FCPS CARES - July/August 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

Latika Barnes, Stonecroft Transportation Center

"Ms. Barnes grew concerned while proceeding to her assigned bus route in the early morning hours of August 21st. She spotted a young child wearing a backpack, sitting alone on the curb. It was too early in the morning for elementary students to be outside waiting for a bus. Without hesitation, Ms. Barnes pulled over to assist the child. After realizing the student was unable communicate in English and was not able to identify his home, Ms. Barnes called for police assistance. The student was reunited with their parent a short time later. Ms. Barnes showed FCPS cares by being observant of her surroundings, and noticing when a situation was not right. We are so thankful to have extremely vigilant drivers like Ms. Barnes."

- Karen Miller, Stonecroft Transportation Center

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Region 1 

Juliet Frimpong, Blanca Hernandez, Deron Elmond, and An Tran, Navy ES (Pictured) - View the Celebration!

"Our school was used for ESY this summer. It took over the majority of our classrooms. It left our incredible custodial staff with only two weeks to strategically empty out every single classroom, clean every square inch, buff every floor, move a lot of classrooms to new locations and return every item of the building back into their space. Not to mention that they have been operating one man short for an entire year. Our Navy Custodial staff is incredible. They are close knit group of dedicated men and women who are kindhearted, always positive, and hardworking. Last night they worked hard to make sure our whole building was ready for Back to School Night. Thank you for making our school a beautiful space."

- Chrissy McLaughlin, Navy ES 

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Region 2

Lisa Russell, Timber Lane ES

"Our librarian, Lisa Russell, is opening the TLES library during the summer to our community to not only checkout books but she has also set up makerspace activities and games for our students. Lisa is always trying to find ways to make the library an accessible space both during school time and after school. Lisa does all of this on her own time and never seeks recognition. Lisa deserves to be recognized because she truly embodies all of the attributes of the FCPS CARES program. "

- Jenny Collins, Timber Lane ES 

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Region 3

Iris Stubblefield, West Potomac HS - View the Celebration!

"I feel as though I could write an FCPS Cares on Iris Stubblefield every month. Iris is a tireless advocate for FCPS students. While we have not worked in the same building for several years, Iris will always seek out information or assistance from her colleagues and former co-workers to help her students. Most recently Iris brought a 2023 West Po graduate to Bryant so we could work together to help the young man work on his self-advocacy in applying for vocational training with the WISH foundation. The young man worked through the steps of applying and followed up with professional email communication and is well on his way to career training. Iris is an amazing teacher, encourager, and advocate!!  Thank you, Iris!"

- Karen Hertel, Bryant HS 

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Region 4

Maria Canas, West Springfield HS - View the Celebration!

"I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the remarkable dedication and hard work of Maria Canas. Maria is the building supervisor at West Springfield High School and supported us at West Springfield Elementary School when we were down two custodians this summer. Maria would work weekends and evenings to help us prepare for the school year, but beyond that, she mentored and supported our new Assistant Building Supervisor on best practices in cleaning. What truly set her apart was her willingness to lend a helping hand even when it’s beyond her role and responsibilities is a testament to her strong work ethic and remarkable character. She meticulously took care of our school as if it was her own. Her impact is deeply felt, seen, and truly appreciated. Our building looks beautiful thanks to her! "

- Kelly Sheers, West Springfield ES 

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Region 5

Blair Smith, Woodson HS - View the Celebration!

"Blair received a late-night call from our Building Supervisor stating that one of our custodians was acting out of norm. Even though Blair was already at home for the night, he rushed up to the school to check on the situation. Once he got to the school and assessed the custodians wellbeing, he made the decision to call 911. They got to the hospital and rather than leaving him there, Blair sat with this gentleman throughout the night. Our custodian had a medical emergency and Blair, along with our Building Supervisor, saved his life with their quick response times and awareness of their employees and peers."

- Alexa Pugnetti, Woodson HS

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Paul Osei Akrasi, Woodson HS - View the Celebration!

Paul made a life saving decision for one of our custodians on July 5th. When checking in on his night crew staff, he noticed that one of them was acting out of the norm. Paul called his supervisor, DSA Blair Smith and told him about the situation. Paul and Blair assessed the custodians wellbeing and made the decision to call 911. Luckily they did, because the custodian was having a medical emergency and thanks to their quick response time and awareness of their employees and peers they saved this custodians life."

- Alexa Pugnetti, Woodson HS

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Region 6

Sabrina Kessenich and Scott Saunders, Lewis HS - View the Celebration!

"I’ve worked for FCPS for 18 years now, 11 as a substitute, 7 as an IA, and now this begins my first year as a teacher. It took me 18 years to muster the courage to take this step and become a teacher, and now, just one week into this new position, I feel confident in my ability to be here and be a teacher, and that is all thanks to the warm, supportive, encouraging environment that I have found in my coworkers here at Lewis High. The minute I stepped foot in Lewis high I’ve felt nothing but the warmest welcome by all, from the admin to the staff, to the custodians. I hold so much appreciation in my heart for every single person I’ve met these past few weeks, as well as those I am going to continue to meet this school year, for making Lewis High feel like home. I wanted to give special thanks to Sabrina Kessenich. She goes above and beyond for me every single day. Despite her busy schedule, she makes sure I have everything I need for my lesson plan. I couldn’t be more grateful. I’d also like to thank Scott Saunders for helping me since the first minute I stepped into Lewis high. This transition felt overwhelming at first, but his unwavering kindness and support, whether he’s helping me set up the projector or we’re chatting over Diet Coke, has made working at Lewis High feel like such a joy and privilege. And last but most certainly never least, I wanted to give my warmest thanks and appreciation for the custodians that have helped me set up my classroom. I wouldn’t be here without your help. Thank you again Lewis High. I’m wishing everyone an amazing school year." 

- Shaza Elsamani, Lewis HS 

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Other FCPS Cares of the Month Recipients

Tiffany Heffner, Rebecca Kingsley, Maggie LeGendre, Regina Natale, and Rich Gordon, Hayfield SS 

"I would like to recognize our technology team (SBTS and TSPECS) for their detailed and comprehensive distribution of our new Chromebooks to Hayfield's student body. They were very detailed in their presentation, from the pre- distribution video to the actual rollout, and the follow up "how to" slide show. Each class received a great oral presentation and demonstration of how to pick up their Chromebooks, and charger, and this process was very quick and worry free. Thank you to our great tech team for their spirt and energy during this extensive process!"

- James Mercer, Hayfield SS 

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Leslie Marquez, Bryant ALC

"Saying that Leslie is just the administrative assistant in Bryant ALC is the understatement of the year. Leslie is the glue that holds everything together in the ALC, especially as the program is working with substitute admin as they are seeking a permanent administrator. Leslie manages the program finances, student arrivals and dismissals, breakfast and lunch orders, bathroom break assistance and supervision, really more than I can type. Leslie is a doer...She hustles all day to ensure the program runs smoothly happily helping to interpret when needed. Leslie is respected by staff and students alike.  She is truly indispensable, we could not be more thankful for her!"

- Karen Hertel, Bryant HS 

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Carrie Sarsour, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Shout out to Carrie Sarsour for being an amazing HR employment specialist. Thank you for your ongoing support of Herndon Elementary. Carrie has been highly responsive to emails and phone calls. She makes sure we feel supported and answers any questions we may have in a timely manner. Not only is she responsive, she has a friendly disposition which makes her a joy to work with. Thank you, Carrie!"

- Candace Hunstad, Herndon ES 

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Carole Phelps, Lorton Transportation Center

"Thank you to Ms. Phelps for resolving a complicated Here Comes the Bus route display issue. She was helpful and pleasant and immediately understood the issue when I spoke with her. She did a lot of research and follow-up on her own time to resolve the issue and I appreciate that!"

- Bethany Slingerland, Madison HS 

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Joseph Edwards, Transition Support Resource Center - Alexandria

"Mr. Edwards is a man of many talents! He takes one for the team by taking responsibility of some of the most tedious paperwork and scheduling. He holds the students to high standards while showing compassion when they're having a rough day. Mr. Edwards goes out of his way to learn about mental health, mindset strategies, and helps students understand their own metacognition and gain insight into their own behavior. Most of all, Mr. Edwards does this with humor and consideration and a positivity that is infectious. Thanks Joe for all you do!"

- Jude Welling Barrows, Transition Support Resource Center - Alexandria

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Gretchen Schaefer, Stonecroft Transportation Center

"Gretchen is going above and beyond at this busy time of year to respond to parent questions and issues with bus transportation. She handled adding some bus stops for a Dranesville neighborhood efficiently and professionally. We now have another set of happy riders that feel well taken care of. Thank you Gretchen!!"

- Elaine Tholen, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Liz Cassidy, Laurie Maynard, Darcy Acquavella, Sharon Mergler, and Trinity Edwards, Bull Run Early Childhood Center, Virginia Hills Early Childhood Center, Dunn Loring Early Childhood Center

"Thank you to this amazing group of resource teachers for facilitating group instruction at the countywide in-service for the Early Childhood Program! Your flexibility, open mindedness and connection with teachers and content contributed to a successful day for everyone! Thanks for all of your hard work."

- Erin Snell, Bull Run Early Childhood Center

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Chris Jacobs, Archer ES 

"Chris is our school SBTS, but acts as so much more. He has worked endless hours and days to set up and physically move laptop carts to our new building, modulars, and quads, without working elevators. He has worked to try to fix our Wifi problems due to the new building situations. Meanwhile, he has troubleshooted issues, come in to hold classes with children to prep them and teach newcomers our system, and begun to help us restart our Schoology platforms again this year, while trying to navigate us through Performance Matters.  He’s set up new copy machines, replaced our broken laptops, and made us all smile when we know he was the most stressed of us all, Chris is one of the most professional, fun, and caring individuals with whom I have ever worked. Now he deserves more self-care even more than recognition. Thank you Chris! Take care of YOU buddy! That comes first! We all appreciate you! "

- Kristen Toth, Archer ES 

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Kellie Steiger, Cardinal Forest ES 

"Ms. Steiger helped out one of our first grade teachers, with one of her students. The student was very upset and feeling down, and very sad. Ms. Steiger sat on the floor with the student, and talked to her and made her feel better. The student was able to go back to class and finish out the day."

- Amneh Hindiyeh, Cardinal Forest ES 

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Greg Rupert, Food & Nutrition Services

"Greg Rupert, Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) Coordinator of Administration, recognized a staffing shortage within FNS. He took the initiative and worked with HR and scheduled 14 mini FNS Job Fairs from July 12-August 10 at Summer School locations all over the County. He set up a tent and multiple tables. Greg scheduled FNS drivers to help deliver the tent and tables, Admin staff to help answer questions and FNS Operation Specialists to interview applicants. The word spread and each job fair was more successful than the previous one! In all we interviewed 143 applicants and once references were checked, hired 63  staff/managers/drivers! Thank you Greg, for your ‘thinking outside the box’ for recruiting staffing. Great job!!"

- Lisa Diapoulis, Food & Nutrition Services

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Evelio Valladares Maradiaga, Great Falls ES 

"Evelio Valladares Maradiaga, Building Supervisor for Great Falls Elementary School,  exemplifies a tremendous work ethic at all times, with a smile on his face and willingness to jump in to help whenever and wherever he may be needed. Evelio also anticipates where he might be able to support and will often pause in the course of his work to offer a possible solution to a problem before he is asked. Great Falls Elementary School is a wonderful place to work and attend school, due to the constant maintenance and upkeep of the building and the property, under Evelio’s leadership. In addition, Evelio is a delightful person to be around, and brings up the spirits of everyone in the school, students, and staff alike, in his travels to and from every inch of the building throughout the day. Evelio’s most frequently used expression, “No Problem!” inspires all of us on a daily basis. Thank you, Evelio!"

- Susan Hawn, Great Falls ES 

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Susanna Lee, Sideburn Support Center

"Susanna is amazing. I was really stumped on how to take some data I was receiving and turn it into something meaningful and understandable. With the recommendation from my supervisor I reached out to Susanna. She didn't know me, but immediately reached out to me and asked how she could help. She even met with me in person to better understand my requirements. She had great suggestions and helped me to focus on the scope of that I was trying to do. In 2 weeks, not only do I have these amazing reports,  they are automated so the system does everything. Taking a bunch of raw data and turning it into meaningful useable information, complete game changer for me. Thank you Susanna."

- Karen Cogan, Forte Center

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Aziz Elhayani, Woodson IT Center

"I have been having issues with my smartboard/projector over the last 2 weeks. Finally, I submitted a ticket and the very next day Aziz was in my classroom and fixed my smartboard in a timely manner. He was kind and professional. Thank you!!!"

- Adriel Ignacio, Willow Springs ES

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Aron Sterling and Torey Diggs, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Aron and Torey are working tirelessly as we roll out Performance Matters. They are incredibly patient in fielding the many questions coming their way and are diligently working to help answer questions, problem-solve, and ensure problems get fixed as quickly as possible. Your hard work does not go unnoticed, and I appreciate both of you!!"

- Mel Usry, Bucknell ES 

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Linsay Mueller, Mantua ES 

"Linsay assisted a family moving to the United States with two children that were deaf and hard of hearing. The family had a delayed arrival which made the timeline very short to begin school. She promptly organized 2 local screening meetings and IEPs for the children to begin school in our DHOH program at another school, in just one week. It took a lot of work behind the scenes to make it happen. Linsay truly cares about all kids and does everything in her power to ensure they get the services they require."

- Michelle McDaniel, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Trea Claypool, Bull Run ES 

"Performance Matters is a new essential in student assessment and data dialogue Nee this year. Trea took the lead in introducing, facilitating, and supporting staff throughout the building during the August Staff Development opportunity and all the days since. Her dedication to best practices to support students and other educators is unmatched. This is just one example of her impact where there are many to choose."

- Laura Reed, Centreville HS 

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Diana Fuentes, Fairview Park 

"Diana Fuentes, Retirement Counselor ERFC, went above and beyond to help me with my retirement forms. She is extremely knowledgeable, patient, kind and respectful. I so appreciate everything she did for me. She is truly an asset to your organization and deserves special recognition."

- a FCPS retiree 

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Srikumar Bala, Fairview Park 

"Mr. Bala has risen above and beyond to assist me with IT issues within ERFC. He is patient, kind, empathetic, and knowledgeable. Not only do I believe and trust he heard and listened to my feedback, he is now changing and implementing some of those ideas as well. To know that as a retiree, that he as top leadership within ERFC genuinely cares and is concerned to do the right thing, not just the hierarchical thing. He is a breath of fresh air to ERFC leadership, the much-needed leadership change for the better, and I applaud him and his efforts. Thank you Mr. Bala!!!"

- a FCPS retiree 

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Mario Escobar, Forte Center

"Mario Escobar often brings and picks up deliveries to and from our school with great care and attention to detail. He ensures that deliveries go smoothly and efficiently. He communicates with staff to make sure boxes are placed to best advantage in convenient locations. Mario is a gem and we appreciate him at Frost!"

- Danielle Powers, Frost MS 

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Bettye Stewart-Payne, Shane Mills, Lisa Williams, Douglas Entwisle, and Peter Kelly, Pulley Career Center

"I want to thank all the teacher’s, staff, and Mr. Kelly for being so caring. We had a death in our family last weekend and everyone at Pulley made sure our son was ok. Our son loves going to Pulley everyday. Thank you again!"

- a Pulley Career Center parent 

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Gloria Glenn-Yates, Stonecroft Transportation Center

"When my son started school in August, he didn't get assigned to be taken home by the school bus. For some reason, we didn't get the email to notify the school about his transportation needs. My husband and I both work full time and it would be extremely difficult to pick my son up and take home. It was very stressful to find someone to help me rectify my son transportation issue. I didn't feel safe having my son walk home from school. Fortunately, Mrs. Glenn-Yates immediately understood my concerns. She not only fixed the issue in the system but also wrote a personal note to ensure my son can get on the bus. The start of the school year can be stressful for school staff, we need more people like Mrs. Glenn-Yates who care for the students. Thank you for being a wonderful person!"

- a Liberty MS parent 

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Jessica Trexler, Stonecroft Transportation Center

"Jessica has been instrumental in our successful start to the 23-24 school year at Centreville Elementary. At the end of last year, Jessica and her team took the time to reflect on areas of success and opportunities for growth with regards to transportation with administration and office staff. During this time, she listened wholeheartedly and has followed through on every action discussed. When we reach out to Jessica she responds immediately, is always willing to help, and is a true problem solver. This year, she has cultivated a partnership between Centreville and transportation. She goes above and beyond to answer our calls, make sure we have the correct routes, attend to parent or staff concerns and help in any way possible. She approaches every problem with a calm demeaner and with kindness. She even attended our Back to School Night to support families in identifying their bus numbers and times. We cannot thank Jessica enough for all she has done for our students and their transportation needs."

- Rachel Forte and staff, Centreville ES

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Williams Vallejos, Justin Meade, and Hovar Gutierrez, Sideburn Support Center

"The Woodson Librarians would like to give a HUGE thank you to the painters who freshened up our library space.Williams Vallejos, Justin Meade, and Hovar Gutierrez did an outstanding job painting our library columns and the front section of the library. They had their work cut for them due to the fact the columns were damaged by rocking chairs and covered in various hues of blue. Mr. Vallejos and Mr. Meade met with me and listened to my concerns. When Woodson installed the new carpet prior to the paint job, the painting team covered the carpet in the targeted areas for protection. Not one drop of paint landed on the new carpet. Thank you, Mr. Vallejos, Mr. Meade, and Mr. Gutierrez for the outstanding work performed in our library. We feel like we have a brand new space for our students and staff to enjoy."

- Lisa Muir, Woodson HS 

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Kim Hammond, Lake Braddock SS 

"Kim Hammond is an Excel/google sheets extraordinaire! She has helped me so much on this one assignment and has always done it with such a positive attitude and a smile!! Thank you Kim, I’d be lost without you!!" 

- Maya Nardone, Lake Braddock SS 

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Jill McDaniel, Orange Hunt ES 

"My son is new to public school, and we had all hit a bit of a tired/overwhelmed wall by Thursday. He….we both were getting teary because he did not want to walk to his classroom without me. Mrs.McDaniels saved the day by quietly asking if I needed some help, introducing herself to my little guy, and giving him a friendly, safe adult to walk down the hall with. It’s hard letting our kids go off into a big school environment, but my mama heart was comforted by her thoughtfulness and kindness.

- an Oragne Hunt ES parent 

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Catherine McDermott and Jill Pellerin, South Lakes HS 

"Catherine and Jill teach our student leadership classes, all three sections! They supported an amazing opening week for our school. There were games and music in lunch periods. A block party before our first home football game. Even alpacas and goats during lunch one day for SEL/stress relief to start our year off right! Their support of our students resulted in great, positive energy for our first week back!"

- Heather Thomas, South Lakes HS 

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Tony Kingsberry, North Springfield ES 

"Tony has been part of the North Springfield family for over 25 years and is well known by both staff and students. He greets everyone with a smile and loves the community as much as it loves him. Throughout his years at NSES, Tony has done a phenomenal job of keeping the school in tip-top shape while responding quickly to any and all requests. Tony is always eager to serve and happily assists wherever he is needed. Tony has even served as a mentor to several students over the years. We are so, so lucky to have Mr. Kingsberry as part of our staff." 

- Kevin Sami, North Springfield ES 

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Torey Diggs, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"I would like to thank Torey Diggs, one of the Educational Specialist in Educational Technology for helping me resolve a technology issue. His patience, knowledge and willingness to help is greatly appreciated. He went above and beyond to ensure that I received the assistance I needed and that the problem was resolved. His responsiveness showed his commitment to ensuring that FCPS technology needs are met. Torey is a great example of how FCPS Cares and I am grateful to know that I have a colleague like him." 

- Patty Washington, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Juliet Banks, Newington Forest ES 

"Juliet is a true team leader. She hears all voices and is open to trying new ideas. She supports her team and others by providing resources, planning and has open communication with her team. She makes a Newington Forest a great place to work and should be recognized for her efforts. Thanks Juliet!"

- Rachel Pipitone, Newington Forest ES 

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Diana Fuentes. Fairview Park

"Diane is a wonderful help. She has worked through all of the alternatives and forms and was very tolerant and patient. I appreciate her knowledge and abilities."

- a FCPS retiree

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Youngbum Jung, Lorton Transportation Center

"Mr. Youngbum was my daughter’s special education bus driver for ESY this summer. He quickly learned how to ensure she and her wheelchair were safely secured. He drove her in both the mornings and afternoons and always greeted her and the adult with excitement and joy! He made us know she was in good hands with him as her driver! On the last days of ESY he made sure to tell her how much he enjoyed her. Even though she doesn’t use words to talk, we know she understood his care for her and dedication to his job."

- a Mason Crest ES parent

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Shobana Sen, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I would like to express my sincere appreciation and recognition of Shobana Sen for her dedication and strong work ethics. Shobana's hard work and commitment have not gone unnoticed, and I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge her outstanding efforts in supporting Food Services in August, which was a particularly busy month. Her positive attitude, teamwork, and willingness to go above and beyond expectations are truly commendable. Shobana has consistently shown leadership qualities, which has had a positive influence on her colleagues and the workplace environment. Shobana, congratulations on your well-deserved recognition, and I am confident that you will continue to achieve great things at Food Services. We are so very fortunate to have as a valuable member of our team."

- Stefan Slavov, Food & Nutrition Services

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Michele Anwyll, Fairview Park

"Set up an appt. with Michele to go over my paperwork for my retirement. She was so patient, easy to talk to, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with."

- Jane Russell, Herndon HS 

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Jason DeCroo, Sprague Technology Center

"Jason has been working tirelessly to help all of the teachers as we prepare for the school year. He also ensured that our morning news program was up and running smoothly the first day of school. He took time to walk around to all of the teachers and fix their sound during our sound check. He is always able to figure out a problem and will not give up until it is solved. Lastly, his patience and kindness help to foster a positive school climate where teachers see each other as family."

- Rachel Lindholm, Powell ES 

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Jeff Barr, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Since meeting Jeff, a little over a month ago, I have been so incredibly impressed with the level of service he provides to the schools he supports. He is responsive in his communication and to the needs of students, staff, and families. The schools in McLean Pyramid are fortunate to have such an amazing PSL to collaborate with."

- Margaret Barnes, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Tim Roberson, Woodson IT Center

"Last year I joined the SBTS community mid-year. There was a lot I had to learn. Successfully co-running our news show was one of them. Tim has offered his support countless times. He taught me the ropes while also sharing his knowledge and expertise to help us build a better and more modern news program. He came multiple times to help us break it down, move its location, guide us in purchasing the correct equipment, and help our school rebuild our setup even stronger. Not only has he come to our school, but he also makes himself available to help us solve problems remotely. Our staff and students are so excited for our new set and the possibilities that come with it. We are thankful for the time he has taken to help us whenever it is needed. Our students and staff depend on us to help manage our news show, and we feel so much more confident doing so because we know we can depend on him. Thank you, Tim!"

- Chrissy McLaughlin, Navy ES 

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Karen Ramsey, Riverside ES 

"This year Karen has stepped out of her comfort zone to work with students with disabilities in the primary grades. She has embraced this challenge with a smile and open mind. She has been an advocate for her students to ensure they have the tools they need in order to be successful. Most recently, Karen had another student added to her caseload that presented with some significant needs. She took the time to embrace the student welcoming them in with open arms and programming to best meet the needs. Karen's thoughtful planning for the students on her caseload has impacted her students in a positive way as they are feeling confident and successful in and out of the classroom. We truly appreciate everything that Karen is doing to ensure that students are learning with their general education peers and feeling loved and supported. THANK YOU, KAREN!"

- Kaila Wise, Riverside ES 

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Ali Drafate, Wendy Osteguin, Elsa Fisher, and,Susan Abassi Hurley-Abbasi, Stonecroft Transportation Center

"Ali, Wendy, Susan, and Elsa have been absolutely wonderful to work with. They have gone above and beyond to make sure buses are at school and ready to transport student’s home. They are always here and visible, helpful, and supportive. They are incredibly patient and kind with us and our questions and unique student needs. They are absolutely wonderful to work with and go above and beyond to help Chantilly HS and its students daily!"

- Maura Edwards, Chantilly HS 

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Carrie Johnson, Newington Forest ES 

"I had the pleasure of being in Ms. Johnson's Enhanced Autism classroom on the second day of school and I was beyond impressed! Ms. Johnson sets students up for success in everything from room setup & environment, lesson implementation, relationship building, and routine development. It is evident that Ms. Johnson has a calling to teach this population and she rises to the opportunity. I look forward to continuing to work with such a caring and dedicated individual."

- Alexis Centers, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Stephanie Keller, Navy ES 

"Stephanie is absolutely amazing and wonderful to work with.  She was able to quickly access my issue, change a bus number for my new kindergartener, and work directly in the system to make the quick update.  Being a new parent in the school system, it was such a breath of fresh air to speak directly with Stephanie, allowing my mommy nerves to not get the best of me, as she corrected my daughter's bus stop. Kudos to her, as she just made our first week in FCPS a great one!!!"

- a Navy ES parent

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Tony Le, Sprague Technology Center

"Tony was instrumental in providing tech support at Edison High School for the Summer SIIP Support Workshops. The SIIP project team is grateful for his help which led to a successful event. Thank you Tony!"

- Claire Silva, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Dianne Lewis, Edison HS 

"Dianne was instrumental in arranging spaces needed at Edison High School to support the Summer SIIP Support Workshops. The SIIP project team is grateful for her help which led to a successful event. Thank you Dianne!"

- Claire Silva, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Rafeal Wilkins, Sprague Technology Center

"Rafeal has always been very prompt and helpful with responses for RequestIT and Asset data issues and questions. Even though Service Management is very busy, Rafeal took the time to respond to a specific request for data with lightning speed and provided excellent customer service. I really appreciated the swift response!"

- Melissa Jo York, Sprague Technology Center

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Mario Lopez Garcia, Langley HS 

"Mario was instrumental in arranging spaces needed at Langley High School to support the Summer SIIP Support Workshops. The SIIP project team is grateful for his help which led to a successful event. Thank you Mario!" 

- Claire Silva, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Gregory Williams, Glasgow MS 

"Gregory was instrumental in arranging spaces needed at Glasgow Middle School to support the Summer SIIP Support Workshops. The SIIP project team is grateful for his help which led to a successful event. Thank you Gregory!"

- Claire Silva, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Jorge Sanchez, Langley HS 

"Jorge was instrumental in arranging spaces needed at Langley High School to support the Summer SIIP Support Workshops. The SIIP project team is grateful for his help which led to a successful event. Thank you Jorge!"

- Claire Silva, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Beth Longo, Langley HS 

"Beth was instrumental in arranging spaces needed at Langley High School to support the Summer SIIP Support Workshops. The SIIP project team is grateful for her help which led to a successful event. Thank you Beth!"

- Claire Silva, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Caitlin Franks, Chantilly HS 

"We are so lucky to have Caitlin here at Chantilly. She has gone above and beyond this past week to work through all the beginning of the year teacher needs while distributing laptops and supporting admin with some complicated parent requests. I really appreciate that Caitlin takes the time to listen to teacher concerns and seek answers to help us move forward. THANK YOU Caitlin!"

- Emily Phelan, Chantilly HS 

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Carlos Perez, Sprague Technology Center

"Since joining the IT Program Management & Planning team back in February of 2023, I've been blessed to work with Carlos Perez! Carlos has assisted me in so many ways (while still in my learning curve) and with so much patience - transitioning over to the Sprague Technology Center. Carlos is always right there whenever I have a question, quick to lend a helping hand, and has never made me feel that I'm imposing (even when I know he's busy). Carlos is very skilled in what he does, is pleasant to work with, and always has a welcoming smile to offer in his team support. Thank you, Carlos, for being a great support for me over these past 6 months. I really appreciate ALL that you do."

- Doreen Jackson, Sprague Technology Center

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Charles Anderson, Herndon ES 

"Mr. Anderson has quickly created a welcoming and inclusive classroom for his 6th-grade students. He has made efforts to connect new students with classmates to build relationships and has built a strong community in a very short time! Thank you, Mr. Anderson!"

- a Herndon ES paren 

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Deanna Connelly, Lorton Transportation Center

"Ms. Connelly was so helpful! The elementary school was supposed to change the STARS card and IEP for our student who no longer needs to be met at the bus stop. Ms. Connelly explained exactly what needs to be done so we are able to meet the student's and family's needs regarding transportation as quickly as possible. While this was not an error on transportation's part, she went above and beyond to help correct someone else's mistake. I am so grateful she was the one who answered my phone call!"

- Meg Gollinger, Irving MS 

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Cheryl Finley, South Lakes HS 

"Ms. Finley went above and beyond the call of duty helping my son get through German 2 so he’s eligible for German 3 this summer. It may not seem like a big deal but it is, because this kind act will keep him In line for an IB diploma. Ms. Finley really cares about her students and her enthusiasm for the German language is shown daily in my son’s happiness and enthusiasm for a language he was previously concerned about taking. Please acknowledge Frau Finley for being The fantastic teacher she is. Thank you!!!!"

- a South Lakes HS parent 

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Stephanie Keller, Stonecroft Transportation Center

"I realized that one of my Franklin kids had to walk an unsafe route to get to his assigned bus stop. I told Stephanie about it on the first day of school, and within hours she got it fixed! Ranger 350 is the best!" 

- Carl Roach, Stonecroft Transportation Center

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Carolina Roca Del Valle, Stonecroft Transportation 

"Awesome! Carolina went above and beyond with the assistance of Sandra Oswalt and other members of our transportation services to make sure each student was transported safely home on the first day of school. It was above and beyond what was expected and I am very excited to continue working with Carolina and the team as our transportation leaders."

- Dana Walker, Fairfax HS 

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Cristina Mendoza, Dunn Loring Center

"My student and I showed up without an appointment at the Dunn Loring Center to start the process of a non-parent registration. This was the week before school started and clearly a very busy time for FCPS staff. After a brief wait, we spoke with Ms. Mendoza and her assistant, and they provided us with the necessary paperwork to start our application. With email communication and phone calls, Ms. Mendoza was able to approve our application within the week. I felt so acknowledged and respected by Ms. Mendoza and the school system by extension. She has been extremely efficient, professional, and kind. Ms. Mendoza worked over the weekend to help us achieve our approval. I believe she went above and beyond, and I am so appreciative of her. We are currently in the process of getting registered at my student's school, and Ms. Mendoza has stayed on the email chain and has continued to add value and communicate to help see us succeed in our registration. For that, I am truly grateful. I want to also comment on my experience at the Dunn Loring Center in general. While waiting to meet with Ms. Mendoza, my student and I observed staff interacting with parents and children who appeared largely to be students with English as a second language. I was very impressed with the consideration and kindness I saw from the FCPS staff at Dunn Loring. It must be an intimidating process for the children and their parents. From my point of view, the staff went out of their way to put both students and parents at ease. They exhibited kindness and professionalism, and they were efficiently getting many families serviced. I am left with an overall outstanding impression of Ms. Mendoza and the Dunn Loring Center."

- a Falls Church HS parent 

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Kathryn Reimer, Davis Career Center

"Kat and her colleague, Cathy Marros, worked together during the staff work week to ensure that we had bus tags prepared for our students and photo ID lists for the drivers to ensure that our students who must be met when exiting the buses are seen and safe!  The start of the year is a crucial time to learn the names and faces of new students and this information is critical. Kat and Cathy ensured that this information was compiled, created, distributed, and communicated to teachers to make sure our first day of school was a success.  Our community is better because of their hard work and caring spirits!"

- Chad Clayton, Davis Career Center

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Cathy Marros, Davis Career Center

"Cathy and her colleague, Kat Reimer, worked together during the staff work week to ensure that we had bus tags prepared for our students and photo ID lists for the drivers to ensure that our students who must be met when exiting the buses are seen and safe! The start of the year is a crucial time to learn the names and faces of new students and this information is critical. Cathy and Cat ensured that this information was compiled, created, distributed, and communicated to teachers to make sure our first day of school was a success. Our community is better because of their hard work and caring spirits!"

-  Chad Clayton, Davis Career Center

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Diana Fuentes, Fairview Park

"I'm in the process of trying a buy a house when I retire, and I needed to get confirmation of my ERFC salary in retirement. Due to the fussiness of my lender, I needed to ask Diana for help three times. Each time she gave me exactly what I needed in an incredibly prompt fashion. Unlike VRS, which was incredibly frustrating and slow to deal with."

- Michael Berzonsky, Falls Church HS 

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John Tourtellotte, Lake Braddock SS 

"What's a better way to start off the First Day of School than by leaving your coffee cup sitting on top of your car and driving away? Luckily, John came to the rescue, and not only offered me some of the coffee he was making, but so kindly brought it to me during my 1st Period class! Thank you John!!!"

- Brandon Gilbert, Lake Braddock SS 

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Michele Johnson, Johnson MS 

"When one of our teachers found out about a sudden loss of a family member, our team worked to help him get on the road as soon as possible. This was just hours before our Open House. He decided later that day to return to greet his new students. This is where Michele Johnson stepped in as an employee who cares! She sat in his room supporting him the entire 4 hours. She checked on him between students to ensure he was doing okay. While there, she also helped him articulate his learning goals for the first two weeks with students while he would be away. Then, she went home and began to plan his lessons so that she can cover some of his classes during his absence! We found a sub, but to support her during this critical time of welcoming students, Michele made a schedule where even she is helping out with the same students over the two-week period. Even though she has many duties as an Assistant Principal to complete during the opening of school, she cares about this teacher and his students! We are lucky to have Michele at KJMS!"

- Tammy Silipigni, Johnson MS 

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Kate Kallfa, Lewis HS 

"Ms. Kallfa is the new Science Department Chair and has been an incredible advocate for the science team and all Lewis High School students as we prepare for the school year to begin. She has been critical in thinking through several schedule shifts, teacher changes, rearranging rooms, supporting both new and veteran teachers all while checking on the needs of every single student to ensure they are in the correct science class for their unique needs. As a new administrator to the department, her immediate leadership has been so appreciated as we prepare for students to arrive on Monday! Thank you, Ms. Kallfa!" 

- Emily Cincinnati, Lewis HS 

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Aziz Elhayani, Woodson IT Center

"Aziz came and fixed problems with the smartboard's loose cables and connection from the wall to the computer that was broken and helped me get the right size screen or display to use the full size of the smartboard screen! He made my day! Thank you!"

- Consuelo Bachelet, Lake Anne ES 

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Melissa Hall, Centreville HS 

"This year, Centreville HS hosted the  Secondary Social Studies in-service. The event brings together nearly 800 FCPS teachers and launches the program for this year. One way to elevate the experience is to have live music performances in the morning during registration.  When we asked for students to perform, Melissa recruited a 4 piece ensemble to play a 30 minute set. They were fantastic!  Without the students' performance, the day would have been less fun, less energetic, and a bit mundane.  Melissa's help to add these elements by working off hours and supporting a content area outside of hers deserves recognition. And for this the social studies team is very grateful!

- Craig Perrier, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Matt Fry, Wilton Woods Center

"I want to give a big thank you to Matt Fry and his Engineering group. They do a remarkable job ensuring that the entire county network is up and running for both business and educational purposes. Because of their ninja-like persona, they are not seen as much, but you know they are working hard to keep the network running. In my opinion, I don't believe his group gets enough credit for all of their hard work. Thank you, Matt, and the Networking Engineering group!"

- Philip Jeffers, Sprague Technology Center

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Kristen Coyne, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I want to recognize Kristen for always being thoughtful, helpful, timely, and very communicative. HR is not an easy job and most tasks are complex. However, Kristen has always been patient, kind, and supportive through each situation we have worked on over the years, especially recently. My team and I want to express our gratitude to Kristen for being the best of HR."

- Dana Walker, Fairfax HS 

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Rattanasiri Wanamitar, Lorton Transportation Center

"Mrs. Wanamitar was integral in managing our summer school route selection process. Her commitment and dedication to providing a positive experience for our drivers and attendants ensured our success in providing safe and efficient transportation this past summer."

- Carole Phelps, Lorton Transportation Center

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Kerrissa Watson, Lorton Transportation Center

"Mrs. Watson was integral in managing our summer school route selection process. Her commitment and dedication to providing a positive experience for our drivers and attendants ensured our success in providing safe and efficient transportation this past summer." 

- Carole Phelps, Lorton Transportation Center

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Kerrie Turner, Thoreau MS 

"Our daughter's counselor, Kerrie Turner, has been such a blessing for us. From helping navigate emotional concerns to setting up essential academic support, she has shown unparalleled dedication and expertise. She has gone above and beyond to create a safe and nurturing space for our daughter, giving her confidence and a sense of belonging. We are incredibly relieved to have such a kind and knowledgeable advocate, who has really set the stage for a happy and successful school year."

- a Thoreau MS parent 

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Mona Johnson-Phillips and Wanda Durden, Sprague Technology Center

"A big recognition to Mona Johnson-Phillips and Wanda Durden! I wanted to take some time to recognize them and share my appreciation for all they do for FCPS, for their fast and outstanding customer service, and for allocating a Click-Up license to me in no time. This will contribute significantly to keeping our projects very well organized and on track with our goals. Thank you, Mona and Wanda, for going above and beyond!"

- Jorge Del Carpio Vasquez

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Bryan Buser, Gatehouse Admin Center

"It's been a pleasure working with Bryan for the past several years. He is integral in assisting me with my role in COVID Case Management. He is very quick to update our websites with the many changes we've had over the last few years. His willingness to work late hours and weekends shows he cares. I'm truly appreciative for his exceptional and outstanding work ethic which often goes unnoticed since he works in the background. If our staff only knew how he's been a part of their lives during the COVID health crisis in providing all the updated information in a timely manner, they would happily agree! I would also like to recognize his keen ability to provide the appropriate advice and guidance on how to set up the pages with our numerous guidelines and information. Bryan is always very friendly and just ready to help whenever he's needed. Thank you for all you do Bryan!"

- Helen Canepa, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Jennifer Atkins, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I am writing to commend Ms. Atkins for her outstanding work in solving a recent hiring problem at our school. As I am sure you know, we have been struggling to fill positions due to the job market. Ms. Atkins worked tirelessly to ensure I was updated through the process as this hire was a bit more complicated. In addition, Ms. Atkins also demonstrated excellent communication and interpersonal skills. She was fun and engaging to talk to. I am sure she makes everyone on her team better due to her positive attitude. Just know how appreciative we are at Great Falls of everyone’s dedication in salary services. Ms. Atkins and her problem- solving abilities are second-to-none."

- Chris Litz, Great Falls ES 

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Patricia Barbery and Melissa Barbery, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I wanted to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for the exceptional work that the interpretation department individuals showcased during our recent Panther Powerhouse night. Their contributions were truly outstanding, and their dedication to supporting our families made a significant impact on the success of the event. Their ability to provide clear and effective communication bridged language barriers and ensured that every attendee felt included and valued throughout the evening as they signed up for different services to stay connected with Sandburg."

- Brianna Lucas, Sandburg MS 

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Andrew Stivason, Sprague Technology Center

"Andrew supported the Elementary Language Arts Division wide in-service at Fairfax High School. He came into a new building and was able to provide video and audio setup and support for the keynote speaker and other speakers in the auditorium for the entire day. He was also their the night before to walk the event supervisor and keynote speaker through the whole process. He made everyone feel confident that all would go well and it did. Andrew is the best. Thank you again, Andrew."

- Janice Bonner, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Rana Al Yousuf, Leny Arispe, Beatriz Bucarey, Helen Ko, and, Andrea Ramalheira, Herndon Center and Dunn Loring Center

"Thank YOU, Community Liaisons, Rana Al Yousuf, Leny Arispe, Beatriz Bucarey, Helen Ko, and Andrea Ramalheira! Your team members are the welcome ambassadors to newly registered families to FCPS. Your work exemplifies the FCPS Caring Culture. You are the first people that new families meet after registering their children. You are kind, welcoming, and helpful to families. You inform them of key resources that they need to be successful when their child starts at their new school. July and August are super busy, the number of newly registered families triples from the rest of the year. It's amazing that you meet between 40 to 55 families a day during July and August. You also follow up with phone calls. Your smiles and helpful nature give the families a sense of relief as many are coming from all parts of the world. It is amazing how much time and information you give the families. You answer so many questions both school and personal care. You go to their child's school's website to point out important information, help them maneuver the website to sign up for Parent Vue and the school's newsletters, and give them key information on their community like English Language classes, and neighborhood community groups. Families leave your office with a smile on their faces and with great gratitude to you for your kindness and thoroughness."

- Linda Ferguson, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Trent Middleton, Wilton Woods Center

"Trent is always incredibly responsive and supportive in getting new and/or additional staff members access to the OTG dashboard. The dashboard is an incredibly useful tool for counselors, so the quick response is greatly appreciated!"

- Deborah Guillen, Edison HS 

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Matthew Zarkani, Sprague Technology Center

"I would like to thank Matthew for his hard work at this year’s Great Beginnings Summer Institute. Working with Matthew’s able and willing hands made the load light and helped the event go smoothly. Closing down after such a big event is a job so few want to do, and I just want to share my appreciation for Shelli and Matthew for all they did for our new staff! You both rock!!!"

- Helen Canepa, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Kevin McDonnell, Sprague Technology Center

"I would like to say thank you to Kevin McDonnell for his assistance in another successful Great Beginnings Summer Institute. We couldn’t have done it without the help of his team and our teachers got to see firsthand how Kevin’s team cares!"

- Helen Canepa, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Shelli Wayland, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I would like to share my deepest gratitude for Shelli’s incredibly gracious and stellar work for this year’s Great Beginnings Summer Institute. Shelli not only provides all the communications, logistics, and instructions for all the vendors and internal offices, but she also takes the initiative to plan for the “extras,” like my presentation to the new social workers and psychologists. Shelli knows who to contact for the various breakout sessions and anticipates their needs. I know I will always have what I need because Shelli is at the helm of this large annual event. Her long hours before, during, and after the event is always appreciated. It shows just how much she cares!  Thank you Shelli for all you do to welcome our new staff with class!!"

- Helen Canepa, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Brigid Williams, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Brigid went above and beyond to provide administrative to support the 700+ teachers attending the middle and high school in-services. The location changed due to unforeseen circumstances, and Brigid updated over 100 offerings to ensure that teachers received updated sites and room numbers then printed rosters for each of those offerings. All of this was taken on in addition to her normal work because our team's designated administrative assistant was on leave during this enormous lift. Thank you Brigid!"

- Yaara Crane, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Becky Howery, Katie Kruk, Emily Findley, Carrie Reynolds, and Sean Mignano, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"The HPE team has made a commitment to equity, inclusion, and digital citizenship by making all of the lesson plans, slide presentations, and other student and teacher resources they worked on during Summer Curriculum Development accessible - a key element of Universal Design. That means students, teachers, and family members with disabilities can access the information contained in the materials." 

- Michael Cieslak, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Jane Woo, Wilton Woods Center

"Jane is an IT Instructional Systems coordinator whose dedication and expertise have paved the way for her team to thrive. Her team is behind many of the internal FCPS systems used for the Parent Digital Consent, Great Beginnings, Digital Ecosystem, etc. She works hard to ensure the seamless operation of those applications and always gives her 100% to the FCPS community. THANK YOU, JANE!" 

- Grace Yi, Sprague Technology Center

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Jacque Shuhler, Irving MS 

"We  want to recognize and celebrate Jacque Shuhler for their exceptional leadership in spearheading the "Great Beginnings" orientation for our new FCPS Social Studies teachers. Jacque's commitment and dedication to facilitating a seamless transition for newcomers have set a high standard for the journey ahead. Through her guidance, she has cultivated an environment where new members feel not only welcomed but also empowered to embark on their FCPS journey. Jacque's ability to foster connections and nurture a strong sense of community is extremely helpful, as she has transformed what could have been a routine orientation into a meaningful experience that paves the way for success. We appreciate her partnership and collaboration to support new Social Studies teachers."

- Jess Chun, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Chelsea Layton, Lewis HS 

"We want to celebrate Chelsea Layton for her exceptional leadership in guiding the "Great Beginnings" orientation for our new FCPS Social Studies teachers. As this is her first year as a Great Beginnings coach, we want to commend Chelsea's dedication and commitment to facilitating a smooth transition for newcomers for the journey ahead. Through her insightful guidance, she has created an environment in which new members feel not only welcomed but also empowered to embark on their professional ventures. Chelsea's ability to foster connections and nurture a strong sense of community is truly commendable, as she has transformed what could have been a routine orientation into a meaningful experience that paves the way for success. We appreciate her professionalism and collaboration to support our new teachers."

- Jess Chun, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Christina Banker, Langley HS 

"We would like to take this moment to celebrate Christy Banker for her exceptional leadership in guiding the Great Beginnings orientation for our new FCPS Social Studies teachers. Through Christy's insightful mentorship, she has created an atmosphere where new members feel not only welcomed but also motivated to embark on their FCPS journey. Christy's ability to foster connections and nurture a strong sense of community is truly commendable, as she has turned what could have been a routine orientation into an unforgettable experience that lays the groundwork for success. She has been a great partner to the central Social Studies team in supporting first year Social Studies teachers."

- Jess Chun, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Matthew Bower, Frost MS 

"It is with great joy that we recognize Matt Bower for his outstanding leadership in facilitating the Great Beginnings orientation for our new FCPS Social Studies teachers. Matt's dedication and commitment to ensuring a seamless transition for newcomers have set a welcoming tone for the journey ahead. Through his insightful guidance, he has created an environment where new members feel not only welcomed but also empowered to embark on their professional ventures. Matt's ability to foster connections and build a strong sense of community is nothing short of inspiring, as he has transformed what could have been a mere orientation into a meaningful experience that lays the foundation for success."

- Jess Chun, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Cheryl Gannaway, South County HS 

"The Office of Professional Learning is so thankful that we were able to have the South County Bollywood Club at both our Leadership Kickoff and Great Beginnings Summer Institute events this summer. This would not have been possible without Cheryl Gannaway, their outstanding club sponsor. She was great not only with us, but also with the club members! She was so communicative with our team and took precious time out of her summer to show up super early to both events (as they had call times in the 7:00 am hour or before) AND rehearsal for both events. She provided heartfelt guidance and feedback for the dancers and got them excited and feeling confident about performing. I can tell she is a well-loved teacher and club sponsor, and we know that a lot of off-contract teachers would not have been as willing as she was to participate in two all-day events, as well as multiple hours of rehearsal for each event. Teachers and county leadership alike raved about the SoCo Bollywood Dancers and I know it would not have been possible if Cheryl had not gone above and beyond to make their participation possible. She is a gem!"

- Julia Braxton, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Mike McKenna, Wilton Woods Center

"Mike is a software engineer in the Instructional System team. He works on many projects, but he most recently has been working on the Parent Digital Consent System. He has been working non-stop to ensure our families and staff have the BEST experience using this new consent system! Thank you Mike for always going above and beyond for FCPS!" 

- Grace Yi, Wilton Woods Center

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George Saad, Lorton Transportation Center

"George works as a project liaison for the Office of Transportation. He supports all offices within our department and works closely with every staff member. This year he has single-handedly worked to update our bus route selection process to a much more cohesive and easy to use platform for all of our drivers and attendants. As with any new system, there will always be some bumps in the road, but George does and always has approached his job with a smile on his face, no matter the challenge. He always goes out of his way to ensure the information is as accurate as possible while doing so in the most time-efficient way possible, any time it is asked of him. George holds his professionalism with the utmost importance and is one of the nicest, most respectful people you could ever work with! Everyone who works in FCPS knows that we cannot do what we do without the support of our IT staff. They help us with our day-to-day, as well as our inner workings, and we would be lost without them. George is the best example of what we can all hope to have from our support staff and can just bring joy and smiles wherever he goes. THANK YOU GEORGE!!!"

- Jessica Trexler, Stonecroft Transportation Center

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Mary Anne Rossbach, Mosaic ES

"After 10 years of teaching primary grades, this past year I moved grade levels to the sixth grade. After a wonderful year in the sixth grade, I reached out to FCPS's math department to recommend a colleague willing to walk through the sixth-grade math curriculum with me. Mary Anne Rossbach was the recommended math coach. Mary Anne and I set up weekly Zoom math meetings this summer and together we walked through the sixth-grade math units. Mary Anne willingly, and without remuneration, gave of her time to coach me. I was so impressed with Mary Anne's natural ability to break down concepts that students might find challenging. Mary Anne also provided a birds-eye view of the units as a whole and how each connects to one another and prepares students for middle school math! Mary Anne also highlighted the importance of sense-making routines, spiraling-back activities, and meaningful ways to assess student understanding. I shall never forget my Wednesday afternoon "math talks" this past summer with a fellow educator willing to give her summertime to an FCPS employee she has never met so that I would feel better prepared to deliver top-notch math instruction. Thank you, Mary Anne!"

- Carolyn Kettler, Powell ES 

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Darnell White, Quincy Johnson, Maurice Leake, Christopher Rosas, Isaiah Woods, Alejandro Melchaiorre, William Foster, Mario Escobar, Israel Shimeles, and, Teddy Gebeyeh, Forte Center

"Frost Middle School is under renovation. The warehouse team came in with not much notice and removed 15 classrooms of furniture. They worked around wet wax and construction. Their hard work allowed for Frost to be ready for the delivery of new furniture. Helping us prepare for the arrival of our students. The warehouse has supported Frost so much during our renovation. We couldn't run our building without their support!!" 

- Phil Hudson, Frost MS 

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Bobby Nelson, Chantilly HS 

"Mr. Nelson has always been such a wonderful English teacher, inspiring his students to go beyond the classroom and think about their life’s purpose, value, and trajectory. He’s been such an inspiration to me and my fellow classmates, and he’s been there for me through everything. Thank you, Mr. Nelson, we love you."

- a Chantilly HS student 

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Heather Hendershot, Virginia Hills Center

"I participated in an Academic Review for a preschool student at my school and Heather Hendershot was our school representative. I want to share that Heather did a PHENOMENAL job representing our school team in this meeting. She was extremely organized in presentation and perfectly articulated the reasoning behind our initial decision that was being challenged in the Academic Review. During closing statements, Heather was both empathetic and affirming to the parent while effectively restating the "why" behind our initial decision. It is not a pleasure but a true learning experience working with Heather. She is always knowledgeable and supportive. As a fairly new principal who sometimes has questions regarding how to best support our students with disabilities, I feel blessed to have her as our PSL."

- Gina O'Neal, Mount Vernon Woods ES

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Doreen Jackson, Sprague Technology Center

"Doreen has been super helpful in supporting our team and school system in processing invoices for the current school year. She is juggling many orders and requests at this time of year and is amazingly proficient in answering all questions and processing purchase orders." 

- Paul Downey, Sprague Technology Center

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Jessica Sweet, Laurel Ridge ES 

"Jessica Sweet is a role model and leader for students, parents, and co-workers. She is patient, empathetic, competent, consistent, and organized. Teachers are better teachers simply by being in the presence of Jessica. Her teaching style is unmatched and is so obviously natural. I had limited interaction with her until last year when she made the jump from general education to special education and I got the privilege of co-teaching with her in my general education classroom. When I was drowning in my usual classroom setup and paperwork before school started, she came by to check on me often and offered her assistance in any way possible. This outreach continued until the literal last day of school when she was helping me frantically pack up my room until the very last second so I wouldn’t have to come back the following week because she had her own room packed up in the most beautiful way long before the last day. Jessica was not solely invested in my classroom, though. She helped teachers around the entire building but especially among our grade level. Her voice was impactful during all team meetings, she kept calm during stressful field trip mornings and gave bathroom breaks when necessary. This is the same approach she takes with the entire class. Her caseload students loved her but I would also suspect many general education students would name her as their favorite teacher. She made connections with every student while still meeting all hours and needs. Every time I walked back into the room from a meeting while Jessica was teaching the entire class, students were engaged and respectful. Parents respond very well to Jessica because she is genuinely invested in their child’s overall well-being and success. Her communication with parents is frequent and appropriate, using email, phone calls, Talking Points, and sending pictures. She advocates for the best services for children to parents, outside resources, and within the school system. One of the unexpected lessons I learned from Jessica was about work-life balance. She somehow efficiently not only gets her own work done throughout the day but is also constantly taking on additional workloads for colleagues and leaves on time to go home and take care of her own children and family. It is admirable on so many levels. As I am thinking about how we both chose new paths after last year, I can’t help but reflect on how grateful I am to have worked closely with Jessica for a year. I can’t wait to hear about the ways she grows at her new school and I can’t wait for the school to embrace her greatness in its entirety."

- a former Kings Park ES employee 

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Michelle Case, Franklin MS

"Michelle and her team came to our rescue today! Oak Hill Elementary had a very important interview process (hiring our next assistant principal), but had a water main break the morning of the interviews! Without hesitation, Michelle welcomed our interview team into her building so we could continue with our process without delay. Oak Hill is incredibly grateful for our relationship with Franklin Middle School!"

- Kelly Durso, Oak Hill ES 

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Andy Grunig, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I emailed Mr. Grunig at 5:30 pm to inquire about access to communication tools (News You Choose) as a new principal at my school. Andy not only responded immediately, but also updated all the necessary permissions that same day and I was able to send out communication that evening to my community. I was not expecting a response that day, much less a resolution so quickly. Thank you for going above and beyond Andy!" 

- Francoise Casablanca, 

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Anita Mitchell, Hayfield SS 

"The Office of Professional Learning would like to recognize Anita Mitchell for being such an amazing team player and for all of her help orchestrating this year's Leadership Kickoff event at Hayfield SS! We are extremely grateful for her unwavering support, collaboration, and incredible work throughout this process. It was a pleasure to work with her and we cannot thank her enough for her efforts in making this such a positive experience for all. She coordinated so many efforts at Hayfield staff and anticipated our needs sometimes before we knew what we needed and did it all with a smile! She was the first one there and the last one to leave. Hayfield is so fortunate to have such an outstanding example of dedication to the community working for our students and FCPS staff!" 

- Debbie Phillips, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Dwayne Young, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I have never had the privilege of meeting Dwayne Young; however, he has been incredibly impactful in supporting our ability to hire new staff. Although sending the resumes of new candidates to administrators may seem like a small task to some, it means so much to administrators who have difficulty finding new candidates to consider. Each morning when I open my email, I smile and become hopeful when I see his email. Our sincerest thanks to Mr. Young for his consistent support."

- Christie Yarn, Little Run ES 

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Tonja Diggs, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Tonja monitors security cameras for all FCPS schools that have them. On this date we had several subjects break into Falls Church HS. Tonja contacted the police department, and as she is relaying pertinent information to the police, she continues to watch them on camera. As she is doing this, she is also directing our security officers to where the subjects are and where they need to respond to. She is also handling our normal business at the same time we had several phone calls and alarms at other schools that she has to acknowledge and decide if we need to respond to these as well. Fairfax County PD K-9 and the helicopter responded to this incident to assist. Tonja calmly directed all of these people to the last areas where the subjects were seen. The subjects were not caught unfortunately but Tonja went above and beyond for this incident as she always does. I thank her for her calm demeanor. We could not do this without her."

- Christian Fuller, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Walt Ivanjack, Merrifield Support Center

"I was at a meeting at LJMS with administrators, teachers, and community members. We had no air conditioning. After we reached out to Walt, he did a work order and the AC was working soon after. An HVAC technician was out later in the morning, and those on the committee in the meeting were able to concentrate and have a positive day. His quick and positive response was so appreciated."

- Holly Walker, Floris ES 

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Matthew Wilson, Merrifield Support Center

"Matt Wilson of OFM's Merrifield Satellite invested so much of his time and professional career contacts to effectively negate a major schedule delay of a school renovation project to help a partner office and a school. There was one missing step that was beyond FCPS control, and Matt immediately dove in and offered to help. He applied every resource he had and followed up so nicely with D&C and a contractor as the liaison with the utility company. Words cannot express our gratitude. THANK YOU, Matt Wilson, Industrial Electrician Supervisor of FCPS OFM!"

- Heather Diez, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Hassan Regueb, Lorton Transportation Center

"Mr. Regueb is a school bus driver and I was assigned to complete a ride along with him as part of a normal transportation evaluation. His Twain MS run had nine students, all on the spectrum. His interaction and engagement with them was beautiful. He greeted each one by their name and with a smile. During the run, he spoke with each student without becoming distracted from driving. He asked them questions and listened to their answers. Each time he addressed a student and began talking to them, they lit up, they smiled brightly, and engaged. There was frequent laughter. The bus had an atmosphere of happiness. Mr. Ragueb was kind, patient, and genuine. We should all hope to have a driver such as Mr. Ragueb to transport our own children."

- Peter Gado, Forte Transportation Training Center

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Kevin Heron, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Kevin was an enormous help to me as I planned our administrative retreat this summer. He provided me with a fantastic tool to help us evaluate our working styles as individuals, and how to reflect on it as a team. Kevin created an individualized presentation and spreadsheet that was specific to Westfield, when he could have easily just sent over generic templates. This support led to amazing conversation within our team and assured growth amongst our members, something that would've been otherwise very difficult without his help. I'm grateful to be able to have Kevin as a trusted partner and resource."

- Tony DiBari, Westfield HS 

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Katie Burns and Brian Hawkins, Sprague Technology Center

"Katie and Brian worked tirelessly to support a user with a very unique login issue. They worked diligently with the user for several weeks while working with many support partners, supporting multiple sites, and summer programs. They did all of this while maintaining a positive attitude and reassuring the user by taking ownership of the issue. They exemplified the IT vision by being client focused and the TSSC mission by providing the highest level of professional support. They are true assets to FCPS and TSSC."

- Greg Edwards, Sprague Technology Center

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Amy Beth Kramer, South Lakes HS 

"When a systems update knocked out a key capability for SBTS, AmyBeth was on it. Problem solving and ensuring others were able to easily course correct and re-establish access. This saved the collective group both stress and time at a critical point in the year!"

- Elizabeth McDowell, Herndon HS 

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CeCe Lowry, Gatehouse Admin Center

"CeCe has been exceptionally patient and kind in explaining to me some of the finer points of time and attendance! She always responds quickly and answers my questions clearly so that I understand. I am so lucky to have had her guidance in preparing for a jumpstart for new special education teachers!"

- Diana Ree-Reeder, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Shelly Carney, Donny Haller, Lori Purvis, Margaret Kivlen, Marisol Perez Savelli, and Melanie Odria, Sprague Technology Center

"I wanted to take a minute to commend several folks in IT. I met with Shelly back in January to discuss a possible approach for soliciting feedback and recommendations to make EDSL more user-friendly. We wanted to do this as part of our migration to the cloud-based data fabric. Shelly Carney, Donny Haller, Lori Purvis, Margaret Kivlen, Marisol Perez Savelli, and Melanie Odria took on the challenge. They developed a plan, implemented a feedback form, held end-user interviews, synthesized the information, and shared everything with us. Not only was everything done with the highest degree of quality, but the analysis was easy to understand and actionable. The collaboration with this phenomenal team allowed my office to have an objective analysis of opportunities for growth and saved us countless hours."

- Shawn Heilemann, Wilton Woods Center

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Cindy Trinca, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I couldn't pick just one date. Cindy is the epitome of an FCPS employee who truly cares! Cindy is part of the backbone of our office. We may be in separate buildings in different ends of the county under different operating offices, but you would never know. She takes the time to truly listen, guide, and provide feedback while instilling confidence in those whom she advises. Cindy makes sure that she is not just an employee relations specialist who provides templates. She actually goes the extra mile to figure out what exactly we may need in order to successfully complete a task with accuracy, punctuality, and professionalism. Thank you for always being there to lend a helping hand and for going above and beyond to make our jobs that much easier. Your support is truly appreciated, and I'm grateful to have you as a fantastic partner in this important role! Thank you, Cindy!"

- Jeremy Doxer, Lorton Transportation Center

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Shun Walloe, Sprague Technology Center

"Today I called I.T. Service Desk and Shun Walloe, I.T. specialist, answered my questions with a very pleasant attitude, while assisting me with my email issues. His demeanor made me feel as though I was not bothering him by asking for help. Shun is one of FCPS's great employees in my book."

- Dannielle Hough, Lorton Transportation Center

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Adam Schecter, Lewis HS 

"Adam innovatively used a tech tool to create an interactive experience for SBTS at our recent kickoff.  With engagement in mind, he modeled how to use the tool in a way that was approachable and relatable.  He's a great colleague!" 

- Janet Babic, West Potomac HS

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Jessica Trexler, Stonecroft Transportation Center

"We are so thankful for Ms. Trexler's support this summer with our summer learning programs. She was extremely responsive to our questions and remained flexible and patient. She visited our site multiple times to see how things were going and even called us late one afternoon to ask if we needed anything. Thank you, Ms. Trexler, for supporting our families, students, and UM team."

- Jennie Skerker, Union Mill ES

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Ryan Ward, Juvenile Detention Center

"Historically, the Fairfax JDC conducted onsite GED testing for students whenever necessary. Due to increased security protocol county-wide, FCPS IT parameters have unfortunately interrupted the JDC's ability to offer the GED to its students. During the 2022-2023 school year and the following summer, Ryan Ward worked tirelessly to chase down each possible avenue that offered any promise to bring the GED back to the JDC. While the JDC has yet to secure a consistent solution to this issue, Ryan worked individually and collaboratively all school year long and spent almost every day this summer (while he was not on contract) working to resolve the GED tech issues while also providing remediation and training to the JDC residents. Ryan contacted professionals in JDC, FCPS, and GED while spending countless hours working toward a solution. Ryan's hard work brought the JDC to a point where a state GED official can offer the GED to JDC residents using the secure portal Ryan collaborated with FCPS IT to establish in our school space. There are not enough words or space available to fully represent how hard Ryan has worked to bring about a workable solution. I hope this narrative represents Ryan Ward's tenacity, perseverance, passion, and professionalism. Last week, a resident took and passed his GED tests while in the JDC; celebrating that life-changing achievement only reinforces how essential Ryan’s efforts were."

- Jessica Finley, Juvenile Detention Center

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Adelaide Wilkerson, Gatehouse Admin Center

"I received an e-mail informing that my employment contract for the upcoming school year was available to sign and was due soon. I logged in and saw that the information on the contract seemed erroneous. I was worried due to being past the date to decline the contract without consequences and it was due soon. I reached out to a few people in HR and no one except Mrs. Wilkerson was able and willing to help. She was very compassionate and professional. She assured me that she will do her best to try and remedy the issue and get the correct information to me. She was able to not only do this very quickly and accurately, but also was able to help my coworker with a similar issue. My coworker also stated her desire to recognize her for the positive experience she had with Mrs. Wilkerson and her professionalism."

- Christopher Kamali, Fort Belvoir Primary School

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Mary deKanter, South County HS

"Hosting a large event at your school is incredibly stressful, especially in the summer when buildings are preparing to welcome back staff and students; hosting Great Beginnings magnifies these difficulties greatly. When GBSI was slated to take place at SCHS in 2023, Mary was so incredibly flexible, generous, and understanding. She worked to remove barriers, created solutions when problems arose, and was the epitome of professionalism and collaboration. The Great Beginnings team is incredibly grateful and indebted to Mary for her leadership and partnership."

- Meghan Mascelli, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Jen Mattice, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"To ask for a "Date of Experience" is so limiting when it comes to working with Jen. All the dates of all the experiences I have had with Jen over the years are significant. She is an amazing team member who will always go above and beyond to provide valuable help and advice. I appreciate her so much and love working with her."

- Heather Crouch, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Jon McNamara, South Lakes HS 

"Mr. McNamara taught my daughter government, and I was amazed at his thorough teaching and neutral style! Every time I went to update my daughter on current news, even minor things, she always replied with “yeah, Mr. Mac mentioned that today in class.” In a subject that can be as biased as government, it meant a lot that my daughter was getting an unbiased learning experience, with as much information as she needed in fun, interactive ways. She always had interesting stories about the different projects and debates she was participating in, and, as government is one of my passions, I was ecstatic to see her so engaged and knowledgeable in the subject. Always appreciate Mr. McNamara and his teaching and I hope he teaches my other daughter as well! He is truly a stand-out teacher at South Lakes!"

- a South Lakes HS parent 

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Anne Marie Harris, Louise Archer ES 

"Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to review the Elementary Grading and Reporting Learning Module. Your perspectives and thoughtful feedback were invaluable to the development process and contributed to a better final product. Thank you again for your willingness to play a part in this module development, which will help ensure consistency in elementary grading and reporting practices and support our equity mission."

- Joann Hardy, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Heidi Cox, Woodlawn ES 

"Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to review the Elementary Grading and Reporting Learning Module. Your perspectives and thoughtful feedback were invaluable to the development process and contributed to a better final product. Thank you again for your willingness to play a part in this module development, which will help ensure consistency in elementary grading and reporting practices and support our equity mission."

- Joann Hardy, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Audrey O'Hara, Braddock ES 

"Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to review the Elementary Grading and Reporting Learning Module. Your perspectives and thoughtful feedback were invaluable to the development process and contributed to a better final product. Thank you again for your willingness to play a part in this module development, which will help ensure consistency in elementary grading and reporting practices and support our equity mission."

- Andrea Martin Jones, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Brian Schwenk, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to review the Elementary Grading and Reporting Learning Module. Your perspectives and thoughtful feedback were invaluable to the development process and contributed to a better final product. Thank you again for your willingness to play a part in this module development, which will help ensure consistency in elementary grading and reporting practices and support our equity mission."

- Andrea Martin Jones, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Kathryn Moore, Bonnie Brae ES 

"Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to review the Elementary Grading and Reporting Learning Module. Your perspectives and thoughtful feedback were invaluable to the development process and contributed to a better final product. Thank you again for your willingness to play a part in this module development, which will help ensure consistency in elementary grading and reporting practices and support our equity mission."

- Joann Hardy, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Rick Stegman, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to review the Elementary Grading and Reporting Learning Module. Your perspectives and thoughtful feedback were invaluable to the development process and contributed to a better final product. Thank you again for your willingness to play a part in this module development, which will help ensure consistency in elementary grading and reporting practices and support our equity mission."

- Andrea Martin Jones, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Suzanne Van der Eijk, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to review the Elementary Grading and Reporting Learning Module. Your perspectives and thoughtful feedback were invaluable to the development process and contributed to a better final product. Thank you again for your willingness to play a part in this module development, which will help ensure consistency in elementary grading and reporting practices and support our equity mission."

- Andrea Martin Jones, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Heather Crouch, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to review the Elementary Grading and Reporting Learning Module. Your perspectives and thoughtful feedback were invaluable to the development process and contributed to a better final product. Thank you again for your willingness to play a part in this module development, which will help ensure consistency in elementary grading and reporting practices and support our equity mission."

- Andrea Martin Jones, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Maria Filgueira, Deer Park ES 

"Mrs. Filgueira is a wonderful asset to Deer Park Elementary School. She was tasked with being both the special education department chair and an enhanced autism teacher during the 2022-2023 school year and did such an excellent job balancing these two, very demanding roles! It was never uncommon to receive an email from her after midnight as she was often up late working on paperwork in order to meet timelines. Mrs. Filgueira is an effective communicator, proactive in collaborating with parents and staff, and is highly organized. It has been a pleasure working with her to meet the needs of the Deer Park community. Thank you, Mrs. Filgueira for all of your dedication and hard work!"

- Kelly Petty, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Meredith Cosier, Cameron ES 

"Ms. Meredith "Cosi" Cosier, Cameron ES STEAM Teacher, graciously shared her impressive graphic artist talents to make a new school logo for another Region 3 school, Island Creek! Cosi created Island Creek's new logo on her own time and the new logo is amazing. The entire Island Creek staff, students, and community are appreciative of Cosi's skillset, support, and generosity of time to help a neighboring school!" 

- Jen Fallert, Island Creek ES 

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Yoshiaki Takahashi, Stonecroft Transportion Center

"Kudos to Mr. Takahashi who had extreme attention to detail on the first day of extended school year. He was able to greet each student by name at the conclusion of the ESY day and immediately noticed when one of his students was not on his bus before departure. He was able to effectively communicate he was in need of an additional student with the admin team and the student was able to board his bus before departure. Mr. Takahashi is commended for his attention to detail, communication skills, and dedication to working with our students with disabilities. Thank you, Mr. Takahashi for your hard work!"

- Kelly Petty, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Sarah Sliter, Cherry Run ES 

"Sarah Sliter was my child's PK teacher for the 2022-23 school year. She created a very safe and loving environment for my child who is selectively mute and highly anxious. Although my child did not speak in school, they would come home and ask about Ms. Sarah often. As a parent, it gave me great comfort knowing that my child was being educated by someone who showed great concern, patience, and genuine care. Thank you, Ms. Sarah!"

- a Cherry Run ES parent 

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Sam Stephen-Dowd, Deer Park ES

"Deer Park Elementary is a great place to work but it is even better because of Sam Stephen-Dowd! Ms. Stephen-Dowd often goes the extra mile to collaborate with colleagues who need assistance, to lend a helping hand on a challenging task, or to step up and complete extra tasks when a timeline is pressing. Today, Ms. Stephen-Dowd stopped what she was doing and immediately pitched in to make some important parent phone calls on the first day of ESY. These phone calls would not have been completed in a timely manner without her assistance! Thank you, Ms. Stephen-Dowd for always being such a great teammate!"

- Kelly Petty, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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