Success Stories

James Gordon - Teacher

Head of the Class

Even as a high school student, James Gordon was preparing to become a teacher. The Early Childhood Education class he took as a senior introduced him to the basics of classroom life, from lesson plans and bulletin boards to interaction with children.

That class also gave him his first chance to interact with pupils. “Every week, kindergarten children would come into our class and we’d do lessons with them. It was a great experience for the little kids, as well as for us.”

As a middle-school math teacher, James now deals with older pupils, but it’s still a positive experience. “Working with students … making a connection with them … that’s the most rewarding thing.”

Dawn and Nathan Rountree - Teachers

Teaching Technology... Together

Lasers…robotics…computer-aided drafting: these are some of the cutting-edge subjects that students in Suffolk learn from Nathan and Dawn Rountree. And while this couple doesn’t share a classroom, they do share an interest in technology that stretches back to their years as students at Hickory and Lakeland High Schools. Both were active in Technology Student Associations, and both have benefited from the many CTE courses they included in their studies.

“Being involved in [those] CTE courses in high school prepared me to teach CTE courses,” says Dawn. Husband Nathan agrees. “Being a Technology teacher, every bit of the knowledge I gained through my CTE courses is applicable to my career.”

Meaghan Boteler - Agricultural Education Teacher

A Fertile Field

“My family has a farm, so I grew up around agriculture,” says Meaghan Boteler. “My brother was in Agriculture classes, and I saw how much fun he was having and thought it might be something I might want to try.”

She took “Ag” classes herself in 9th through 12th grades, and ended up an officer in FFA, competing at the state level in a variety of disciplines ranging from public speaking to livestock exhibitions. Today, she’s the co-advisor for FFA at Fauquier High School, where her students are competing in those very same events.

She was motivated to enter the field by her own positive experiences in high school agriculture activities. “I had a great advisor; he made it fun. I saw what a great interest he had in students, and in the importance of agriculture.... It made me aware of what I wanted to do.”