spirit
Tim’s Tale: A little fictional humor and diversion from the daily news cycle
Enter Name
“Parting Thoughts,” by Dr. Peter Noonan
When I arrived in Falls Church City Public Schools in the spring of 2017, I knew there was something different about this school system from the others I had the privilege of serving. I didn't know at the time what made this place so special. I learned soon enough!
“Gated” Community, Nostalgia and Diversity — by author and IP attorney Timothy Trainer
Enter Name
Ep11 Illuminate Philanthropy — An interview with Christopher Beck, CAP®, Senior Advisor Principal Gifts and Inclusive Philanthropy Officer
Understanding the philanthropic curve
Most Beautiful Bays in the World Association Drawing Contest: Call for Artists under 14
Enter Name
Let’s look at the law: Learn about the reality of “Mindless Ceremony v. Meaning,” with author and IP attorney Timothy Trainer
Is it just a photo op? Is it just a formality? Is it just ceremonial for families and a few select officials? Or, is there an expectation of respecting and fulfilling the duties as embodied in the words of an oath of office or position?
“Nonviolence,” an essay by high school sophomore Shay Jackson. This is her award-winning “Living the Dream” entry
Nonviolence has been seen as a weak or passive approach to resolving conflicts. However, Cesar Chavez's quote, “Nonviolence is not inaction. It is not a discussion. It is not for the timid or weak. Nonviolence is hard work.
How Iceland Became a Global Leader in Gender Equality
True Power Institute founder Rúna Bouius asks: "Can you imagine walking into a room filled with fearless women, all committed to creating a wave of change so powerful it could alter the course of history?"
International Journalist, Author, Activist Natalie Jacobsen gives us a history lesson on Pre-WWII Japanese with her novel, Ghost Train
Enter Name
Meet Rúna Bouius: A visionary thought leader and activator from Iceland, empowers future-focused leaders to thrive in a changing world
Enter Name
Explore Dien Yuen’s Daylight: The global home for learning, practice, and research
Redefining Philanthropy
Ep3: Uprising of Women in Philanthropy — Don’t miss this Q&A with Stephanie Clohesy and Ruby Bright, two more authors of this international social justice playbook
The True Story of How The Realities of Women’s Lives Turned A Global Financial System Upside Down
January-February 2025: Barbara Tarlow Radler, mom, grandmom, and owner of the BTK Group, a healthcare communications business focusing on video production
Enter Name
The Little City: “Falls Church Education Foundation is a key ingredient in the Special Sauce of Falls Church City Public Schools.” — Mary Asel, President, FCEF Board of Directors; Debbie Hiscott, Executive Director, FCEF (retired); and Suzanne Hladky, Executive Director, FCEF
Enter Name
The Little City: “Changing Lives and Changing the World, since 1949” — Marybeth Connelly, Director of Strategic Planning and Community Engagement and Falls Church City Council Member
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” Anthropologist Margaret Mead would appreciate the FCCPS Secret Sauce project.
The Little City: “All hands on deck: There isn’t a single person in our district who is not willing to step in and support our students in ways that go beyond their usual responsibilities” — By Jen Fessenden, PK-12 Mathematics Coordinator, Falls Church City Public Schools
Enter NameThe Little City: “In Falls Church City, you can’t separate the school system from the community; they are one and the same.” — Shannon Litton, Fall Church City School Board (former chair)
Enter NameThe Little City: “My life changed the day an interview panelist asked, ‘Would you accept the position of second-grade teacher with us next fall?'” — Gail Bodner, 2nd grade teacher
Enter Name
Empowered Together Network co-founder Cynthia de Lorenzi is an artist, activist, peacemaker and founder of Success in the City, an international networking group that she launched in 2006 in Washington, DC
Cynthia is also an International Motivational and TEDx Women Speaker, former tech CEO, and art curator living in Las Cruces, NMThe Little City: “During the few months I have been in FCCPS, I have focused on learning the stories of the amazing people who make up this wonderful community. I look to Finding Nemo for guidance.” — Dustin Wright, Chief of Schools
Enter Name
The Little City: “Collaboration and shared values turn advocacy into action throughout FCCPS.” — Kristen Michael, Chief Operating Officer, Falls Church City Public Schools
Enter Name
Teachers Make the Difference: “FCCPS is a group of people willing to roll up their sleeves and heed President Kennedy’s famous maxim to always ask what they can do to make their community better.” — Peter Laub, Principal of Meridian High School
FCCPS is a DIY school system. It was created by people willing to work late nights to read and create state code, establish a council and school board, and write policy and zoning regulations. The government was the neighbor, and everything was, and remains, hyper-local.
Teachers Make the Difference: “At the heart of FCCPS is a commitment to preparing students for the future.” — Dr. William Bates, Chief Academic Officer for the Falls Church City Public Schools
Enter Name
Teachers Make the Difference: “Our teachers go beyond teaching calculus or history. They contribute to developing our students into kind people.” — Amy Hall, Director of Human Resources of the Falls Church City Public Schools
Both of my daughters have since graduated from Meridian High School with the knowledge to take them on their continued educational journey and with a genuine attentiveness to the acceptance and well-being of others.
Teachers Make the Difference: “There isn’t a way to mass market our secret sauce; the addition of all the finest ingredients, prepared at the proper temperature using the best methods, takes us from a series of numerical data to a recipe for success.” — Lisa Eaton, English Collaborative Team Leader Yearbook Adviser Meridian High School, FCCPS
Enter NameTeachers Make the Difference: “The secret sauce lies in each student’s growth, curiosity, resilience, and willingness to engage with the world.” — Miriam Schimmoller, Third Grade Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
Enter Name
Stephanie Clohesy, Former Board Chairman of the Women’s Funding Network
Enter Name
Dr. Helen LaKelly Hunt, founder and president of the HLH Family Foundation
Enter Name
Jessica Tomlin, Chief Executive Officer of the Equality Fund
Jess leads an effort to resource feminist movements worldwide, working to change systems, shift power, and dismantle barriers.Teachers Make the Difference: “The Secret to the Sauce is Dr. Noonan himself.” — Brian Fowler, Director of Facilities, Falls Church City Public Schools
Enter NameTeachers Make the Difference: “During my seven years as superintendent, I saw many aspects of the secret sauce at work and play, but the most outstanding ingredient for me was the schools and what they did for my husband, Larry.” — Lois F. Berlin, Ed.D., Falls Church City Public Schools Superintendent (2004 – 2011)
Enter NameTeachers Make the Difference: “Unshakable Belief” — Rebecca Sharp, Executive Director of Special Services
Enter Name
Professor Cindi Gilliland, Ph.D., teaches us about “The Power of Love” — Attend, Mend, Ascend
In her latest TEDx Talk, "The Power of Love," Professor Cindi Gilliland, Ph.D., knows love has the power to transform us, others, and the world.
October 2024: Classmate Ron Mahoney and his wife Peggy are the proud owners of the 4th Street Cafe in Bridgeport, PA
Fun fact: Ron met his wife, Margaret Mahoney (Peggy), on his 18th birthday while walking down the street. "I told her it was my birthday and got a kiss from her." They married in 1985.
Ep3 Daylight’s “Illuminate Philanthropy” show — Trend 3: Evolving Vehicles with Daylight’s Advisor Practice Specialist Rick Peck
Meet Daylight’s Advisor Practice Specialist Rick Peck who shares insights into Evolving Vehicles that includes charitable giving, the private sector, public policy, and peer-based givingRelationships Matter: “I am part of the Kindergarten team—a team that is like a tree. It changes through the seasons but remains strong and steadfast.” — Karen Bevan, Kindergarten teacher, Mount Daniel Family Literacy Program
Enter NameRelationships Matter: “The reasons behind Falls Church City Public Schools consistently ranking as the number one school district in Virginia are clear: the people make this place extraordinary.” — Sarah Gurgo, Meridian High School Visual Art, IB Visual Art, and Photography teacher
Enter Name
Relationships Matter: “FCCPS is thriving community where excellence isn’t just an expectation. It’s a way of life.” — Dave Serensits, Assistant Principal, Meridian High School
Enter NameRelationships Matter: “Is a “Secret Sauce” tangible? Not always. The innate understanding of meeting students and colleagues where they are is not easily written on a checklist of interview questions.” — Carol Felderman, Literary Specialist FCCPS
Enter NameRelationshpis Matter: “Due to our staff’s kindness and genuine caring culture, they embrace each day with lots of enthusiasm and share their joy of teaching with students.” — Marty Gadell, Executive Administrative Assistant and School Board Clerk
Enter NameRelationships Matter: “I’m a FCCPS ‘lifer’ who is marrying my fellow high school science teacher this summer, and I wouldn’t want to be any other place than FCCPS.” — Will Stewart, high school science teacher at FCCPS
Enter Name
Relationships Matter: “The secret sauce truly is the people.” — Timothy Kasik, Principal at Mount Daniel Elementary School
Enter NameRelationships Matter: “Our Secret? FCCPS has a hierarchy without rigid boundaries.” — Jennifer Santiago, Director of Equity and Excellence at Falls Church City Public Schools
Enter Name
Dien Yuen, JD/LLM, CAP®, AEP® CEO of Daylight, is working to maximize philanthropy’s potential for transforming lives by advancing the sector’s training, research, professionalization, and diversity
Illuminate Philantropy Show — Trend 1: The Changing Client Base with Daylight’s founder Dien Yuen and Daylight’s Director of Advisor Practice Tony Macklin
It is her deep commitment to community that inspires Lydia Oh Manager, Programs and Marketing at Daylight
Enter Name
Author Christine Grumm tells us about her new collaborative book, “The Uprising of Women in Philanthropy”
Written in a collective voice, this book is an important human rights document. It offers a roadmap to achieve a thriving democracy. This book marks the first time that women’s rights philanthropists have united, in book form and in one voice, to call for massive investments in women’s rights for social justice change. Undoubtedly, this book will be an essential addition to the works of the few but highly influential feminist collective authorships.
Ep5: The Sharing Economy — Learn about the challenges of scaling the sharing economy with Julie Winkle Giulioni, author and champion of workplace growth and development
How the Sharing Economy inspires two Berrett-Koehler authors
August 2024: Classmate Ho Chin, who operates a fractional CFO company serving private companies that are backed by outside investors, says: “Enjoy the journey and not push off the enjoyment life can bring until xxx is achieved. I have come to realize that roses do have a wonderful scent.”
Enter Name
July 2024: Sandy Ziegler knows, “Don’t take short cuts. Push through, be accountable, and take risks. If it doesn’t work out, you still experienced and learned something.”
Enter Name
Ep5: Women of Color Empowered embraces the gift of Allies — The importance and nurturing of your most powerful connections with Alice Kim of PerfectDD and Bernardine Wu of Fez Ventures
Enter Name