FCPS CARES - March 2023

To recognize an employee with an FCPS Cares, please visit our submission page.

To view past submissions, please visit our previous submissions page. 

FCPS CARES of the Month Recipients

Central Office

Jean Wyche, Jennifer Brown, Jennifer Brown, Jennifer Matthias, and Spencer Jamieson, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"When FCPS hired teacher residents, they set an extremely high bar to become provisionally certified by spring of 2023. Teacher residents worked tirelessly to teach full time, take teaching courses, and pass the required exams to earn their provisional licenses. When asked if they would be willing to support them in studying for their required exams, these employees jumped in with both feet, offering time, resources, reassurance, and expertise to a very appreciative and grateful group. They took on this work in addition to their regular jobs and have given countless hours to emails, meetings, and one-on-one pep talks. I am grateful for their expertise, collaboration, and genuine care for our teacher residents. I know that they will play a large part in their success, and therefore a large part in the success of children."

- Meghan Mascelli, Willow Oaks Admin Center 

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Region 1 

Felecia Allen, Colvin Run ES - View the Celebration!

"Mrs. Allen has been very caring and is liked by my children and other students at Colvin Run. She went out of her way during a recent incident with my son who got sick during a field trip by making sure he was ok and even purchased a sweatshirt for him because he had vomited on himself. I have 2 kids at Colvin Run and they always tell me that they feel like Mrs. Allen and all the staff are like their own family members. We appreciate Mrs. Allen for being so kind and caring. We are sure Colvin Run ES is lucky to have her."

- a Colvin Run ES parent 

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Region 2

Jennifer Reynolds, Parklawn ES - View the Celebration!

"Ms. Reynolds, a Preschool Autism Classroom Teacher, co-presented with Ms. Wolfson, an ABA coach, today on Overcoming Obstacles Around Classroom Management to our Preschool Autism Classroom Teachers.  Ms. Reynolds took the time out of her already busy schedule to create a powerful presentation supported with videos of herself implementing all the strategies recommended. Ms. Reynolds’ contribution to the creation and presenting of today’s material had an invaluable impact on the teachers in attendance. Thank you for showcasing and explaining how to maximize learning through strong classroom management."

- Kelly Galbraith, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Region 3

Mary Allan, Hayfield SS (pictured) - View the Celebration!

"On Wednesday 3/1/23, one of our varsity lacrosse players came to me (I am the Head Boys Coach at Hayfield Secondary) to explain that he would have to take a leave of absence from the team because his mother had suffered a medical emergency, and his father was away. He explained to me that he was going to the hospital immediately. I told him that we had his and his family's back, no matter what, and that his position would be waiting for him when he returned. Soon afterwards, I let Mrs. Allan know of this development. She immediately asked for the players name, and checked on where he lived. She then organized a plan to provide food for he and his family, and explained to me that she would check on him that night, make sure he was fed, and was not alone. Later she contacted me to let me know that she had gone to his home, and met with other members of the family, including the student athletes father, who had returned home. Mrs. Allan told me that she too would keep an eye on our student athlete until his mother recovered. This is the type of person, community member, and employee that Mrs. Allan is; always going the extra mile for anyone in need! Thank you Mrs. Allan for being a true inspiration to all of us, and for displaying the type of care and concern that should be intrinsic to all of us here at Hayfield, and in FCPS!"

- James Mercer, Hayfield SS 

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Region 4

Leah Johnson, Centreville HS

"I was fortunate when Leah Johnson invited me to chaperone her field trip for African American History students to the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Leah took extraordinary measures to ensure the success of the field trip. In addition to the laborious procedural aspects of organizing a field trip, Leah meticulously prepared her students, her chaperones, and herself to ensure that students had the best experience possible. Leah completed a full rehearsal of the field trip the weekend before to ensure a smooth experience. Leah’s efforts armed her with a docent-like disposition, guiding students effortlessly through the museum making connections to course content and helping students make relevant connections to their lives. Her students, and Centreville High School are lucky to have a world-class teacher like Leah!"

- Anthony Hanrahan, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Region 5

Danielle Stauber and Brittany Gonzalez, Poplar Tree ES 

"As a mother of three special needs kids, there are times where our outings into the world can be uncertain. We've had to hide our family away due to autistic meltdowns more times than I can count. My oldest, a sixth grader at Poplar Tree, is no stranger to being the odd woman out in most situations as she has sensory differences and aversions to noises as a part of her autism. Her words can escape her and sometimes she struggles to handle the everyday of the world where neurotypical students excel. This weekend, I had the absolute joy of being able to watch my girl handle singing in front of thousands of parents, teachers, and administrators at the all county chorus festival. This absolutely could not have happened if it weren’t for the love and dedication that Brittany Gonzalez and Daniel Stauber have for chorus at Poplar Tree Elementary. I have seen first hand my child, who may not be the best writer or athlete, not only shine but thrive in the chorus program. Mrs. Gonzalez and Ms. Stauber have taken the time to understand my child’s needs and work tirelessly to create a nurturing and inclusive program where my child feels not only respected but challenged. I truly couldn’t tell you who’s anxiety was higher today during the concert, my kid’s or my own.  But with the gracious words and time of Mrs. Gonzalez and Ms. Stauber, my child who normally lives in headphones during chorus performances, spent nearly an hour adapted and adjusting to the noise levels and applause. I watched as her eyes closed and she truly felt herself in the music. No need to worry about how to spell words. No worry that she was going to stick out, again. Mrs. Gonzalez and Ms. Stauber gave my autistic daughter a chance to prove herself and stuck it all out with her through the hard times and good times.  And I couldn’t stop crying. We are truly blessed to have these two women in the lives of our children. They have helped my daughter find a safe place with her unique voice where she not only can feel at peace, but truly thrive. Autism comes with its own unique challenges, and we cannot thank them enough for building up our  young girl to find her joy in exactly who she is."

- a Poplar Tree ES parent

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Other FCPS Cares of the Month Recipients

Guery Cespedes and the Lake Braddock SS Custodial Staff 

"The custodial staff at Lake Braddock went above and beyond to make sure our 6th grade All County Chorus Festival was set up and ready to go. They were polite and kind and made sure we had everything we needed. They worked so hard to get 800 chairs set up and ready for our concert. I've never worked with such a great staff to get these jobs done so quickly at a festival! THANK YOU SO MUCH!"

- Leah Kmetz, Lees Corner ES 

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Ann Godden, Herndon ES 

"My dear friend and neighbor Ann Godden taught second grade at HES for many years. When she retired a few years ago, she obviously missed being at school, so she signed up again as a resource teacher at HES. Her commitment to HES makes her a worthy nominee for this recognition!"

 - an FCPS neighbor

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Diana Fuentes, Forbes Place 

"Just let it be known how extremely professional, kind and compassionate that Diana was today as I came in for my appointment; that friendly, calm, patient demeanor she encompasses was what every visitor wishes for, and she has done for me. With my last-minute, sudden retirement effective May 1, she is such one of the “final faces” that helps me to close such a major chapter of my life, so much more than an “employee number” to help assist. She deserves every recognition available I feel for the epitome of all she holds and does!  She helped me walk thru every single step of the Lightico process and how seamless she made it. I was completely overwhelmed and she made it so easy. So much more than a job she is doing when she takes away the “just the number” we may seem we are when it comes to retirement. I had tears of joy in working with her, and how easy she made it for me. Blessings to all she does!!!"

- Rita Berlin, Dunn Loring Center

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Eric Verchot, Sprague Technology Center

"Eric is collaborating with the IT & central office MTSS Team to support the MT. Vernon Pyramid as they pilot new functionality in SIS. He is ALWAYS willing to partner with colleagues, answer questions, and problem-solve to ensure the end user gets the best experience possible. Eric, thanks for your continued partnership and collaboration!"

- Karen Durocher, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Nekesa Campbell, Forbes Place

"A quick shout-out to how very professional, kind and compassionate that Nekesa was today as I came in for my appointment; that friendly, calm, patient demeanor she encompasses was what every visitor wishes for, and she has done for me. With my last-minute, sudden retirement effective May 1, she is such one of the “final faces” that helps me to close such a major chapter of my life, so much more than an “employee number” to help assist. She deserves every recognition available I feel for the epitome of all she holds and does! With much appreciation for all Nekesa does and her “why.”

- Rita Berlin, Dunn Loring Center

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Zachary Winfrey, Chantilly HS 

"Mr. Winfrey is a great AP. He is very open and transparent about decisions that are made. He is very responsive to student feedback. Although there are disagreements he always handles them professionally. He is well liked by all staff and is a great supporter of student growth."

- a Chantilly HS student

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Emily Phelan, Chantilly HS 

"Emily and I have worked closely together for several years within the Chantilly Pyramid and now throughout the county. Her support has been invaluable to me during my transition from ES to HS. Whenever I need guidance, Emily always provides the right answer. She has also assisted a former colleague who relocated to Bryant HS. I am grateful for Emily's friendship and partnership in our shared mission to support students, parents, and staff."

- Elizabeth Caligiuri, Bryant HS 

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Michelle Johnson, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Michelle Johnson is retiring from FCPS after more than three decades of service! She is our go-to for finance knowledge, and she knows how to do it all with her colleagues in FTS/D&C and other Departments. She even delayed her retirement to help the team and has been training and supporting as she hands over the program and finally gives herself a well earned break! She is always calm, cool, and collected. Thank you, Michelle!!!"

- Heather Diez, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Michele Anwyll, Forbes Place 

"Michele Anwyll is a rockstar! How very much, above and beyond, she has done for me is excellent. She is such a superstar in so many ways, her level of “customer” care, her empathy and kindness, and her knowledge very much superseded my expectations of the entire process of my retirement. I can’t begin to thank her for going above and beyond once again. She truly is 100%+ of the manner in which she has, and continues, to assist me with this entire process with my pending retirement. With much appreciation for all she does and her “why.”

- Rita Berlin, Dunn Loring Center

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Lisa Lane, Lees Corner ES 

"When my teacher was absent due to a death in the family, it was difficult to get substitutes for every day. After asking for help from the Self Contained team, Mrs. Lane would volunteer to come in and help teach the students every day that we needed support. Having Mrs. Lane come in to assist my class was beneficial to both students and myself. Mrs. Lane is an asset to the Lees Corner Elementary staff and we are lucky to have her with us."

- Ashley Kappatos, Lees Corner ES 

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Jennifer Batson, Navy ES 

"Ms. Batson is one of the most caring teachers I have come across during my children's time at school. She connects with her students on a personal level and creates relationships that not only make them feel safe and wanted, but also instills a passion for learning. She meets all of her students where they are and ensures they make more than adequate growth during their time with her. Outside of school, she makes time to check in on them and attend their sporting events, etc. My son has felt so loved this year and wakes up every morning energized and excited for school!"

- a Navy ES parent 

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Stephanie Keller, Stonecroft Transportation Center

"Our team has had many staff changes this year and it has taken a toll on morale; however, we fortunately had the gift of Stephanie Keller in our corner! Stephanie goes above and beyond for her team and is an employee advocate for FCPS bus drivers and attendants. Her ability to get the job done and rally the drivers is impressive. I am amazed by all that she does for us daily! Her leadership, problem solving genius and care for her drivers should be commended."

- Sarah Watnee, Stonecroft Transportation Center

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Patrick Bayne, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Patrick received a request for help from a community member. His actions that followed the request were immediate, caring, and resolute. Several groups were involved in the solution, and Patrick took every step involved to provide proper accessibility. Wishing everyone involved a good spring sports season."

- Heather Diez, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Aziz Elhayani, Woodson IT Center

"Mr. Elhayani was very helpful when he came to fix my HDMI port, and kindly moved the port to a more convenient spot in my classroom. He patiently worked around my class schedule and his service was top notch."

- Danielle McLellan, Floris ES 

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Emily Phelan, Chantilly HS 

"Emily is super supportive, caring, and helpful. She is super responsive and always shows up whenever myself or my students need technical support. Whenever I have a technical problem, Emily's first response is "Where are you? Let me come to you." The teachers and staff are very lucky to have Emily here at Chantilly."

- Betty Ablimit, Chantilly HS

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Lindsay Capo, Paul Davis, Clark Edwards, Brian Head, Young Jang, Sean Petitt, Stefan Slavov, and Tracie Thomas, Energy Zone Food Service Center

"The Office of Food & Nutrition Services would like to proudly recognize our Operations Specialist, Lindsay Capo, Paul Davis, Clark Edwards, Brian Head, Young Jang, Sean Petitt, Stefan Slavov and Tracie Thomas, for their incredible expertise and determination in facilitating the return of and/or placement of Salad Bars in 107 FCPS elementary schools during the first three months of this year. These specialists successfully executed a four-year plan within three months. What a monumental task accomplished with not one glitch! They are not stopping either, throughout April and May they lead into operation the salad bars in the remaining FCPS elementary schools. Operations Specialists:  We couldn’t have done this project without YOU. Thank YOU!!!"

- Lisa Diapoulis, Energy Zone Food Service Center

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Ellen Cheung, Johnson MS 

"Ms. Cheung understands how to engage with students that may need a little extra help. She finds a way to motivate and inspire! By the way she interacts with students and truly cares about her students shows that she is an educator that cares about making a difference. She is supportive and follows through on her commitment to her students."

- a Johnson MS parent 

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Amanda Iannotti, Davis Career Center

"I am SO PUMPED for the DCC Moves program that Dr. I has so thoughtfully put together (in collaboration with others) for our students. The way Dr. I demonstrated the program shows not only how knowledgeable she is, but also how passionate she is about this work. This will be a huge asset to our students, just as Dr. I is!"

- Theresa Piccolo, Davis Career Center

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Jeff Clark, Gatehouse Admin Center

"A huge thank you to Jeff Clark at OCCR. I was working on a retiree spotlight and wanted to include an old School Scene episode that aired back in 2009. I had little hope it would be possible but Jeff went the extra mile to hunt it down (traveling to Sprague to search the filing cabinets for the master disc) and upload it to YouTube for me. His efforts really enhanced the final product. Many thanks, Jeff!"

- Anne Vogel, Forbes Place

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Noelle Zorzi, Robinson SS

"Ms. Noelle Zorzi has made such a positive impact to our daughter's high school experience. Coming out of COVID, she was her sophomore English teacher and was instantly one of the strongest role models a young girl could ever imagine. She was and has continued to be extremely supportive intellectually and emotionally to our daughter. She is THE go to teacher for her and several other friends and even opens her door for a safe space to be when high school gets overwhelming. We will forever be grateful for her presence in our daughter's life and happy she is a part of the Robinson family!"

- a Robinson SS parent 

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Kelcy Pierre, ISAEP Woodson HS

"I reached out via email to Kelcy and a few of her colleagues for guidance on helping a student possibly pursue ISAEP and the GED. She quickly gave me call and explained everything in detail. Kelcy was beyond helpful, she was genuinely interested in helping our team help our student. She's been responsive and encouraging since our call. This was not a unique experience, I worked with Kelcy years ago to help a student pursue his GED and she similarly went above and beyond."

- Jessica Grenfell, Falls Church HS 

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Juliane Wines, Springfield Estates ES 

"I feel so blessed to have such a wonderful and caring teacher for my child. I appreciate the time and effort she has taken to create an engaging and nurturing learning environment. Mrs. Wines, you have always been patient, kind, and supportive. Thank you for taking the extra effort to make my child open up and talk about her life. Thank you for holding her hand, guiding her the way. Thank you for communicating with me and updating me about my child's progress. I am truly grateful for your dedication."

- a Springfield Estates ES parent

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Imran Ali, Forte Center 

"On March 27th our school did not have any paper towels on hand so a quick email was sent to Karen Cogan and Imran Ali to assist in getting us paper towels as soon as possible. By 7:00am on March 28 Imran Ali had our order ready for pick up! Thank you for saving the day and going above and beyond!"

- Lotta Moschopoulos, Camelot ES 

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Jackelyann Sims, Braddock  ES 

"Mrs. Sims was caring and diligent, when finding information about a citizen, who has mental health concerns. She was very helpful in locating this citizen, who while lived in another jurisdiction, is a human being as well. This humanity is FCPS at its best."

- Michael Ross, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Guery Cespedes and the Lake Braddock SS Custodial Staff 

"The custodial staff at Lake Braddock were so helpful, kind and accommodating to host our 6th Grade All-County Chorus Festival. They went above and beyond to help us set up and clean up chairs, tables, trash cans and the gym tarp. They made the set-up/clean-up committee jobs much easier and were so kind to support our elementary students. Thank you so much!!"

- Melanie Cruse, Olde Creek ES 

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Guery Cespedes and the Lake Braddock SS Custodial Staff 

"The custodial staff at Lake Braddock went out of their way to make our All County Choral Festival a success. They set up 1,000+ chairs and kept the space immaculate for us. They were friendly and welcoming to all of our staff and students and made us feel at home in their space. Thank you, Lake Braddock custodial staff!"

- Lianne LaFleur, Lynbrook ES 

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Sophia Melendez, Fort Hunt ES 

"A huge THANK YOU to Sophia Melendez for being such a wonderful part of the Fort Hunt ES community! Sophia stepped into the challenging job of Cafeteria Hostess at the beginning of October and quickly became an impactful figure in MANY students’ lives. They love her! Her sincere interactions with the students are extremely effective in preserving order and kindness during lunch time. This is partially due to the fact that she often comes early to support the kindergarten teachers during recess and stays late to visit students in the classroom during afternoon centers and second recess. Wow! A few personal facts about Sophia: She is a product of FCPS schools, a daughter of an FCPS employee, and works to earn money to pay for college which she will start next year. We appreciate you Sophia!!"

- Allison Verich, Fort Hunt ES 

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Sarah Lee, Fort Hunt ES 

"Thank you to Sarah Lee for all that you do for the Fort Hunt staff, kiddos, and community. Whether it is emailing us pictures of forgotten items, to doing the slide show and now the News Show every day, to the million other things that you do behind the scenes to help make our lives easier as teachers and staff. You are a big piece of the best office staff in FCPS!"

- Connor Maguder, Fort Hunt ES 

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Christina Spencer, Twain MS 

"Christina is a problem solver. She does her due diligence to reduce stress on behalf of the parents. She has keen listening skills and completes tasks with swiftness. When I have the opportunity to connect with Christina, I’m confident my issue will be resolved in a very timely manner. She is a valuable member of the Twain team. We will miss her next year."

- a Twain MS parent 

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Robert Nelson, Luc Nguyen, Barbara Clougherty, Lara Shackford, and Nicole Lehman, Chantilly HS 

"These 5 English teachers are easily the best English teachers not just in FCPS, but in  the country. For some of us, you made us want to be English teachers, while others you inspired us to be the best students we could possibly be. To Mr. Nelson and Mr. Nguyen, There aren't a lot of male English teachers, which made the field seem intimidating to some of us but both of you illustrated beautifully that us guys could be English teachers, whether by working on RA's in AP Lang or putting together photos for the Yearbook. To Mrs. Lehman, Mrs Shackford, and Mrs. Clougherty, you helped us not just be better writers, but be better humans. Whether through painstakingly teaching us how to annotate as Freshman, or trying to get us to understand other people's viewpoints in debate, or by trying to get us to analyze poetry as Seniors, you have made us incredibly grateful. We really hope you stay for another 20 years, because YOU ALL are such a massive part of what makes Chantilly special."

- Chantilly HS students

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Jennifer Dean, Chantilly HS 

"Mrs. Dean is one of the reasons we think Chantilly is the best high school in the county. Her ability to communicate with her students and listen to them is truly off the charts. She is the reason we love English class, whether in Lit or in English 10. She's is easily one of the best English teachers not just in FCPS, but in the country. Mrs. Dean is a role model for what a teacher should look like. Thank you so much for all you do."

- Chantilly HS students

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Ronnie Presley, Forte Center

"Our department had a need to send a few items by certified mail. I reached out to Ronnie after consulting the Employee Hub and needing a bit more clarification regarding Special Mail procedures. Ronnie called me and explained the process. He went the extra step by delivering the materials needed to the school and followed through with his colleagues to make sure our materials were collected and sent properly. Thank you to Ronnie and his team for the support, great communication, and helping make the process seamless."

- Samantha Wolf, Jefferson Tech HS

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Tori Dralle-Romero, Lorton Transportation Center

"I wanted to send accolades to my daughter's bus driver. We have to walk 10 minutes to our morning bus stop. We arrived at our bus stop and my daughter realized she had forgotten her English project. We started to run back home. I assumed we would miss the bus and I would have to drive her to school. On our way running back to the house, the bus driver saw us, pulled over and asked if everything was okay. I told the bus driver my daughter had forgotten her project, and our house was just a few houses down the road. She kindly waited for us and allowed us to run into the house, retrieve the project, and safely board the bus to school. We really appreciate all she did to help my daughter. Her actions were incredibly kind, caring and thoughtful."

- a Jackson MS parent 

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Robert Burns, Pedro Gutierrez, Calvin Wilbanks, Noky Semper, Jeremy Perry, and Coleman Hudson, Woodson Complex Center

"Facilities/Grounds crew led by Mr. Burns along with his team of Padro Gutierrez. Collin Perry, Calvin Wilbanks, Dutch Coleman and Nokie Semper came out after winter break to fix a fence issue for our school. Over break, our fence with the (expensive) cups that say W #oneWoodson W on Whitacre Rd at the end of Laurel St was cut down. Yes, someone (several people) cut about 40 feet of HEAVY fencing, rolled it up and threw it in the ravine across the street. This is extremely heavy fencing. We know when it happened and can see the cars but had no camera footage to catch the culprits. As principal, this vandalism felt personal and deliberate. Our caring team of grounds folks, led by Mr. Burns, problem solved a way to get the rolled up fence out of the ravine (I think a backhoe was involved), unrolled and tied back up. It looks amazing and looks like it was never down. It might sound cheesy, but having the fence up again gives us all a feeling of pride and being made whole. THANK YOU!"

- Carlyn Floyd, Woodson HS 

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Aziz Elhayani, Deer Park ES 

"He came in friendly and nice with a lot of respect. He fixed the problem and even went above and beyond by answering questions and showing how things work properly!!!"

- Joan Gorvett, Deer Park ES 

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Maggie Contreras, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Maggie graciously offered to step in and lead/facilitate a CTS STEP program tour in my absence. Without asking and without hesitation she volunteered to be a point of contact, provide a classroom site tour, and job site tour to out-of-county guests who were looking to build a similar program of their own. Maggie answered questions knowledgably and confidently and served as a wonderful CTS ambassador. She exhibits complete professionalism at all times and is a true leader in our department. I am grateful for her support."

- Trevor Christensen, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Annie Chong, Chantilly HS 

"Mrs. Chong is truly one of the best educators in FCPS. I know many fellow students who admire and respect her as an educator. She is incredibly passionate about what she does, which is shown through how long she has been a part of the Charger Community(19 Years!). Even though I was not her student, she helped guide me in my math course selections for next year by giving incredibly thoughtful advice. Many of my friends have said that she has given them a new outlook on Math, and made a subject dreaded by so many students something they came to love. Thank You Mrs. Chong, from me and all of my fellow peers, and we hope you continue impact the lives of many more students at Chantilly for another 19 years."

- a Chantilly HS student 

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Veronica Pacherres Ruiz and Tan Sen, Lorton Transportation Center

"I meant to send this Thank you email for a long time. Both Ms. Veronica, and Ms. Tan Sen have been supporting our boy for the last 6+ months. Over this long time, they continued to be so companionate, supportive, professional, and just super super kind to our boy. Every single day! His daily drive with them takes about 2 hours each day as the school he attends is far away, and due to his multiple disabilities and health issues, he needs a very special and patient care. We can't thank them enough. It is wonderful people like them that makes each day easier for the families who struggle significantly with caring for their loved ones. Thank you for being there for our boy...every single day... May God protect you and your loved ones."

- a FCPS parent 

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Mahnaz Khalil Khosravi, Johnson MS 

"My daughter always has something good to say about Ms. Khosravi. She always talks about how she always makes sure everyone understands the concept. She also talks about how Ms. Khosravi always shows love and care for her students."

- a Johnson MS parent

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Courtney White, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Courtney White did an excellent job leading the design and facilitation of an DMV Equity PoP Workshop, which hosted schools from 10 local school districts and 6 local universities for the purpose of using Improvement Science tools to examine problems of practice and identify change ideas for improved equitable outcomes for students. Bravo Courtney!"

- Claire Silva, Willow Oaks Admin Center 

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Natasha Saunders, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Natasha Saunders did an excellent job leading the design and facilitation of an DMV Equity PoP Workshop, which hosted schools from 10 local school districts and 6 local universities for the purpose of using Improvement Science tools to examine problems of practice and identify change ideas for improved equitable outcomes for students. Bravo Natasha!"

- Claire Silva, Willow Oaks Admin Center 

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Baek Chong, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Baek Chong did an excellent job leading the design and facilitation of an DMV Equity PoP Workshop, which hosted schools from 10 local school districts and 6 local universities for the purpose of using Improvement Science tools to examine problems of practice and identify change ideas for improved equitable outcomes for students. Bravo Baek!"

- Claire Silva, Willow Oaks Admin Center 

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Stephanie McCrone, Kings Glen ES 

"My daughter has always struggled with reading. This year, Ms. McCrone has worked miracles. Not only has she unlocked a love of reading in her, but she has given her the confidence to know that she is smart, capable and creative. She walks around everywhere with books now, which makes me so so happy! I will be forever grateful to Ms. McCrone for being such an amazing teacher and all around wonderful human being!"

- a Kings Glen ES parent 

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Youn Lee, Gatehouse Admin Center

"The Florida Tax exemption for Fairfax County expired and I sent an email to all my colleagues asking if they had an updated copy of it for my spring trip to Orlando. I get an email a few hours later from Youn saying that they were working on getting a renewed certificate. Throughout the entire process Youn was so cordial and responsive in our communication. Every time I would send a follow up email I would get a response in a few hours. Although we have never met I am so appreciative of Youn and getting the Florida Tax exempt form renewed for not only my trip but also getting it renewed for the entire county."

- Andrew Lisowski, Falls Church HS

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Keiko Endo, Fox Mill ES 

"Recently there were some setbacks in our international travel due to which our daughter was required to de-enroll from school until she returned back to country. During this stressful time, our daughter’s homeroom teacher Mrs. Keiko Endo (Endo Sensei) provided us utmost care, compassion and support. She not only helped our kid continue learning through offline material but also helped her stay in touch with her friends by sharing her “show & tell” videos. My daughter had a seamless transition back into school right after vacation, with her entire class welcoming her with hugs and greeting cards. My family is grateful to her teachers (Keiko Endo and Jessie Na) and Fox Mill staff (Amy Migliara) for supporting us through this difficult time."

- a Fox Mill ES parent 

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Jessie Na, Fox Mill ES 

"Recently there were some setbacks in our international travel due to which our daughter was required to de-enroll from school until she returned back to country. During this stressful time, our daughter’s teachers Mrs. Jessie Na ans Mrs. Keiko Endo (Endo Sensei) provided us utmost care, compassion and support. They not only helped our kid continue learning through offline material but also helped her stay in touch with her friends by sharing her “show & tell” videos. My daughter had a seamless transition back into school right after vacation, with her entire class welcoming her with hugs and greeting cards. My family is grateful to her teachers (Keiko Endo and Jessie Na) and Fox Mill staff (Amy Migliara) for supporting us through this difficult time."

- a Fox Mill ES parent 

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Roudene Jackson, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Roudene Jackson was so gracious and helpful in assisting me with signing up as a Substitute teacher and Instructional Assistant at different schools. She is very knowledgeable and has a wonderful spirit about her. My challenges were lessened and I was able to sign up and begin my career in the Instructional sector. I am grateful for having worked with her."

- Nigel Medhurst, Gatehouse Admin Center

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KJ An, Eagle View ES 

"In a local screening meeting I watched, with a great deal of appreciation, Principal An advocated in an impassioned manner for a student. She did so with respect for the family's cultural background and helped bridge a major gap in understanding how special education works in U.S. public education to support individualized needs. She offered to support the parents every step of the way as needed to understand the process, making it clear that our school team and the family were partners in identifying the supports the child needs. It was caring and leadership at its very best."

- Meg Moody. Eagle View ES 

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Peter Kelly, Pulley Career Center

"I want to thank Mr. Kelly for giving the students past and present a great time at the dance last Friday. Thank you for working late on a Friday night too. Also, thank you for everything you do not just for the students and staff at Pulley but for the parents too. You’re doing a great job as the principal at Pulley Career Center." 

- a Pulley Career Center parent 

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Lindsey Minett, Hybla Valley ES 

"Throughout this year, Lindsey has supported our second grade students both in the general and special education setting. As an Instructional Assistant, she goes above and beyond to engage in professional learning to best meet the needs of each of her students. She has developed relationships with all of her students and leverages what she knows about each of their interests and personalities to create valuable and personalized learning experiences for each individual in her class. There is not a day that goes by where I do not see Lindsey engaging in meaningful connections with students. Whether that is through reading groups, transitioning students, calming a student during a fire drill, celebrating a student’s growth, there she is engaging with her students. This week, Lindsey has had to step up quite a bit and has taken the task with grace and excitement. While taking this on, she has continuously advocated for both her students’ needs and for her own learning and support. Lindsey has embraced the role of co-teacher with the classroom teachers and has solidified herself as an integral part of not only her team, but the Hybla Valley community."

- Karlie Hale, Hybla Valley ES

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Philip Vargas, Robinson SS 

"I attended a fantastic concert at Robinson last evening and attended a similar concert this past winter. My grandson, as well as other guitar students and vocalists, participated. Mr. Philip Vargas, faculty in the music program, is impressive. His leadership, outstanding dedication, and commitment to his students is exceptional. He expects and demonstrates professionalism and excellence, and at the same time inspires artistic creativity and imagination, a rare combination.  Please recognize his excellence!"

- a Robinson SS grandparent 

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Connor Maguder, Fort Hunt ES 

"Connor Maguder is such a patient, kind person. He takes great care of all of the kids that he teaches, and is very compassionate. If anyone deserves Fox of the Week, it is him."

- Angela Pelliccio, Fort Hunt ES 

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Arturo Cabrera, Mount Vernon HS 

"I would like to recognize Mr. Cabrera for teaching my son while receiving homebound services. He was attentive and took time out of the scheduled times to make sure he was caught up and received updates on his progress. In the short period of time that was spent with my child, he was able to get back up to speed on his assignments and be ready for success when going back to in school instruction. Muchas Gracias Senor Cabrera for helping my child succeed and be ready for success, we appreciate you!"

- a FCPS Homebound School parent 

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Charlene Ragins, South County HS 

"I would like to recognize Ms. Ragins for teaching my son while receiving homebound services. She was attentive and took time out of the scheduled times to make sure he was caught up and received updates on the progress and assignments pending. In the short period of time that was spent with my child, he caught on quick and understood the assignments and was able to comprehend everything thanks to Ms. Ragins. Thank you for helping my child succeed and be ready for success when he was able to come back to regular school setting. I appreciate you!"

- a FCPS Homebound School parent 

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Kelly Melvin, Lorton Transportation Center

"Ms. Kelly is always the first to offer up help wherever needed. She  drives the PM QP-81 take home bus. (We drive the AM) Her students talk about her every single day! For St. Patricks Day she provided green wigs for a couple of riders to wear. They had a blast! She is a great example to all, and definitely CARES about her students!"

- Barbara Davis, Lorton Transporation Center

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Graham Saunders, Dan Ngo and Raheel Gilani, Lorton Transportation Center

"The Fort Belvoir Primary would like to thank bus driver Graham Saunders and bus assistants, Dan Ngo and Raheel Gilani, for the joy they bring to the students on bus #99. They have developed deep relationships with the kids and show them such personal care every day. Each of the students on the bus feels like a rockstar with the enthusiastic greeting they receive. They go above and beyond to make sure that the kids' needs are met and that they are safe and comfortable. We want to thank them for making our kids feel so special!"

- Norma Gordon, Fort Belvoir Primary

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Bettye Stewart-Payne, Andriane Joseph, Tameka Burroughs, Heather Frei, Samantha Entwisle, Melissa Bindocci, Miriam Clay, L Markson, Mary Freeman, Shane Mills, Michael Symanski, and Mark Zepkin, Pulley Career Center

"I want to thank everyone listed above for giving the students past and present a great dance on March 17th. My son had a great time and loves going to Pulley everyday to see everyone. Thank you again to everyone for caring about every student at Pulley and for working a long day this past Friday."

- a Pulley Career Center parent 

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Allison Swindall, Pulley Career Center

"I want to thank Ms. Swindall for giving all the students past and present a great time at the dance on March 17th. My son had a great time and loves going to Pulley everyday to see everyone. Thank you for working a long day and caring about every student too."

- a Pulley Career Center parent 

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Tivantee Reid, South County HS 

"Ms. Reid is one of my daughter's favorite teachers ever. She has her for Honors English 9. Ms. Reid gives some great assignments, and my daughter said it doesn't seem like a lot of work because she's such a good teacher and if it can't all be done, she's very nice and reasonable with deadlines because she wants students to succeed and submit their best work. Recently, she did a mock trial for Odysseus and Polyphemus in Greek Mythology where the students pretended to be lawyers and determine whether Odysseus should pay for damages to Polyphemus for blinding him. She encouraged students to get creative, dress up and bring in "evidence". It is so nice to see my child get excited about this project and class, and I'm so grateful to Ms. Reid for being such a great teacher.  SCHS is lucky to have her!"

- a South County HS parent 

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Claudia Pirouzan-Jones, South County HS 

"Mrs. Jones has gone above and beyond to support me this year in my role as department chair. She has given hours of her time coaching me and helping our cooperative teams to gather and evaluate data, plan instruction, and implement systems to improve efficiency on all of our teams. I cannot thank her enough for making time to listen, understand our content, and offer timely solutions. Her support has been so appreciated and has helped me grow as a teacher and department leader. Thank you so much, Claudia!"

- Kimberly Sholtis, South County HS 

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James Koontz, West Springfield ES 

"Thank you for taking the time out to assist me with getting iPads to connect with the ScreenBeam. James was very kind, supportive, and solution-oriented. I'm delighted James is part of the SBTS community."

- Tawanya Scarboro, Graham Road ES 

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Linda Wyman, South County HS 

"It is with much gratitude that I would like to recognize Linda Wyman for her supporting the SCHS community as the International Club sponsor for the past few years. As the International Club sponsor, Linda spends countless hours supporting our students with their preparation for the SCHS International Night.  International Night is the our school's biggest event. It is a beautiful celebration and showcase of the cultures of our community that are the DNA of our schools.  THANK YOU so much Linda for all that you have done and do for our students. Your supporting our community with your sponsorship is a small example of how you continue to give, spread love, and support. Thank you!"

- Claudia Pirouzan-Jones, South County HS 

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John Baranowski, Westfield HS

"In addition to his work as an educator, John Baranowski deserves high praise for his tireless efforts supporting numerous student activities, including serving as faculty sponsor for the Westfield Ice Dogs Hockey Club and the Westfield Trivia Club. His contagious enthusiasm and energy have been a constant joy for students and parents! Over the past four years of my son's time on the hockey team, John regularly served as public address announcer and also the live play-by-play voice during live-stream broadcasts of the games. His exemplary efforts are greatly appreciated and helped to shape great memories for countless Westfield students and student-athletes!"

- a Westfield HS parent 

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Elizabeth Alvarez, Fairview ES 

"I'd like to recognize Ms. Alvarez for her efforts over the entire school year thus far. My daughter has thrived under her enthusiasm. Ms. Alvarez attends PTA functions and her students light up seeing her outside school hours. Most recently, she attended our school's book fair and chatted with my daughter about the books she might enjoy. She has been nothing but welcoming to parents and keeps an open line of communication with us through the talking points app. What I'd like to recognize her the most for is taking time out of her Saturday to watch my daughter and other kids from her class play in their basketball scrimmage. My daughter was beaming with pride her teacher was there. I just can't emphasize enough how much that meant to her. Academically, Ms. Alvarez finds ways to challenge my daughter each day. We feel so fortunate to be in her class."

- a Fairview ES parent

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Dorothy Bonica, Symone Simmons, Ellie Brady, Lorraine Lee, Amanda Maguire, Hailey Schmitt, Fort Belvoir Primary

"The specialist team at Fort Belvoir Primary always goes above and beyond to support the students at our school. They are always the first to volunteer and support when extra hands are needed. Our specialists support our students not only within their subject areas, but they have also have trained to utilize academic interventions to support our students with building their literacy skills. We are so grateful to have such a wonderful group of people supporting the students at our school!"

- Fort Belvoir Primary Leadership Team

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Justin Huff, Wilton Woods Center

"It's not easy learning a new job while helping support someone doing the tasks of your old one. Justin, even after having been promoted to a new position in OCS, has made himself available to instruct me in learning his old position in Desktop Management. He intervened after I broke a process in imaging and patiently worked through the problem with me until we got it resolved. He has been a great help and I deeply appreciate it."

- Jason Franks, Sprague Technology Center

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Jay Bagley, Wilton Woods Center

"It's not easy learning a new job while helping support someone doing the tasks of your old one. Jay, even after having been promoted to a new position as a Cloud Engineer, has been vital to helping make my own transition to Desktop Management smoother by showing me the processes and procedures. Really appreciate his mentorship and responsiveness to the questions I've had."

- Jason Franks, Sprague Technology Center

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Kat Frazier, Lake Braddock SS 

"I just want to take a moment and write about my favorite English teacher, Ms. Frazier. Before this school year, I dreaded walking into English class. Ms. Frazier taught us important literature such as the works of Shakespeare in a informative, yet fun way. I never thought I would look forward to going to English class, and I have no-one to thank more than Ms. Frazier. I believe my entire class feels the same way as I do. Thank you for all that you do, Ms. Frazier. Your 6th period class loves you!"

- a Lake Braddock SS student 

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Anna Finnegan, Davis Career Center

"Anna was SO helpful this week in supporting a 2023 transition student with a tour and application for an adult service provider! She communicated with his group home, attended the tour, completed the application, and overall was a huge support. It's so nice to work with such collaborative colleagues like Anna!"

- Theresa Piccolo, Davis Career Center 

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Lisa Barrow, Cooper MS 

"Mrs. Barrow is the best! At tonight’s Langley Pyramid Art Show, she immediately recognized my daughter and warmly greeted her with a hug. My daughter is currently in 10th grade and went through Cooper during the COVID-19 pandemic. That is the type of leader she is. Always recognizing, acknowledging and celebrating her students, even ones who have been out of her building for two years. We are so fortunate as a community to have her leadership and love, especially at the middle school level with kids at such a tender age. My family just adores her!!"

- Ava Walter, Cooper MS 

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Lori Hollenbeck, Silverbrook ES

"Mrs. Lori Hollenbeck is a champion for students. She greets everyone with a big smile and a helping hand. You can find her encouraging shy kids to join others on the playground. She makes lunchtime a safe space to relax and eat. As an instructional assistant, Mrs. Hollenbeck leaves a positive impression and even kids that are no longer in her class go up to her on the playground and seek her out for a happy hello in the hallway. She is an inspiration and example of how to be inclusive and nurturing. We are so grateful for Mrs. Hollenbeck!"

- a Silverbrook ES parent 

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Heejung Kim, Silverbrook ES

"Mrs. Kim makes every day great for our students! As an instructional assistant she is right there to help with learning challenges and as a force muliplier in the classroom. Mrs. Kim's calm and kind demeanor melts tension and her encouragement quells fear. She is very observant and helps note something good that our student does every day! This valuable feedback helps us reinforce wins at home! Please let Mrs. Kim know how much she means to us! Thank you!!"

- a Silverbrook ES parent 

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Claudia De Paz, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"At Providence Elementary School we are very fortunate to have Mrs. De Paz as our school social worker. Her had work and desire of going above and beyond to assist our students and families are very notorious. In my position as the student information assistant/registrar I witness the many difficulties some of our parents encounter. Once a request is out there for Mrs. De Paz she takes care of any need of assistance in a promptly matter. She advocates for our student and family’s needs, she is very compassionate and caring. This is the first time in my professional experience to have the privilege to work with such committed colleague. Mrs. De Paz it’s a true asset to our team."

- Monica Tatis-Phan, Providence ES 

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Susan Ellis, Sprague Technology Center

"We submitted a complicated technology request that took a while to figure out and resolve. Ms. Ellis was proactive about figuring out what the issue was, and seeing it through to resolution. We are so grateful for her assistance!"

- Janet Babic, West Potomac HS 

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Shyama Nimmaturi, Wilton Woods Center

"Shyama efficiently compiled and delivered a science catalog division assessment data set for me, based on a very tight turnaround. Shyama asked both preemptive and follow up questions based on my request to ensure I had exactly what I needed to move forward in my work with schools. Our division is lucky to have you supporting us!"

- Heather Ziab, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Felix Polendey, Rocky Run MS 

"Mr. Polendey is a gift to our school and music community. I am grateful for the way he treats his students with respect and kindness and creates an enthusiastic community ready to sing and make music together. Thank you Mr. Polendey for sharing your passion for music and growing my child’s love of music and singing.

- a Rocky Run MS parent 

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Maria Escobar, Dunn Loring Center

"Maria went above and beyond to our benefit, without our knowing. Our white metal library book drop was weathered and a bit in need of a make-over. Lo' and behold it looks brand new, cleaned up, and sparkly white. She constantly strives in doing what she thinks are the little things that make such a deep, lasting impression. We are forever grateful for all she does for us!!!"

- Rita Berlin, Dunn Loring Center

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Cathy Walker, Chantilly HS

"Ms. Walker has responded to two different medical emergencies for students over the past two weeks. She has calmly and efficiently responded and has been able to maintain safety, dignity, and privacy for students during these events. She has been able to provide lifesaving aide during these emergencies as well as calmly communicate with staff and emergency responders. Ms. Walker is a wonderful asset to the Chantilly community."

- Maura Edwards, Chantilly HS

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Marty Kramer, Merrifield Support Center

"There is no one date that I can pick to nominate Marty Kramer. Marty is amazing. No other way to describe him. He consistently goes above and beyond to solve our "old school" problems. He works with our old equipment to make it work and doesn't stop until he does. Marty is a welcomed sight for his calm, competent, and friendly disposition."

- Kathy Cutri, Louise Archer ES

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Amira Husien, Davis Career Center

"Amira is a calm and positive presence in our school. She supports all students at DCC, and is a reliable colleague. Thank you for your flexibility and willingness to step in where you are needed, Amira."

- Polly Huh, Davis Career Center

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Cathy Marros, Davis Career Center

"Cathy is one of our wonderful paraprofessionals at DCC! Today we were in a crunch because our office assistant and administrative assistant were both out, which meant there was no one available to cover the front office, no phone coverage, door monitoring, greeting visitors, meds distribution, etc. Cathy was kind, gracious, and flexible when she was approached and asked if she would be willing to step in and help out today! She was a rock star and saved the day. I am grateful to her for her support of our entire school community!"

- Chad Clayton, Davis Career Center

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Shelli Wayland, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Shelli is always there to lend a helping hand and is forever presenting CARES awards to FCPS employees. Today I want to recognize her for going above and beyond to help me plan a large departmental event. She has guided me every step of the way and is always reachable, even if I have to send an email after hours. Shelli will never let our team fail and I truly appreciate that. Shelli is top-notch!"

- Jeremy Doxer, Lorton Transportation Center

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Shawn Filbert, Woodson IT Center 

"We wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for all the help Shawn Filbert provided in setting up the sound system for our elementary school play. His assistance was invaluable, and we could not have done it without him. Shawn taught us how to use our sound system and to make all the different mics work. This was no small task. Shawn went above and beyond  and his work is greatly appreciated. Thank you!"

- Ann Marie Mochen and Julie Ryan, Forestville ES 

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Princessa Williamson, Quander Road School

"Ms. Williamson is a very involved staff member and routinely goes above and beyond with the students and as a member of the Quander community as a whole. In addition to her thoughtful and conscientious classroom planning, she recently organized a field trip to the African American History Museum for her students. She also makes it a point to know her students and see them as people beyond her classroom door. Because she thinks outside the box, she was able to identify a student who may need a community support program that would not have been easily identified by a specialist who did not work with the student daily. She always gives that extra."

- Melissa Hancock, Quander Road School

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Amy O'Dea, Stratford Landing ES 

"Mrs. O'Dea is one of the most dedicated and energetic teachers I've ever seen. Her devotion to teaching is evident on a daily basis. She teaches in a way where all children understand regardless of their ability level. I appreciate how she monitors the students during the lesson and then conferences with the students that may need additional help. She also makes herself available for a lunch bunch when the kids need one. Mrs. O'Dea is passionate about Math and Science and her excitement transfers to the kids. They all know they are in a safe place and are always welcomed into class with a smile. Bravo Mrs. O'Dea!"

- a Stratford Landing ES parent 

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Daphne Palomino Salas, Dunn Loring Center 

"Daphne is a Multilingual Interpreter at Dunn Loring, but she goes the extra mile when she meets and greets families and students. This year, I have had the opportunity to work with her as we welcome international students to FCPS from around the world and as she has served some of our special populations and families that have reported medical or learning needs. Daphne is the first to become involved when she can and for some families, this is the first time they have heard a person share that a school will serve the needs of their children. There are many people in FCPS that care, yet Daphne is one of our amazing FCPS members who care with action and consistency. I am very thankful for everything she does and I have seen her service constantly and consistently to meet the need of our students and families."

- Christian Lanzaro, Dunn Loring Center 

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Tracey Edwards, Mary Farris, Isabel Krauss, Teresa Greenfield, Heather Vineis, Poplar Tree ES 

"This fabulous team of staff members has been integral in starting a Check In/Check Out program at Poplar Tree in support of our school wellness goals. They begin every morning and end every day building strong relationships with children. These women truly make a difference in our school community and deserve to be recognized!"

- Lauren McGrath, Poplar Tree ES 

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Coretta Perkins, Cunningham Park ES

"We have had a new English learner student arrive from another country, and while Coretta is not knowledgeable in his first language, she has been proactive and supportive and gone above and beyond to make sure he feels welcome in her classroom. He tells me he is excited to be here in the United States, and is thankful for all that Mrs. Perkins does for him. As an ESOL teacher, it is always a great thing to see classroom teachers who do their utmost to make our English Learners feel welcome and safe to learn in their classrooms."

- Matthew Hupp, Cunningham Park ES

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Mike Hardy, Bryant HS 

"Mr. Hardy is an asset to the Bryant team. The unpredictable nature of our program provides for diversified technical needs/demands. Mr. Hardy embraces whatever circumstances arise and works diligently to assist with the varied requests. He responds quickly, works collaboratively with the team to problems solve, and always greets and concludes each encounter with a smile and good will. Mr. Hardy, please know we are grateful for all that you do. Thank you for sharing your time and talents with the Bryant family!"

- Kimberly Watts, Bryant HS 

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Chasidee Howard, Fort Belvoir Primary School

"Chasidee is an amazing person to work with. She is always there to help when needed and always has a smile on her face! Every time that she is with students you can see how much she loves and cares for them. The students trust her and that speaks volumes. The rapport that she has with staff is unmeasurable. The Fort is truly blessed to have her."

- Chelsea Musselman, Fort Belvoir Primary School

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Dani Sayre, Lake Braddock SS

"Dani Sayre brings to her role an incredible work ethic, the ability to juggle a hundred different balls in the air, and great attention to detail -- while also being approachable, flexible, and responsive to questions and problems. Most recently, we had submitted some incorrect information and she must have moved mountains to get it updated for us in a timely manner, which allowed our tight timeline for a field trip to move ahead. We are so appreciative of all that she does behind the scenes, not only for Lake Braddock Theatre but for the whole school."

- Lake Braddock Theatre Boosters

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Angie Kim, Churchill Road ES 

"Ms. Kim deserves a raise. We found ourselves in an urgent situation where we needed to take in a family member and get him enrolled in school as soon as possible. When she received our residency request approval from FCPS, she called me immediately to share the news. Within 2 days, she completed his registration (after working through several paperwork mishaps on my part), which allowed him to start school as soon as he arrived in Virginia. We are so grateful for her quick action and kindness with regarding our unusual situation."

- a Churchill Road ES parent 

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Cristina Mendoza, Dunn Loring Center

"Ms. Mendoza deserves a raise. We found ourselves in an urgent situation where we needed to take in a family member and get him enrolled in school. She responded to my registration as a non-parent inquiry faster than I expected, provided clear instructions and necessary forms, and called our approval into the school on the same day I submitted the completed forms. Our new family addition was able to register for school and start as soon as he arrived in Virginia. We are so grateful for her quick action and kindness with regarding our unusual situation."

- a Churchill Road ES parent 

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Damion Dawson, Tim Roberson, and Ryan Northcutt, Woodson IT

"Damion Dawson, Tim Roberson, and Ryan Northcutt installed all the components necessary for Frost Middle School's new TV Studio with meticulous attention to detail, then made several follow-up visits to make sure all was working well. They also took the time to have a Q & A training session with both staff and students. We so appreciate their patience, skill, experience, and knowledge. Thanks to them, the news crew students are super excited, and our news show is going strong and getting lots of positive feedback. A huge thank you to Tim, Ryan, and Damion!"

- Danielle Powers, Frost MS

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Sarah M. Young, Sprague Technology Center

"I wanted to take a moment to thank Sarah Maria for her exceptional attention to detail and for discovering the error in the process we were working on. Your ability to identify the issue before it became a bigger problem shows your dedication and commitment to our work and our team's success. Your contribution has saved us from potential complications, and I am truly grateful for your diligent work. Your professionalism and positive attitude are a true asset to our team, and I am fortunate to work alongside someone as talented as you. Once again, thank you for your hard work and dedication to our team's success."

- Belinda DeVille, Sprague Technology Center

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Kiley Barone, Daniels Run ES 

"After students in Ms. Kiley Barone’s fifth grade class watched a news segment highlighting other elementary students who had sponsored a coin drive to raise money; her class was inspired to do the same! Ms. Barone guided her students to plan and lead their peers in grades 4-6 at Daniels Run Elementary to sponsor a coin drive with the purpose of raising funds for the local animal shelter. During the month of February, Ms. Barone helped students count coins, make video updates, and supervise the collection table in the cafeteria. Their efforts raised more than $1,400! Ms. Barone saw a passion and opportunity for her fifth graders to make a difference all while learning valuable real life skills, all while emphasizing the importance of our community outside the walls of Daniels Run." 

- Megan Oris, Daniels Run ES 

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Katherine Hart, Groveton ES 

"Kate Hart is always going above and beyond at Groveton Elementary. From organizing the entire fall festival for the pta, putting together a winter extravaganza, and mentoring new collogues, Kate always give 120%. Of course this is all on top of creating fun and engaging music lessons for her classes all week. Thank you Kate for everything you do!"

- Josh Saville, Groveton ES 

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Dana Bayer, Longfellow MS 

"Assistant Principal Dana Bayer goes above and beyond to ensure that her middle school students are successful when they leave Longfellow. Ms. Bayer collaborated with McLean High School staff to facilitate several days of assessment for rising 8th graders who speak Spanish at home to be assessed by McLean’s High School Spanish teachers. Dana planned the time in such a way that students wouldn’t miss class or recess. The assessment was successful and 33 students now are ready to be challenged with the proper Spanish class for them next fall. Dana cares about her students' future and is an effective leader!"

- Jamie Heath, McLean HS 

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Jennifer Warren and the Multicultural Night Committee Members , Annandale Terrace ES 

"Jennifer Warren, one of our school counselors and SIIP/ESSER Wellness leader, and a group of Committee Members including the admin team, many staff members and the PTA members, organized a Multicultural Night for the students and families at Annandale Terrace Elementary School on Friday, March 10, 2023. What a special evening and a huge turn out we had to celebrate the school’s diverse student population. The evening was filled with many smiling faces and to promote social awareness, build empathy for each other (culture, race, ethnicity, disabilities, differences, etc) and appreciation of our diverse school community. Students in the homeroom collaborated, researched and created posters to hang around the building which represented the countries the students and staff at ATES represented which the families and students loved going around to see their culture being celebrated. The families also enjoyed the food, cake walk, music, dancing, story time, arts and crafts, fashion show and a variety of dances and singing that represented some of their cultures. Many staff and students came with their beautiful costumes to represent their culture. We appreciate everyone’s teamwork to make this evening a huge success for everyone.  Jennifer Warren and a group of Multicultural Night Committee members truly deserve this recognition and we’re so lucky to have each of you!"

- Essel Linton, Annandale Terrace ES 

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Janna Herman, Langley HS 

"Dr. Herman is so positive and kind! She has written me multiple emails, praising my daughter’s work ethic and participation in class. At home we frequently talk about Dr. Herman’s excellent teaching and how impactful her class has been on my child. We need more math teachers like her!! "

- a Langley HS parent

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Maggi Aitken, Fort Hunt ES 

"Maggi is one of my go-to support teachers when students need to take a break, deescalate, and reintegrate back into the classroom. Maggi has an open-door policy and makes genuine connections with her students. Those connections are evident when students continue to seek her out for years after she has taught them. It is those little moments that Maggi always finds to include all students in her classroom instruction/activities that make them feel so personally welcome. She helps to give them a sense of belonging and connectedness even when they may be feeling alone and disconnected. Her warm smiles and active classroom are a haven for students needing to feel respected and included. We are fortunate that Fort Hunt Elementary School has Maggi as a 2nd grade teacher."

- Margo Argo, Fort Hunt ES 

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Angela Pelliccio, Fort Hunt ES 

"If you need a dedicated Fort Hunt Fox, look no further than Angela Pelliccio. Her dedication to her students is nonstop. She is patient, kind and persistent. When behavior could be frustrating, she takes the special needs of her students into consideration and meets them where they are at on that given day. She understands their strengths and weaknesses and does her best to serve them. This year has not always been easy for her, but when she is here she is all in for her students."

- Maggi Aitken, Fort Hunt ES

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Anna Sengstack, Johnson MS 

"The KJMS orchestra director, Anna Sengstack, truly cares about music and the students who study it. At the Middle School District Orchestra Assessment this weekend, several schools came to KJMS to perform and receive ratings from judges. During one of the assessments, a bass player's bow broke, making it impossible for the child to play the instrument. Students work hard for months to be able to perform the very best they can at Orchestra Assessment, so this would have been devastating for the child. This would have also left the orchestra with no bass, thus deteriorating the performance. The director of this orchestra asked if there was anything that could be done. Anna Sengstack, the host of the event, personally handled the situation. She somehow managed to scrounge up a bow from her own orchestra room, and had it in the child's hand within 5 minutes. The 12-hour-plus day was full of moments like this, where Ms. Sengstack gracefully handled situations in order for everything to run smoothly, and for students to have the best experience possible."

- a Johnson ES parent 

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Kathryn Hracho and Jessica Indelicato, Mason Crest ES 

"I wanted to take a moment to recognize my daughter's teachers. After she had a bit of a challenging week, both of her teachers showed up on a Saturday to see her and say hi to her at her final basketball game of the season. They even had their own young kids in tow. I know how difficult this can be to balance your own family life with being a teacher, and to give up any time on a weekend for your students goes above and beyond what is expected of the role. I am so touched by how my daughter's teachers love and care for her as much as we do by showing it through their actions. Even after her team lost, she was the happiest she had ever been all season. Thank you for helping her end her week on a positive and uplifting note! Thank you for always being there for her, and for building this partnership between home and school. I appreciate you both for all of the support you have given to my daughter this year. For all that you do behind the scenes, we thank you as well!"

- a Mason Crest ES parent 

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Ronna Petitt, Riverside ES 

"I am overdue in recognizing the hard work and dedication of this fantastic instructional assistant. We started out the year with two grade levels and across six different classes. We've since transitioned to a language arts and math resource room for grades 2-4; and through the many changing scenarios, she brings her enthusiasm and positivity in working with challenging students. She follows through on all my instructional plans and demonstrates initiative whenever there is a change or unexpected event. Recently, she had to manage for part of the day all by herself; and although it was extremely challenging, she had the students attempt all the assignments and took copious notes on how the students performed on each task. Ronna even had the energy to leave positive smiley faces on her anecdotal notes. FCPS is fortunate to have such a dedicated employee. I'm so very grateful to work with Ronna."

- Karen Ramsey, Riverside ES 

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Matthew Norton, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Matthew Norton is the consummate professional. He makes data driven decisions that also account for qualitative and anecdotal feedback. Matthew is incredibly responsive to principal needs and is always available to answer any questions or concerns. Positionally, Matthew has to field questions from multiple principal and site based leaders regarding things such as staffing. He leads with empathy and patience, taking the time to understand questions and perspectives while explaining "the why" of decision-making. FCPS is fortunate to have Matthew Norton supporting its schools."

- Tony DiBari, Westfield HS 

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Theresa Charles, Lake Braddock SS 

"Theresa Charles is not only a fantastic math teacher in regards to content, but she is a fantastic teacher in regards to the warm and welcoming environment she creates in her classroom. One of my students has had a number of ups and downs that have caused them to be out of school for several days this school year. Theresa always puts this student's well-being first and welcomes them back in with open arms each time. I am fully convinced the reason the student is able to settle back in and still feel like they can succeed in a class as challenging as PreCalc is because of Theresa's warmth and emphasis on the student being healthy first and helping them to catch up second. So glad my student is with her."

- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock SS 

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Scott Darwin, Lake Braddock SS 

"I'd like to give a shout out to Scott Darwin. As an administrator, he is constantly navigating the needs of so many different stakeholders, students, parents, teachers, counselors and other administrators. At times, what each of these parties want is extremely different. I wanted to thank him for his finesse at being able to look out for the best interest of kids while still making staff and parents feel heard and supported, which is, at times, near impossible. Thanks for all you do Scott, and for continuing to do the hard work with humor and determination."

- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock SS 

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Samantha Entwisle, Pulley Career Center

"Ms. Entwisle is full of wonderful ideas and the energy to make them happen, not just for her own class, but for the entire school. Pulley has more buses than space to park them, so we have a rolling dismissal announced by PA and Jamboard. Ms. Entwisle manages the dismissal Jamboard, including daily images that reflect different holidays and observances. She organizes dress-up days and always goes all-out with her own gear. Recently, she made custom trading cards for every member of Pulley's first-year basketball team. Each card had the player's name, number, and photo on a slick basketball court background. She printed, laminated, and cut enough for each player to pass them out to anyone they chose. Ms. Entwisle's efforts bring a lot of fun and a sense of belonging to the students and staff at Pulley."

- Heather Frei, Pulley Career Center

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Raheel Ahmed-Litz, Bryant HS 

"There are so many words of gratitude I can write about how Mrs. Ahmed-Litz helps our students. However there is no greater compliment we can give than to call her a cultural bridge. We strive to be able to serve all of our students all of the time. In reality there are times when you need a cultural bridge. Someone who shares some cultural similarities with the student and through those commonalities brings a sense of comfort. Today like so many other days Raheel Ahmed-Litz came when we called. A South Asian student needing a culturally knowledgeable ear to create a bridge between the school, administrator and student was the beneficiary today. Ms. Ahmed-Litz' support has been life changing for this student who only came to the US a short time ago. Additionally, the school administration is always better informed when Ms. Ahmed-Litz can work with us. A million thanks."

- Karen Hertel, Bryant HS 

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Eileen Cosgrove, Bryant HS 

"In the two years that she has been here, Mrs. Cosgrove has transformed our school library into one that is welcoming, updated, and continuously evolving! Mrs. Cosgrove eagerly and enthusiastically recommends books for our students! She has created an amazing Schoology classroom that includes Database Resources and Faculty and Staff Resources. The library is always beautifully decorated and is always showcasing books for all occasions! When you enter the library, you feel relaxed yet super-excited! I love going there and I love taking my students there. It is a special gift for us all! Thank you Mrs. Cosgrove for working so hard to make our school library so special!"

- Nancy Chang, Bryant ALC

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Megan Runion, West Potomac HS 

"Dr. Runion provides important, necessary, and meaningful interventions to students at West Potomac. Her work improves the mental health, attendance rate, and productivity of students she works with. The work she does will make a difference in the lives of students today and also in their futures. I am thankful my students have access to the valuable resource of Dr. Runion’s caring presence."

- a West Potomac HS parent 

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Andrew Hahn, Davis Career Center

"Andrew is one of our wonderful and energetic Secondary Transition to Employment Program (STEP) teachers. He works with students with a variety of learning needs each day to build their capacity for lifelong success in life, social, and vocational endeavors. Many of his students are currently working in PAID positions through their community work experiences with Andrew's support. This week specifically, Andrew has taken on the challenge of utilizing student down-time on their days off of work to target meal planning, budgeting, and grocery shopping in our Life Skills Lab. These meaningful lessons will set our STEP students up for fuller lives with greater independence as adults in their communities!"

- Carli McIntosh, Davis Career Center

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Phyllis Taylor, Thoreau MS 

"Phyllis Taylor was a fun, friendly team teacher and an experienced instructor of culinary and home arts who I admired. She taught skills that every person needs to know to be successful in adult, independent life, patching holes in clothes, cooking essential meals, and having a laugh with those around you while doing home tasks. My mother was a home economics teacher and I truly felt at home in Ms. Taylor's classroom, technically as a team teacher, but really as a student learning and growing!"

- a Thoreau MS former employee

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Ann Clarkberry, Bryant HS 

"With a student experiencing a medical emergency today, Ms. Clarkberry quickly jumped into action and responded to the classroom. Without hesitation she completely managed the scene keeping a calm and professional demeanor which kept staff and students in the room safe and at ease. It is often overlooked how the responding adults managed the crisis when a situation is resolved without incident. Ms. Clarkberry will tell you she was doing her job. We are thanking her for doing her job impeccably."

- Karen Hertel, Bryant HS 

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Jean Wyche, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"When FCPS hired Teacher Residents, they set an extremely high bar to become provisionally certified by spring of 2023. Teacher Residents worked tirelessly to teach full time, take teaching courses, and pass the required Praxis exams to earn this provisional license. When asked if she would be willing to support them in studying for their VCLA, Jean jumped in with both feet, offering time, resources, reassurance, and expertise to a very appreciative and grateful group. She took on this work in addition to her regular job as an ELA specialist and has given countless hours to emails, meetings, and one-on-one pep talks. I am grateful for Jean's expertise, collaboration, and genuine care for our Teacher Residents. I know that she will play a large part in their success, and therefore a large part in the success of children."

- Meghan Mascelli, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Jennifer Brown, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"When FCPS hired Teacher Residents, they set an extremely high bar to become provisionally certified by spring of 2023. Teacher Residents worked tirelessly to teach full time, take teaching courses, and pass the required Praxis exams to earn this provisional license. When asked if she would be willing to support them in studying for their VCLA exam, Jennifer jumped in with both feet, offering time, resources, reassurance, and expertise to a very appreciative and grateful group. She took on this work in addition to her regular job as an ESLA specialist and has given countless hours to emails, meetings, and one-on-one pep talks. I am grateful for Jennifer's expertise, collaboration, and genuine care for our Teacher Residents. I know that she will play a large part in their success, and therefore a large part in the success of children."

- Meghan Mascelli, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Jennifer Brown, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"When FCPS hired Teacher Residents, they set an extremely high bar to become provisionally certified by spring of 2023. Teacher Residents worked tirelessly to teach full time, take teaching courses, and pass the required Praxis exams to earn this provisional license. When asked if she would be willing to support them in studying for their ES Social Studies Praxis, Jennifer jumped in with both feet, offering time, resources, reassurance, and expertise to a very appreciative and grateful group. She took on this work in addition to her regular job as a social studies specialist and has given countless hours to emails, meetings, and one-on-one pep talks. I am grateful for Jennifer's expertise, collaboration, and genuine care for our Teacher Residents. I know that she will play a large part in their success, and therefore a large part in the success of children."

- Meghan Mascelli, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Spencer Jamieson, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"When FCPS hired Teacher Residents, they set an extremely high bar to become provisionally certified by spring of 2023. Teacher Residents worked tirelessly to teach full time, take teaching courses, and pass the required Praxis exams to earn this provisional license. When asked if she would be willing to support them in studying for their ES Science Praxis, Spencer jumped in with both feet, offering time, resources, reassurance, and expertise to a very appreciative and grateful group. He took on this work in addition to his regular job as a math specialist and has given countless hours to emails, meetings, and one-on-one pep talks. I am grateful for Spencer's expertise, collaboration, and genuine care for our Teacher Residents. I know that he will play a large part in their success, and therefore a large part in the success of children."

- Meghan Mascelli, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Jennifer Matthias, Willow Oaks Admin Center 

"When FCPS hired Teacher Residents, they set an extremely high bar to become provisionally certified by spring of 2023. Teacher Residents worked tirelessly to teach full time, take teaching courses, and pass the required Praxis exams to earn this provisional license. When asked if she would be willing to support them in studying for their ES Science Praxis, Jennifer jumped in with both feet, offering time, resources, reassurance, and expertise to a very appreciative and grateful group. She took on this work in addition to her regular job as a science resource teacher and has given countless hours to emails, meetings, and one-on-one pep talks. I am grateful for Jennifer's expertise, collaboration, and genuine care for our Teacher Residents. I know that she will play a large part in their success, and therefore a large part in the success of children." 

- Meghan Mascelli, Willow Oaks Admin Center 

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Catherine Ferrick, Madison HS 

"Ms. Ferrick is one of the loveliest people I have ever met. If summer was a person, I am certain it would be her. Her smile is like sunshine and I think she is what makes my AP Lit class as amazing as it is. Not only is Mrs. Ferrick an exceptional teacher, but I can also tell she loves what she does. Whether we are having a class conversation or writing essays, whenever I look at her, she is always, ALWAYS beaming from ear to ear. I absolutely adore working with her. Thank you Ms. Ferrick for helping me reach my potential in English and also making senior year so special."

- a Madison HS student

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Emira Diglisic, Madison HS 

"Ms. Diglisic is all things wonderful. She is extremely kind, intelligent, and passionate. To that end, she is also an incredible role model for young women in STEM. Within her class, Ms. Diglisic has taught me AutoCAD and fabrication skills, helping myself and many other ladies gain a newfound confidence within the STEM community. Every day I am in awe of her. She inspires me every day. Thank you, Ms. Diglisic."

- a Madison HS student

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Tonia Anderson, Madison HS 

"Ms. Anderson has a smile that could light up a room. She has this amazing positive aura that always makes me excited to learn. Not only is she extremely knowledgeable, but she is also an incredibly gracious and kind person. Because the Latin Department in our school is small, Ms. Anderson has had the difficult task of teaching combined classes with three or more levels at once. She has taken this into stride and I am amazed by all that she does. Each day, I look forward to seeing her. She has one of the most beautiful, uplifting smiles I have ever seen and I'm extremely thankful to have her in my life."

- a Madison HS student

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Craig Chasse, Madison HS 

"Coach Chasse is a once-in-a-lifetime track coach. He is extremely intelligent, supportive, and is a true inspiration to athletes at Madison HS. Outside of teaching PE, he can be found leading Madison's Track and Field, VYI Cross Country, and the Potomac Track Club, he is the true heart of running within Vienna. I've had the pleasure of being one of his students for two years and the honor to compete under his name for four; Coach Chasse is always there for me, cheering me on each lap and finding ways to provide me training resources that will make me a better athlete. He stands up for each of us and demands our best each day. Most importantly, Coach Chasse fosters an incredible team culture. Before our Regional Meet, he chose to read us all his favorite book: "I think I can!" His message was simple: "If things seem difficult and you feel alone, it's always mind over matter; Dig deep and you can always do it." I'd like to say a big thank you to Coach Chasse for teaching me to believe in myself. I'll carry the lessons he taught me for a lifetime."

- a Madison HS student

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Sandra Walters, West Springfield ES

"Recently, I was in Ms. Walters’ classroom conducting an observation and I was absolutely impressed by her and her team. I was in her classroom for a bit over an hour and she showed significant skill and expertise during that time. She was working with a student with challenging behaviors and demonstrated a high level of consistency, organization, and knowledge throughout the instructional period. She was able to provide the student with feedback and instruction in a kind manner and I could tell that she had developed a strong rapport with the student as well as another student who came to her room in crisis during part of the observation. She implemented procedures consistently, communicated well with other staff, and overall had an organized and well run classroom. From the little slice of her day that I was able to observe, it was clear to be that she is both dedicated and very talented. She is an absolute credit to the teaching profession!"

- Erin Wallace, Willow Oaks Admin Center 

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Seungbin Lee, Eagle View ES 

"Mr. Lee is an outstanding custodian who has a genuine love for his job, the children, and the school that he serves. He makes sure the school is clean and safe for everyone and goes above and beyond his call of duty. Every morning, Mr. Lee takes time out of his day to greet children as they walk into the school building. The children are always excited to see him and will shout out "Mr. Lee" with excitement. He exemplifies CARE and we are so fortunate to have him in our school community! Thank you Mr. Lee!"

- Susan Oh, Eagle View ES 

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Natalie Markey, Lake Braddock SS 

"Natalie Markey was my Algebra teacher when I was a student in FCPS. She went and continues to go out of her way to construct a caring classroom for all of her students. She understands that math is not easy for everyone and addresses individual learning needs. She brings fresh and innovative ideas into the classroom to continue to advance Lake Braddock deeper into the 21st century. Beyond this, I now have the honor of working with her at Lake Braddock as a Substitute. She is always the first person I go to when I need anything, as I know how reliable and helpful she is to all that she encounters. She has given me lots of inspiration for my future classroom as well. Well done, Mrs. Markey!"

- Clark Levine, Lake Braddock SS 

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Megan Lister, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Megan came in to support our English 8 team during our planning day. At the start of first period, one of our English 8 classes did not have a sub. Without hesitation, Megan told the team that she would cover the class so they could continue their work. Once sub coverage was secured, Megan returned to the meeting and helped the team puzzle through some of their wondering around the fourth quarter summative and end of the year assessment. We cannot thank Megan enough for her kindness, professionalism, and support she has provided us throughout this school year."

- Ryan Christoff, Holmes MS 

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Zakaria Raggad, Fairhill ES 

"He is a polite, energetic and caring employee. He is quick to respond when you ask for his help and always meets you with a smiling face."

- a Fairhill ES parent 

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Peter Kelly, Pulley Career Center

"Thank you Mr. Kelly for continuously displaying care and compassion for the staff and students at Pulley Career Center. Your tireless efforts to create a positive environment do not go unnoticed. Know that you are valued and appreciated. Keep tapping into your superpowers!

- Tameka Burroughs, Pulley Career Center

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Ivonne Estrada, Daniels Run ES 

"Ms. Estrada is a teacher that works tirelessly to ensure all third grade students receive the support they need to excel. It is clear in her actions and words during CLTs that she feels a shared responsibility to make sure that students, both in her class and other classes, have the resources and targeted differentiated instruction they deserve. She recently attended our MTSS meetings to support the school in thinking about how to best serve our multilingual learners. Her perspective and ideas helped push our team to consider new ways to partner with parents to support students in Tier 3 interventions. We are very lucky to have her at Daniels Run!"

- Fiona Gruver, Daniels Run ES 

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Zakaria Raggad, Fairhill ES 

"Always very pleasant and quick to respond to any questions and issues I have. Today was regarding my daughter continuously coming home without her coat. Thank you."

- a Fairhill ES parent 

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Ghil Hong, Hayfiled SS 

"Many students nowadays tend to be struggling with lots of mental health issues not only at school but at home. Having a counselor that really understands perspectives and is willing to do the work to make sure that their student are achieving the goals they need to meet can be really hard to find. Gratefully Hong has been a generous and hard working individual whom has not only helped the mental state of students by uplifting them, but has also put in the work to show and prove that every person regardless of state of mind is capable of getting something done. He has really understood perspectives, and has made it really fun for students to be able to express their true selves. It makes a student want to get up in the morning and continue to build a positive attitude by example."

- a Hayfield SS community member

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Pam Gordan, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Pam is such an asset to ISD. No matter her workload she's always available to help us with whatever we may need. In an environment that's constantly challenged, she's a person you can always turn to. We are all lucky to have her!"

- Leigh Kelly, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Brigid Williams, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Brigid is such an asset in ISD. She's always available to help anyone in need no matter her own workload. She's patient, kind and provides guidance along the way. She's the anchor that keeps us steady."

- Leigh Kelly, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Susan Savage, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Susan is a life saver. Not only does she keep us all on task but she's patient, kind and always holding our hand along the way. In an environment where we are overwhelmed with constant changes, she's always been there to help us along the way. She's a trust asset and a pleasure to work with."

- Leigh Kelly, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Emma Ascencio, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Emma is a pleasure to work with. While we all have so much to do and are often overwhelmed with processes changing, she's always there to lend a hand while being patient and kind. She's a true asset to us all."

- Leigh Kelly, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Jennie Flynn, Stenwood ES 

"Jennie is a one-in-a-million teacher. She is one of the strongest, most creative, caring, and dedicated teachers I have ever worked with. She has the patience of a saint, is known as the "fun teacher" in our building, and connects with her students and their parents on a whole other level than most of us are able to. She is an incredible asset to our school, and as a kindergarten teacher, she makes an enormous difference in the first of so many children's public school years. We are all so lucky to have Jennie at Stenwood!"

- Marti Fucile, Stenwood ES 

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Tiffany Crump, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Tiffany was beyond helpful in my quest for information and answers today. Patient, kind, humble, helpful, efficient, knowledgeable and all other positive synonyms to describe her. So grateful and appreciative of all she knows, does, and is."

- Rita Berlin, Dunn Loring Center

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Luke Tonia, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"We are so incredibly thankful for the support Luke Tonia has provided for us at Holmes this year. He has sat with us on numerous Zoom meetings, helping us determine the most effective way to present schoolwide data on district assessments including VGA, MI, RI, etc. Additionally, any time our students take an assessment in Horizon, Luke has exported the data and compiled it into a common assessment workbook. Even with a fast turnaround time, he always delivers. This has been super helpful in building capacity in teams to analyze data from their assessments and come up with an action plan for next steps. We would not have been able to analyze the data in such detail without them. Words cannot describe how thankful we are, as coaches, teachers, and admin, for everything Luke has helped us with. We are so lucky to have his support."

- Brandi Goncz, Holmes MS 

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Jonathan Gouse, Bryant Alternative Learning Center

"Mr. Jon Gouse is the Safety and Security Specialist at Bryant ALC, however, his title does not begin to describe all of the special little touches Mr. Gouse brings to Bryant each and every day! He helps our students by being an amazing listener, being supportive when they need a little help, and stern when they need to understand boundaries. Not only is he always there for our students but he is a helper to our staff, always making sure that we are doing o.k. too! He is funny, cool, helpful, (a little bit crazy in the best way!) and so reliable always! Thank you so much Mr. Gouse for all that you do, you make a big difference each and every day!"

- Nancy Chang, Bryant Alternative Learning Center

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Clifton Ross, Bryant HS 

"Mr. Ross is a multitalented employee at Bryant HS. From his professional level singing at graduation to the many many videos he produces for staff and school programs; Mr. Ross is someone Bryant has always been able to count on. We want to thank him for the innumerable ways he contributes to a positive school environment. Thank you Mr. Ross!!"

- Karen Hertel, Bryant HS 

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Meredith Clancy, Manuta ES 

"Mrs. Clancy goes above and beyond in helping parents know what our students are doing in school. She writes a newsletter that summarizes the week, key concepts, and the plan for the next week. The class news gives a window into what's on my child's mind. These aren't required, and they help me understand my child's life at school and continue their education at home."

- a Mantua ES parent

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Dana Bayer, Longfellow MS 

"My son was having difficulties with other students in several classes. Ms. Bayer has done an amazing job investigating the original incident including speaking with students and teachers, helping to make to make a plan, and continuing to follow up with my son, other students, and myself to ensure that the problem is resolved."

- a Longfellow MS parent 

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Lisa Lozinsky, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I work near Lisa in TAM and am often able to overhear the conversations that she has with folks who are needing assistance with their licensure. I am constantly impressed with how calm, patient and understanding Lisa is with everyone she is assisting. She is always looking for solutions to help our employees obtain their licensure and is able to calm their fears and answer any and all of their questions. If I were seeking my licensure I would want someone like Lisa helping me. She truly goes above and beyond with EVERYONE I hear her speaking with. For many she has done research and has answers for them before even speaking with them. I am always so impressed. What an asset Lisa is to the Licensure Team, TAM/HR and FCPS."

- Michael Parker, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Drew Lisowski, Falls Church HS 

"Drew Lisowski chaired the District 10 State Orchestra Assessment event this past Friday March 3rd and Saturday March 4th, which was hosted at Hayfield SS. Drew had to organize all of the orchestras, create a schedule for all of the orchestras in District 10, hire orchestra adjudicators, as well as many other things. It takes hours and hours of work to put an event like this together for the District, and Drew worked many hours, especially outside of the contract time, to make sure the event was well-run for everyone. Thank you Drew for all of your hard work for the District 10 State Orchestra Assessment"

- Rachael Altekruse, Lewis HS 

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Kerri Shelfo, Hayfield SS 

"Kerri Shelfo hosted District 10 State Orchestra Assessment at Hayfield SS, and did an amazing job! She had to work all day Friday March 3rd and Saturday March 4th. She had to organize all of the parent and student volunteers for the events, as well as coordinate the use of multiple rooms throughout the building.  There is a lot of work that goes into this event, and she did a fantastic job hosting District 10 State Orchestra Assessment!"

- Rachael Altekruse, Lewis HS 

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Joelle Peeters, Kent Gardens ES

"Mme Peeters has been an amazing teacher for our son this year. She has reached out to us several times this year to discuss his success and struggles in math class. Because of her dedication to supporting him, we have been kept in the loop, and have been able to help him at home. We truly appreciate how much she cares about him and how well he understands the class material." 

- a Kent Gardens ES parent 

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Laura Steib, Columbia ES 

"The Social Studies team would like to thank Laura Steib for her dedication to Social Studies. As the Social Studies Lead Teacher, Laura helps us communicate updates, professional development opportunities, and instructional resources to other Columbia ES teachers. We recently shared a dynamic new resource with Lead Teachers and Laura went above and beyond to share this with Columbia ES staff. She invested time exploring the resource, is preparing a presentation to staff members, and even identified cross curricular applications in other content areas. We sincerely thank Laura for her dedication to Social Studies and to all of the teachers at Columbia Elementary!"

- Brooke Bachy, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Emily Ready, Herndon MS 

"Ms. Ready is amazing! Last week, she heard my daughter and another student talking about an upcoming basketball game where they would be playing each other. Not only did Ms. Ready ask them all about the game, she came to Herndon High School at 4:00 today (a Sunday) to watch their game. My daughter and her friend were thrilled that Ms. Ready came to the game. I'm sure she could have been doing a hundred other things on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, but she chose to watch a 7th grade girls basketball game and support these girls. Truly unbelievable! Also, about month ago, Herndon Middle School had their curriculum night and I happened upon a magical conversation between Ms. Ready and a current 6th grader. She had asked this student if he liked history and he immediately shook his head and proclaimed that he hated history. However, within a short 30 second conversation with him, she totally changed his view of history class. I can't remember the exact conversation, but Ms. Ready  was able to change his mind by somehow connecting video games, war, and history class. As the boy was walking by me to leave the room, I heard him tell his friend that middle school history class actually sounded really cool. It was one of the most amazing interactions I've ever seen and I've thought about it many times since I witnessed it! She probably won't even remember the conversation, because she probably does this all the time though. I am so happy that Ms. Ready is at Herndon Middle School. She clearly has an enormous impact on her students (and future students) and cares about them deeply. Thank you for all you do, Ms. Ready!

- a Herndon MS parent 

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Katrina Churchill, Ravensworth ES

"We have been lucky to have Mrs. Churchill as a teacher for two of our kids. She is 100% the definition of what a true teacher is. In fact, teachers like her are few and far in between. As we know, teaching can be a difficult and frustrating job, but Mrs. Churchill ALWAYS shows up for her students. She does an excellent job at adapting lessons and adjusting her teaching style so that none of her students are left behind. With patience, determination, and love, she is able to turn her students into curious and enthusiastic learners and keep them there. Mrs. Churchill is always timely with her replies that are full with constructive feedback and never hesitates to answer any of our questions and address any of our concerns. She offers ways to improve learning skills at home and even provides supplemental materials. She has a very clear understanding on how to move her student’s towards learning excellence. Mrs. Churchill, you’re such a wonderful teacher and your efforts are noticed! We thank you for being incredible for all of these kids! We thank you, your students thank you, and the world thanks you."

- a Ravensworth ES parent 

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Carrie Brown and Tina McPherson, Lake Braddock SS 

"Carrie and Tina not only rallied staff to donate their personal time but also created an opportunity for 300 families to participate in our Math & Literacy night with fun games, take aways to continue the learning at home, and a free dinner. Their efforts are appreciated by all of us! Building bridges and community." 

- Laura Reed, Bull Run ES 

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Nancy Lucas Heck, Lake Braddock SS 

"I want to give a shout out to Nancy Lucas Heck and the Adapted Curriculum team of teachers. In the past month, we have dealt with a number of challenging situations with various students, and the team simply never waivers. They find new and creative ways to support students, they support each other as a team, and they are always looking for a positive moment with their students on which to capitalize and build. I am so endlessly impressed with their dedication and commitment to excellence and forward progress for their students."

- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock SS 

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Davis May, Lake Braddock SS 

"I want to thank Davis May for going the extra mile for my students. He has "inherited" several of my new students in the past two months, and has found a way to assess their needs and to meet them where they are. He is organizing resources for one of my seniors who needs support in Algebra 2 to graduate, he warmly welcomed one of my students returning to LBSS from TSRC, and has welcomed another student from Maryland who has very few foundational skills in the previous prerequisite math courses to be in the course in which he is enrolled. He does not complain or blame me for misplacing the student in the class, but just tries to find a way to help. I so appreciate his efforts. No wonder why I always want to put my students in his class!"

- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock SS 

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Sandy Hunter, Kirsten Miller, Amy Soos, and Cindy Allen, Lake Braddock SS 

"I'd like to thank Sandy Hunter and Kirsten Miller for their help during academic advising. For four full weeks, over 2100 students came down to HS Student Services to register for their  classes in 2023-24. Sandy, Cindy, Kirsten and Amy were instrumental in keeping the groups that came down organized and orderly, so counselors could truly focus on their individual academic advising. Thank you, ladies!" 

- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock SS 

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Sarah Padilla, Lake Braddock SS 

"I want to thank Sarah for "tag teaming" with me on multiple student situations in the past month where I have relied on her Spanish speaking skills and positive way with parents to get mental health resources for students as well as helping students to be placed correctly in classes. She never fails to support and I have the utmost trust in her interactions with parents and students alike. Thanks, Sarah!"

- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock SS 

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Cynthia Allen, Lake Braddock SS 

"I want to thank Cindy Allen, our transcript secretary, from our whole department for her support preparing for our 504 Compensatory Services data dive day today. I spoke with Cindy on Tuesday, and asked if she would be willing to help us gather data for today's data dive. Cindy didn't even hesitate. In two days, she pulled the HS and middle school transcripts of every one of our students with a 504 (over 200 students), and created individual folders for each of our counselors with their specific students' information. It was a HUGE help to allow us to start diving into the data right away today rather than spending time downloading and printing. Thank you, Cindy!!"

- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock SS 

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Lindsey Kearns and Anne Polino, Lake Braddock SS 

"I want to thank Anne Polino, our DSS, for lobbying for our department to have the full day today to work solely on preparing for the monster task of Compensatory Services for 504s. It was EXTREMELY productive for every member of our team. I also want to thank Lindsey Kearns, as our Principal, for respecting the request from Anne and understanding how much we really needed this entire day to work together. It made a huge difference. Thanks for hearing us." 

- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock SS 

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Debra Brown, Lake Braddock SS 

"I want to give a shout out to my colleague and friend, Deb Brown. Deb arranged for a meeting today where all of our team got together in the conference room to share resources on how we were tackling the overwhelming task of Compensatory Services for 504 Plans. Deb is organized, incredibly efficient, and always willing to share her resources with others. Our camaraderie today, initiated by Deb, led to all of us to share our ideas and templates we had created. We all felt much more prepared by the end of the day. We followed her organizational plan and are in a much better place than we were at 8 am!"

- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock SS 

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Mike Dougherty, Lake Braddock SS 

"I want to thank Mike Dougherty "Coach Doc" for creating a warm, welcoming and inclusive environment for one of our brand new Adapted Curriculum students. We had a new student start with us from overseas, and we had very little information about his educational background. In our registration, the student was able to express he liked "gym". Coach Doc welcomed our student in his Personal Fitness class, and his students have become supportive "buddies" to our new student. Thank you, Coach Doc, for welcoming our student and for creating an environment where students are taught to be kind and inclusive. Our student is thrilled to be with you!"

- Jacqueline Naughton, Lake Braddock SS 

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Ian Brodie, Lynn Carrera, Betsy DeSouza-Wyatt, Lynda Samek-Smith, Kim Hammond, and Sandy Hunter, Lake Braddock SS 

"Thank you for giving up your personal time to grade students' essays as part of their application to Governor's School (Academic). Your time and effort helped us to select our five winning Lake Braddock students who will spend the summer at a university, receiving intensive educational experiences in humanities, mathematics, science, and technology."

- Megan Cashman and Sierra Alexander, Lake Braddock SS 

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Rachel Baxter, Marshall HS 

"I recently helped facilitate a student focus group on assessment and grading at Marshall High School. Rachel Baxter served as our point of contact, helping to reserve the meeting space, inviting students, and collecting parental permission from each student. Rachel went above and beyond ensuring the success of the focus group. She secured a diverse group of students, which provided us with insights about grading and assessing from all grade levels and a variety of course levels and course types. Rachel’s dedication and commitment helped make this focus group a success and we truly appreciate her efforts!" 

- Anthony Hanrahan, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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David Morse, Woodson IT Center

"David Morse is a dedicated employee who provides amazing support for Annandale HS. Alot of what he does is behind the scenes. His assistance with getting our technology equipment fixed and working goes above and beyond. I can't say enough about the excellent and efficient support he has provided for me, the staff, and the teachers at Annandale, and he stays in constant communication, provides feedback and suggestions, and overall is very responsive. Thank you, David, for always being so helpful to support the needs in the school."

- Terri Pendleton, Annandale HS 

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Sue Holmes, Wakefield Forest ES 

"Sue Holmes is responsible for finding substitute coverage for teachers and IAs who are out at our school. Over the past two years, we have had an increase in uncovered absences. Sue checks her email at night before she goes to bed and then again when she wakes up. There are many times she goes to bed thinking everything is taken care of and then wakes up to a different story. She begs, borrows and steals staff members to cover if a substitute can not be found. This juggling act is all done with a smile and gratitude. Our students, staff and families are fortunate to have such a kind, dedicated SIA who gives endlessly and never expects something in return!"

- Mary Muratore, Wakefield Forest ES 

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Charlie Morris, Davis Career Center

"Charlie is a knowledgeable and caring PHTA. His calm demeanor and instinct for determining student needs are invaluable assets to our community of learners with a variety of specialized needs. Yesterday a student was confused about their after-school schedule, resulting in them missing their bus. Charlie stayed after school hours to assist in locating the student, returning them to school, and finding activities for the student to participate in while waiting on their parent. Charlie demonstrates this thoroughness in all of his interactions with students, and our students directly benefit from the support he provides."

- Carli McIntosh, Davis Career Center 

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Nicole Vide, Mason Crest ES 

"My son’s teacher, Mrs. Vide, has been nothing short of incredible all year. She makes every kid feel supported and heard. My child loves going to school because of her and all the energy and love she brings to the class every day. She’s pure magic and truly goes above and beyond. She’s the epitome of FCPS Cares."

- a Mason Crest ES parent 

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Giovanna Bello, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Gracias Ms. Giovanna, Thank you for assisting in translating for several meetings regarding an ESOL student and the family. Your ability to go beyond the call of duty and to accommodate both DCC staff and the parents for several hours is a HUGE 'thank you' to you. We could not have done it without you!"

- Brianna Graves, Davis Career Center

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Michael Symanski, Pulley Career Center

"I want to thank Mr. Symanski for meeting with my husband and I and going over all the programs good for our son, after the Pulley Career Center. He explained everything very well. We learned a lot about all the programs. Thank you again Mr. Symanski!"

- a Pulley Career Center parent 

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Austin Gogal, Davis Career Center

"Austin is dedicated to his students' success and is willing to go the extra mile to ensure they have options in the future. Thank you, Austin, for taking the time to support your student and her family in completing applications for postsecondary services."

- Polly Huh, Davis Career Center

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Walaa Amar, Davis Career Center

"Walaa is one of the amazing paraprofessionals at the Davis Center. Every morning she is out greeting students at the buses, as well as the drivers and attendants who bring the students in each day. Walaa is very committed to student success and her presence each morning at the buses is important because it creates consistency and routine for so many of our students who rely on this small detail to help set the tone for their day. Thank you, Walaa, for being an important part of our DCC community!"

- Chad Clayton, Davis Career Center 

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Melissa Hoffman, Oak Hill ES

"Melissa's organization with data collection is admirable. It is evident through the spreadsheets she creates that she is truly utilizing data to drive instruction at Oak Hill Elementary. In addition to collecting, organizing, and analyzing data, Melissa is willing to share what she has created to benefit more schools. I am thankful to work with such a caring individual who strives to make a difference for our students."

- Alexis Centers, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Bari Dooley, Silverbrook ES 

"I wanted to give a shout-out to Bari Dooley who is a special Ed teacher at Silverbrook. My son’s experience this year has been incredibly positive and he really enjoys going to school each day! Mrs. Dooley is also very positive in her communication with parents and in IEP Progress Reports. Reading the comments about “Great job” in an IEP Progress report really warmed my heart!"

- a Silverbrook ES parent 

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Rosa Murati, Fort Belvoir Upper School

"Rosa is the registrar at Fort Belvoir Upper, an immensely large job as a result of the high mobility rate. She does this job with great skill as well as with kindness, patience, and generosity. In addition, our office is currently short staffed so she has stepped up to do a plethora of tasks beyond her role. She continues to do them all well and with a smile. She is ready to help teachers and other colleagues in any way necessary."

- Jennifer Orr, Fort Belvoir Upper School

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Laurie Laso, Bryant ALC

"Last Thursday, our students attended a field trip to The Hirshhorn Museum. Ms. Laso decided to surprise the students who displayed exceptional behavior on the trip with a pizza party! This is a typical gesture for Ms. Laso even though she is very busy with her daily duties as our social worker. In addition Ms. Laso has formed a committee to honor the families of students whom we have lost through tragic events over the years. Her committee is currently working to have a luncheon for the families so that they know that we keep the memory of their loved ones with us! This remarkable woman reminds all of us each day why we have chosen to do this work. Thank you Ms. Laso for setting such an awesome example for our staff and our students!"

- Nancy Chang, Bryant ALC

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Aphroditi Gouvousis, Davis Career Center

"Dr. G is a great colleague to work with! We've recently partnered up for mock interviewing with STEP students and Dr. G has creatively been helping to prepare the students (along with other amazing colleagues.) I've also noticed that Dr. G often provides thoughtful and effective feedback at staff meetings, some of which other staff may not be comfortable providing, which I really appreciate!"

- Theresa Piccolo, Davis Career Center 

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Philomina Kwashie, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I have contacted Philomina Kwashie on multiple occasions this year for assistance with DWYN shopping carts. Every time I have reached out to her, she has responded promptly and always been patient and kind. I know that she is incredibly busy, but she continuously takes the time to answer my questions and walk me through the steps needed. I can always count on her to provide support and help solve any purchasing issues that I may have. Thank you for everything you do, Mina! You truly are appreciated."

- Traci Power, Kings Park ES 

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Marisela Castro Ruiz, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Marisela has been invaluable in helping our special education department. Her professionalism, attentiveness, and responsiveness means our Spanish speaking special education families receive the best experience possible. I can't thank her enough for being such a team player."

- Candice Johnson, South Lakes HS 

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Steven Vasquez, Instructional Programs Support Center

"Steven is always quick to provide assistance when called upon. I can email him a question and he will walk me through the steps to complete transactions correctly and in a timely manner. He cares about the schools he serves. One time, I emailed him and asked him to call me because I had multiple questions. Unbeknownst me, he was off. Even though he was off, he took the time to call me and answer my questions. I am extremely thankful to have Steven as our Acquisitions Specialist at LSS."

- Jessica Landon, West Potomac HS 

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Rebecca Cousins, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Ms. Cousins has worked tirelessly to support our children who receive ETR services. Whether providing vital information in our in IEP meetings, investigating existing /new opportunities, or pushing paperwork through for programs, she knows and guides her students and families. She puts the "I" in Individual, and is able to help design course plans and navigate the many options to meet every students potential. Ms. Cousin's thorough knowledge and input has put our minds and hearts at ease as we approach post secondary options. Her service to the special needs community is remarkable, giving us and our children direction and hope for their futures. We are very thankful for her services, guidance and support."

- West Springfield HS parent 

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