05/12/2025
The Wi******er Education Foundation and Wi******er Public Schools are proud to announce the establishment of the Porterfield Endowment, a new fund created to honor the legacy of beloved educator James R. Porterfield, Jr. The endowment is dedicated to supporting the John Handley High School English Department.
Mr. Porterfield, a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute Class of 1965 and Virginia Tech University, was a distinguished English teacher at John Handley High School from 1972 until his retirement in 2001. He was the first recipient of the Stewart Bell Excellence in Teaching Award, a testament to his commitment to quality teaching and instructional leadership.
The Porterfield Endowment was established by generous donors and John Handley High School Alumni Gerald and Kaye Smith, who were both inspired by Mr. Porterfield’s legacy to provide funds for new initiatives that promote mastery of literacy through high-quality instructional resources and direct student experiences. The endowment will also support teacher training, leadership development, and engaging programs that enrich opportunities for both students and staff, including field experiences and flexible learning environments.
