Vail Valley Foundation Fall Staff Retreat Recap

Surrounded by hay bails full of pumpkins and a view of snow-capped mountains, the Vail Valley Foundation employees met yesterday for our annual Staff Retreat at 4 Eagle Ranch. The day was filled with exciting news (stay tuned!), brainstorming sessions, an evaluation of staff strengths (we have no weaknesses!), and a look into the future.

This was my first staff retreat, and marks my first full year at the VVF. I have had an incredible experience thus far and am thrilled to begin a second year with new and different challenges. On behalf of the Vail Valley Foundation staff, thank you for supporting us and being a part of this community. We're excited to provide another year of excellence through arts, athletics and education in the Vail Valley.

Now that's more like the team I know! :)

- Melissa

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State Senator Johnston Shares Breakfast and Food for Thought on Education

We had the privilege of bringing back Colorado State Senator Mike Johnston for a breakfast meeting at the Christiana in Vail on Thursday, October 13 in partnership with the Youth Foundation. Johnston discussed Colorado's education issues with a small local crowd and listed 10 things that are good for Colorado and Eagle County.

Some notable quotes:

•  "The best way to improve education is to recruit and retain effective teachers"
• " The best way to recruit effective teachers is to create a pipeline, a feeder system. That pipeline does not necessarily need to run through college and university education systems, and the state certification process. Hiring should be done from a broader applicant pool."
• “To attract top people and raise the status of the profession, it's necessary to increase pay and selectivity."

The full Vail Daily article can be read online here. 

Thank you Mike Johnston for visiting us in the Valley and giving us your insight!

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