Julie Fisher Recognized by Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) for Innovation in Education

Head of School Cathy McGehee nominated Ms. Fisher for the Innovation in Education Award, noting, “Julie is a transformative educator who has expanded and raised the bar for Foxcroft's arts program through her vision, leadership, and hard work. Nowhere is this more evident than in Arts Week, a herculean effort to celebrate the creativity, expression, and talent of our student artists and invite visiting artists to share their creative journeys and give workshops.” Outside of Arts Week each spring, Fisher is constantly collaborating with her colleagues across departments, expanding STEAM offerings with new courses like Scientific Illustration, taught in partnership with STEAM teacher Meghen Tuttle. Her facilitation of “Explorations in Engineering” courses, which utilized Purdue University’s EPICS curriculum to the benefit of nonprofits in the area, give real-world application to classroom lessons, an essential strategy in teaching girls how they learn best.  

Beyond the school campus, Fisher seeks out more opportunities for Foxcroft students to apply their learning with purpose and impact. “Julie has partnered with a variety of local non-profits to provide our students with real-world learning opportunities,” shared McGehee, “from having our girls curate regional student art shows at local galleries to facilitating student service learning projects at Banneker Elementary, Aldie Mill, and Goose Creek Association. Last year, she provided our entire community with the opportunity to be part of the Ridgeline Project, a flash art experience at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation (founded by the late Bunny Mellon, a Foxcroft alumna from the Class of 1929).”

Following the presentation of the Award, Fisher shared reflections on the work Foxcroft students are doing. “One particular organization we partner with is the Artists in Middleburg. Essentially their mission is to ensure access to art education for kids of all ages. We have partnered with them to focus on Youth Arts Month, and each year we hold an exhibit at the gallery space; it's essentially a collaboration that's all year long. Being able to partner high schoolers with elementary schoolers is really wonderful to see. The elementary school teachers, they're so appreciative of the extra hands and just a totally new lesson and way to approach that kind of work.”

Fisher’s passion for art is clear, through her work at Foxcroft and in the Middleburg community as well as her pedagogy, which speaks to art as a lifelong endeavor. “Being an art educator, it's important to be visible, and really convey the message that art is essential; it's something that everyone should be exposed to and have a chance to create.”

With the theme of the VAIS Annual Conference, Empowering Excellence, the 2024 Innovation in Education Awards honor top educators who make positive impacts in their communities by inspiring students’ excitement about learning, motivating colleagues to grow professionally, and impacting the school community in positive and tangible ways. An educator could self-nominate or be nominated by a colleague.

Congratulations to each outstanding VAIS teacher! Each teacher received the VAIS Innovation in Education Award in the form of a pewter Jefferson Cup and a monetary prize.