Rachel Bynum has served on the School Board since 2018. Her oldest child started in Rappahannock schools in 2011, and she served as co-chair of the PTO playground committee at the Elementary School that year, working with administration to quickly build a new playground. She designed and coordinated volunteers painting large, colorful maps on the blacktop at the Elementary School for the children to play and learn on. As a member of RappFLOW’s (Rappahannock Friends and Lovers of Watersheds) Board of Directors, Rachel was instrumental in an extensive renovation of the Elementary School Courtyard in 2019 that opened up the space for use for Outdoor Learning and hands-on STEAM Education. She also assists with an annual Watershed Education Field Day for Middle School Students and other enrichment activities. Additionally, Rachel is the School Board Liaison with the Headwaters Foundation.
Rachel advocated for the first School Social Worker position at RCPS while on the Board and advocates for mental health support for students and staff. She hopes Rappahannock students grow up to appreciate the unique treasure we have in Rappahannock County as well as the full range of possibilities the world will offer them. She encourages focus on academic rigor and fostering a love of learning, and advocates for expanding enrichment options through community partnerships. She supports enrichment in the Arts and Sciences, as well as Technical Education. She is impressed with the dedicated and caring school staff, and values retaining our teachers and attracting more excellent staff to help Rappahannock students become capable, resilient, and well-rounded citizens who are life-ready.
Rachel and her husband moved to Rappahannock County and started Waterpenny Farm in Sperryville in 2000. They have made their living farming ever since, direct-marketing their produce at DC area markets and on the farm. As a community member, she volunteered in Rappahannock County Schools from the early days of the Farm-to-Table program, hosting dozens of field trips welcoming students to sell their plants at the Annual Rappahannock Plant Sale each year since 2002.
Her first school board meetings were as the High School Student Council Representative to the East Hampton, CT Board of Education. She attended Carleton College in Northfield, MN and graduated, Cum Laude, in 1995, with a B.A. in Environmental Studies, concentrating in Natural History. After college, Rachel worked for 4 years as an outdoor educator, teaching teambuilding, environmental science, and outdoor skills to a variety of students of all ages. Her varied experience and love of learning are important to her perspective as a School Board member.
Rachel can be contacted at RBynum@rappahannockschools.us
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