What's your Superpower?
in FCS
President's Message
Hello FCS Superheroes!
My name is Toshieba Ragland, and I am just thrilled to be serving as your VATFACS President for the 2023-2024 year. Thank you to everyone who attended our 2023 PDI in Harrisonburg, VA! We had an incredible institute, and some outstanding sessions as well. If you were unable to attend this past year, we are hoping you will mark your calendars for the 2024 PDI, July 20- 24. “I’m an FCS Educator, what’s Your Superpower?”, is being held at the Hotel Madison & Shenandoah Conference Center, in Harrisonburg, VA!! We are so “wonder-rously” excited for this institute. The FCS heroes on the board are working very diligently to help make this institute one you will never forget! Please remember, there is power in numbers! It is of vital importance to renew your VATFACS membership and sign up to be a driving force by becoming a part of our superhero committee. There are many opportunities to become an FCS superhero! Visit our web page to check out on all the ways you can serve on the VATFACS Champion Board of Directors.
“You are stronger than you believe. You have greater powers than you know.”
—Antiope to Diana, Wonder Woman movie
Thank you and I look forward to seeing you soaring round Harrisonburg in July 2024!
Your Wonder Woman President signing off!
Toshieba Ragland
VATFACS Summer PDI was the Bees Knees at the Madison Hotel & Conference Center, Harrisonburg, Virginia, July 16-19, 2023. This 4 day conference was packed with best practices, keynote speakers, evening educational outings, and certification classes to name a few. Keynote speakers; Journalist and Author, Danielle Dreilinger, and Author, Chase Mielke gave exceptional keynote speeches on the power of finding your passion and embracing the positive.
VATFACS honored those in the field with various scholarships and awards. Award/Scholarship winners are:
New Teacher of the Year: Michaela Amari, Shenandoah County Public Schools
Teacher of the Year: Heather Hiserman, Shenandoah County Public Schools
Outstanding Administrator: Christine Good, Loudoun County Pubic Schools
Outstanding Administrator: Eric A. Switzer, Prince William County Public Schools
Outstanding Business and Industry: Culinary Institute of Virginia
Sharron Glasscock Scholarship Award: Shannon Hunter, Loudoun County Public Schools
Martha Creighton Scholarship Award: Emily Kittleson, Loudoun County Public Schools
Helen Hopper Scholarship Award: Emily Kittleson, Loudoun County Public Schools
A big congratulations to all the scholarship and award winners for 2023!!
Tosheiba Ragland, President
Toshieba earned a Master’s in Criminal Justice from Florida Metropolitan University and a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences from Virginia State University. Ms. Ragland holds a Virginia Postgraduate Professional Teacher License in K-12. She is a State certified facilitator for the Teachers for Tomorrow program, FCS Lead Teacher, New Teacher Mentor, W!SE Personal Finance certified, and a College Partnership Program Liaison. Toshieba currently holds the position of Career and Technical Education Department Chair at Lake Braddock Secondary School with Fairfax County Public Schools and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) State Executive Council Adviser to the State President, Virginia FCCLA Board of Directors member, and National FCCLA (IAED) Inclusion, Access, Equity and Diversity Committee member. As a career switcher, Toshieba brings 18 years of experience as a FCS Educator and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Virginia Master Adviser.
Catrina Creek, President Elect
Catrina brings 18 years of experience as an FCS Educator and FCCLA Master Advisor. She has earned a Post-Master Certification in Educational Leadership and Administration K-12 from George Washington University, an M.S. in Occupational Studies with a concentration in Career & Technical Education, and a B.S. in Family & Consumer Science, both master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Virginia State University. Ms. currently has the position as the Culinary Arts Instructor and the Chair of the Curriculum & Instruction Advisory Committee at Yvonne B. Miller High School & Post-Secondary Programs for the Department of Juvenile Justice with the Division of Education. As a passionate and growth-minded educator, she has been the Program Director for a cybersecurity summer program, the lead advisor for a VAFCCLA chapter, a representative on the VAFCCLA board of directors, a representative on the VATFACS board of directors, a representative for several curriculum review committees, and an adjunct instructor at the Virginia State University. Ms. Cheek is a proud member of Women Educators Leaders of Virginia (WELV), Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority, Incorporated, and a Human Science Honor Society: Kappa Omicron Nu (Graduate Level). “Through imagination, we can visualize the un-credited worlds of potential that lie within us.” – Stephen Covey.
Diane Breinig, Past President
