The Roanoker July/August 2023 - 7

editor's note
Here's to the Teachers
written by Liz Long, Editor This issue honors the incredibly hardworking people in our
community who make such incredible differences in the lives of patients and students.
T
eachers have a special place in my
heart, not only for how much I appreciated and
admired them throughout my academic years,
but because I'm married to one. Jason celebrates his
tenth year(!) of education, having completed five years at
Lucy Addison Middle School and now five at Woodrow
Wilson Middle School.
He is an ideal teacher, and I don't just mean because
he's coached both the wrestling team and History Bowl
to city championships this year (a three-peat for his
History teams!) - but now I'm just bragging! He's
passionate about his subject (history), as well as how to
instruct in fun yet informational ways; he cares about
his students, to the point that this childless editor still
finds herself at all the middle school plays, wrestling
matches and other sporting events, cheering his students
on; and he mentors interns, sharing wisdom and lesson
plans with future teachers as they join his field. (Bruce
Ingram shares a look at teachers and their mentors, and
how those relationships got them where they are today,
on page 84.)
But you know what? Jason didn't plan any of this out.
He didn't attend college with the intention of teaching,
or know he'd use his high school wrestling experience
to take a team to the city championship. He worked in
sales for almost a decade after graduation! But when he
was ready for a change, it was the Virginia Department
of Education's Career Switcher program that helped
make him into the teacher he is today. I'm grateful to the
contributors
program if only because it helped Jason really hone in on
his passion, and he's able to make a difference in so many
lives in the process. Aila Boyd shares a heartwarming
look at others who jumped on the teaching path thanks
to the Career Switcher program (page 76). It just goes
to show that you can always change your career dreams!
It's also our Top Docs issue - thank you, health care
professionals, for sharing your takes on who I need to
see as I creep closer to 40! I loved learning more about
cover star Dr. Al Hagy, Jr., especially about his hobbies
(hint: includes embarrassing his teenagers!) starting on
page 44, while there are several excellent features you'll
learn more about, from chronic illness (page 25) and
brain health (page 28) to exotic procedures (page 32), the
rise of primary care (page 36) and the incredible nursing
industry's challenges and successes (page 40).
Don't forget to enjoy the gorgeous photos, and plan
out your meal at Stock with Layla Khoury-Hanold's
dining review (page 112), or head on over to Bent
Mountain for pizza and more at the Treehouse Tavern
(page 116).
And if you haven't heard our podcast yet, you're
missing out. Listen to all of our episodes wherever
you listen to podcasts, and see the videos over on our
YouTube page. We're always up to something these days!
See you around town,
tell us about...
your favorite nearby spots to visit
for a fun day trip? Share your
thoughts on our social media
pages!
we want to
hear from you
Questions, comments or feedback
about The Roanoker? E-mail llong@
leisuremedia360.com
follow us on social
roanokermag
roanoker
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Aila Boyd
is an educator
and journalist
who resides in
Roanoke. She holds
an MFA in Writing
from Lindenwood
University. Read her
" Do You Know...? "
piece on page 14,
and her features
about Career
Switchers on page
76 and School
Resource Officers
on page 80.
Bruce Ingram
teaches English and Creative
Writing at Lord Botetourt
H.S. He is the author of over
2,500 magazine stories and
10 books, including four
Young Adult Fiction novels
designed for middle and high
school students. Contact him
at bruceingramoutdoors@
gmail.com. See his education
piece on Teachers and
Their Mentors on page
84.bruceingramoutdoors@
gmail.com. See his education
piece on Teachers and Their
Mentors on page 84.
Jared Ladia
is a Richmond-based
photographer,
originally hailing from
Roanoke, capturing
life's extraordinary
moments. With a
knack for finding
beauty in the everyday,
Jared brings a touch
of magic to Virginia's
vibrant landscapes and
captivating faces. See
his photography on our
cover and in our Top
Docs feature starting
on page 44.
Shawn
Nowlin
is an acclaimed
writer, interviewer,
photographer and
content creator.
After nearly a
decade of working
in the newspaper
industry, Nowlin, 34,
transitioned into a
full-time freelancing
career. See his Gist
pieces starting on
page 18.
Dan Smith
is an award-winning
Roanoke-based writer/
author/photographer.
He is founding editor
of a Roanoke-based
business magazine and
a former Virginia Small
Business Journalist of
the Year (2005). Read
his features on Exotic
Procedures on page 32,
Primary Care on page
36, the State of Nursing
on page 40 and ESL
Education on page 87.
Aaron Spicer
is a veteran
photographer originally
based in Northern
Virginia, with credits in
numerous regional and
national publications.
Aaron specializes
in creating clean
and contemporary
environmental
portraiture that tells
a compelling story.
See his photography in
every issue and of our
Top Docs starting on
page 44.
Laura Wade
founder of Thrive
by Heart, is
passionate about
her family, holistic
health, personal
transformation and
sharing ideas to inspire
others to live their best
lives. You can reach
her at soultogoal@
gmail.com. Read her
Gist starting on page
18, plus her features on
Chronic Illness on page
26 and Brain Health on
page 28.
Sunny WasielaGutowski
is
a photographer
who helps people and
businesses shine. After
further studies on
women's portraiture and
headshot photography,
Sunny's passion is to
help people have a joyful
portrait experience.
Visit her website at
stellanovaphoto.com
and see her photography
in our special Top Docs
section starting on
page 61.
TheRoanoker.com
july/august 2023 7
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The Roanoker July/August 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker July/August 2023
