Antoinette Kahan

Educator. Program Builder. Lifelong VB Resident.

For more than four decades, I have served Virginia Beach as a healthcare professional, educator, mentor, and community leader.

As a dental hygienist, I helped thousands of patients improve their health. As Director of the Dental Assisting Program at the Virginia Beach Career and Technical Education Center, I helped prepare students for successful careers. Through partnerships with public health and community organizations, I have worked to expand opportunities for young people throughout our city.

Now I am running for Virginia Beach School Board because every student deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed in a safe, supportive, and academically strong school system.

I believe in listening first, asking questions, following the facts, and keeping students at the center of every discussion.

I am a builder. I build programs, partnerships, opportunities, and trust. Together, we can keep Virginia Beach schools strong.

Thank you for your support and encouragement,
Antoinette

The Parent
For more than four decades, Antoinette and her husband have called Virginia Beach home. Together, they raised two sons who attended Virginia Beach Public Schools, giving her firsthand experience with our schools not only as an educator, but as a parent invested in her children's education and future.

The Educator
Antoinette spent 13 years as Director of the Dental Assisting Program at the Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center, where she built the program from the ground up. She developed curriculum, mentored students, advised SkillsUSA and HOSA, partnered with public health professionals, and helped prepare young people for meaningful careers in healthcare. She believes education should open doors and every student deserves opportunities to discover their strengths and build a successful future.

The Healthcare Professional
As a registered dental hygienist, Antoinette cared for thousands of patients and families throughout Virginia Beach. Her career reinforced the importance of prevention, education, communication, and trust. Those are the principles that continue to guide her approach to leadership and public service.

The Community Leader
Throughout her career, Antoinette has brought people together to solve problems and improve lives. She led regional oral health initiatives, developed award-winning partnerships between education and public health, and worked alongside educators, healthcare professionals, businesses, and volunteers to expand opportunities for students and families. She believes the strongest communities are built when schools, families, and community partners work together.

I Am Ready to Serve
My experience isn't confined to one classroom or one profession. It spans healthcare, education, workforce development, public service, and community leadership. Throughout my career, my purpose has remained the same: helping people learn, grow, and thrive. As your School Board representative, I will bring that same thoughtful, student-centered approach to every decision, listening carefully, asking questions, following the evidence, and always keeping students at the heart of the work.

About Antoinette

As your School Board representative, I will bring that same thoughtful, student-centered approach to every decision, listening carefully, asking questions, following the evidence, and always keeping students at the heart of the work.

  • Being a parent taught me what families experience. 

  • Being an educator taught me how schools work. 

  • Being a healthcare professional taught me prevention, communication, and accountability. 

  • Being a community leader taught me how to bring people together to solve problems. 

Antoinette’s Professional Summary:  

    • 44 years of experience in various types of private and capitation practices

    • Dental Assisting Program Director, Virginia Beach Technical and Career Education Center 2005-2018

    • Wrote the curriculum, established the clinic, and coordinated community service dental projects for the dentally underserved 

    • Established a partnership with Virginia Beach Dental Public Health to provide dental service to eligible students within the school system

    • Dental Lead Teacher for VA DOE to address VA Board of Dentistry Rules and Regulations

    • Competitive Event Manager for SkillsUSA and HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America)

    • President: Presided over a board of dentists, hygienists, community organizers, and public health officials to coordinate Dental Access Days

    • Education Chairperson: Coordinated patients education activities at Dental Access Days, joined efforts with the local dental assisting society to provide continuing education courses to DA’s, LPN’s, CNA’s, RN’s, and assisted living facility staff members

    • National Oral Health Conference: Nuts and Bolts Community Programs that Work 

    • Health Occupation Students of America National Student Leadership Conference

    • Virginia Health and Medical Science Educators of America Summer Conference 

    • 2011 Distinguished Teacher of the Year

    • 2012 Teacher of the Year

    • 2014 Outstanding Model Partnership Award for the City of Virginia Beach

    • 2015 Career and Technical Education Creative Excellence Award

    • 2015 Team Clean: Passion for Dentistry featured in Incisal Edge

    • 2017 Teacher of the Year

    • Regional II Chair Virginia Health and Medical Science Educators Association

    • American Dental Hygienists Association