It is a proud moment for the Sugarland Elementary community as our leadership team takes center stage to share our school's achievements. This week, Principal Dr. Mihalik and Assistant Principal Mrs. Jackson served as featured presenters at the Virginia Elementary School Principals (VAESP) conference.

The duo was invited to share the roadmap behind the success of Sugarland’s English Language Learner (EL) program, an initiative that has earned high praise and recognition from our district for its outstanding student outcomes.

During their presentation, Dr. Mihalik and Mrs. Jackson highlighted that while the program’s structure is vital, the true secret to our success lies in our school’s internal culture. They placed a heavy emphasis on the culture of co-teaching—a collaborative model where general education and English Learner teachers work hand-in-hand within the classroom.

By integrating language support directly into the core curriculum, our educators ensure that English Learner students not only meet academic standards but thrive alongside their peers.

We are thrilled to see our leadership team sharing these best practices with educators across the state, showcasing how Sugarland Elementary continues to set a standard for excellence and inclusivity. Congratulations to Dr. Mihalik and Mrs. Jackson for representing our school so brilliantly!