Board members heard a presentation on the Future Educators Academy (FEA), a partnership with Laurel Ridge Community College that offers rising juniors and seniors an accelerated pathway into teaching and related careers.

Dr. Bula (presenter) introduced Jonathan Landiverdi, identified in the meeting as the career coach assigned to John Handley High School and the Innovation Center. Landiverdi said his role includes career exploration and managing dual‑enrollment registration for students. He and board materials described FEA as a no out‑of‑pocket-cost program for accepted students that combines dual‑enrolled college coursework, practicums, observations and workshops. The program awards an associate degree in education at Laurel Ridge campuses and includes a guaranteed employment commitment of two years in the students’ home division as part of the pathway.

Presenters said the academy aims to address shrinking enrollment in teacher-preparation programs by giving students a clear, affordable route into the profession. Admission requirements noted in the presentation include rising-junior status and completion of specific verified credits; selection is noncompetitive and uses a lottery when necessary. Board staff said two additional slots were available in the current cycle and said the district had surveyed students to identify those interested in education careers.

District officials also noted other local postsecondary partnerships and said the district covered all dual-enrollment course fees this year. Board members thanked the presenters and had no substantive questions. The district said the academy is intended both to expand the local teacher pipeline and to encourage graduates to return to Winchester schools under the district’s retention incentives.