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PGCPS Celebrates Largest Cohort of Homegrown Aspiring Educators in ‘Future Teacher Pipeline’ Program History During Signing Ceremony

May 8, 2025

19 Prince George High School seniors will have the opportunity to return to their hometown to serve as educators in their local schools as part of the district’s Future Teacher Pipeline program, a successful program that allows aspiring teachers to return to Prince George County to teach after completing their post-secondary studies.

SEE MORE PHOTOS: PGCPS on Flickr

On the backdrop of Teacher Appreciation Week celebrations across Prince George County Public Schools, nearly two dozen students were recognized as members of the fourth cohort of the Future Teacher Pipeline program during a special signing event at Prince George High School on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, the largest cohort of students in the program’s history. In front of an audience of family, friends, teachers, and members of the Prince George County School Board, each Future Teacher Pipeline member had the opportunity to take a seat and sign their letters of agreement with PGCPS, with each letter signed by division superintendent Dr. Wayne Lyle, affording them the opportunity to return home as teachers after successfully completing their respective college teaching programs.

Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event. Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event. Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event.
Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event. Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event. Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event.
Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event. PGCPS Logo Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event.

The Future Teacher Pipeline program is available to graduating seniors of Prince George High School who have completed the school’s Teachers for Tomorrow (VTFT) program, a Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) initiative that recruits high school students into the teaching profession, passing the ParaPro Assessment, and either acceptance into a postsecondary college or university with the intentions of pursuing a degree in Education or an acceptance letter into an approved teacher education program at a higher learning institution. 

Upon completion, eligible students receive and sign a letter of agreement, serving as an official employment offer as a teacher with the district, and are recognized before graduating from Prince George High School. Their employment would be contingent on district funding, availability of a teaching position in the licensed endorsement area, and timely fulfillment of employment requirements. 

Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event. Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event. Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event.
Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event. Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event. Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event.

The Future Teacher Pipeline cohort members will also have opportunities to remain in touch with their hometown school district during their studies as they will have the ability to serve as substitute teachers in our schools while they are home on breaks and holidays, if they so choose. Additionally, They will also have opportunities to support the district's summer learning programs by working as a substitute teacher or intern.

This year’s cohort of students is as follows, with the college/university they will attend in the fall in parentheses: Robert Birchett (Liberty University), Olivia Carpenter (Richard Bland College), Kacie Calett (Richard Bland College), Jaiden Garcia, Caroline Glazier (Christopher Newport University), Alexis Groves (Tidewater Community College / Old Dominion University), Jamie Hayes (James Madison University), Indiana Howell (Longwood University), Riley Humphries (Longwood University), Owen Hunter (Longwood University), Amellia Kennedy (Old Dominion University), Jaden Kopalchick (Randolph College), Juliana LaVigne (Christopher Newport University), Nalani Lee (Brightpoint Community College), Addison Meeks (Tarleton State University), Jazmin Miranda, Piper Oliver (Richard Bland College), Abbie Sars (Virginia Tech), and Kansas Tison (Richard Bland College).

Students sign their letters of agreement in the Prince George High School commons during the special event.

An essential aspect of the district's Future Teacher Pipeline program is maintaining strong communication with each cohort as they complete their studies at colleges and universities.
 
In addition to staying in touch for opportunities to support local schools while home on breaks, the cohort members also share updates during their educational journey. 

Clarence (CJ) Thweatt - 2022 Future Teacher Pipeline Cohort
Part of the inaugural Future Teacher Pipeline cohort, Clarence (CJ) Thweatt has completed his junior year at Old Dominion University as he continues his studies in physical education. During his studies, he has returned to Prince George County to support the district’s program, including PGCPS’ middle school summer program. 

Mikayla Surgeon - 2023 Future Teacher Pipeline Cohort
A member of the district’s second Future Teacher Pipeline cohort in 2023, Mikayla Surgeon completed her sophomore year at Old Dominion University studying early childhood education. Alongside her studies, which include being enrolled in university's honors program, Surgeon is a member of ODU's renowned marching band.

Taylor Moody - 2024 Future Teacher Pipeline Cohort
One of four students in the division’s Future Teacher Pipeline cohort in 2024, Taylor Moody shared that she wants to make a difference in the next generation as she signed her letter of agreement during last year’s signing celebration. She remains committed to her goals as she recently completed her freshman year at The University of Mary Washington. 

For more information about teacher and administrator preparation in Virginia, visit the Virginia Department of Education's website at https://www.doe.virginia.gov.