2021 Leadership and Impact Awards

You know outstanding educators. We want to recognize and support them. Nominate a colleague for one of VASCD’s prestigious awards.

Each year, VASCD honors Virginia educators who exemplify the spirit of our learning, teaching, and leading mission. Nominations for our Leadership and Impact Awards are being accepted through December 21 at vascd.org, and in 2022 we will present our first-ever Team Impact Award.

Nominate a colleague or team who inspires you —we bet they are impacting others as well!

Recipients of VASCD’s 2021 Leadership and Impact Awards were honored in September. Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane, Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni, Deputy Secretary of Education Kathy Burcher, VASCD President Alan Seibert, and members of the VASCD Board were all on hand to offer words of congratulations and encouragement to these outstanding educators.

Detailed guidelines and directions for nominations for both awards are posted at VASCD.org. The deadline for nominations is December 21, 2021.

Our 2021 Award Winners!

VASCD Leadership Award Recipient:

J. Kapuchuck with his wife Leslie and James Lane, Superintendent of Public Instruction

JOSEPH KAPUCHUCK

Mr. “J” Kapuchuck is currently principal at Peak View Elementary School in Rockingham County. He is a joyful, energetic leader who has built strong community relationships and who never, ever gives up on his kids. He has led improvements in academic scores as well as strong school culture. Mr. Kapuchuck has presented at Virginia and other state conferences and contributed to various state and national publications. He leads not only the school but also the community to believe there is hope and a brighter tomorrow.

VASCD Impact Award Winners:

MEGAN CREW

Ms. Megan Crew is the Division Coordinator for Preschool and English Learner Programs for Salem City Schools, having recently left her position as a fifth grade teacher at West Salem Elementary School and a division Instructional Coach. Meg is known in her school division as a natural leader and one who puts others before herself. She is skilled in leading students to become architects of their own learning and she personalizes instruction to meet their varying needs. Ms. Crew has National Board Certification and is generous in making herself and her knowledge available to others.

COURTNEY KLEIN

Ms. Courtney Klein is an Instructional Coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Fairfax County Public Schools. She pioneered Instructional Coaching at Lake Braddock Secondary School and has built trust and relationships with teachers to advance this important work. Ms. Klein has provided leadership for the Shared Vision Committee and the Lead Innovator cohort, and established a monthly meeting where school leaders furthered their learning around the Professional Learning Community (PLC) Cycle and instructional best practices.

The award recipients with Superintendent James Lane, Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni, and Deputy Secretary of Education Kathy Burcher

HERB MONROE

Dr. Herb Monroe is Assistant Superintendent for Caroline County Public Schools and is known for his commitment to relationships and people. He has committed himself to ensuring division-wide beliefs and practices that reflect equity, diversity, and inclusion. He has organized professional learning, application activities, and progress monitoring systems to ensure that goals become outcomes. Dr. Monroe serves as an advisor for principals and provides mentoring to students, especially males, who are in need of support and guidance.

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.