Honoring Dr. Jankowski
Dr. Jankowski has dedicated her 40 year career to educating exceptional learners of all kinds and will leave behind a powerful legacy.
All are invited to join fellow members of the CBA community as we celebrate her service.
- Advocated for Tax Credit legislation to support students with specialized learning needs.
- Developed the MAKE CBA Entrepreneurship Program & Makerspace funded through grants from the Hampton Roads Community Foundation and the E.E. Ford Foundation.
- Launched the Center for Educational Research and Technological Innovation (CERTI) in 2021 to study the increasing use of technology specifically in special education.
- Secured Higher Education Partnerships: Virginia Wesleyan University (VWU), Old Dominion University (ODU), Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS), and Norfolk State University (NSU).
- Developed CadetNet Virtual Academy: Integrated direct instruction, gamified learning platforms, and real-time content in a virtual reality assisted environment.
- Founded Annual ADHD Symposium in partnership with Children’s Hospital for the King’s Daughters (CHKD): 10th annual symposium scheduled Spring 2026.
- Instrumental in Faculty Professional Development: prioritizing advanced degrees for faculty.
- Successfully applied to the Center for Education Reform at the Semifinalist level securing a $200K award identifying CBA as one of the most innovative schools in the country.
- Implemented Art Therapy, Social Work and School Counseling internship programs for EVMS, ODU, VWU graduate students.
Thank you to the supporters who have chosen to honor Dr. J’s commitment to endowment and scholarships.
The Dr. J Retirement Campaign Committee* and Donors
The Perry Family
Dee & Harry Lester
Julie & Jerry Hashagen*
David Levin*
Alan Rashkind*
Mary & Brad Hensley
Melissa Griffith
J.D. & Bonney Ball
Lou & Mary Haddad
Pat & Martha Thrasher
Ellen Jones
Cami Best-Jones* & Dustin Jones
Jennifer* & Mark Adams
Lisa Howard
Barbara Hamm Lee*
Bethany Marcus Prince
Dr. Scott Miller
Kelly Cordova
Liana Nobre*
Cary Terry*
Elizabeth Waranch*
Jack Wagner*
Darlene Pierro
Miranda Snowberger* & Gary Franks
Mary Vail Lewis*
Elizabeth Taraski*
Parent Letter to Dr. J
Dear Dr. Jankowski,
After considering options in several different states when our family was looking to relocate, CBA is what tipped the scales in Hampton Roads’ favor.  After visiting the school, I had such immense hope that maybe there was somewhere that would recognize my daughter for who she is and help her thrive.  And I am so happy to say that CBA has entirely justified my choice to move here.
Before CBA, my daughter was hardly making any progress with reading or math, despite intense dyslexia therapy and OT outside of school for more than a year. Â I was getting calls from teachers daily, despite having placed her in a school that assured me they were able to meet her needs and offered additional dyslexia services.
When my daughter started 2nd grade at CBA, she wasn’t even reading on a Kindergarten level.  Now, two years later in 4th grade, she is reading on grade level and in highest math group. Beyond that, though, she is thriving as a person.
Thanks entirely to the program that you have developed and shepherded with such care; my daughter gets to go to school every day and be exactly herself. She doesn’t have to mask who she is just to survive the school day, as she did before CBA. I cannot tell you what an incredible gift that is to watch. My daughter is wholly accepted for who she is, and she learns every day to accept others as they are. She is happy to go to school every morning and when I pick her up each afternoon. I never thought school would be something she loved, but she truly loves CBA and feels like she belongs. She is learning not only academics, but also self-love, compassion, empathy, citizenship, collaboration, and so much more.
So, thank you. I know you will say that you didn’t do it alone, but it’s clear to me that your kind and thoughtful leadership over the past decade has set an example and created an environment where your students, faculty, and staff can flourish. You’ve created an environment where my daughter gets to be herself, feels included and successful, with no tradeoffs or compromises.
You have had an incredible impact on so many families, and I’m so thankful that we have had the opportunity to experience what you built.