River Bend Middle's Jordan Vahperd is Dance Teacher of the Year

Release, Loudoun County Public Schools:

River Bend Middle School physical education teacher Nicole Jordan has been named the 2014 Virginia Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (VAHPERD) Dance Teacher of the Year.

She will be presented with the Teacher of the Year Award at the annual VAHPERD Convention, November 6-9, at the Founder’s Inn in Virginia Beach.VAHPERD is a professional association of educators that advocate quality programs in health, physical education, recreation, dance and sport.

Jordan has been an employee of Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) for 12 years, teaching health and physical education at River Bend. She has been instrumental in creating the entire dance curriculum at River Bend.

“Dance is an activity that everyone can participate in,” said Jordan. “It doesn’t matter what age you are. It’s been my experience that kids like to dance, they just don’t know it yet.”

Since 2003, Jordan has coached the award-winning Potomac Falls High School dance team. She is currently the dance coach along with Jessica Ewald. Jordan also has created the Junior Panther Dancers at River Bend. For the past two years, these students have performed at River Bend and Potomac Falls during certain sporting events.

In addition, she has used her expertise to assist with the choreography in the musical productions held at River Bend (“The Wiz” and “Bye, Bye Birdie”). Jordan also sponsors the Yearbook Club and Boys on the Run.