ODU ALUMNUS THOMAS SMIGIEL NAMED VIRGINIA REGIONAL TEACHER OF THE YEAR

Old Dominion University alumnus Thomas Smigiel Jr., a teacher at Norview High School in Norfolk, has been named one of eight Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year.

Smigiel, who graduated in 2000 with a bachelor's in education and served as the student body president, was also selected for the honor last year. This year, he was selected from 69 nominees and is a finalist for the state Teacher of the Year, which is awarded in October.

According to an article in The Virginian-Pilot, Smigiel has taught, coached and advised students in extracurricular activities at Norview since 2000. He reworked his school's earth science curriculum to help boost students' pass rate on the Standards of Learning test to more than 80 percent from 49 percent. Smigiel also has taught a teen leadership class, coached tennis and led community service efforts that raised about $8,000.