<strong>CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA</strong> – Nelson County School Board member Janet Turner-Giles was presented with the Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Advocate for Education Award at the closing session of the 2022 VSBA Annual Convention. This award recognizes school board members who have demonstrated significant and outstanding leadership, commitment, and contribution to public education that has had an impact on their region and the Commonwealth, and who have shown active involvement in local, state, and federal advocacy on behalf of their division, VSBA, and public education. This is the eighth year the award has been presented. The award was sponsored by ABM.

“Janet’s recognition as the 2022 VSBA Advocate for Education recipient comes as no surprise to our board.  Janet embodies the very spirit of the award and lives it daily as she advocates for all students at the local, regional, state, and national level.  Her ongoing and tireless commitment to education is an asset to our board, but more importantly to the success of our students. We are so pleased to see her commitment recognized,” said Nelson County School Board Chair Shannon Powell.

"Janet Turner-Giles is a model for what it looks like to be an advocate for education, whether it be for students in Nelson County, the commonwealth, and ultimately nationally.  It comes as no surprise that she is the recipient of the 2022 VSBA Advocate for Education Award,” said Nelson County Public Schools Superintendent Amanda Hester. “She demonstrates a level of commitment to serving NCPS as a representative of the school board while also maintaining a high level of participation in the VSBA and Executive Committee.  Ms. Turner-Giles is a past president of the VSBA and continues her ongoing service by actively participating in training, governance, and information sessions. She maintains a finger on the pulse of the community to advocate for the best interest of students, staff, school division, and the community as a whole.  I appreciate working with Janet Turner-Giles to move Nelson County Public Schools and Education forward on our pathway to success."

Janet Turner-Giles has represented the North District of Nelson County on the Nelson County School Board since January l, 2014. While initially focusing on the education of youth in her community, her lens has broadened to include the children who reside in our state and in our nation. Janet's boundless commitment to furthering the educational opportunities for all students has been recognized by many as she has served locally as a Trustee, Vice Chair and Chair of her local school board. Janet served in a variety of roles with VSBA including President from November 2020 to November 2021.

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<strong>About the Virginia School Boards Association
</strong>The Virginia School Boards Association, a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of Virginia school boards, promotes excellence in public education through advocacy, training, and services. The Association offers conferences, information, training, and counseling designed to meet the needs of the Commonwealth’s educational leaders.