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A Falls Church second-grade teacher was one of just 60 educators nationwide selected for an intensive summer program that included rare after-hours access to the White House.
Gail Bodner of Mount Daniel Elementary School completed the five-day White House History Teacher Institute in Washington, D.C. The White House Historical Association program brought educators together for discussions with historians, visits to local sites, inquiry-based activities and sessions with master teachers.
A White House curator led participants on a private tour after public visits had ended. Bodner said the experience deepened her understanding of White House artifacts and introduced her to residence staff members whose work keeps the building operating.
Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Terry Dade praised Bodner’s curriculum development and her efforts to make history engaging for students.
Bodner learned about the institute while creating supplemental resources for advanced readers using the chapter book “White House Clubhouse.” She applied in hopes of strengthening that project with new historical knowledge and teaching materials.
The experience has already shaped her plans at Mount Daniel. Bodner intends to work with the school’s art teacher on projects involving patriotic symbols and White House china. Lessons from State Department educators about diplomatic arts will also become part of her civics instruction.
Her second-graders will exchange letters with a classroom in Texas, expanding the collaboration beyond Virginia. Mount Daniel’s second-grade classes also recently visited The People’s House: A White House Experience in downtown Washington.
Bodner said the institute left her energized by both the association’s education team and the other participating teachers.
Falls Church City Public Schools serves about 2,700 students at five schools and operates as an International Baccalaureate World School district.
“Paper” Brings 50 Regional Works to Falls Church
Falls Church Arts is displaying 50 works by 31 artists from Virginia, Washington and Maryland in its “Paper” exhibition, which runs through Nov. 16.
Every piece was created on paper or incorporates paper in some form. The exhibition spans photography, drawing, painting, collage, mixed media and other approaches.
Juror Jennifer Wilkin Penick said the broad theme produced an eclectic range of submissions. An artist, teacher and art historian, Penick lived in Italy for more than 20 years, studied studio art and earned a master’s degree in Italian art history.
Her own mixed-media work often uses patterns and repetition to explore how art can help process an unpredictable world. Her work has appeared in exhibitions in Italy, Oregon, Washington, California and Virginia, as well as in publications including Contemporary Collage Magazine and Uppercase magazine.
Penick has taught for more than a decade at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Arlington, along with positions at the Corcoran and Shop Made in DC. Since 2018, she has also served as an artist-in-residence with Georgetown University Hospital’s Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program.
Participating artists are Cathy Abbott, Iraima Alonso, Barbara Bitondo, Teresa Brunson, Claire Coram, Gretchen D’Amore, Marina DiCarlo, Clara Doley, Bill Firestone, Anjori Halder, James Hengst, Mary Kane, Sylvie Kostrzewski, Jean Lauzon, Hyonsook Lee, Naomi Lipsky, Xianling Liu, Gini Moore, Donna Moss, Nancy Newman, Kelley Parent, Jisoo Park, Karin Rindal, Elise Ritter-Clough, Susan Sander, Deborah Schindler, Joan Slottow, Lara Tiller, Suzanne Updike, Kristin Vogt and Kala Wright.
The Falls Church Arts gallery is located at 700-B West Broad St. Admission is free. Winter hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The works are available to purchase at the gallery and online.
Virginia Dream Extends Winning Streak With 7-0 Rout
Virginia Dream FC earned its fourth consecutive victory by defeating Club Petrolero 7-0 at Meridian High School’s “The Cloud” stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4.
The Dream controlled the first half but entered halftime with only a 1-0 advantage. Angel Chavez scored the goal in just his second match since returning from a serious injury that had sidelined him for months.
Virginia broke the game open after halftime. Karl Mbouombouo and Henry Wachsmann scored twice apiece, Diarra Zoumana added a goal and an own goal helped bring the final tally to seven.
The Dream stood third in the United Premier Soccer League standings, three points behind leader VA Revolution Pro. Its final match at The Cloud before the UPSL playoffs was scheduled for Oct. 18.
Before then, Virginia Dream was set to face Doradus FC in a U.S. Open Cup qualifying match on Sunday, Oct. 12.
The club entered the qualifier hoping to build on its first Cup tournament appearance the previous year. During that run, Virginia Dream defeated USL League One professional side Richmond Kickers before narrowly losing to USL Championship club Loudoun United.