In typical, everyday classroom life, it’s the teacher who inspires the students. But John Tyler Community College student Jaimi Nigro isn’t your typical soon-to-be teacher. Working with third grade learning-disabled students, Nigro came away inspired with a passion for teaching - a drive that has earned her a prestigious leadership position in a national organization dedicated to educating teachers.

"Every time I walked in the door, the kids would run up and hug me. It was such a great feeling," says Nigro. While still in high school, she took a Service Learning course, and ended up volunteering at an elementary school working with third grade learning disabled students. "I remember one little girl in particular. Her name was Alex, and every time she saw me she asked me to help her with math. The look on her face when I helped her was priceless," said Nigro.

Though Nigro was accepted to three universities in Virginia, the benefits of living at home and saving money on tuition led her to attend John Tyler Community College.

Now halfway through earning her associate’s degree with a specialization in teacher education, Nigro, who is currently a pre-school teacher at a school in Midlothian, is certain of her future. After graduating from John Tyler, she plans to transfer to a four-year institution to earn her bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in elementary education. She then hopes to get back into the classroom teaching elementary students before starting work on a Ph.D. in psychology.

Her focus and determination led to her recent selection as the 2007-2008 Student Executive Board Member for the National Association for Community College Teacher Education Programs (NACCTEP). NACCTEP is a national organization dedicated to addressing teacher shortages and teacher quality by supporting current community college teacher education programs and serving as a resource for institutions considering the development of such programs.

Nigro won’t be the only Virginian at the table. Dr. Susan S. Wood, assistant vice chancellor for educational programs and instructional technology for the Virginia Community College System, is NACCTEP’s president.

"I look forward to the challenge of advocating at the national level for community college involvement in preparing future teachers," said Wood. "During my year as president, I will promote a focus on the preparation of teachers of mathematics and science through NACCTEP activities and publications.

Nigro, Wood, and the entire group have their work cut out for them. According to the National Education Association, some 2.4 million teachers will be needed in the next 11 years to meet the need created by teacher turnover, retirements and rising student enrollment. That figure could grow larger if efforts across the nation to reduce class sizes win approval.

About Virginia’s Community Colleges: Created more than 40 years ago, the VCCS is comprised of 23 community colleges located on 40 campuses across the commonwealth. Together, Virginia’s Community Colleges serve more than a quarter-million credit students each year. For more information, please visit myfuture.vccs.edu <

For more information, contact:

Jeffrey Kraus
Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Relations 
Virginia’s Community Colleges
804-819-4949

Holly Walker
Public Relations and Marketing Specialist 
John Tyler Community College 804-594-1530