Culpeper County Public Schools -

The inaugural cohort  of students celebrated the completion of the high school and associate’s degree phase of the Future Educators Academy with a special Signing Day Ceremony, held in the same place where the ribbon was cut at the Germanna Daniel Technology Center in August 2024.  The event, led by FEA Coordinator Mary Beth Dodson and FEA Advisor David Londrey, recognized each of the sixteen inaugural students’ accomplishments in the program in addition to their commitment to continue their educational journeys at four-year universities as they work toward becoming licensed teachers.   

The event celebrated not only the accomplishments of the students, but also the tremendous growth of the FEA Lab School initiative itself. What began with a single cohort of sixteen students from Culpeper, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock counties at Germanna Community College (GCC), has now expanded to 93 students across 11 school divisions and 18 high schools at GCC and Laurel Ridge Community College.  

Representing Culpeper County Public Schools, six students were a part of this first cohort and participated in the signing ceremony, officially declaring their intent to continue into the next phase of the FEA pathway:

Culpeper County High School: 

• Peyton Brooks – James Madison University

• Riley Edwards – Randolph-Macon University

• Emerson Place – Virginia Commonwealth University

Eastern View High School: 

• Makayla Hall – Virginia Commonwealth University

• Katelyn McFarland – Virginia Commonwealth University RTR Program

• Keagan James – Virginia Commonwealth University RTR Program

The ceremony featured a keynote address from Dr. Tony Brads, Superintendent of Culpeper County Public Schools and one of the original leaders behind the creation of the Lab School. In his remarks, Dr. Brads reminded students that they are the “first” and the “trailblazers” of a movement that is already changing the future of teacher preparation across Virginia.

Dr. Brads also reflected on how the Future Educators Academy was developed through a collaborative effort among school divisions, higher education partners, and state leaders to address the teacher shortage by investing in students from local communities who aspire to become educators.

The Signing Day also featured special guest speaker Dewayne McClary, Deputy Superintendent for the Virginia Department of Education’s Division of Student Pathways, Innovation and Technology. McClary congratulated students on their accomplishments and emphasized the importance of innovative partnerships like the FEA. 

Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Tashika Griffith, President of Germanna Community College, who praised the students for their dedication and perseverance while recognizing the strong partnerships that helped make the Lab School a reality.

The Future Educators Academy allows students to complete dual enrollment coursework while in high school, earning credits toward both a high school diploma and an associate degree. Students then transition to four-year universities where they can complete bachelor’s degrees and teacher licensure requirements in an accelerated format before returning to partner school divisions as classroom teachers.

Beyond providing rigorous instruction and valuable mentorship experiences, the Lab School also significantly reduces the financial burden typically associated with pursuing a teaching degree, making the profession more accessible for students and families across the region.

As the first cohort prepares to continue their journeys at universities across Virginia, the Signing Day served as both a celebration of individual achievement and a powerful reminder of what can happen when communities invest in the future of education.