Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Do you have a teacher who truly inspired you? For me, one of the first to always come to mind is Mrs. Emily Potts, my ninth and 10th grade English teacher. She was the first educator who ever truly made me feel smart.

I’d spent three years prior locked up in a closet (true story), teaching myself everything I could about writing, and she recognized—and more importantly—called out my talent for it. She also taught me how imperative it is to seek answers to every question, even if they’re not always easy to find.

I’d love to hear about your favorite teacher, too. Email me at amie@couriernewsroom.com and tell me all about them. And to all of our fantastic educators out there, thank you for all you do—I’m so glad you’re here.

Amie Knowles

Newsletter Editor, Dogwood

An assortment of gifts and a thank-you card. (Getty Images/Unsplash)

What Virginia teachers actually want for Teacher Appreciation Week

By Aila Boyd

Here’s what you need to know: National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4 to 8, is upon us. The job of a teacher, although rewarding, can be difficult. Consider showing your appreciation for your child’s teacher during the week by gifting them something more personal.

Our top picks:

Teachers are constantly trying to pique the interests of their students with fascinating stories that will inspire them to develop a lifelong passion for reading. Help out your child’s teacher by getting them a gift card for a local bookstore, like The Little Bookworm in Blacksburg.
Teaching can be an exhausting endeavor, no matter how experienced the educator is. For that reason, it’s important to be properly hydrated. Getting a teacher personalized drinkware, like those sold at All Star Impressions in Roanoke, is a great way to remind them how appreciated they are every time they reach for a drink.
Having served the Hampton Roads community for more than 30 years, DAV Thrift Stores has eight locations. Proceeds from the stores are used to support the Disabled American Veterans Department of Virginia—and the selection for unique gifts is truly one-of-a-kind.

Need more ideas? We’ve done our homework at the link below.

See more →

By Michael O’Connor

Watch as state Del. Elizabeth Guzmán (D-Nokesville) urges Gov. Abigail Spanberger to sign the collective bargaining bill sent to her by the Virginia General Assembly.

Guzmán spoke at a May Day rally at George Mason University.

Here’s what she said →

May 5 has cultural significance. (Possessed Photography/Unsplash)

Honoring heritage and raising awareness: Why May 5 matters

By Amie Knowles

Today, I’m reading about cultures that differ from the one I was born into—and I’m always honored to learn more.

Across our commonwealth, country, and sister to our south, folks are celebrating Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. While not a federal holiday in Mexico or the United States, the underdog victory marks the efforts of possibly as few as 2,000 “poorly equipped” Mexican soldiers against approximately 6,000 French soldiers.

In Virginia, there are often community parades or events to attend, opportunities to enjoy authentic cuisine, and opportunities to dive deeper into the day’s history. For a list of celebratory ideas, click here.

At the same time, today carries another, more solemn significance. May 5 is also the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. A friend shared this webpage from the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center earlier this week, and the contents really struck me.

I’ll share some of the numbers:

10,248 missing Indigenous persons reports were filed with the FBI in 2024
56.1% of Indigenous women have experienced sexual violence
95% of cases identified by the Urban Indian Health Institute had no mainstream media coverage

Curious about how to get involved? I’ve got resources for you right here.

Would you recommend this newsletter to your neighbor?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Amie Knowles. Amie is a lifelong Virginia resident and mom to a fantastic 8-year-old who loves Pokémon. This edition includes stories from Aila Boyd and Michael O’Connor. It was edited by Paula Solis.

Dogwood is free for everyone. Your support makes our work possible.

Support local news