Dive clubs are a good way to go ... if you can find one that's nurturing for the newer diver. Often your LDS will have a relationship with a local dive club, because it's good for business to encourage newer divers to get more involved with the activity. You might start by asking your LDS staff for dive club recommendations.
Certainly, continuing education is always advisable if you want to improve in the sport.
I don't know what the diving situation is like around Virginia Beach ... but over here, some new divers even take to hanging out at local dive sites and talking to more experienced divers. Eventually, they'll "click" with someone who's up for mentoring a newbie ... which is often better than formal education.
... Bob (Grateful Diver)