Having the needed tools in your tool kit to increase curriculum awareness and the day to day operations of being a FCS educator, is designed to support a community of like minds. Whether it is being a mentor or mentee, the reward will support your personal growth in being a lifelong learner. This session is designed to connect FCS educators with resources that can help navigate you while in your... See More →
New to Thrifting- but do not know where to start? Have your students expressed interest in altering clothing? Looking for a more sustainable way to express yourself? This session will focus on a brief overview of what to look for when thrifting, ideas about how to modify clothing, and what to avoid. Related Courses:Independent Living (22904-36/8219)Introduction to Fashion Careers... See More →
FACS Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools- Poe Middle School
I teach FACS (middle school) in Fairfax County. I have been teaching 8 years. This is my fourth year presenting at VATFACS. I am passionate about sewing, cooking, thrifting, fashion, board games, Ren Faire, DnD, penguins, kayaking, and purple. Please feel free to talk to me about... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 6:15pm - 7:15pm EDT False Cape B
This session focuses on engaging, hands-on strategies for teaching students about herbs and spices through sensory exploration and practical application. Participants will learn how to incorporate discussion, recipes, and classroom activities to build student understanding while connecting lessons to real-world experiences such as growing fresh herbs. The session emphasizes creativity, inquiry,... See More →
Bring early math to life through stories and real-world connections! In this engaging session, participants will explore how children’s literature can be paired with hands-on activities to teach counting, number recognition, and simple financial choices. Walk away with practical ideas that make number concepts meaningful, interactive, and fun for young learners.Related Courses:Early Childhood,... See More →
Lynnette Coles is a Training Team member of Take Charge Today, housed at the University of Arizona. She is a 20-year veteran educator, currently working in Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. She taught Financial Literacy for Teens in the classroom for 17 years, and... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 6:15pm - 7:15pm EDT Cape Henry C
This hands-on workshop touches on the elements of design. Participants will create a lovely board upon which they can store photos, concert tickets, cards/notes, or anything that might have otherwise gone on a cork board. Come swing a hammer with us!
FACS Teacher, Renaissance Academy, Virginia Beach City Public Schools
Elaine has taught at Virginia Beach's alternative school for 20 years. She has curated a collection of one- or two-class projects to meet the needs of her ever-changing student population.
Sunday July 19, 2026 6:15pm - 8:15pm EDT Mariner B
In this double session, attendees will be given the materials and instructions on how to create the Folded Amish Star Ornament. This versatile project can be used in the classroom to teach measuring, ironing, and both creation of either a sewing or non-sewing textile arts project. Mrs. Williams has taught students as young as 9 and as old as 90 how to assemble these beautiful projects in both... See More →
Teacher and FCCLA Advisor for Thomas Hunter Middle School and Mathews High School, Mathews County Public Schools
Michelle Williams teaches FACS Exploratory 1,2 & 3 for grades 7 and 8 as well as Nutrition and Wellness and Independent Living Skills in Mathews County Public Schools, Mathews, VA. She serves on the VATFACS Board of Directors as Communications Coordinator and on the Hospitality Committee... Read More →
Students often encounter careers as a single job title with an average salary, leaving them unprepared to understand how financial decisions, benefits, and opportunities change over time. This interactive session models a classroom strategy that helps students explore careers as progressive pathways rather than one-time choices. Using a specific career pathway as a model, participants step... See More →
Lynnette Coles is a Training Team member of Take Charge Today, housed at the University of Arizona. She is a 20-year veteran educator, currently working in Prince George's County Public Schools in Maryland. She taught Financial Literacy for Teens in the classroom for 17 years, and... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 7:15pm - 8:15pm EDT Cape Henry C
New to Thrifting- but do not know where to start? Have your students expressed interest in altering clothing? Looking for a more sustainable way to express yourself? This session will focus on a brief overview of what to look for when thrifting, ideas about how to modify clothing, and what to avoid. Related Courses:Independent Living (22904-36/8219)Introduction to Fashion Careers... See More →
FACS Teacher, Fairfax County Public Schools- Poe Middle School
I teach FACS (middle school) in Fairfax County. I have been teaching 8 years. This is my fourth year presenting at VATFACS. I am passionate about sewing, cooking, thrifting, fashion, board games, Ren Faire, DnD, penguins, kayaking, and purple. Please feel free to talk to me about... Read More →
Sunday July 19, 2026 7:15pm - 8:15pm EDT False Cape B
This session focuses on engaging, hands-on strategies for teaching students about herbs and spices through sensory exploration and practical application. Participants will learn how to incorporate discussion, recipes, and classroom activities to build student understanding while connecting lessons to real-world experiences such as growing fresh herbs. The session emphasizes creativity, inquiry,... See More →
Complimentary beverage sponsored by the Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute (MCAI). Refreshments sponsored by Sysco and set up sponsored by the Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront.
Please arrive on time because a plated breakfast will be served from 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. Breakfast service will end at 8 a.m.
This morning's breakfast protein is provided compliments of the Virginia Egg Council. All Institute attendees should attend this session for updates pertaining to the updated (June 2025) Family and Consumer Sciences Body of Knowledge.
Please arrive on time because a plated breakfast will be served from 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. Breakfast service will end at 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 2026-2027 school year.
This workshop was born out of a growing and urgent challenge: students refusing to complete assignments, opting for zeros, disengaging from class activities, and exhibiting an overwhelming sense of apathy. From Apathy to Accountability introduces a practical and transformative approach that reframes school as a simulation of the workplace. Through this lens, students begin to understand that... See More →
Some skills never go out of style — and knowing where your food comes from is one of them. In this hands-on demonstration, a professional meat cutter will walk participants through the full arc of hog fabrication, from primal cuts to sub-primal to fabricated and portion-controlled cuts. We'll explore the scope of the meat industry, the role and responsibilities of a butcher, and the foundational... See More →
Director of Education & Chef Instructor, Metropolitan Culinary Arts Institute
Chef Hugh Cossard is a French-trained chef and culinary educator with more than four decades of industry experience. Born in France’s Loire Valley, he began his career in his family’s charcuterie and catering businesses before training at the École Nationale Supérieure des Métiers... Read More →
Ready to enter your PBL era? This session delivers ready-to-use project overviews designed specifically for high school ECE — think Pizza Box Theorists, Shoebox Preschool, student-created songs, and more. Walk away with a toolkit of creative, standards-connected projects that keep students engaged and actually excited to learn.Related Courses:Introduction to Early Childhood Education... See More →
In this hands-on presentation, three main areas will be addressed:Build a stronger mind and body with the help of nutrient rich foods, addressing the latest scientific knowledge about nutrition, and especially egg nutrition and how it affects our bodies. Develop stronger finances, with the help of eggs and other lower cost protein options, when used as main dish proteins.Obtain a stronger and... See More →
Consumer Affairs/Educational Director, Virginia Egg Council
Mary Rapoport, Consumer Affairs and Educational Director for the Virginia Egg Council, and former Family and Consumer Sciences teacher, has been doing presentations on local media around the Commonwealth of Virginia for decades, where she highlights the benefits of enjoying a healthy... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 9:00am - 10:00am EDT Mariner A
FCCLA competitive events aren't just about trophies — they're a direct expression of the discipline we teach every day. In this session, presented by FCCLA Virginia state staff, participants will explore how the six career pathways connect to and strengthen competitive event preparation across the full range of FCCLA competitions. Whether you're a seasoned advisor or just getting your chapter... See More →
Where Family Science Meets Human Need: Integrating Social Work Perspectives into FCS Education Family and Consumer Sciences has always been about the whole person — and so has social work. In this session, participants will explore the powerful intersection between FCS education and social work frameworks, building understanding of key concepts and why they belong in our classrooms. We'll... See More →
In this practical, teacher-friendly session, participants will learn how to streamline planning, increase student collaboration, and create a smoother classroom workflow using simple systems supported by AI and optional Apple tools. We’ll explore realistic routines that work in a FACS/CTE classroom and beyond, including how to set up and manage devices (like iPads) when available, how to use AI... See More →
I’m Cassey Jones, everyone calls me CJ and I’m a Prince William County middle Educator in Family & Consumer Sciences and Career Investigations focused on authentic learning and strong collaboration. I’ve led cross-school partnerships with high school programs to create aligned... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT Mariner B
What if your students became the true drivers of their learning by confidently mastering content and teaching others along the way?In this session, I will share how to transform your classroom into a student-centered environment where learners take ownership and grow into leaders. Through the use of simple, effective strategies like skill drills, “Ask Three Before Me,” and authentic... See More →
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Manassas Park Middle School
I am a Family and Consumer Sciences teacher at Manassas Park Middle School, where I have been teaching since 2011. I work with sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students, helping them build practical life skills while fostering creativity, confidence, and a love for learning. I ear... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT Cape Charles A
This year, we're making a pivot — and pork is having its moment. In this session, participants will explore the full landscape of pork cuts and cookery, from the familiar to the surprisingly misunderstood. We'll examine the difference between commodity pork and heritage breeds (spoiler: heritage pork is decidedly not "the other white meat"), demystify the anatomy behind why a pork butt has... See More →
Tanya Cauthen: Richmond’s ButcherTanya Cauthen’s journey from "Navy brat" to one of America’s most generations of butchers is a masterclass in following one’s passion. Growing up, her culinary vocabulary was introduced by Julia Childs —a far cry from the aerospace engineering... Read More →
Get ready to fall in love with competition season. This fast-paced, highly practical session walks educators through everything they need to prepare students for the Virginia ProStart Invitational — from the rules that matter most, to timelines, expectations, and those tiny details that make or break a score sheet. We’ll break down the culinary, management, and individual events with clarity,... See More →
Chef Schuler is a Culinary School Specialist with ZWILLING. She has spent her life learning about food and nutrition and her passion for the industry led to her multiple certifications. She is a Personal Certified Executive Chef with the American Culinary Federation (one of 12... Read More →
Director of Education & Workforce Development | Virginia ProStart Coordinator, Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association
Dr. Jai Girard serves as the Director of Education and Workforce Development at the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association (VRLTA) and as the State Coordinator for Virginia ProStart. In this role, she leads statewide culinary and management education initiatives, supports... Read More →
Tuesday July 21, 2026 10:15am - 11:15am EDT Mariner A
Please arrive on time because a plated breakfast will be served from 7:45 a.m. to 8 a.m. Breakfast service will end at 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... See More →
Looking for additional resources or information to support your inside and outside of class activities? Make sure to visit all the exhibitors and learn about their products, services, and resources.
Meeting with exhibitors would be beneficial for any educator or administrator attending the Professional Development Institute.
