The Rockbridge NAACP, at its February meeting, welcomed Natural Bridge Elementary School teacher Phynely Stores as the recipient of the Irma Thompson Educators of Color Award.
The Irma Thompson Program award supports the recruitment, retention, and f lourishing of educators of color in the local public school systems of Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County. Established in 2020 as a Rockbridge NAACP initiative, the program makes awards to assist new teachers of color in the area with housing, relocation, and jobrelated expenses.
Program co-chairs Ellen Mayock and Tinni Sen spoke of the importance of the ongoing grant program in promoting diversity in the local school systems.
“On behalf of the Rockbridge NAACP’s Irma Thompson Program,” said Mayock, “we are absolutely delighted that Ms. Phynely Stores has joined the Natural Bridge teaching staff. As a long-time Rockbridge County resident, Phynely brings great experience and dedication to the position.”
Sen added, “Experiencing educators of color as leaders and mentors in the classroom benefits all of our children. It breaks negative stereotypes, and it has been shown to strengthen critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional development for students from all backgrounds.”
Stores joined the Natural Bridge teaching staff fulltime this year. A native of Rockbridge County and graduate of Rockbridge County High School, Stores attended Mountain Gateway College and Virginia Tech before starting her teaching career. She said she is thrilled to be teaching second grade in the system she grew up in. “I am having a great year, and I am loving being with these young students every day,” she said.
Rockbridge NAACP chapter president Rev. Reginald A. Early noted that the award is named for the late Irma Thompson, the respected educator and longtime Buena Vista community leader. “The chapter is pleased to honor Ms. Stores with this award,” he said.
“It is a step in our chapter’s ongoing goal of seeing more educators of color hired in our public school systems.”
Early, who also serves on the program’s board, added that the Irma Thompson Initiative has been dedicated, since its inception, to working in partnership with the local educational community to advance NAACP goals.
Also serving on the Irma Thompson program board are community leaders and educators including Charlotte Alexander, Marylin Alexander, Laurent Boetsch, Patrick Bradley, Roger Crockett, and Stephanie Wilkinson.
For donations, applications, or more information, visit the chapter’s website at https:// rockbridgenaacp.com/ or the program’s website at www. irmathompsonprogram.com.
