Outstanding Secondary Teacher
Recognizing the Greatest Achievements in Education
2025 Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award Process
Nominating a candidate for the Outstanding Secondary Teacher award begins at the school level through each school's awards liaison. The liaison provides information about the nomination process and deadlines.
Who Is Eligible
- Any FCPS employee or community member can nominate a teacher for this award, but employees may not nominate themselves. Eligible candidates must have completed at least three full years of teaching and be aware of and in agreement with this nomination.
Award Criteria
Nominees are teachers who:
- Instill in students a desire to learn and achieve.
- Understand the individual needs of students, encourage their talents, and foster their self-esteem.
- Showcase a thorough knowledge of their subject matter and the ability to share it effectively with students.
- Proactively facilitate cooperative relationships with their colleagues, students, and the community.
- Demonstrate outstanding leadership.
- Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
Who Can Nominate
- Any FCPS employee, student, or community member can nominate a teacher for the Outstanding Teacher award. All nominations must be submitted through their school’s awards liaison. Teachers may not nominate themselves.
How To Nominate
- Once you have decided you would like to nominate an employee, please contact the awards liaison at your school for information about the nomination process and deadlines.
The Selection Process
- All schools will conduct a local nomination process to determine their Outstanding Secondary Teacher. The Outstanding Secondary Teacher from each school advances to the pyramid level, where a Pyramid Secondary School Teacher is selected to advance to the region level. The Region Outstanding Secondary School Teacher is selected from each group of pyramid level winners and is a finalist for each award. The annual overall FCPS Outstanding Secondary Teacher is chosen from each group of finalists.
Awards and Recognition
- All school-level honorees will be recognized. The annual FCPS Outstanding Secondary Teacher will be announced at the FCPS Honors event and will receive $4000. In recognition of collaborative teamwork, the FCPS award winners and their colleagues will also receive a celebration at their worksite.
Questions?
- Please contact the school's awards liaison.
2024
- Elementary, Shea Hestmark, Second Grade Teacher, Columbia Elementary School
- Secondary, Madison McKenna, Severe Disabilities Teacher, West Springfield High School
2023
- Elementary, Laura Senturia, Fourth Grade Teacher, Colin Powell Elementary School
- Secondary, Daniel J. Miller, English Teacher, Fairfax High School
- Secondary, Annie Ray, Orchestra Director, Annandale High School
2022
- Elementary, Essel Linton, Music Teacher, Annandale Terrace Elementary School
- Secondary, Kathleen Jacoby, Band Director, Herndon High School
2021
- Elementary, David Worst, Health and Physical Education Teacher, Rose Hill Elementary School
- Secondary, Jenny Hay, English Teacher, Irving Middle School
2020
- Elementary, Pete Cookson, STEAM Teacher, Laurel Hill Elementary School
- Secondary, Howard L. Brewer Jr., English Teacher, TSRC Alexandria
2019
- Elementary, Lisa Rode, Sixth Grade Teacher, Kings Glen Elementary School
- Secondary, Heather Brueggen, English Teacher, Edison High School
2018
- Elementary, Mary Bauer, Orange Hunt ES
- Secondary, Alissa Oginsky, Holmes MS, Grade 6
2017
- Elementary, Jillian Bell, Brookfield ES
- Secondary, Sarah Thompson, Twain MS, English
2016
- Corey Thornblad, Kilmer MS, Social Studies
2015
- Kimberly Scott, Franklin MS, English
2014
- Moosa Shah, Rachel Carson MS, Biology
2013
- Melissa Porfirio, Crestwood ES, Grade 1
2012
- Charles Sabatier, Mount Vernon HS, Physics
2011
- Jamie Sawatzky, Rocky Run MS, Social Studies
2010
- Brigitte Lavey, Langley HS, History
2009
- Francis Payne, Falls Church HS, History and AVID Program Coordinator
2008
- Michelle Ohanian, Mountain View Alternative HS, ESOL
2007
- Bob Eichorn, Cedar Lane School, Computer Enhanced Instruction
2006
- Lynn F. Riggs, Bailey’s ES for the Arts and Sciences
2005
- Stephen Scholla, Oakton HS, Physics
2004
- Joseph Hills, Lake Braddock SS, World Studies
2003
- Inge Pisano, Oakton HS, French/German
2002
George Juliano, Robinson SS, Art/Ceramics
2001
- Edward D. Heffernan, Silverbrook ES, Grade 3
2000
- Gail Ritchie, Kings Park ES, Kindergarten, Grade 1
1999
- Shirley Folsom, Mount Eagle ES, Reading, Title I
1998
- Regla Armengol, Bailey's ES, Arts & Science Spanish Immersion
1997
- Philip Bigler, Thomas Jefferson HSST, History
1996
- Gretchen Portwood, Woodson HS, Journalism
1995
- Kristi Thomas, Riverside ES, Band Director
1994
- Rebecca McDonnell-Sacra, McLean HS, Biology
1993
- Emelie Parker, Bailey's ES, Grade 1
1992
- Sharon Mullen, Woodley Hills ES, Grade 1
1991
- Diane Elaine Breakiron, Stuart HS, Biology
1990
- Vern Williams, Longfellow MS, Mathematics
1989
- Lena Goreski, Lake Anne ES, Kindergarten
1988
Teresa Zutter, Juvenile Detention Center, Special Education
1987
- Ronald Axelrod, West Springfield HS, English
1986
Raymond Wilkins, South Lakes HS, Fine Arts
1985
- Dorothy Lytal, Fort Hunt ES, Grade 1
1984
- Jewell Alexander, West Springfield HS, English
1983
- Nancy Gibbs Fox, Wolftrap ES, Music
1982
- Maureen O'Donnell, Woodson HS, Latin
Submit questions or concerns, as well as upload forms and other documents through the FCPS StaffConnect portal. Human Resources representatives are also available for assistance Monday – Friday (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) by calling 571-423-3000 or 1-800-831-4331.