📝 Submit your application to:
📍 Highland Elementary School
252 Myers Moon Road / P.O. Box 310
Monterey, VA 24465
📧 Or email Kim Call at call.kd@augusta.k12.va.us
Teacher Earns High Scores on Assessment
The Recorder on November 20, 2025 by Tammy Minnigh
MONTEREY — At the Highland County School Board meeting last Thursday, Nov. 13, elementary school principal Tim Johnson shared that preschool teacher Shelley Thomas has been awarded top marks during a recent assessment. Thomas is reviewed twice a year as part of the Head Start program, and Johnson told school board members about her great review, including several perfect scores. The assessment was the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS) that measures the quality of educator/ student interactions. “Mrs. Thomas did an amazing job today,” Johnson read a quote from the evaluator. “It is such a joy to observe a teacher that is a professional and knows her students so well, and is so well supported by her aide.” The evaluator noted Thomas’ scores in several areas. For emotional support, Thomas scored a perfect score of 7. The average score for Virginia is 5.82. For classroom organization, Thomas scored 6.83 compared to a state average of 5.41. For instructional support, Thomas scored 6.58 while the state average is only 2.75. Johnson said the evaluator gave Thomas perfect scores in four categories and very high marks in others. “The likelihood of a teacher scoring a perfect score in CLASS observation is quite low,” Johnson read. “To achieve a high score, a teacher must consistently demonstrate effective interactions across all dimensions of CLASS. This requires a high level of skill, knowledge, and experience in teaching, as well as a commitment to creating a positive and engaging learning environment.” “I’m very proud of it,” Thomas said. “It takes a lot of work. It shows how we’ve got a very good program. We give the kids a good strong foundation.”
Contact Us
Preschool Teacher
Mrs. Shelley Thomas
(540) 468-6360
sthomas@highland.k12.va.us
Mrs. Thomas began teaching in 1996. She has a BA in Liberal Studies from Ferrum College and an Early Childhood Education Certification from James Madison University. She earned her Master’s in Education from Concordia University and has achieved National Board Certification. She also holds a VDOE teacher licensure in Intellectual Disabilities and Early/Primary Education.
Family Service Advocate
Mrs. Kim Call
(540) 480-7918
call.kd@augusta.k12.va.us
Mrs. Call joined SVHS in December 2015. She supports families in reaching personal goals through implementing the family partnership process. She received her BA in Early Childhood Development from Ashford University.
Shenandoah Valley Head Start
18 Government Center Lane
Verona, VA 24482
(540) 942-7111
The Shenandoah Valley Head Start & Early Head Start programs, in partnership with communities, schools, and families, provide high quality, comprehensive preschool services which promote school readiness skills to eligible children and families.
