to cook 100 hamburger patties at once. The stove also has three separate, independently controlled burner stations. This allows for boiling at one burner, frying at another and grilling at the third station. Many factors influenced the design, Conner said. In addition to the various transportation and health standards involved, he and his students also had to consider portability, function and various scenarios. “It’s built for abuse,” Conner added. Correctional personnel tested the mobile kitchen recently at Cold Springs Correctional Unit #10. The results? “It worked exceptionally well,” explained Henry Day, a regional environmental specialist with DOC. Conner expects the field kitchen to find uses in a variety of settings, including all types of relief efforts for natural disasters. “A few years ago when they had fires in the mountains, the Governor turned to corrections and asked if we could help feed any of the relief workers. We couldn’t. But now we can,” he said. Today, Conner and his students are building a third field kitchen. The first two now serve the Department of Corrections’ northern and central regions. They are developing a hood system for the unit to pull unwanted smoke away from the cooking area. The activity really has been a benefit to participating students, Conner said, with requirements for building the field kitchen covering approximately 80 percent of the class competencies. Conner and his students have earned the gratitude of several in the DOC ranks. “Gale really is great at this. It seems, there is not a thing he can’t make for you,” Wood said.

The 103rd Founder’s Day Celebration at John Henry Smyth School June 8th featured the theme “Growing Stronger Through Education and Discipline.” Dr. Ronald Carrie, an assistant superintendent with the Richmond City Public Schools served as the event’s keynote speaker. In his address he encouraged Smyth students to continue to strive educationally, and in other ways, to find success. The event is an annual celebration of the efforts of John Henry Smyth as a pioneer of correctional education for African-American youth in Virginia. During the event, six students received diplomas from their community high schools, and four others received GEDs, reported Smyth Principal Mary Shanley.

In a joint ceremony with the Department of Corrections, DCE honored 17 of its most dedicated employees. DCE Superintendent Walter McFarlane praised them as “the backbone of the agency” saying that these longstanding employees deserve the public’s praise and gratitude. “But they deserve even more than that because their accomplishment speaks to a need in our society. It incorporates values that seem rare today: dedication, duty, and a sense of personal responsibility,” he added. “I am honored to be associated with this fine group of people.” The service award recipients were honored during a luncheon at the Sheraton Richmond West. DCE honored the following: 25 Years: Roy L. Belfield, Powhatan Correctional Center, Academic Teacher Jeffrey Black Debord, Marion Correctional Center, Academic Teacher Annabelle S. Ferrell, Central Office, Purchasing Division Donna B. Gathright, Fluvanna Correctional Center, Academic Teacher Raymond R. McMichael, St. Brides Correctional Center, Academic Teacher Robert L. Slaughter, Paul S. Blandford High School, Academic Teacher Sharon H. Trimmer, Joseph T. Mastin High School, Principal William C. Valentine, Deerfield Correctional Center, Academic Teacher Deborah B. Williams, John Henry Smyth High School, Academic Teacher Elaine Wise, Central Office, Human Resources Division 30 Years Thomas H. Black, Natural Bridge Juvenile Correctional Center, Academic Teacher Patricia “Patty” A. Ennis, Central Office, Office of the Superintendent Andrew E. “Jack” Jackson, Sr., Central Office, Vocational Division Charles L. Jones, John Henry Smyth School, Academic Teacher Myra E. Miller, James River Correctional Center, Academic Teacher Wallace R. “Wally” Sterling, Central Office, Administration 35 Years Edelyn D. Ferguson, Greensville Correctional Center, Vocational Teacher

Governor James S. Gilmore honored 12 DCE “Stars” during Virginia Public Service Week, May 7-13. They received letters of recognition as a part of the state’s employee appreciation efforts initiated last year by Governor Gilmore. Individual agencies nominated their own outstanding employees to receive “Star Award” recognition for exceptional performance. The DCE dozen are: Denwood Barksdale, an English teacher at Paul S. Blandford School, Shirley Dickerson, a special education instructor at Joseph T. Mastin School, Randall Estes, a woodworking instructor at Indian Creek Correctional Center, Andrew Jackson, the assistant superintendent for career and technical education, Central Office, Brenda McCoy, a grants administrator at the Central Office, Elizabeth Jones a culinary arts instructor at Addison-Perkins High School, Jacqueline Nelson, principal of the Joseph T. Mastin High School Annex, Joe Shrader, a masonry instructor at Keen Mountain Correctional Center, James Ratliff of Keen Mountain Correctional Center, Delores “Ann” Taylor, a culinary arts instructor at the Virginia Correctional Center for Women, Mark Twark, an upholstery instructor at Indian Creek Correctional Center, and Kris Williams, a child care instructor at Joseph T. Mastin High School.

[b]Pocahontas Correctional Unit[/b] At their recent graduation ceremonies, DCE students heard an uplifting message from Virginia’s Secretary of Public Safety Gary K. Aronhalt. “Each of you can make a difference in this world,” he said. Secretary Aronhalt went on to stress the importance of education and reminded his audience that one’s education is a life-long process. “This is just a beginning,” he said as he encouraged them to continue to improve themselves through education. He also took note of the significant contribution of inmate tutors and applauded their efforts. In all, 66 graduates participated, including five who completed courses at other institutions. Twenty-three recent graduates of the Pocahontas DCE school were paroled or transferred before the ceremony. The graduates included 25 Literacy Incentive Program completers, 10 GED graduates, five cooking and baking apprentices, 23 students of business software applications and 21 plumbing students. Mother Nature cooperated for the May 11 event, which was held outdoors and featured cake, finger foods and punch supplied by the cooking and baking apprenticeship class. “It was our first attempt at holding it outside, and it went very well,” said Principal Laura Anderson. She also praised the efforts of DCE’s sister agency, the Department of Corrections, whose staff ensured the event’s success. “I know DOC went all-out to make it a special day, and I think it was really special for everyone there,” Anderson added. [b]Coffeewood Correctional Center[/b] “Education is important, regardless of your time or place.” That was the message delivered by John Fararr, Chairman of Culpeper Literacy Council, who stressed the theme of responsibility and used personal anecdotes to deliver a stirring message to DCE graduates at Coffeewood Correctional Center. In all, DCE students earned 175 certificates, and 104 participated in the ceremony. Of the recipients, 41 took home LIP completion certificates, 50 received GEDs, 10 received certificates for completing optical technology coursework, 20 completed floor covering, 27 finished small engine repair and 13 completed industrial maintenance mechanics. Two of the students received recognition for attaining credentials from the National Board of Opticianry. Three others passed the industrial maintenance mechanics standards test and seven completed their apprenticeship as cooks and bakers. “This graduation was one of our best,” said Principal Phyllis Wilbur. [b]Lawrenceville Correctional Center[/b] Lawrenceville Correctional Center’s DCE recently held its third graduation in school history. In all, 168 students received certificates for completing academic and vocational coursework. Students received 35 GEDs, 35 horticulture certificates, 44 electrical coursework certificates and 33 business software applications certificates. One of the students received an associate’s degree from Southside Community College. Approximately 20 transferred from Lawrenceville before they could participate in the graduation ceremonies. The keynote speaker, DCE Superintendent Walter McFarlane, encouraged the graduates with a challenge: “I challenge you to continue with the spirit you have proven exists within you. I encourage you to aim at worthy goals and succeed,” he said. The Superintendent encouraged the graduates to put the past behind them. The school’s next graduation will be held before Christmas and will include students of plumbing, commercial cleaning, interior renovation, carpentry and more GED recipients, said School Principal Phyllis Smith. “This recent graduation was beautiful,” Principal Smith added. “Students received a lot of family support, and we had close to 125 visitors. We thank Mr. McFarlane for his attendance and enjoy the wealth of continued support we receive from DCE.”

The Virginia Association of Correctional Educators Conference highlights the upcoming staff development week activities slated for August 22-24 at the Radisson Fort Magruder Hotel in Williamsburg. VACE President Elizabeth Jones said anticipation for the event is growing. “This could be our best conference ever,” she said. “We have innovative speakers and activities. It is simply a wonderful professional development opportunity. It’s a great opportunity for people to network and enjoy themselves.” One new feature will be a VACE mascot – to be unveiled at the event. “There’s going to be lots of excitement,” Jones added. Among the offerings slated at the conference are: Distance Learning - New Directions in Correctional Education Entrepreneurship and DCE Professional/Workplace Etiquette Sharing Your Personal Experiences as Lessons Using the "We the People" Curriculum in SOL Preparation Training Curriculum for Educators of Youth in Confinement Effective Schooling for At-Risk Students Action Research Strategies Tricks of the Trade - Teaching Students Testing Strategies Dressing for Success Community Corrections Nutrition vs. Stress Integrating Functional Literacy into the "Equipped for the Future" Initiative Correctional Education and the Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia Establishing a College Bound Program in Your School Inspiration for New Teachers Reading in the Content Areas: Breaking the Barriers Also available during staff development week are one- and two-day technology classes at New Horizons, presentations by DCE’s human resources personnel on interviewing and performance appraisals, and presentations on the “Leadership Foundations” series by Emily Sterrett, a consultant from the Washington D.C. area. Also, DCE youth school science teachers will visit NASA. During the April staff development week, 560 DCE staff took part in staff development activities. There were a total of 1,497 attendees at the 69 scheduled activities.

“Bridging the Gap to Education and Life” was the theme of this year’s Founder’s Day celebration May 24 at Addison-Perkins High School. The annual event celebrates the efforts of the juvenile correctional center’s namesake and all others who have contributed to its success. Joanne Smith-Spady, president of the Virginia Federation of Colored Women, served as the morning’s inspirational speaker. The Rev. Johnny L. Fleming, pastor of Second Baptist Church in Chester, delivered the morning’s keynote address. In it he encouraged students to select “the bridges in life that lead to success, even when the water beneath seems to stop flowing.” The Rev. Daniel McManus, director of the Salvation Army in Richmond, gave the afternoon’s keynote address and recounted his struggles as a youth to encourage the young men in his audience to press forward toward a positive future. As a part of the day’s events, cadet step and drill teams competed for awards based on presentation, performance and organization. “It was a very enjoyable day,” said Addison-Perkins Principal Lucille Mickens. This is always one of the high points for the school each year, and it served as a time for parents and teachers to come together as a bridge for these young men.”

Lowe’s employee Charlie Wooheater (left) donates a DeWalt tablesaw to the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women’s DCE School. Students in Fluvanna’s Building and Maintenance class will use the saw, worth $900. The instructor Roger Huffman, right, and another DCE teacher, Marvin Grooms, middle, accept for the school. “Mr. Wooheater has been very giving. He admires what our staff does at Fluvanna and wants to enchance our programming,” said Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women Principal Laura Anderson.

An assortment of vendors, teachers and administrators joined recently to select textbooks for DCE’s juvenile schools. “This was a stimulating and enjoyable day,” said Fannie Page, DCE’s Assistant Superintendent for Academic Programs. Board member Russell G. Harris, Sr., paused for a moment while reviewing materials.

Students celebrated Multicultural Awareness Week in late April with music, food and fashion. A range of interesting activities met those who arrived for the weeklong event. Students had an opportunity to learn to speak Swahili from Audrey Durant, a teacher. They saw Nigerian native clothing, modeled by Josephine Akunwafer, a counselor. The students learned about the customs of India, from a native of that country, Dr. Sheila Saravanabhaven, an assistant professor of education at Virginia State University. The event was designed to introduce and expose students to a variety of cultures and ethnic backgrounds. Denise Burton, chairperson of the Multicultural Awareness Committee, called the program a success. “I was honored and excited about putting the program together. It was delightful to me that all the presenters were willing and eager to come to Oak Ridge and share with our students.”

Representatives of 17 organizations participated in the recent Addison-Perkins Career Day, allowing students to see an array of career and life opportunities. Approximately 125 students attended the daylong event. “They all were impressive,” said organizer Elizabeth Jones. “They just went all-out.” This year the school’s Career Day focused on more than future employment. Several of the participants focused on healthy lifestyle habits, including two new event entries from the school itself: representatives of the school’s infirmary and its drug-prevention program, Gateway. The Virginia Credit Union provided information on how to open a checking or savings account, balance a checkbook, build savings and apply for a loan. The Virginia Science Museum provided informational materials regarding the museum’s offerings to the public, and a representative of Farm Bureau Insurance talked to the students about their insurance needs. The event took a broad-based approach to meeting students’ needs, Jones said. All of the students need to learn about banking opportunities from a consumer standpoint, she added, pointing to the Credit Union’s educational effort as a much needed “crash course” of life skills. “These things are important because the students learn skills that they need in order to transition successfully back into the community,” said Jones. Among the other participants were the Hanover Country Animal Control Department, the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services, Special Olympics, Virginia View a non profit employment resource affiliated with Virginia Tech, Game and Inland Fisheries, the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, apprenticeship organizations and materials from the Richmond Newspapers Inc. “We were so happy that things went smoothly,” Jones said. In a follow up survey, we got only positive comments,” she added, “and every participating organization agreed to return.”