Features

Anyone who has ever been to a ballet performance has seen how the dancers appear to glide effortlessly across the stage with acrobatic spins and jumps so difficult that they defy the imagination. Every move is executed with grace, discipline, and power. Years of dance lessons and practice made these performers the skilled dancers they are. What many people may not realize, however, is the critical role that athletic training can play in developing these talented dancers.

Are you thinking about where to go for your next vacation, but nothing has inspired a sense of adventure or excitement? You may be searching for a way to shake off that feeling of ‘been there, done that’ when deciding on a place for your next get-away. You may be looking for ideas by reading online travel blogs, browsing through tourism magazines filled with pictures of far-away places, or participating in a Facebook group geared to those who love to travel.

Going up and down a flight of stairs, bending down to lift an object, reaching for something stored on an upper shelf, or going for a brisk walk outdoors—all of these are examples of the everyday activities that people do. Each one requires a certain level of physical strength, endurance, power, balance, and flexibility.

When learning a new language, it is important to become familiar with the rules of grammar, including proper sentence structure and use of vocabulary. But being grammatically correct is not always synonymous with being fluent in a language. One reason is that language is very nuanced.

“A picture is worth a thousand words.” Anyone who has ever visited an art museum has likely discovered a painting, photograph, or illustration on display that captured their attention and imagination. The image may spur an emotional response or cause a person to recall something in their own personal life that is relevant to what they are looking at.

The experience of staying at a luxury resort should be one that makes for lasting positive memories. From the time they check in to the time they check out, a guest at a high-quality resort should feel that their needs and comfort are the top priority of the staff.

Dr. Roberto Pamas, Director of ACCESS Academy, oversees the direction and execution of George Mason University’s bold experiment in reimagining high school. With three decades of experience in Fairfax County Public Schools as an educator and administrator, he brings a deep understanding of both classroom realities and systemic challenges to his work at the Academy.

Reading an informative book is a gateway to learning—one that can provide children with a wealth of knowledge about the world around them and expose them to new ideas. When children read books about topics that capture their interest, words on the page can come alive in meaningful and exciting ways that can foster a love of reading lasting a lifetime.

It is that time of year when the post-season baseball playoffs are getting into full swing. And for people watching the games at home, the graphics box on their television screens tracking the location and speed of every pitch that crosses home plate contributes to the drama of the game—especially if it is a close game.

Imagine a scenario where a teacher in a K-12 classroom is presenting a lesson in math. Rather than looking upon a classroom filled with excited and engaged learners, the teacher instead sees the disappointing blank stares of students who appear to have “checked out.” The minds of these students are somewhere else.