VATFACS INSTITUTE

6:00pm EDT

Opening Session

Sunday July 20, 2025 6:00pm - 6:15pm EDT

Rappahannock & James Ballroom

Sunday July 20, 2025 6:00pm - 6:15pm EDT
Rappahannock & James Ballroom

8:25pm EDT

Closing Session & Networking

Sunday July 20, 2025 8:25pm - 8:50pm EDT

Rappahannock & James Ballroom

Sunday July 20, 2025 8:25pm - 8:50pm EDT
Rappahannock & James Ballroom

7:45am EDT

Breakfast and Virginia FCCLA and Educators Rising Updates

Monday July 21, 2025 7:45am - 8:45am EDT

Rappahannock & James Ballroom

Please arrive on time because a plated breakfast will be served from 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Virginia Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and Educators Rising CTSO Updates will begin at 8 a.m. All Institute attendees should attend this session for regulatory updates pertaining to the 2025-2026 school year.

Facilitators

Catrina Cheek

FCS Educator and 2024-2025 VATFACS, Inc. President, Colonial Heights Public Schools

Speakers

Heather M. Jones, M.Ed., CFCS

Family and Consumer Sciences and Related Clusters Specialist, Virginia Department of Education

Heather joined the Virginia Department of Education Office of Career and Technical Education in February 2022. She earned a Master’s of Education in Educational Leadership from George Mason University, a Master’s of Education in Youth and Family Education from Penn State University... Read More →

Monday July 21, 2025 7:45am - 8:45am EDT
Rappahannock & James Ballroom

Breakfast Session

11:30am EDT

Luncheon and Keynote, “I GET to Do This!” - Sustaining Passion without Burning Out

Monday July 21, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT

Rappahannock & James Ballroom

“I GET to Do This!” - Sustaining Passion without Burning Out

This empowering keynote is designed to add value to educators seeking to maintain their enthusiasm in the classroom while effectively managing stress. This session delves into practical strategies for fostering resilience, emphasizing the importance of self-care, setting healthy boundaries, and building supportive professional communities. By integrating these approaches, educators can continue to inspire and engage their students without compromising their own well-being. Join us to discover how to keep your teaching passion alive and thriving in today's demanding educational landscape.

Facilitators

Catrina Cheek

FCS Educator and 2024-2025 VATFACS, Inc. President, Colonial Heights Public Schools

Speakers

Dr. Dwayne Whitehead

President, The Whitehead Group

Dr. Dwayne is a global thinker, communicator, and educator with a passion for transforming lives through the power of leadership. Dr. Dwayne’s reach spans the arts, education, business and finance, government, and religion. He is the President of The Whitehead Group. TWG is a for-profit... Read More →

Monday July 21, 2025 11:30am - 1:00pm EDT
Rappahannock & James Ballroom

Luncheon and Keynote

7:45am EDT

Breakfast and Virginia Department of Education Update

Tuesday July 22, 2025 7:45am - 8:45am EDT

Rappahannock & James Ballroom

Please arrive on time because a plated breakfast will be served from 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Virginia Department of Education Updates will begin at 8 a.m. All Institute attendees should attend this session for regulatory updates pertaining to the 2025-2026 school year.

Speakers

Heather M. Jones, M.Ed., CFCS

Family and Consumer Sciences and Related Clusters Specialist, Virginia Department of Education

Catrina Cheek

FCS Educator and 2024-2025 VATFACS, Inc. President, Colonial Heights Public Schools

Tuesday July 22, 2025 7:45am - 8:45am EDT
Rappahannock & James Ballroom

Breakfast Session

11:45am EDT

Luncheon and Keynote, Empowering FCS Educators: Tools for Helping Students Connect Passion to Purpose

Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:45am - 1:15pm EDT

Rappahannock & James Ballroom

Empowering FCS Educators: Tools for Helping Students Connect Passion to Purpose
This keynote gives FCS educators practical tools to reignite student enthusiasm while meeting curriculum competencies and standards. Participants will learn to integrate students' strengths, interests, and values into their education, fostering success and fulfillment. It emphasizes the importance of instilling purpose in the curriculum and helping students develop essential life skills. It also covers building rapport with students in challenging situations and introduces a simple project-based learning framework for defining student learning experiences.
Note: This Keynote reinforces the principles of Building Relationships With Students on Positive Words and High Expectations and Project-Based Learning Plus.
Participant Outcomes include:

Learn to create meaningful learning partnerships by building strong connections.
Discover skills to guide students in connecting their passions and interests to purpose.
Explore how PBL empowers students to align their passions with FACS learning.

Facilitators

Catrina Cheek

FCS Educator and 2024-2025 VATFACS, Inc. President, Colonial Heights Public Schools

Speakers

Dr. Jorge Valenzuela

Education Coach, Lifelong Learning Defined

Jorge Valenzuela is a highly sought-after and well-regarded performance and education coach, author, and speaker at Lifelong Learning Defined. He got his start in education and has helped countless educators improve their instructional leadership and teaching skills. Jorge specializes... Read More →

Tuesday July 22, 2025 11:45am - 1:15pm EDT
Rappahannock & James Ballroom

Luncheon and Keynote

7:45am EDT

Breakfast and Virginia Association for Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences, Inc. Annual Business Meeting

Wednesday July 23, 2025 7:45am - 8:45am EDT

Rappahannock & James Ballroom

Please arrive on time because a plated breakfast will be served from 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m.

The VATFACS, Inc. Annual Business meeting will begin at 8 a.m.

The purpose of this session is to conduct the annual meeting for the Virginia Association for Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences, Inc. (VATFACS). Materials referenced during the meeting may be viewed below.

Speakers