June 2018


www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


Governor Announces $1.9M Troops to Teachers Grant


Funds Support Efforts to Recruit Veterans as Teachers in Virginia


The Hampton Roads Messenger 15


Remembering Karla Grase: A Life Well Lived


Courtesy of Ebenezer Baptist Church Karla Grase departed this life


on May 30, 2018, surrounded by her loving family after a short yet courageous battle with cancer.


Karla was born to Carol Jenkins and Garvin Boatright, Jr. on October 18, 1971. She graduated


from


Ralph that


RICHMOND—Governor Northam Virginia


today has received and retiring


announced a


$1.9 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to expand the Commonwealth’s efforts to recruit retired


veterans for second careers as teachers.


The five-year award provides $380,035 in annual support for the Virginia Department of Education’s Troops to Teachers Virginia Center at William & Mary. The Center was established in April 2017 as a pilot program with support from a one-year $400,000 grant awarded through the the U.S. Department of Defense.


“Many of Virginia’s military retirees possess educational backgrounds and life experiences that


are well aligned with the


needs of our students and schools,” Governor Northam said. “This additional funding will allow the Commonwealth to build on our effort to tap this pool of talent as a means of easing the teacher shortage, especially in critical areas like mathematics and career and technical education.”


The Troops to Teachers Virginia Center provides individualized counseling, information about state licensure,


and transition planning


for veterans considering second careers in the classroom. The center also connects veterans with school


division human resource offices. “As someone who personally


transitioned from the military to the classroom, I am passionate about connecting


service to the teaching profession. Teaching is a wonderful opportunity for our servicemen and women, and they have immense experience that is


valuable to our students,” said


Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni. “This new federal funding will enable us to support more veterans in their transition to the classrooms, benefiting the teachers and students alike.”


“The additional funding will


allow the Center to expand its mission by providing mentoring and other supports to career-switching veterans after they enter the classroom as teachers,” Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane said. “This will


increase success.” During the last year, the Troops


to Teachers Center has interacted with more than 1,600 veterans and made presentations to 29 veteran and active military education programs. The


Center also has a comprehensive evaluation


completed of


Troops to Teacher participants who selected Virginia as their first choice for beginning second careers as educators.


their likelihood of those with military


Camden High School in Camden, New Jersey, where she was the class President and an honor student. After graduating from Camden High School in 1989, she attended Virginia State University for two years.


Later, Karla moved to Hampton,


VA, in October 1996, where she met and married Christopher Grase on September 3, 2000. They are the proud parents of Kane, Keynan, Colin


and mother, Kadence. the In addition


to Christopher and their children, Karla leaves behind a number of loving family members, including: her


aforementioned


Carol Jenkins, her siblings: Kristina Brown, Jeffrey Haggans, Rasheeda Boatwright King (Jamarr), Garvin Boatright


Boatright (Shameka), Nicole Jenkins, Chanel


Jenkins,


III (Natasha), Rahsaan Johnnice


Jenkins,


and Eve Jenkins. A Mother-in-law, Jeanette Grase and Brother-in-law, Vincent Grase (Ingrid). Karla was an extremely devoted aunt to three nieces: Victoria, Kyla, and Peyton and two nephews: Kyle and Preston.


Karla loved to sing from an early


age, where she entered various talent shows and competitions. She won her first talent show at a local mall in New Jersey. Her inspirational music and songwriting talent extended until her untimely death. Her musical ac- complishments were numerous, many featuring her own band IMPROV. As the lead singer and vocalist, Karla


and IMPROV performed all over the Hampton Roads area spreading love and inspiration. Two of her most memorable songs that she produced are: “I Am Your Child” and “More Love”.


In addition to her musical talents, Karla was very community and civic-minded. She served as the current Co-Chair of the Hampton Democratic Committee and the current President of the R.Y.D.E. Foundation.


Karla began a successful real


estate career in 2003 with Rose & Womble Realty Company. She excelled in her work and loved meeting people and helping them find their dream home. As


“The Amazing Ms. Grase”, she


worked diligently servicing her buyer and seller clients and achieved several awards in sales with Rose & Womble and the Virginia Peninsula Association of Realtors (VPAR). Karla was no stranger to volunteering and leadership. She served on several committees at VPAR to include Public Policy, RPAC (Realtors Political Action Committee), Banquet, Young Professionals Network (YPN), and Realtor Fest. She was currently servicing as Vice-Chair of the Public Policy Committee. Karla was also a member of the Hampton Roads Association


Real Estate where she served as Secretary.


In addition to her named family members, Karla leaves to cherish her memory, a host of family and friends and a special best friend, Crystal Winn. Karla was preceded in death by her loving grandmother, Beatrice Wright, her father-in-law, Willie Frank Grase, and an uncle, Clifton Parker, all of whom Karla adored.


Brokers,


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