F.C. Bulletin: Teacher's Prestigious Selection; F.C. Arts' 'Paper'; Virginia Dream's Streak

FCCPS Teacher Completes Prestigious White House History Teacher Institute

Mount Daniel Elementary educator among 60 nationwide selected for exclusive summer program featuring private White House tour

Mount Daniel Elementary School second-grade teacher Gail Bodner has completed the highly competitive White House History Teacher Institute, joining just 60 educators nationwide for the prestigious five-day summer program in Washington, D.C.

The immersive institute, hosted by the White House Historical Association, brought together passionate educators from across the United States to deepen their understanding of White House history and collaborate on educational resources. Participants engaged in discussions with historians, local site visits, inquiry-based learning activities, and sessions with master teachers.

"We are incredibly proud of Gail's completion of this distinguished program," said Dr. Terry Dade, Superintendent of Falls Church City Public Schools. "Her innovative approach to curriculum development and commitment to bringing history to life exemplify the excellence we value throughout FCCPS."

The program's highlight was an exclusive after-hours tour of the White House, led by a White House curator. Unlike public tours, participants experienced the People's House after tourism had concluded for the day, providing unprecedented access to artifacts and opportunities to meet residence staff.

"Our guide was one of the White House curators who really helped us deepen our understanding of the artifacts in the White House," Bodner explained. "We had a unique opportunity to learn about the different roles that keep the People's House running."

Bodner's selection stemmed from her innovative curriculum work, which involved developing supplemental materials for advanced readers, specifically creating resources to accompany the chapter book "White House Clubhouse." Her research for this project led her to discover the Institute's opportunity. "I thought I would take a chance to apply and hope that I could learn about the history and perhaps use new resources to bolster my White House Clubhouse project," Bodner said. Despite the program's competitive nature, the selection committee recognized her passion and potential for impact.

The summer experience has energized Bodner with new ideas for her Mount Daniel classroom this school year. She plans to collaborate with the school's art teacher on project-based learning activities exploring patriotic symbols and White House china. Learning from State Department educators about diplomatic arts will enhance her civics instruction.

Additionally, Bodner has arranged pen pal relationships between her second-graders and a Texas classroom, extending the collaborative learning beyond Virginia. Her goal of providing students with hands-on White House history has already been achieved – last week, Mount Daniel's second-grade classes visited The People's House: A White House Experience in downtown Washington, D.C.

"I feel so energized from the week at the institute," Bodner reflected. "I am inspired by the education team at the association as well as the group of educators I was learning alongside."

The White House Historical Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating others about the White House and its rich history through nonpartisan programming. The Teacher Institute represents one of the association's premier professional development offerings for educators committed to excellence in teaching.

Bodner's completion of this prestigious summer program reflects the high caliber of educators within Falls Church City Public Schools and their commitment to innovative, engaging instruction that connects students with meaningful learning experiences.

Falls Church City Public Schools serves approximately 2,700 students across five schools as an International Baccalaureate World School district, consistently recognized for academic excellence and innovative programming.

Falls Church Arts: 'Paper' Exhibit Open through Nov. 16

The artworks of 31 artists from the Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland area are now on display at Falls Church Arts as the City's premier local arts gallery presents its upcoming "Paper" exhibit, running through Nov. 16.

This diverse show features 50 works that incorporate a paper element, with submissions created on or including paper.

Juror Jennifer Wilkin Penick described the exhibition's broad theme of "Paper" as allowing for a wide range of submissions, resulting in "an eclectic and wonderfully interesting representation of different artistic mediums."

As both an artist and art historian, she appreciates many aspects of artistic production, including "the pleasure apparent in creating a work, as well as the process, innovation, beauty, and a work's ability to communicate with the viewer." She was delighted to select works by artists working in photography, drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, and more.

Jennifer Wilkin Penick is a mixed-media artist, art historian, and teacher who lived in Italy for over two decades, where she studied studio art and earned an MA in Italian Art History. Her work often features patterns and repetition, exploring art as a way to process the unpredictability and chaos of the outside world.

Penick's art has been exhibited in Italy, Oregon, Washington, D.C., California, and various locations throughout Virginia. She has been featured in publications such as Contemporary Collage Magazine and Uppercase magazine. She has also taught at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Arlington for over a decade, at the Corcoran, and at Shop: Made in DC, and she has been an artist-in-residence with Georgetown University Hospital's Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program since 2018.

The Falls Church Arts gallery is at 700-B West Broad St. (Route 7), Falls Church. Admission is free, and the gallery is open with new winter hours: Tuesdays-Fridays from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Artworks can be viewed online at https://www.fallschurcharts.org. All pieces can be purchased at the gallery or on the website.

Participants include:

Cathy Abbott

Iraima Alonso

Barbara Bitondo

Teresa Brunson

Claire Coram

Gretchen D’Amore

Marina DiCarlo

Clara Doley

Bill Firestone

Anjori Halder

James Hengst

Mary Kane

Sylvie Kostrzewski

Jean Lauzon

Hyonsook Lee

Naomi Lipsky

Xianling Liu

Gini Moore

Donna Moss

Nancy Newman

Kelley Parent

Jisoo Park

Karin Rindal

Elise Ritter-Clough

Susan  Sander

Deborah Schindler

Joan Slottow

Lara Tiller

Suzanne Updike

Kristin Vogt

Kala Wright

Virginia Dream FC: Four Straight Wins, Two Matches Before UPSL Playoffs

Virginia Dream FC notched its fourth victory in a row with a 7-0 win over Club Petrolero at Meridian High School's “The Cloud” stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4. 

Although The Dream dominated the first half of the game, the score at halftime was only 1-0 thanks to a goal from Virginia Dream FC's Angel Chavez in only his second game back from a serious injury that had kept him sidelined for months. The second half was a different story, however, as Virginia Dream FC got into its scoring groove. Karl Mbouombouo and Henry Wachsmann netted 2 goals apiece. Diarra Zoumana added another. An own-goal made the final score 7-0.

The team has 1 game left at “The Cloud” on Oct. 18 before the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) playoffs begin.

On Sunday, Oct. 12, The Dream will face Doradus FC in a US Open Cup qualifying match. The team is looking to build upon last year’s accomplishments in their first ever Cup Tournament participation in which they earned a victory over USL1 pro team, the Richmond Kickers, and a narrow loss to USL Championship team, Loudoun United. 

Here are the UPSL current standings, with Virginia Dream FC in third place, but only 3 points behind frontrunner VA Revolution Pro:

For the full schedule and updated team information go here.

Compiled by Christopher Jones