This year, we’re excited to bring back our educator spotlight feature in our monthly Educator Enrichment Express newsletter.

At RVA District Connect, we believe that education must be grounded in relationships and learner-centered by design. Inspired by Tom Murray’s Personal & Authentic, our monthly Educator Spotlight highlights educators across our partner districts who lead with heart, cultivate trust, and build learning environments where every student feels seen, valued, and empowered to tell their story.

This year’s theme is Personal & Authentic

Nominate an educator who meets the criteria under Tom Murray’s core pillars of authentic education:

  1. Relationships First: Culture & Connection

    • Builds deep trust, empathy, and meaningful connections before diving into content. Treats every interaction as an opportunity to change a life.

  2. Authentic Experiences: Relevant Learning

    • Designs hands-on, contextualized learning experiences that go beyond passive information and foster curiosity, autonomy, and real-world impact.

  3. Fail-Forward Mindset: Risk-Taking & Growth

    • Models vulnerability and continuous learning. Creates a safe classroom culture where mistakes are viewed as essential steps toward growth.

  4. Leaving a Legacy: Purpose & Heart

    • Serves others with humility and dedication, leaving a lasting imprint on students, colleagues, and the wider district community.

How it works

  • Anyone in a school administration role can submit a nomination.

  • One educator is spotlighted each month in the newsletter.

  • Their story is shared across our network to inspire others.

Nominate an Educator