News Releases

For Immediate Release: April 16, 2026
Contact: communications@doe.virginia.gov

RICHMOND, Va. —The Virginia Department of Education today announced new members and the reconvening of three key advisory bodies - the Mathematics Advisory Task Force, the Virginia Literacy Act Workgroup, and the Innovative Assessment Workgroup. New members were added in accordance with  Executive Order 4, issued by Governor Abigail Spanberger, to broaden stakeholder representation to ensure robust and diverse local perspectives are included in the important work of these advisory bodies.

“The department is committed to those closest to kids and they will inform how we continue to shape academic excellence in Virginia,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jenna Conway. “Our department has learned a great deal from these advisory bodies, and I’m excited to see how the new members will deepen this learning and strengthen our partnership with educators, school and division leaders, families and communities to support student achievement.”

The Mathematics Advisory Task Force, originally established in 2025, includes representation across all regions of Virginia and new members include parents, higher education representatives, and relevant business representatives. The task force will be making recommendations to the department about effectively supporting student growth in mathematics, ensuring access to high-quality mathematics instruction for all K–12 students, and high-quality professional development and resources for all K–12 mathematics educators.

“Being part of the Virginia Mathematics Task Force has been a meaningful experience,” said King George County Public Schools Elementary Mathematics Specialist, Carin DeClute. “I love hearing from people across the Commonwealth, including those from the business community, higher education, and parents, and having a chance to share my own thoughts on issues that impact math instruction in Virginia. Listening to other task force members who look at these topics through a different lens helps me grow and see our work in new ways.”

Meanwhile, the Virginia Literacy Act Workgroup, originally established in 2022, is reconvening with a group of new members, all of whom were required to meet a high level of literacy expertise—as mandated by Executive Order 4. The workgroup includes local school division teachers and reading specialists, special education and English learner experts, higher education representatives, education associations, and literacy researchers.

The VLA workgroup has more work ahead, including recommending improvements to the student reading plan process—especially in middle grades, providing input on updated guidance and templates, aligning skill deficits with evidence-based interventions, advising on strengthening VAConnects to support effective data use, and helping elevate the importance of early literacy through broad partnerships.

“I look forward to collaborating with the Department of Education and fellow educators to support and strengthen literacy initiatives across the Commonwealth,” said Gloucester Public Schools English & History instructional coordinator, Jenna Dominguez.

Finally, the Innovative Assessment Workgroup also gained new membership to advise on a new assessment contract for the department. Executive Order 4 required the department to evaluate existing membership and appoint new members as needed to ensure a diverse range of perspective of representation. The workgroup includes the voices of educators, division leaders, parents, special education and English learner and experts, higher education and professional organizations.

"I have truly enjoyed being a member of the Innovative Assessment Workgroup,” said Culpepper County Public Schools Elementary Principal and VAESP representative, Dr. Tori Gelbert. “Collaborating with a diverse group of stakeholders has expanded my perspective while giving me a meaningful voice in the conversations around our state assessments. I value the thoughtful collaboration and look forward to continuing this work to support students and help Virginia learners meet the high standards we set for them."

The revised task force memberships can be found below:

Mathematics Advisory Task Force Members

• Kristen Amundson – Former Executive Director of NASBE; Former member, Virginia House of Delegates; Former Member, Fairfax County School Board
• John Beres – Division Mathematics Supervisor
• Douglas Brown – School Board Member
• Vitesh Chawda – Senior Project Engineer, Veolia WTS Systems, Inc.
• Carin DeClute – Instructional Coach: Elementary Mathematics Specialist
• Elizabeth Lynch – Elementary STEM Teacher
• Sarah Medukas – Elementary Assistant Principal
• Charles Motter – Middle School Mathematics Teacher
• Padmanabhan Sueshaiyer, Ph.D. – Higher Education: Educator Prep Program
• Tamara Smith-Moyler, Ed.D. – Higher Education: Educator Prep Program
• Todd Truitt – Parent
• Rhonda White – Division Mathematics Supervisor
• Avanti Yamamoto – School Administrator
• Crystal Miller – Elementary Mathematics Teacher
• Jennifer Hatch – Middle School Mathematics Teacher
• Kimberly Collier – High School Mathematics Teacher
• Kimberly Hayden – Parent
• Jenn Fessenden – Division Level Mathematics Leader
• Kara T. Lafon – School Administrator
• Cheryl Gray – Parent
• Rebecca Planiczka – Middle School Teacher
• Laurel Bradley – Elementary Teacher
• Melissa Poole – Mathematics Instructional Coach
• Maria Ann Timmerman – Retired Higher Education: Educator Prep Program
• Raymart Castro – Instructional Coach

2026 VLA Advisory Workgroup Members

• Rachel Floyd – Division Leader; K–8 Teacher
• Tamara T. Williams – Division Leader; K–8 Teacher; Education Association (VSLA)
• Jayne Cox – K–8 Teacher; Division Leader; English Language Learner Expertise; Higher Education
• Courtney Fisher – Division Leader; K–8 Teacher
• Sarah Elizabeth Modrak – English Language Learner Expertise
• Julie Sandzimier – Principal
• Sarah Olsen – English Language Learner Expertise; K–8 Teacher
• Amanda Campbell – Education Association; Special Education Expertise; Special Education PTA
• Megan Roberts – K–8 Teacher
• Tammy W. Williams – Higher Education; Reading Specialist
• Tonya Peebles – K–8 Teacher
• Jeanine Garrett – Division Leader
• Jenna Dominguez – Division Leader
• Sarah Hall – Special Education Expertise; K–8 Teacher; Reading Specialist; English Language Learner Expertise
• Laura Manley Maquera – English Language Learner Expertise; Division Level Leader
• Chelsey Bollinger – Higher Education
• Maite’ Larson – Reading Specialist
• Catriona Kimball – Special Education Expertise; Adjunct Higher Education
• Sharon Martz – Division Leader
• Courtney Browning – Division Leader
• Diane Carroll Gillam – Literacy Researcher; Special Education Expertise
• Dannielle Ames – Special Education Expertise
• Veronique Valencia – K–8 Teacher
• Wesley Strayer – Early Literacy Specialist

Innovative Assessment Workgroup Members

• Tara Jenkins – English Language Learner Experts
• Shelby Averette – Division Directors of Testing (DDOT)
• Dr. Clinton Page – Division Directors of Testing (DDOT)
• Christopher R. Gareis – College or University in Virginia
• Beau Dickenson – Professional Association or Organization
• Dr. Latrese Younger – School Administrators
• Miranda Turner – Local School Boards
• Megan Hawley – Professional Association or Organization
• Andrea Herndon – Division-Level Instructional Leader
• Karissa Barnes – Parents
• Victoria Hulick – Grade 9–12 Teachers
• Alisa Jane Pappas – Grade K–5 Teachers
• Daniel W. Smith – Division Superintendents
• Dr. Sarah Beach – College or University in Virginia
• Chris Jones – Professional Association or Organization
• Ashley Chadwell Bruner – Grade 6–8 Teachers
• Kelly Tucker – Special Education Experts
• Beth Ackerman – Special Education Experts
• Jenna Alexander – Parents
• Alan Seibert – Division-Level Instructional Leader
• Chad Aldeman – Professional Association or Organization
• Chad Stewart – Professional Association or Organization
• Christy Hovanetz – Professional Association or Organization
• Douglas Brown – Local School Boards
• Genevieve Kathryn Weaver – Grade 9–12 Teachers
• Jim Cowen – Professional Association or Organization
• Kristen Amundson – Professional Association or Organization
• Amy Griffin – Professional Association or Organization
• Matt Hurt – Professional Association or Organization
• Melanie M. Patterson – School Administrators
• Paula Mooradian – College or University in Virginia
• Tian Olson – Parents
• Victoria Gelbert – School Administrators
• Wendy Chandler – Division Directors of Testing (DDOT)

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