Welcome back to Extra Credit, a weekly roundup of education-related news from across Southwest and Southside Virginia.
Have a story idea, tip or think there’s something I missed? Email me at meghan@cardinalnews.org.
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Roanoke County teacher shares how he tackles the opioid crisis in the classroom
Virginia’s 2026 Teacher of the Year was on the circuit last week sharing best practices and insights from his work in Roanoke County with a group of school leaders at Virginia Tech’s Rural and Low-Income Symposium.
Matt Neale, an English and journalism teacher at Hidden Valley High, was named the state’s teacher of the year last May by the Virginia Department of Education.
He was the first Roanoke County Public Schools teacher to win the statewide award.
At the Harrisonburg symposium, Neale talked about how he implements community wellness topics into the classroom.
Hidden Valley’s English curriculum requires students to complete a portfolio in alignment with state standards. The portfolio includes three papers: persuasive, argumentative and analytical essays.
The majority of Neale’s students wrote about the opioid crisis and its impact on students for their persuasive essays, thanks to a week-long lesson plan he built that included a panel discussion and conversations with community members who have been impacted by substance abuse or who work with those who have been.
Neale said he was inspired to bring these conversations into the classroom after reading Beth Macy’s book “Dopesick†and losing two former students to addiction.Â
Neale told educators that no matter the lesson plan, his teaching philosophy revolves around being approachable, setting and holding students to high standards and showing kindness.
Last week’s symposium at James Madison University brought together state education officials with school leaders from across rural school districts, particularly in Southwest Virginia, to learn more about the challenges facing rural schools and how educators are tackling them.
University of Lynchburg expands ‘Rummelier’ program
School isn’t just about reading, writing and ‘rithmetic anymore.
Hospitality professionals, event planners, bartenders and just plain enthusiasts can learn all there is to know about rum at the University of Lynchburg.
The school’s Professional Development Institute launched a “Rum and Sugar Cane Spirits†certificate program in 2024. Now, it’s expanding.
The course has already been offered for four semesters. It explores the history, production and, yes, taste of rum, in partnership with the Royal Rum Society.
The program, developed by Greg Hill, the founder of the society and a “Master Rummelier,†also allows participants to earn their own “Rummelier†designation.
Now, the University of Lynchburg is partnering with Forth Valley College in Scotland to expand access to the online certificate program to students across Europe.
“This partnership represents an important step in extending the reach of a program that has resonated with learners well beyond the United States,†John Zinn III, executive director of the Professional Development Institute, said in a statement. “We’ve seen strong interest from individuals seeking a deeper understanding of rum and sugar cane spirits, and this collaboration allows us to better serve that global audience.â€
Through the partnership, Forth Valley will promote and support the program in Scotland and throughout Europe, according to a news release.
The University of Lynchburg’s PDI offers professional development and personal enrichment programs. Students don’t earn credits toward academic degrees.
Topics range from digital marketing and leadership to AI and machine learning and cannabis studies and can run students anywhere from $150 to $2,200 for full certificate programs.
Gov. Spanberger to hire statewide internship coordinatorÂ
As Virginia officials continue to emphasize workforce readiness, Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed legislation earlier this month that will create the first statewide internship coordinator.
The new role will focus on strengthening internship programs and expanding opportunities, particularly in government agencies, to more students.
“This is a great example of what the Commonwealth can do to provide real-world opportunities for young, talented people entering the workforce,†Spanberger said in a statement.Â
“Virginia is the top state for talent in America and one of the most powerful tools we have is making sure talented students stay and grow right here in Virginia. Today, I’m excited to create a new position within my administration focused on achieving that goal and creating more chances for students to succeed.â€
Recent polling by the Virginia Business Higher Education Council shows that 90% of Virginians support investing in internships, according to a news release.
In recent years, more schools and universities have been encouraging students to seek out internships as pathways to career change. The new coordinator is part of Spanberger’s statewide initiative, InternshipsVA, which committed $14.5 million annually to helping employers launch paid internships for higher education students.
Virginia parents call for less screen time at school
As the use of laptops and computers has become more common in K-12 classrooms since the COVID-19 pandemic, some parents are mobilizing across the country to urge schools to limit classroom screen time and return to hands-on, paper-based learning.
Virginia schools are already required to prohibit students from using personal cellphones during the school day thanks to an executive order issued by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2024.
But many students, even those in elementary school, still spend time on laptops and tablets during class time as part of their lessons.
Now, a movement centered in Northern Virginia is gaining traction in other parts of the state.
In Fairfax County, a parents’ group called FCPS Parents for Intentional Technology is urging school division leadership to adopt time limits for laptop use in classrooms, and parents in Arlington are organizing similarly.
Some Henrico County parents spoke at length at a school board meeting this month asking the district to reconsider its one-device-per-student, or “one-to-one,†model, and parents in Chesterfield County have launched petitions and public campaigns calling for less reliance on laptop programs and for grade-level screen-time limits.
Families, are you concerned about your child’s use of technology or the amount of time they spend on screens at school? Are there similar movements underway in your community?
I’d love to hear from you! Email me at meghan@cardinalnews.org.
