đź’ˇ President's Message đź’ˇ
I am your VATFACS President for the 2024-2025 year. My name is Catrina Cheek. I am so excited to have been elected to serve for a transcending organization. Being your VATFACS President gives me an opportunity to help grow and support an organization that has molded me into an EMPOWERING FCS Educator. The goal is to ensure all VATFACS educators have access to needed resources and support that will help mold YOU into being that EMPOWERING FCS Educator. In order for anything to be accomplished, we must remember WHO WE ARE…We are Revolutionary, Bold & Trailblazing!!!
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Professional Development Institute (PDI) at Hotel Madison and Shenandoah Valley Conference Center in Harrisonburg where we received the opportunity to reignite our SUPER POWERS!!!!! The conference was filled with a variety of breakout sessions that covered all content across FCS but also being inspired through two dynamic keynote speakers. The sessions were also filled with collaborating with those who taught courses or networking with a wide range of knowledgeable and experienced FCS educators.
Looking into what “EMPOWERS YOUR INNOVATION!!!!,” you are invited and encouraged to attend the 2025 PDI at the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront; July 20, 2025 to July 23, 2025. The Board of Directors are tapping into our INNOVATION skills by collaborating and creating many opportunities for YOU TOO to “EMPOWER YOUR INNOVATION.” None of this would have been possible if it had not been for our TRAILBLAZERS. We must be BOLD and renew our VATFACS memberships and remember it's the change We bring that makes Us REVOLUTIONARY by being a part of a committee.
I look forward to seeing each of our VATFACS INNOVATORS at the 2025 PDI in Virginia Beach, VA.
Catrina Cheek
2024-2025 President, VATFACS, Inc.
“Creative thinking is not a talent, it is a skill that can be learnt.
It empowers people by adding strength to their natural abilities which improves teamwork, productivity and where appropriate profits.”
— Edward de Bono
Catrina Cheek, President
Catrina brings 19 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. Cheek currently has the position as the Early Childhood Education Instructor at Colonial Heights High School.
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.
Dr. Amber Tiernan, President Elect
Amber Tiernan is a FACS teacher/department chair at Patriot High School in Nokesville with Prince William County Schools. She lives in Warrenton with her husband, John - a firefighter; two daughters - Paige and Madilyn, lab, Lexi; and two cats, Nala and Spartacus. She loves all things fiber arts - sewing, embroidery, cross-stitch, etc along with coffee and reading. She is a huge fan of all things British, including the Royal Family! Tiernan grew up in Pittsburgh, where she attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania for her undergrad in FCS education. Tiernan recently finished her doctorate from Liberty University, and is a National Board Certified teacher. She previously served VATFACS as our representative to the Virginia ACTE Board of Directors.
Toshieba Ragland, Past 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 is a Family and Consumer Sciences Instructor at Lake Braddock Secondary School in Fairfax County. She has served as State Executive Council Adviser to the Virginia Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) 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 19 years of experience as a FCS Educator and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Virginia Master Adviser. Toshieba is also an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences (NATFCS).
Did you know that VATFACS, Inc. is the sole provider of FCS professional development for FCS teachers in Virginia? In order for this to continue to happen, we need you!
Join in on the fun and be part of our committees? There are various ways to get involved with the 2024-2025 VATFACS Conference planning, constitution and bylaws revisions, mentoring new and career switcher teachers, and much more! Click on the QR code below to complete and interest form.
Thank you!
Virginia FCCLA Welcomes a New State Co-Adviser, Bobbi Comer
It is with great pleasure that the Virginia FCCLA Association announces that Barbara “Bobbi”
Comer, a dedicated VATFACS, Virginia ACTE, and ACTE member, is the new Virginia FCCLA State Co-Adviser.
Bobbi is assuming administration and operational tasks formerly done by Mrs. Debbie Will with the exception of those related to Competitive Events. Mrs. Comer be the primary contact and resource for questions related to association policies, daily operations, and communications. She will manage all national programs and awards for Virginia FCCLA and serve as our liaison with the national organization.
Bobbi brings exceptional experience and knowledge to the role of state adviser. As a
chapter adviser for over 30 years, she integrated FCCLA into her classroom with creativity,
loyalty, and enthusiasm. She was recognized by the national FCCLA organization as the 2023-
24 Chapter Adviser of the Year. The Virginia Association will benefit from her expertise and
leadership. Please support her as she steps into this new role as our State Co-Adviser. Mrs.
Comer can be contacted at bcomer@mecc.edu.
Debbie Will continues to serve as Competitive Events Manager and is also working for the
Virginia FCCLA Leadership Foundation as their Coordinator.
Connie Rhoton continues to share the title of State Co-Adviser and will primarily coordinate the
state conference. She manages the financial records and assists with the Virginia Delegation
activities at the NLC.
Kathleen Buchanan continues to serve as the Membership Coordinator and be the primary person
to assist advisers with affiliation issues. She will work with Mrs. Comer on adviser development
and training, sharing those tasks based on schedule availability and location.
Allison DuVal continues to serve as our Social Media Manager and provide general assistance to
the State Executive Council.
Heather Jones continues to serve as the liaison between Virginia FCCLA and the Virginia
Department of Education.
VDOE’s Office of Advanced Learning, in collaboration with the Office of Career and Technical Education, is accepting nominations of Virginia candidates for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars for Career and Technical Education for recognition “on the basis of outstanding scholarship and demonstrated ability and accomplishment in career and technical education fields.” The Criteria for Candidate Identification and Nomination provides detailed information on the categories that will be used by the Commission on Presidential Scholars selection committee. Use these criteria to select appropriate supporting nomination documents for submission.
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, and, since that time, has honored almost 8,000 outstanding high school seniors. The program has evolved from initial recognition of exceptional SAT or ACT scores and beginning in 2016, outstanding students who demonstrate excellence in Career and Technical Education were included for recognition.
School divisions are invited to nominate an outstanding senior CTE student for the 2025 U.S. Presidential Scholars CTE Program. The 2025 CTE U.S. Presidential Scholars Program Nomination Form and strong, relevant supporting documents must be submitted in one folder for each nominee through the VDOE’s secure Single Sign-on Web Systems (SSWS) drop box to the attention of Amanda Nevetral. All nominations must be received no later than October 21, 2024.
For questions related to this program, contact CTE@doe.virginia.gov.
Did you know your VATFACS membership also includes membership to Virginia ACTE (VA ACTE)?
What is that?
VA ACTE is the organization that advocates, supports and serves all CTE programs in Virginia. They help to influence public policy related to CTE programs, put on professional development, give awards and grants and support all program areas.
Save the Date for the 2025 Professional Development & Leadership Seminar - January 8-10, 2025, at the Richmond Marriott Downtown! Registration is now open.
There is a great need in Virginia and nationally for registered dietitian nutritionists. The Virginia Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics represents over 1000 registered dietitian nutritionists in Virginia. They have shared the following resources to help inspire past, present, and future FCS students to pursue careers in nutrition and dietetics.
