Elizabeth Page and Christina Dickens Receive 2008 School Readiness Educator Awards

Elizabeth Page (left) and Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ Chairman Gerry Connolly

Excerpt from Chairman Connolly's remarks:

Elizabeth Page is executive director of the Falls Church-McLean Children’s Center, a full-day program that primarily serves low-income children between the ages of one and a half and five years old. Elizabeth works tirelessly to ensure the school readiness of some of Fairfax County’s most vulnerable children. She helps to educate others about the importance of investing in our community’s young children, and partners with others to advocate for access to quality early education at the local and state levels.

Elizabeth is a strong mentor of her Center’s teachers and supports them in their career path as early childhood educators. She insists on twenty hours of on-site continuing education and goes out of her way to create additional opportunities, including offering paid time off and financial support for off-site continuing education.  Elizabeth must be doing something right because her Center boasts an average teacher tenure of ten years. Congratulations, Elizabeth, and thank you for your dedication.
 

Christina Dickens (center) with Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gerry Connolly (left) and Fairfax County School Board Member Phil Niedzielski- Eichner (right)

Excerpt from Fairfax County Public School Board Member Phil Niedzielski-Eichner's remarks:

It is now my pleasure to announce that the second winner of the 2008 School Readiness Educator Award is Christina Dickens, Principal at Annandale Terrace Elementary School. Chris Dickens recognizes that ready schools play a major role in the successful transition to kindergarten and that children and parents must be made to feel welcome and a part of the public school family.  Chris is an instructional leader who shares a belief in the importance of school readiness and smooth transition with her staff. She continuously seeks avenues to connect with her community and families to create meaningful relationships that will enhance the school experience for all children.

Chris has ensured that Annandale Terrace has an open door policy for its parents. The school has a thriving “parent center” which houses translators who facilitate communication between home and school. It is staffed by several parent liaisons, whose goal it is to ensure that parents understand the school culture, and that the school is aware of the family’s needs.  Chris also continuously looks for ways to reach out to neighborhood preschools. She recognizes the value in having kindergarten teachers visit neighborhood preschool programs and Head Start classrooms to gain insights into the types of experiences children are having before they enter kindergarten.  In addition, she sends out a monthly newsletter to her neighborhood preschool directors, so that they can keep their families informed about all school events.  Congratulations, Chris, on your commitment to young children’s school readiness.

* Photos by Anne Lord Photography

top of page