Professional Development is the lifeblood of our practice. It rejuvenates our teaching, energizes our students' learning and most importantly supports Powhatan's mission of "learning for life". On Monday, August 20th at our opening faculty meetings, two professional development grants were award to Powhatan faculty members – the Barbara and Harry F. Byrd, III STEM Professional Development Award and the Mary B. Porterfield Award for Continuing Education in Mathematics and Technology. We are truly grateful to both of these families for their generosity, year after year, to this vital component of our practice and for their commitment to keeping teachers inspired and refreshed in their teaching. The two teachers awarded will receive funding to attend a workshop in their area of the curriculum.

The Mary B. Porterfield Award for Continuing Education in Mathematics and Technology is given each year to a teacher of mathematics or technology who shows a passion for this area of the curriculum and best supports the needs and goals of the school in these areas. This year's recipient is tireless in her enthusiasm for educational technology and she has advanced our program exponentially since her arrival to campus last year. Her excitement for learning and growing is palpable and she infuses it into all areas of the curriculum and any teacher who is looking for new ideas and growth. This year's Mary B. Porterfield Award was awarded to Nicole Miller Educational Technology Teacher.

The Barbara and Harry F. Byrd, III STEM Professional Development Award is given to a teacher of a STEM-related field who inspires students and teachers interest and learning in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). Through his/her ardent love of one of these subjects, this teacher furthers the goals of our STEM program and champions the vital incorporation of them into the curriculum. This year's recipient continues to deepen and enhance our lower school science program. Whether on the Crocker Conservancy leading students in a habitat study or incorporating engineering concepts into a fifth-grade lab, our awardee's smile and enthusiasm are contagious. This year's Barbara and Harry f. Byrd III STEM Professional Development Award is given to Robin Coutts, Lower School Science and NEAL (Nature Enhanced Approach to Learning) Coordinator.