FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 2, 2023
AHPS Director Helping Shape K12 Technology in Virginia
LOW MOOR — Dr. Shannon Fuhrman of Alleghany Highlands Public Schools helps influence learning and technology initiatives in Virginia’s public schools by serving on two committees.
Fuhrman, the director of technology and accountability for the Alleghany Highlands Public School Division, serves on the Virginia School Consortium of Learning Executive Board and the Virginia Department of Education’s IT Advisory Board. In addition, she is chair of Region VI technology directors and is among K12 leaders who participate in weekly meetings to plan upcoming cybersecurity events in the Commonwealth.
“We are very pleased to have Dr. Fuhrman sharing her deep understanding of technology and instruction with these important groups that advocate for so many students and school staff,” said Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson, leaders of AHPS. “We further believe it is important for representatives from the Alleghany Highlands to participate in regional and state level conversations to help advance our area.”
Fuhrman worked for Covington City Schools for 26 years before she joined Alleghany Highlands Public Schools last July. AHPS was created by the July 1, 2022, merger of Alleghany County Public Schools, Covington City Public Schools, and Jackson River Technical Center.
Fuhrman held several positions for Covington City Schools. She began her career at Covington High School, teaching math and computer science. She transitioned from the classroom to instructional technology specialist for four years and later moved into administration, serving as assistant principal at CHS and athletic director. She was the school division’s math specialist while holding those administrative jobs. After a brief stint as an interim principal at Jeter-Watson Intermediate School, she was named the principal at CHS.
She was later promoted to the central office and served as the Covington school division’s director of instruction and director of technology. During her time with Covington City Public Schools, Fuhrman also coached varsity volleyball, varsity track, and junior varsity softball.
In her role with the Department of Education’s K-12 IT Advisory Committee, Fuhrman is part of a group of educators that creatively thinks of ways to use information technology to improve public education. The committee, which has representatives from the state’s eight superintendent districts, meets monthly. Fuhrman represents Region VI, which covers the Alleghany Highlands, the Roanoke Valley, and Southside Virginia.
Similarly, the Virginia School Consortium of Learning is made up of more than 70 public school divisions that collaborate to improve instruction and increase student achievement. As a member of the executive board, Fuhrman helps steer the strategic direction of the organization. She is one of five steering committee members who served on the executive board. She serves alongside six key leaders from divisions throughout Virginia on the executive board.
Cybersecurity, which focuses on protecting computer systems from unauthorized access and damage, is of growing importance in the Commonwealth. Fuhrman is involved in the planning for statewide cybersecurity events for K12 leaders that will be held in March. The events will be held at the New College Institute in Martinsville and Richard Bland College in Petersburg. The events are being planned in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Education.
Alleghany Highlands Public Schools serves approximately 2,700 students in Alleghany County and the City of Covington. The school division is jointly funded and operated by each locality. AHPS activities can be “followed” on Facebook at @AHPublicSchools.
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