Sheriff Sam Hurtado from the Alexandria Sheriff's office visited with Criminal Justice students during the week of September 30 - October 4. Sheriff Hurtado spoke to the students about her job as a background investigator and the qualities she looks for in deputy sheriff applicants.

The Culinary Arts program operates a simulated restaurant and catering operation, Bistro 1093, which provides students hands-on experience to prepare them for the food service industry. Community members who wish to visit or order take-away lunches from the Bistro during the months it operates, typically January through early May, must request to be on the mailing list to receive invitations to order take-away or reserve seating to dine in the Bistro. Email Chef Glenn Walden at [email protected] to be placed on the mailing list.

Students in the Teachers for Tomorrow program participate in internships where they are mentored by FCPS teachers to learn about the many aspects of the profession. Students become acquainted with the personal and professional rewards and challenges of teaching in a classroom setting each spring. Students create lesson plans consistent with the Virginia Standards of Learning and teach a class as a part of their work based learning field experience as interns.

The FBI Assistant Director of the Directorate of Intelligence, Stephen C. Laycock, visited with Criminal Justice students on September 24, 2019. Mr. Laycock, who graduated from Fairfax County Public Schools and Virginia Tech, has enjoyed 27 years of service with the FBI and had a lot of information and advise to share with students.

Students in level 2 and 3 of Electrical Construction and Engineering (ECE) vied in class competitions for the chance to earn their spots to compete at the 2019 SkillsUSA State Fair Electrical Wiring Competitions. Only four students will hvae a chance to compete at these fall competitions. District and State Competitions will follow learning up to the National Competitions that take place in June. Students may earn scholarships and tools through competing in their chosen trade program.

Chef Jeff from Johnson and Wales University visited with Culinary students to talk about post-secondary culinary education opportunities while conducting a cooking demonstration. Corny (off the cob) culinary jokes and culinary history trivia make the presentation fun and informative,. Students learned about JWU Culinary education programs and scholarship opportunities.

Former Criminal Justice graduates who are in the Fairfax County Police Department's Public Safety Cadet (formerly Explorers) program visited with Edison Academy Criminal Justice classes in eraly September, 2019 to invite current Criminal Justice students and other interested high school students to attend the September Information Night to be held on September 30, 2019 at 7 PM at West Potomac High School.

Edison Academy students visited the SkillsUSA National Leadership Center for two days in September of 2019 to assist with the building of the SkillsUSA "Champions Circle" an amphitheater, firepit, and connecting walkways. The SkillsUSA National Leadership Center is situated in the rolling hills just outside of Leesburg, Virginia. The project was developed as a tribute to the organization's Executive Director, Tim Lawrence, to celebrate his 50 years of service to the SkillsUSA organization. A plague will be placed in the center with all of the names of the many student and adult volunteers who worked to make this project a reality.

Mahwesh Munir teaches multiple Cyber IT courses at Edison Academy. She was an FCPS employee for almost 8 years before coming to the position of teacher here at Edison Academy. Mahwesh graduated from George Mason University with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and earned her Master of Science degree in Information Systems from Strayer University. She is tech savvy and likes to learn new things about the ever evolving field of technology. She is excited to teach students new and different aspects of technology which will allow them to build a strong future for today and tomorrow’s workforce.

Mr Cornwell has worked for more than 35 years in the Automotive Collision industry prior to coming to Edison Academy as the Auto Collision Services teacher in 2019. He is a Fairfax County Public Schools graduate who studied in the Career and Technical Education/Vocational programs while in high school. Charlie is looking forward to teaching and sharing his career experience with young adults who are interested in auto collision.

Teen Say, a Local Fairfax Public Access television program aired on August 21, 2019 which included interviews with some of our Veterinary Science students and previews of future shows to come which show interviews with our Cyber: Information Technology and Electrical Construction & Engineering students. The program can be found on YouTube.

Mr. Kayajanian came to Edison Academy as a criminal justice teacher in 2019. Prior to joining the Academy, he worked as a Police Officer, and as a Deputy Sheriff in Alexandria, Virginia. He held specialized positions such as gang unit deputy, emergency response team member, and was trained in crisis intervention strategies. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Studies and a Masters Degree in Education with a concentration in Special Education.