VASCD 2021 Journal

Our 2021 Award Winners!

VASCD Impact Award Winners: NICK NYCUM Mr. James “Nick” Nycum is principal of Stuarts Draft High School in Augusta County Public Schools. He is known for his passion in pursuing success for every student through Enrollment (in higher education), Enlistment, or Employment. This mantra encourages all students to select a pathway, set goals for their future, and work toward meeting those goals. Mr. Nycum works tirelessly to broaden students’ understanding of opportunities in the community, state, and nation as well and to give purpose to the learning and skills each student will need to acquire.

SHARON POPE Dr. Sharon Pope is the Chief Academic Officer of Chesterfield County Public Schools. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improving instruction for all students throughout her career. A masterful communicator, she tirelessly listens to others—central office staff, school personnel, the public—and then responds in ways that validate, clarify, inform, or contextualize. In working with a variety of stakeholders and priorities, Sharon persists in finding the fundamental issues and applying collaboratively-derived solutions.

While Director of Organizational Development, Dr. Pope used Agile strategies to lead efforts to create the division’s new strategic plan “Imagine Tomorrow”, the foundation for Chesterfield’s future innovation and growth..

CASEY ROBERTS Mr. Casey Roberts is the Executive Director of the New Horizons Regional Education Center and a 2019 ASCD Emerging Leader. He is a progressive, innovative leader who displays a spirit of inquiry and collaboration. His leadership has prompted a focus on project-based learning as a vehicle to promote thinking and rigor. Mr. Roberts has served as an educator, activist, scholar, and community servant. Across all of his roles, he demonstrates his commitment to creating equitable learning environments for all students.

SARAH TANNER-ANDERSON Dr. Sarah Tanner-Anderson is the Program Director for Educational Leadership and the winner of the 2021 Junior Faculty Award at Longwood University. She is an energetic, passionate, and collaborative leader who works to create educational leaders who are change agents. Dr. Tanner-Anderson’s enthusiasm and her passion for teaching are contagious. She consistently takes time to learn, to share ideas with colleagues, and to recognize talent in others.