Curry School of Education

Supporting ADHD Research

When most people think of ADHD, they focus on the words deficit and disorder, but not Mark and Cindy Galant. They believe that children with ADHD have great potential waiting to be unlocked with proper support. Helping these children thrive will be the focus of a new line of Curry School research, catalyzed by seed funding from this U.Va. alumni couple who put their money where their heart is. MORE.

A LIfetime Connection to the Curry School

“I don’t think I would have been president of Longwood but for the background and training I got at Curry,” Henry Willett says. “I don’t think there’s any question about that. I owe so much to my preparation in my graduate programs.” He and his wife Mary have supported the school financially for three consecutive decades. They give regularly at Dean’s Circle level to Curry’s unrestricted Annual Fund. MORE.

Extending Research in Early Childhood Education

Their gift allows researchers at Curry's Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning to try out some new features in the Minds in Motion curriculum and gather further evidence that children’s growth is directly linked to their engagement with this project. “This may sound trite,” Suzan says, “but chil­dren really are the future of the world. The least we owe them is a chance to get a good education.” MORE.

A Master of Informal Learning

Just after graduating from the Curry School in 1989, Betsy Bennett, director of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, began making annual gifts to the Curry School Foundation, and her loyalty continues today. "I had a great educational experience at the Curry School and at UVA,” she says, “and I want to support a quality experience for future students and teachers.”  MORE.

Participating in the Future of Curry

Carol and Taylor Armstrong have had a 40-year love affair with the University of Virginia. While they have been donors to the University over the years, they are also showing their love by providing for the Curry School in their estate plans. MORE.

Hoo Couple Wants to Inspire Teachers

Ragan and Dara Folan are true Hoos—she with a bachelors degree from the McIntire School, he with degrees from the College, Darden, and Law. They met as undergrads and got married while Dara worked his way through graduate school. During the nine years they spent in Charlottesville, though, they heard little about the Curry School of Education. MORE.

Supporting Future Special Ed Teachers

In light of its mission to support special needs students and the professionals who work with them, the Little Keswick Foundation for Special Education has established a new scholarship with the Curry School Foundation. The scholarship will support Curry School master’s degree students preparing to work in the field of special education. MORE.

Demonstrating Gratitude to a Beloved Former Teacher

Joseph Moore established a scholarship for students in Curry's five-year teacher preparation program as a way of saying thank you to his former teacher, Viola Reavis Robinson. "Teachers are unsung heroes in our country," he says. MORE

Both an Opportunity and an Obligation

Judy Bowns, theatre arts and dance specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools and co-founder of The Cappies, makes monthly donations to the Curry School Annual Fund because she believes every person needs to give back in order to perpetuate the cycle. MORE

Making a Difference in the Community

Neither Mac nor Elsie Thompson holds a degree in education, but they are both tireless advocates for Curry, volunteering their time and giving generously in support of Curry's goals over the past three decades. Their giving is, in part, a reflection of their commitment to the community and Curry's impact there. MORE

A Loyal Friend

Carlyle Whitelow’s first allegiance may be to the small, private college where he spent the majority of his career on the faculty. But he has never forgotten that proud day when he received his masters degree in education from the University of Virginia, so he shows his appreciation through annual gifts to the Curry School. MORE.

Extending a Mother's Legacy

The Sandra Feagan Stern Fellowship was established by Kyle Blackmon, in honor of his mother, Sandra Feagan Stern (Ed.D. ’85). Presented as Sandra’s Mother’s Day gift, Kyle established the fellowship last spring to extend his mother’s legacy and to “help facilitate the preparation of the next generation of educators.” MORE

Recognizing 40 Years of Selfless Service to Curry

At his retirement party last spring, beloved Curry School Counselor Education professor Bob Pate received a most fitting gift from his two children and their spouses: The Human Services Suite in the new Bavaro Hall will be named in his honor. MORE

Supporting Future Education Leaders

Pamela McInnis, superintendent of Warren County Public Schools, has a typically full calendar for someone in her position. Yet, every spring for the past 20 years, McInnis has made time to send an Annual Fund donation to the Curry School Foundation. MORE

Giving Because It Feels Good

Robert M. Coffelt, Jr., wants to leave behind a legacy as well, and in the process “hitch his wagon” to something bigger than himself. “Curry is doing such a great thing,” he says. “It is the platform by which we can develop better citizens and change the country. It’s the multiplier.” MORE

Meyers Honors Memory of Family Friend and Educator with the Curry School's Largest Ever Gift

Boston native Anthony D. "Wally" Bavaro played football for the San Francisco 49ers in the 1960s until a knee injury ended his days on the gridiron. He then embarked on a forty-year career as a history teacher and coach in the public schools of Malden and Chelsea, Massachusetts. MORE