In this episode, VSBA Executive Director Gina Patterson is joined by Dr. Michael Thornton, a retired Virginia Superintendent and one of the lead instructors for the VSBA Fiscal Governance Cohort. During the episode, Gina and Dr. Thornton discuss the importance of fiscal governance in school divisions and the upcoming VSBA Fiscal Governance Cohort starting in March 2025.

In this episode, VSBA Executive Director Gina Patterson is joined by VSBA President Dr. JoWanda Rollins-Fells for a discussion on VSBA School Board Appreciation Month. During the episode, Gina and Dr. Rollins-Fells discuss the importance of School Board Appreciation Month as well as the 2025 VSBA President’s Initiative, Champions for Impact.

In this episode, Executive Director Gina Patterson is joined by Dr. Brandie Lee, student and family engagement coordinator at Petersburg City Public Schools. Gina and Dr. Lee discuss Petersburg’s transformative Community Builders program, which has significantly increased community engagement by fostering connections between parents, students, and local resources.

In this episode of the VSBA School Board News Podcast, Gina Patterson welcomes Dr. Phil Gore, a leading voice in school board governance and leadership. Dr. Gore discusses the importance of strong board relationships, his book, Improving School Board Effectiveness, and an upcoming webinar series hosted by the VSBA that is designed to help school boards drive student success. Tune in for actionable insights and expert advice!

In this episode, VSBA Executive Director Gina Patterson is joined by Mike Rezac, Member Experience Manager at VAcorp. During the episode, Gina and Mike discuss VAcorp’s Cyber Risk Services and how they can help school divisions that experience cyber incidents like ransomware attacks and business email compromises.

In this episode, VSBA Executive Director Gina Patterson is joined by Rodney Jordan, VSBA Task Force on Students and Schools in Challenging Environments Co-Chair and Douglas Brown, VSBA At-Large Member and Task Force Member for Students and Schools in Challenging Environments. During the episode, Gina and guests discuss JLARC’s 2023 study on Virginia’s K-12 Funding Formula and how school divisions can take advantage of VSBA’s Take Your Legislator to School Month in November to discuss this important topic with local state officials. A link to the study can be found here: https://jlarc.virginia.gov/landing-2023-virginias-k-12-funding-formula.asp

Listen to Episode 66 of the Virginia School Board News Podcast. In this episode, VSBA Executive Director Gina Patterson is joined by Doug Straley, Virginia’s 2024 Superintendent of the Year. Gina and Doug talk more about Doug’s administrative journey in education and how he has made his own impact in Louisa County Public Schools.

Listen to Episode 65 of the Virginia School Board News Podcast. In this episode, VSBA Executive Director Gina Patterson is joined by Avanti Yamamoto, Virginia’s 2025 Teacher of the Year. Gina and Avanti talk more about Avanti’s journey to becoming a teacher and her innovative teaching methods, and the challenges she’s faced as a mathematics teacher.

Listen to Episode 64 of the Virginia School Board News Podcast. In this episode, VSBA Executive Director Gina Patterson is joined by Craig Maddox, Supervisor of Career and Technical Education, ITRTs, and Library/Media for Amherst County Public Schools. Gina and Craig discuss Amherst’s exciting initiative, the “Amherst Express Mobile Lab for Exploring Career Pathways.”