The Randolph-Macon College Education Alumni Board held its annual meeting on October 12, 2019, during Homecoming Weekend. The Board, now in its eighth year, works to foster connections between alumni, professors and students as it explores educational trends and practices. 

The theme of this year’s meeting, “Review, Restructure, Refocus, and Reenergize,” reflects the Board’s dedication to forward-thinking. 

Education Professor Diana Yesbeck, faculty advisor to the Board, says, “Our annual meeting is a terrific opportunity to catch up with one another, share tips and trends, and celebrate our accomplishments. Our newest officers—Maryanne DallaValle ’10, Jocelyn Carver Wyman ’11, Hannah Dise ’12, and Kenneth White ’12—have already brought new perspectives and ideas to the Board to enrich our continuous work in teacher preparation.”  

Lifelong Learners 
Board members, true to their calling, are lifelong learners, and part of the excitement of the annual meeting is the opportunity to learn from one another.   

Aliya Headley ’13, who teaches at Patrick Henry High School, gave a presentation on how to use a technology instructional tool, Pear Deck, which helps teachers create an interactive and community-focused classroom. 

“The meeting provided me an opportunity to engage with my colleagues and discuss relevant topics in education,” says Headley, who majored in French and English and minored in education. “It’s refreshing to hear from the different voices that come to the table all with the same goal: How can we develop as educators to better the learning experiences for our students? It is my favorite professional development experience of the year.”

Julie Dauksys, RMC adjunct instructor of education, presented “What’s Hot in Literacy,” which focused on the Hanover initiative, a reading program used in Hanover County Schools. Board members also completed a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) activity and discussed future Board events. 

This was the first Board meeting for Kerstin Mayes ’21, an English major and education minor. 

“While I was bit intimidated because I did not know what to expect, I was humbled to see the community that was built through this Board,” she says. 

For Maryanne DallaValle ’10, the annual meeting is a way to build relationships and discuss current trends in education.  

“It is a wonderful opportunity for current teachers to share their classroom experiences and help future educators gain more confidence,” says DallaValle, who majored in sociology and minored in education. “We brainstormed ways to enhance our Board and provide additional opportunities throughout the year to continue those discussions. Members walked away rejuvenated and excited.” 

Kenneth White ’12, principal at Highland Springs High School in Henrico, Virginia, says, “It’s always good to be back on campus and reconnect with those who made a major difference in my life and career.  My goal as a member of the Board is to pay it forward and help both former and current Yellow Jackets keep doing great things in our profession!” White, who majored in history and minored in education at RMC, earned his M.Ed. at University of Richmond. 

The Education Program at RMC
The teacher preparation program at RMC creates reflective, passionate educators who are highly qualified in their content area and in 21st-century teaching skills. Inspired by RMC’s dedicated teaching faculty, graduates bring to their own classrooms a commitment to children, youth, and families and to embracing and celebrating diversity.

With the first course in RMC’s teacher preparation program, students are in the community, working with real students and teachers in local school classrooms. Our education courses fully integrate classroom and experiential learning, opportunities for collaborative research, civic and global engagement, personalized guidance, and leadership development.