Village Tech Schools

This Juneteenth, we are celebrating freedom through the power of story. This summer, we invite our Village to dive into voices that have shaped literature, history, and culture:

Memoir: "A Committee of One: How Faith + Action = A PurposeFULL Life" by Opal Lee
YA Thriller: "Breakout" by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon
Nonfiction: "The Collected Essays" of James Baldwin
Fiction: "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
Poetry: "The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni"
Picture Book: "Hair Love" by Matthew A. Cherry
Chapter Book: "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson

Congrats, Be VT Award Recipient - Jordan Woolbright!

Jordan Woolbright is a powerhouse teammate to have within our Village. She approaches each day with a plan in mind and with great purpose. She is always willing to step in whenever and wherever she is needed at any time. Her get-it-done attitude, coupled with her passion for the work, is ever-present every day in every way. Whatever the task is, she gets it done. She is truly a jewel to have on the VT Radiant campus, and we appreciate her more than she will ever know!

Congrats, Be VT Award Recipient - Brian Blair!

Mr. Blair demonstrates Be VT in his everyday work, showing empathy by meeting students where they are and extending learning beyond the school day on his own time. He expects depth and quality in mathematical understanding, not just the completion of problems for compliance. He strives for students to achieve conceptual understanding, knowing that purpose in learning depends on understanding first. His dedication to students goes beyond the classroom by leading the YAG teams across the Village. Whether organizing meetings or preparing for competitions, he ensures that every voice is heard and every student has an opportunity to grow. His encouragement inspires students to challenge themselves academically, socially, and personally. What truly sets Mr. Blair apart is the meaningful relationships he builds with both students and staff. He leads with authenticity, respect, and compassion, creating a culture of trust and collaboration. Students know they can rely on him not only as a sponsor, but also as a teacher and mentor who genuinely cares about their success and well-being. Staff members consistently appreciate his sense of humor, professionalism, and willingness to support others.

Congrats, Be VT Award Recipient Raina Bell!

Although Raina Bell has a quiet demeanor, she has a huge spirit, and we love it! Each day, Ms. Bell enters the Village with a smile and a sense of purpose. You can often find her singing around the VT Radiant campus, which not only brings her joy but also brings joy to others, especially her campus director. Being an alum of VT, her affection for FORGE has never faded. You can often find her assisting students with their projects, as well as encouraging them during the process. It does not matter what is needed; she rises to the occasion without pause. Her empathy shines through and serves as a foundational building block, strengthening the academic, social, and emotional success within our VT Radiant Village. There is only one Raina Bell, and you will find her singing her heart out on the VT Radiant campus!

Congrats, Be VT Award Recipient - Lauren Stevenson!

From teaching graphics to painting, Lauren Stevenson wears many hats as the VT Odyssey art teacher. With just one week to spare before the end-of-year pep rally, Ms. Stevenson was approached with a big ask — designing and printing Senior Superlative trophies on the 3D printer in time to award seniors at their last pep rally. She never hesitated. Her sharp eye for detail ensured every trophy looked beautiful, and she brought both creativity and precision to the process from start to finish. What makes this moment even more special is that her mind was already moving to next year, envisioning a cross-collaboration with her graphics design class so that future seniors can receive fully customized trophies representing their superlatives. That is Ms. Stevenson in a nutshell: she says yes, she delivers, and she is already thinking about how to make it better next time. Ms. Stevenson is creative, innovative, and a quick problem-solver who is not afraid to ask questions, collaborate, and do whatever it takes to get the job done. She holds students to high standards, empowering them to produce quality work that she proudly displays, and is consistently willing to collaborate with her colleagues.

Congrats, Be VT Award Recipients- Ms. Hallie Podany, Ms. Halee Jones, Ms. Madison Mitchell, Ms. Samantha Kuyawa, and the second grade students of Village Tech!

While Mosaic was incredible everywhere, the second grade students at Village Tech and their teachers truly took us places with their Mosaic event. Picture students as tour guides walking traveling adults through the major climate biomes. Watching the students work was magic. They were immersed in conversational presentations, in inquisitive wonder with their guests, and their excitement was not able to be contained! When people left the second grade exhibit, they said it was a complete transformation of the space, and that they felt like they had visited Great Wolf Lodge or a Ga***rd exhibit. Again, everyone did an incredible job at Mosaic, but second grade took it over the top. There was magic in the second grade space that had everyone leaving in awe.

Congrats, Be VT Award Recipient - Teyannah Walton!

Teyannah Walton is a shining example of what it means to Be VT, leading with compassion, serving with joy, and helping our Village thrive every single day. She carefully prepares devices and testing materials, ensuring computers are charged, organized, and ready for success. During testing, she supports teachers with preparation and troubleshooting while maintaining a positive and solutions-focused mindset. In addition to her campus responsibilities, Teyannah plays an essential role on the curriculum team, managing and coordinating the majority of district ordering with reliability, organization, and professionalism. Whether supporting teachers during high-stakes testing days, assisting students with patience and care, or greeting others with her constant smile, she brings calm, positivity, and encouragement to every space she enters. Her happy heart and genuine care for others are felt throughout the VT campus.

Congrats, Be VT Award Recipients - Mr. Patrick Hunt, Ms. Stacie Hamilton, and the fifth-grade students of Village Tech Radiant!

When administrators announced a desire to bring student work to the Lighthouse, the VT Radiant 5th graders were challenged to create a mosaic. Their teachers believed the students could create a statement piece that could be installed. They began by participating in empathy interviews with Lighthouse staff, a spark trip to see professional-quality mosaics, and then got to work prototyping possible mosaic designs. Then they sought feedback from the staff who are based in the Lighthouse. The early drafts showed empathy but were not display quality. The VT Radiant 5th grade class took our feedback and went back to work. By the time Mosaic 2026 rolled around, the final design was ready, and the impact of the new design as a collaborative art piece speaks to the hard work, thought, and care the students put into the piece. The final Mosaic to be installed looked stunning at MOSAIC, and the students spoke about the work with ownership and pride. This entire experience is an example of deeper learning at Village Tech Schools. We are so proud of this class for following through on their spark with a beautiful mosaic to be displayed at the Lighthouse.

Congrats, Be VT Award Recipient- Michael Lee!

Aside from building his own YouTube channel in his spare time and being "the brains" behind last year's VTO ninth-grade MOSAIC board game, Michael soared into his sophomore year, getting involved in Student Council and, more recently, Phoenix News. A moment that says everything about him occurred during Senior Decision Day. Michael was running the livestream. He was knowledgeable and professional from the start, but a group of fifth through seventh grade boys in the bleachers started getting rowdy behind him. Without being asked, Michael walked over, leaned down, and calmly let them know their voices were carrying on the stream. By the time anyone else crossed the gym to help, he had already redirected them — turning potential disruption into participation. Those same boys spent the rest of the program cheering for seniors, monitoring the stream, and asking how their volume sounded. Michael did not scold them. He invited them in. That is the kind of leadership you cannot teach, and it came naturally to a tenth grader who simply knew what the moment needed.

Congrats, Be VT Award Recipients - Lacie Currin, Keeshia Burch, and Jade Jackson!

The VT Catalyst Student Support Services has brought the culture of belonging to the VT Catalyst campus this year. Every one of their students feels connected and supported by the team they work with, and it is seen across the VT Catalyst campus in how every student wants to stop to talk and say hello to them. They are truly advocates for the students, providing important feedback to parents and teachers and support for accommodations to help our students learn. They have designed a space that students and teachers are comfortable coming into to work, talk, or calm down. Overall, they have been an incredible part of the VT Catalyst team, showing what it means to belong, lead, and design.