David Mcbride Email & Phone Number

Kenmore Middle School

Kenmore Middle School

Summer of 2013--completing the last course for the Ed.S. graduate degree in administration and supervision from the University of Virginia! A long journey in what Lucy Calkins once described to me some years ago as: "the lonesome valleys of education." Lucky to be at Kenmore where the mountaintops are full of good people. Current interests are in literacy development as well as supporting positive behaviors for early adolescents. Looking forward to resetting with the 6th Grade Class of 2016 (2020) and working with the 6th Grade Teachers to get the students off to a great start in secondary education.

Arlington, Virginia

During this period in my career I worked in the Department of Instruction in the English Language Arts Office to promote literacy achievement for the secondary program. I worked as a collaborating teacher on special projects and conducted multiple presentations as a content specialist for reading and writing. The most successful of these workshops focused on teaching reading in the content areas. Given the challenges of the Virginia Reading SOL Test, much of the work was around reading instruction and helping secondary teachers understand reading development. The most significant achievement of the ELA Office at that time was the addition of Grade 6 Reading to the Program of Studies whereby reading began to be taught at the secondary level as a discrete course for all Grade 6 students. This meant hiring ten additional staff members for the county and securing substantial funding for the initiative. The requirement to teach this course included a master's degree in reading and was a departure for APS given that at time reading instruction was not an emphasis in secondary education. I also led multiple special projects around literacy, including The African-American Read-In as well as Poetry Out Loud. These projects continue in the division and highlight the emphasis APS places on literacy empowerment for all students. I also was the hiring official for the ELA secondary program for summer school and facilitated the summer program. The challenging work as as Teacher Specialist expanded my understanding of public education well-beyond my previous classroom experience, and I worked with a great team of teachers and administrators who were deeply committed to the success of ALL students, with a special emphasis on the struggling readers and writers who have so much to benefit from high-quality instruction.

Arlington, Va

Taught 7th Grade English language arts at Swanson Middle School during the roll out and full implementation of the middle school program in APS (1990-2002). Served as Professional Development Committee Chair, earned National Board Certification for teaching English language arts to early adolescent students (2001), served on curriculum development committees (Tom Sawyer, Harlem Renaissance), coordinated Project Y.E.S., member of the Teacher Compensation Committee, chaired AEA political action committee, taught summer school, coached track, and was a founding member of the Skipjacks inter-disciplinary teaching team...and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Ed.S., Educational Administration And Supervision

Summer 2013 completed the Educational Specialist Degree from the University of Virginia.

M.A., New Professional Studies: Education

Took part in an APS cohort of teachers working within what at the time was the Institute for Educational Transformation under Dr. Hugh.

B.A., English

Activities and Societies: Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship English Honors Education Minor--Student Teaching While at James Madison I.

Education record

Activities and Societies: Young Life Club, YHS Football, Track, The Sentry, AP Classes, and Taco Laredo! The Sentry Newspaper, AP English.