Cannaday presented 2008 JoLynne DeMary Award
(Williamsburg, Va.) – Dr. Billy K. Cannaday, Jr., superintendent of
public instruction for the State of Virginia, was presented the William
and Mary School of Education’s JoLynne DeMary Award at an Education
Policy, Planning and Leadership breakfast today.
The DeMary Award, named for the William and Mary alumna and Cannaday’s
predecessor as superintendent of public instruction for Virginia,
recognizes individuals for leadership in education. Last year, State
Sen. Tommy Norment (R-3rd) was presented with the award.
“Not only is Billy Cannaday hugely respected among those of us who are
educators, but he also is one of the most powerful ambassadors across
constituent groups that I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with,” said
Virginia McLaughlin, dean of the school of education. “He is able to
transcend the issues in education and help our key constituents
understand our needs and challenges in a way that’s truly remarkable. I
think what makes the difference is that he keeps the focus where it
should be – on the students and their achievements. That’s the magic of
Billy Cannaday.”
As the state’s superintendent of public instruction, Cannaday serves as
the executive officer of the Virginia Department of Education, the
administrative agency for the commonwealth’s public schools. Cannaday
also currently serves as secretary of the Board of Education. Prior to
his appointment by Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine in 2006, he
served as superintendent in two of Virginia’s largest school divisions,
Chesterfield County Schools and Hampton Public Schools. He was also the
principal of Huntington Middle School in Newport News when the school
was awarded a Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in 1984 by the U.S.
Department of Education, and he has previously served on William and
Mary’s Gifted Advisory Board.
Cannaday told those gathered at the breakfast that he works in education because, like them, he was called to it.
“And I greatly appreciate the recognition of people like yourselves,” he said.
