Governor visits Woodside High School, signs two education bills
Posted: June 11, 2021
Governor Ralph Northam visited Woodside High School on June 11 to ceremonially sign Senate Bill 1196 and House Bill 1904, which will equip all teachers with cultural competency training and ensure that history and social science teachers are trained to teach African-American history.
During remarks before the bill signing, the Governor addressed the importance of the legislation which codified the Commission on African American History Education's top recommendations by establishing several new training, professional development and evaluation requirements to equip all Virginia educators with the skills necessary to sustain culturally-responsive classrooms.
In addition to fostering important cultural competencies, the legislation helps to ensure history and social science teachers have the specific content knowledge and training to teach African American history with sensitivity and confidence.
Woodside High Principal Dr. Windy Nichols welcomed the Governor and several dozen guests including bill patrons Senator Mamie Locke and Delegate Clinton Jenkins, and state Secretary of Education Atif Qarni, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. James Lane and Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Janice Underwood. Delegate Marcia Price, Delegate Mike Mullin, School Board Chairman Douglas Brown, Vice Chairman Lisa Surles-Law, School Board members Dr. Terri Best and John Eley, Superintendent Dr. George Parker and other members of the NNPS leadership team were also in attendance.
2021 Woodside Graduate Lamarr Burnett introduced Governor Northam.