Jessica Saunders

"My life will speak louder than I will ever talk..."

Congratulations to our Sharon Edwards Memorial Support Employee of the Year, William Perkins! Mr. Perkins was nominated and selected by his peers for his hard work, dedication, and commitment to our school as a Day Porter. Congratulations! 🎉💙💚

Today, our amazing 5th grader Savannah checked out her 1,000th book from our Library! That’s approximately 166 books a year, or almost 5 books a week. Way to go, Savannah! 🎉📚

Ms. Rachel reminds us that meaningful change often begins with how we nurture and teach the next generation. Through language, encouragement, and inclusive learning, she has created space for children and caregivers to feel seen, supported, and empowered. That work reflects a powerful truth: education rooted in care can help shape a more just and compassionate world. At The King Center, we firmly believe creating the Beloved Community starts with how we value and guide our children. #MLK #WomensHistoryMonth #BelovedCommunity #MsRachel

Surprise snow on a Friday afternoon ❄️🤪🩵

You don’t change a school’s story by fixing kids. You change it by growing the adults who shape every experience inside the building.

Every month is Black History Month— but in February, we pause to acknowledge our heritage, culture, greatness, and fortitude as a people. #DontMindUs

Today, VSU welcomed the Monks as they continued their Walk of Peace. They brought a powerful message of mindfulness, unity, and compassion to the Land of Troy. Swipe through these moments and tell us what peace looks like to you. #GreaterHappensHere

The students were actively engaged and learned valuable information from the Chesterfield Fire Safety Program! #MrsSaundersScholars #hawksSOARtogether #oneccps @OldHundredES

With the new year brings a new way to write, is time to learn our cursive letters! #MrsSaundersScholars #l#hawksSOARtogether #oneccps @OldHundredES

Congratulations to our 2nd Quarter SOAR Award Winners! #MrsSaundersScholars #hawksSOARtogether #oneccps @OldHundredES

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. dedicated his life fighting for equity and justice. He taught us that even in the face of intimidation and discrimination, we must never stop working towards a better future – a lesson that feels especially relevant today. Change has never been easy. It takes persistence and determination, and requires all of us to speak out and stand up for what we believe in. As we honor Dr. King today, let’s draw strength from his example, and do our part to build on his legacy.

Replacing explicit instruction with discovery learning has been one of the most damaging instructional practices in modern education. To reject explicit instruction is to reject the science of learning in favor of your feelings, not how learning actually works.

I'd call this a Winter Party Success! #MrsSaundersScholars #hawksSOARtogether #oneccps @OldHundredES

I'd call this a Winter Party Success! #MrsSaundersScholars #hawksSOARtogether #oneccps @OldHundredES

Auntie's Baby did it, he was commissioned on Friday at @VSU_1882 as a 2nd Lieutenant!

In the past decade, I’ve heard more promotion of productive struggle than explicit instruction—forgetting that struggle without a foundation leads to frustration, not learning. As @MrZachG reminds us, cognitive overload happens when we withhold the explanations students need. Explicit teaching isn’t spoon-feeding—it’s what makes productive struggle actually productive.

Equity isn’t a slogan—it’s a system.

Last week, we met with our buddy class to make Veterans Day Cards for our family members who have served in the military. Happy Veterans Day, we honor you and thank you for your service. #MrsSaundersScholars #hawksSOARtogether #oneccps @OldHundredES

Advocacy requires strength, ownership, and belief that change is possible. Step out of the pity, into the purpose — your power lies in advocacy, not victimhood.

Excellence requires focus. You can’t master everything—but you can master what matters most. Be ruthless about your priorities.