James River High School and Central Academy Middle School are the feeder schools in the program called the Strategic Instructional Module ( and Content Learning ) of the University of Kansas. On September 11, six educators were recognized at the regular school board meeting.

Joni Poff, Supervisor for instruction, noted that the seven teachers and staff honored had been certified as SIMS professional developers at not so easy accomplishment. Said Poff, “This rivals the work that goes into National Board Certification in the amount of work these seven people have done to get the certification.

SIMS allows all students – particularly the older student that is still having difficulty keeping up. They are able to learn strategies in order to access content. Botetourt School Division is among two in the state that are using the program and they have become an on site location for other school divisions to come and witness the work going on between the two schools.

Pictured here are Dana McCullough, Leah Lorton of James River, Denise Sprinkle, Susan Martin of Central Academy, Speech therapist Susan Trumbo, Joni Poff, administrator, Karen Turner, Central Office and Ruth Wallace, school board chairman. Not pictured Teresa Simmons, Central Academy.