FCPS CARES - September 2024

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

Jennifer Conner & Felicia Hamilton, Gatehouse Admin Center

“FCPS brought on about 100 international teachers this year. These teachers come from the Philippines, Barbados, Colombia, Jamaica, Kenya, Argentina, and many other places. They bring new perspectives and ideas to our classrooms and face many hurdles to get her. Hurdles like obtaining housing and transportation and generally navigating in a new country. Another hurdle they face is obtaining fair credit and car loans, as they have no credit history in America. Yesterday afternoon, Apple Federal Credit Union (AFCU) was set up at Gatehouse to help these employees with loan applications. AFCU processed more than 120 loan applications for international teachers yesterday. They will receive credit cards, car loans, and lines of credit. I would like to thank Felicia Hamilton and Jennifer Conner, who helped make the event possible. Felicia sent the invitation and communications regarding the event to the international teachers, secured the space at Gatehouse, coordinated with Educate Fairfax to have dinner in the form of pizza, and stayed until every teacher was taken care of at 8:40 p.m. Jennifer assisted with more than 60 employees who needed their contracts, working well into the evening while doing something beyond the normal scope of her job duties. Thank you both for your flexibility and positivity!"

-Katie Knight, Apple Federal Credit Union

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Region 1

Kenyatta Momon, Langley HS - View the celebration!

I am writing to formally commend your exemplary actions during Langley High School’s homecoming football game on September 20, 2024. With the stadium hosting a large crowd of students, families, and community members, an unexpected incident occurred when an individual from a nearby neighborhood discharged an aerial firework. The embers ignited a fire in the tree line behind the scoreboard, rapidly escalating into a medium-working fire. Without hesitation, you responded decisively. After swiftly assessing the situation, you determined that immediate action was necessary to prevent an evacuation and possible panic. Demonstrating an outstanding presence of mind, you retrieved a fire extinguisher from the concession stand and extinguished the fire, employing the P.A.S.S. (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep) method. Your calm and focused approach ensured that the fire was controlled before spreading further, and you effectively communicated the incident to the Fairfax County Fire Department. Fairfax County Fire Department did respond and determined your action prevented a larger-scale incident. For approximately 10 minutes, you fought the fire, containing the threat and extinguishing embers that had spread into a nearby private dwelling. Your actions not only protected school property but also safeguarded the safety of the large crowd present, preventing what could have been a large-scale evacuation. Your swift and effective response reflects exceptional courage and professionalism. On behalf of Langley High School and the surrounding community, I would like to express our deepest gratitude for your heroic efforts. Your commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community is commendable. Safety & Security Assistant Momon, your dedication to duty in this critical situation is deserving of the highest recognition. Please accept my sincere thanks for your bravery and decisive actions. You exemplify the standards of excellence we uphold at Langley High School, and we are fortunate to have you as part of our team.
 

-Chris Brown, Langley HS

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Region 2

David Wall, Justice HS

"Mr. Dave Wall, our Safety and Security Specialist here at Justice High School, has done extensive work supporting multiple versions of new classroom evacuation routes. Over the past 18 months, during a renovation project, we have had to adjust the exit doors, paths, and outside zones a number of times for evacuation processes. Mr. Wall has managed all adjustments, editing all emergency evacuation route signs, monitoring numbers, the amount of time it takes for zones to evacuate, and communicating edits needed. Thanks to Mr. Wall, despite all the changes needed and the addition of 29 classrooms, our first fire drill was a great success, with all hallways cleared quickly, teachers going to accurate zones outside, and student and staff safety ensured. Further, Mr. Wall has helped mentor brand new security team members, showing them procedures and strategies for working with various student situations. His work has supported a successful kickoff to the year! We greatly appreciate the work of Mr. Wall!"

-Colleen Lally, Justice HS

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Region 3

Heather Frei, Alejandra Navarrete & Michael Symanski, Pulley Career Center

"My daughter is a recent graduate of Pulley Career Center. Despite no longer being an actively enrolled student, Michael Symanski, ETR, and the Pulley staff have continued supporting and aiding her in her transition. With their help and guidance over the last couple of weeks, she has been able to get a job that she is enjoying. We hit roadblocks in our attempts, and when I reached out to Mr. Symanski, he did not hesitate to help us. He and other staff, Heather Frei and Ali Navarette, all reached out to ensure we had all the information we needed and offered continued support. Pulley Career Center was a blessing to our daughter throughout her time there and continues to be a blessing after she has gone. The entire staff at Pulley deserves to be recognized for the caring support of our most vulnerable young adults."

-a Pulley Career Center parent

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Region 4

Jennifer Quinn, West Springfield ES - View the celebration!

"I'd like to take a moment to recognize Mrs. Quinn for her exceptional dedication to teaching, which has had a profound impact on our child. We feel incredibly fortunate to have her as our child's teacher. Mrs. Quinn takes the time to understand each student and their individual story, working every day to create an environment where everyone feels included and valued. She goes above and beyond to foster a culture of equity and inclusion, consistently demonstrating her commitment through her actions rather than just words. In her classroom, Mrs. Quinn provides a variety of seating options, such as couches, cushions, and wobble seats, and normalizes neurodiversity by offering chair bands and fidgets to every child, ensuring no child feels singled out. Her classroom is a warm, accepting environment where both neurodivergent and neurotypical students feel safe and valued. Her classroom is not only a warm and welcoming space but also a dynamic environment where creativity and curiosity thrive. She brings lessons to life with innovative teaching methods that captivate the children's imaginations and make learning an exciting experience. Mrs. Quinn is exceptionally observant and proactive. She ensures that each student comprehends the material and feels comfortable, and she maintains open communication with parents to keep them informed about their child's progress and well-being. Her ability to create engaging, lively discussions that resonate long after they end is remarkable. Beyond academics, Mrs. Quinn builds strong, trusting relationships with her students, making them feel seen and appreciated for who they are. Her tireless efforts, boundless enthusiasm, and genuine care have enhanced our child's educational experience. Mrs. Quinn's impact on our child's growth and development is truly extraordinary, and we are deeply grateful for her dedication."

-a West Springfield ES parent

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Region 5

Hannah Miller & Rebecca Hitchings, Greenbriar East ES (Pictured) - View the celebration!

"I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for everything Mrs. Hitchings and Mrs. Miller have done for my child. As a kindergartner with an IEP, my child's school experience is incredibly important to us, and their dedication has made all the difference. From the beginning, their efforts to make my child feel safe, heard, and valued have eased many of my worries as a parent. They have both been exceptional in explaining the details of his education and providing clarity on how they are supporting him. More importantly, the positive impact they've had on my son is truly remarkable. He comes home almost every day excited to share stories about his school experiences, the conversations he’s had with both of them and all the new things he has learned. It’s heartwarming to see him so enthusiastic about going to school each morning, even waking up early with anticipation. Before joining GBE, school was not always his favorite place, so witnessing his newfound love for learning and school is a wonderful gift. I want to thank them both for their unwavering support, compassion, and the joy they bring to my child's educational journey. They have made a lasting impression on him and us, and for that, we are incredibly grateful."

-a Greenbriar ES parent

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Region 6

Karen Baxter, Island Creek ES - View the celebration!

"She helped my daughter when she broke her wrist during school hours. She helped my family out by riding with her to the hospital while I gathered her siblings together, and she helped to keep my daughter calm, especially since she was upset her dad was out of town for work. This employee - and others! - truly helped us out in a quite distressing situation."

-an Island Creek ES parent

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Other FCPS CARES Submissions

Liliana Cieza & Susana Niccoli, London Towne ES

"On Friday evening a student was experiencing a crisis and reached out to Sra. Cieza, who quickly took steps to keep the student safe. The student and family needed support and lacked transportation, so Sra. Niccoli went to the student's home, to pick up the student and family and provide them with the necessary support. Sra. Niccoli supported the family until past 1am. Both of these caring educators go above and beyond their teaching responsibilities to ensure students and families are safe and supported. Sra. Cieza and Sra. Niccoli both have hearts of gold and their care for students is EXEMPLARY!"

-Lucy Zamora, London Towne ES

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Karin Markley, Cunningham Park ES

"I'd like to take the opportunity to recognize and to sincerely thank Ms. Karin Markley, our first-grade teacher at Cunningham Park, for going so above and beyond for our son. When I've emailed with a worry, she responds with a concerned phone call. When our son was out sick, she reached out to check on his well-being, bringing the first smile to his face all day. When he had a rough morning returning to school, Ms. Markley pulled his sister into class to brighten his day - then went on to carve out time to sit with him at lunch! Ms. Markley's sterling reputation precedes her at Cunningham Park - she is exceeding it!!"

-a Cunningham Park ES parent

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Stephanie Seadeek, Fort Hunt ES

"Stephanie is a great role model for me. She has helped me in many ways since I have been working at Fort Hunt. I am grateful to work with her every day. Your continued support and all the help you have provided for me as a new teacher to FCPS is invaluable. Thank you for so much effort."

-Tracy Hutchison, Fort Hunt ES

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Maria Campos, Diana Ramon Castillo, James Chianetta, Jennifer Graybill, Shannon Merriweather, Karen Robles, Calvin Umezurike & Karin Williams, South County HS

"South County High School had the pleasure of meeting so many amazing people this week from different departments within Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) who came to support our immunization efforts! Thank you, Maria, Shannon, Jennifer, Diana, Karen, James, Calvin, and Karin. Thank you for demonstrating that FCPS Cares in this way...We would welcome you to our Student Services team any day!"

-Marci Garrison, South County HS

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Tony Le, Nancy Sprague Technology Center

"Tony Le, Technology Support Specialist, helped Edison Academy with a new printer for our student ID's and found ways to expedite approval of the Adobe software. It was quite challenging process from beginning to end. He spent many hours helping our administrative assistant (AA) get the software installed on her laptop and spent even more time troubleshooting issues with the printer. He was so calm, professional, and understanding and a great support to our AA. Over the summer, Tony went through 6+ pallets of computer equipment that our Cyber teacher cleaned out from the classroom. Tony organized and counted every individual item to ensure that the warehouse would pick up all the items. In addition, last spring he spent numerous hours helping our Cyber teachers with certification testing issues that they encountered. Again, Tony always remained calm, knowledgeable, and professional. Tony always goes above and beyond to help students and staff at Edison High School and Edison Academy. We are so lucky to have him as our Technology Support Specialist."

-Monica Bentley, Edison HS

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Taylor Holdridge, Bonnie Brae ES

"I would love to submit an FCPS Cares award for an extraordinary special education instructional assistant, Taylor Holdridge. Ms. Holdridge’s enthusiasm for helping all students learn and her ability to form connections is exemplary. Her positivity is contagious, and she is always able to think quickly and pivot in any situation. Besides working full time, Ms. Holdridge is working on her degree in education. The staff and students are lucky to have such a talented person in our community."

-Anonymous

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Mary Flint, Norma Gordon & Amanda Purcell, Fort Belvoir Primary ES

"Mrs. Flint, Mrs. Gordan, and Mrs. Purcell (and many other staff members- so many I can’t remember all the names) came to my rescue recently at the book fair when my oldest son became suddenly ill. They immediately stepped in and cared for my other 3 children while I tended to my sick child. They brought me a change of clothes, water, and supplies for my car ride home. The entire process could have been so stressful as a parent, but the entire time everyone was calm, reassuring, and supportive. I am so grateful for the staff at FB Primary!"

-a Fort Belvoir Primary ES parent

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Kathleen Luongo, South Lakes HS

"I can't express enough how grateful we are for all the guidance and support Kathy has provided to our son over the past three years. From the very beginning of his college research journey, she's been there to help him navigate the complexities of the process with dedication and expertise. Her open-door policy and willingness to assist at any moment have made a world of difference, giving him the confidence to pursue his college aspirations. We've come to know her well, and it's clear that her commitment to South Lakes HS students is truly exceptional. Thank you for everything you've done!"

-a South Lakes HS parent

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Erin Altman, Colleen Cimino, Katherine Deer & Karen Wedekindt, Bull Run ES

"Our ESOL team is beyond amazing. They have always worked tirelessly to provide the best instruction and learning experiences for not only our MLLs, but for all our students. This year, especially, they have faced challenges with scheduling and the new curriculum, trying to find ways to piece together how they would be able to service over 220 MLLs while not being able to pull students to a consistent location and creating mobile classroom carts so that they can be in multiple places at once. They poured hours into setting up the best schedule and learning accommodations for our staff and students. While this was a frustrating process, and they're still working around some obstacles, you would never know because they have continued to carry themselves with a positive energy and by bringing laughter into the mix. They love our students and consistently keep their needs at the forefront. Our school is truly blessed to have the best. Thank you for all your hard work and efforts, Erin, Kate, Karen and Colleen!"

-Carrie Brown, Bull Run ES

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Chuck Anderson, Vaughn Bolden, Gus Cabrera, Crystal Glenn, Sharon Segur, Ryan Tillman & Wayne Twombly, Lake Braddock Secondary

"In reflecting on our recently rainy arrivals and dismals, and the uptick in school threat hoax across the country, I am incredibly grateful for our impeccable security team and SROs at Lake Braddock. This team goes above and beyond to keep Lake Braddock, the largest school in Virginia, safe. I have thanked them in staff emails and on our PA system for students to appreciate their dedication, and I wanted to also thank them through the official FCPS Cares programs. Every morning and at dismissal, it takes our entire security staff to ensure the almost 5,000 staff and students coming on campus stay safe, and they do this in all kinds of weather. The are constantly on the move taking survey of anything to note and taking the time to build relationships with staff and students. I am biased but truly believe we have one of the hardest working security teams you’ll find anywhere and I’m so thankful for their commitment and contribution to a successful first few weeks of school. To our SROs, Sharon Segur and Ryan Tillman, our Security Specialist, Gus Cabrera, and our Security Assistants, Chuck Anderson, Vaughn Bolden, Crystal Glenn and Wayne Twombley, thank you for choosing Lake Braddock and being a part of Bruin Nation.

-Lindsey Kearns, Lake Braddock Secondary

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Gregory Weisbecker, Falls Church HS

-Anonymous

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Eleuterio Ruiz Diaz, Oak View ES

"Thank you to Mr. Eleuterio Ruiz Diaz, an FCPS custodian who is temporarily filling in for one of Oak View’s custodians out on leave. Mr. Diaz takes extra care in cleaning my music room and other areas of the school to make them welcoming and safe for our students each day. I am grateful for his time and work and know it makes a positive difference in our community. Thank you, Mr. Diaz!"

-Anonymous

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Oscar Pinto Montoya, Edison HS

"Oscar Pinto Montoya is new to us in the Academy this year. He is the afternoon custodian assigned to our Edison Academy Office and the Electrical Construction and Cyber classrooms. Oscar is an exceptional employee and takes tremendous pride in all his work. He had only been with us a few weeks when we suddenly noticed a paper towel dispenser had been installed in our work room. We never got one when our building was renovated in 2011. But he looked around, noticed we didn't have one and got it installed for us. He took the initiative to do this along with so many other things! He definitely goes above and beyond in everything he does, and we (Academy Office staff) and the students benefit from it every morning when we walk into an exceptionally clean building. He even scrubs the stainless-steel sink in our workroom so it shines (we can see our reflection in it). Oscar always has a smile on his face and a positive attitude. He's willing to help everyone and do whatever he can to make Edison High School a better place for all! We love Oscar!"

-Cassandra Deedy, Edison HS

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Marcus Eddy, Gatehouse Admin Center

"The partnership we have had with Marcus is greatly appreciated. We have worked yearly to update and upgrade our camera system and Marcus has come out to provide us advice on where the needs might be. He has also been responsive when our team identifies cameras offline or needing fine tuning. Recently our outdoor cameras facing our turf fields was offline. He had to coordinate with a few different offices to narrow down the problem. He kept us updated and worked diligently to get our cameras back online before a home football game where we have thousands of patrons attending and camera coverage is helpful. We are grateful for him and all the support he has given us at Lake Braddock SS!"

-Lindsey Kearns, Lake Braddock Secondary

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Jamie Luerssen, Colin Powell ES

"The entire faculty and staff at Colin Powell Elementary School have been so kind and welcoming to me and I am so grateful. Starting a new job can be daunting and the support that I have been shown confirms that I was ready for something new. Thank you, Pumas!"

-Lisa Dockins, Colin Powell ES

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Lilly Shin, Greenbriar East ES

"Thank you, Ms. Shin, for helping my child during lunch bunch, and for warmly inviting him to socialize and meet new friends during this activity. Appreciate all the updates on how he is doing, and for providing any observations/recommendations on how to make school a more positive experience. "

-a Greenbriar East ES parent

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Becca Hitchings, Greenbriar East ES

"Mrs. Hitchings has gone above and beyond in teaching all her kindergarten students. Her loving and compassionate nature has really helped her students successfully transition to a new school environment, along with identifying the individual learning needs of each student. Her enthusiasm in creating weekly newsletters and updating parents on how their child is doing at school is exceptional. She is always putting her best efforts into teaching her students and involving parents in their child's school life; it really shows through in the newsletters she sends out; sometimes, they are even emailed on weekends. Her hard work and dedication deserve much recognition and applause. "

-a Greenbriar East ES parent

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Katie Server, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Katie was instrumental in supporting Columbia’s success in applying for the Purple Star Award application. Her dedication, knowledge, and support were invaluable throughout the entire application process. Katie was always quick to respond to questions, emails, provided clear guidance, and went above and beyond to ensure that Columbia had all the tools, resources, and everything we needed to complete the application. Without Katie's support, we would not have been able to successfully complete the application. I am grateful for her commitment to helping military families, supporting schools, and for her positive impact on our school community at Columbia. Thank you!"

-Shannon Dumont, Columbia ES

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Matthew Pearson, Lorton Center

"Matthew Pearson is a shuttle driver for Edison Academy students. One day, I happened to look out my office window when the students were being dropped off by Mr. Pearson. I noticed that as each student was departing the bus, he gave them all a "fist bump". It was so heartwarming to see each student reciprocate the "fist bump" and it goes to show how much a little kindness goes! Thank you, Mr. Pearson for spreading a bit of kindness to all students!"

-Jenn Roberts, Edison HS

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Michelle Stroh, Greenbriar East ES

"Thank you, Mrs. Stroh, for helping Andrew with his day-to-day activities at school. Especially appreciate your attention to detail on helping him through mealtime, helping him in the cafeteria, and trying to make sure he has opportunities to eat during the school day. Thank you for taking care of Andrew along with your dedication to support all your students in class on making it a positive and loving environment during their transition to a new school."

-a Greenbriar East ES parent

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Rosanne Luis Wegman, Greenbriar East ES

"Thank you for going above and beyond with helping my child in his day-to-day activities at school and continuing to encourage and teach him every day. The greatest opportunity to make the biggest difference in a child’s life is when they are having the hardest time. Thank you for being a part of my child’s development journey."

-a Greenbriar East ES parent

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Angela Couse, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"We began the school year without a librarian, and I was very nervous about meeting student needs the first week of school. Then I met Angela Couse at our Leadership Kickoff. I expressed concern and to my surprise Angela offered to come to our school herself to make sure that students had everything they needed. Angela showed up ready to work. She trained our sub. She setup the library to meet student needs. She trained a new librarian while helping us at Stone. She met with our new Reading Specialist to talk about books for students. She was wonderful! Her professionalism and work ethic were so greatly appreciated. She assured us that she would be right there for anything we needed. I am so thankful for her."

-Sonya Williams,  Stone MS

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Lamya Alany, Kent Gardens  ES

"Lamya Alany is such an incredible person who has such a deep passion for our students. Her work as both a teacher for our multilingual learners and as the Equity team lead have made a profound impact on our school’s inclusivity. Everyone can feel comfort in their community at KG and Lamya is a core reason why that is the case."

-Anonymous

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Sina Naeemi, Kent Gardens ES

"Having Sina on staff at Kent Gardens has been amazing. Over the last few years, he has been able to help our students grow so much. As a master’s student in counseling, he can effectively use social emotional skills to help our students grow in the school environment. His work as an IA, mentor, and equity team member have helped so many students feel both seen and heard. We are so appreciative of everything he does."

-Anonymous

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Karla Jeolas, Kent Gardens ES

"Karla Jeolas is an invaluable teacher at Kent Gardens. Her ability to implement effective strategies to help her students has made a profound impact on their growth. It has been incredible to watch Karla go from an Instructional Assistant to a Special Education Teacher. While she balances her roles as a mother, teacher, and student she still manages to pour everything into each one of her students. She truly is a superstar."

-Anonymous

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Ana Ojeda, Kent Gardens ES

"I would like to take a moment to recognize Ana, who has made a significant impact on our students since joining our school. She goes above and beyond in her role. The students that she works with have improved so much, even in such a short period of time. It is clear that her students love her. Her passion and drive for our students education is evident and we are so incredibly grateful to have her on our team."

-Anonymous

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Julio Dejo, Johnson MS

"Mr. Dejo is doing terrific job this year as afterschool program specialist. He is supporting lots of academic and sports afterschool clubs in which the students are excited to be there, want to work harder, and have fun. He has really enriched afterschool programs for all students at the school. Mr. Dejo collaborates well with school staff and parent volunteers to send out afterschool activities message. His expertise, teamwork and positive can-do attitude is greatly appreciated."

-a Johnson MS parent

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Karla Cruz, Bonnie Brae ES

"I want to take a moment to recognize and appreciate all the hard work Karla has put in during her first quarter of teaching. Her dedication to her students has been clear from the very beginning. The way she organizes lessons and creates a positive learning environment is truly impressive. Her professionalism and commitment to growth have made a real impact on the classroom. It’s not easy being a first-year teacher, but she is handling it with grace and determination. Thank you for all you do—your hard work is noticed and deeply valued!"

-Katherine Hover, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Jaime Austin, Hayfield Secondary

"Jaime Austin has gone above and beyond as AP US History CT lead while I have been intermittently out. She sacrifices her own planning time to lead direct instruction and provide feedback for my sections. Most importantly, she is dedicated to making sure the team stays on track in the CT cycle despite my absences. She has assisted in identifying students who require extra support and means to provide intervention to them. She constructed materials to use for enrichment and review for all students during our rotating learning seminars. Jaime also makes herself available by staying after to support reassessment and intervention opportunities for all sections. This ensures all our students have equal access to extra support and an opportunity to master the rigorous skills and content of an AP Course. Jaime continues to demonstrate her immense dedication to student outcomes and her colleagues."

-Molly Steadman, Hayfield Secondary

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Madison Fritz & Lourdes Marquez, Braddock ES

"Ms. Fritz and Dr. Marquez, 3rd grade teachers at Braddock ES, are going above and beyond to support my son during his learning journey this school year. He is excited going to school every day, and loves sharing what he is learning in class. The teachers are accommodating his needs to support his learning style and I can't thank them enough."

-a Braddock ES parent

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Arman Nikmorad, Nancy Sprague Technology Center

"I would like to bring to light the exceptional efforts and dedication of Arman Nikmorad from the Information Technology (IT) department in supporting Community Relations and facilitating engagement opportunities for families and the community as a whole. His contributions have been instrumental in ensuring outstanding support for numerous superintendent and community events. Our commitment to inclusive and culturally responsive engagement is made possible through Arman's unwavering support and positive disposition. He consistently demonstrates responsiveness, a wealth of knowledge, and remarkable flexibility, enabling him to go above and beyond in his role."

-Angela Aldave, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Vanessa Altman & Eileen Castelli, Kings Glen ES

"A couple days before the school year started, Ms. Altman and Mrs. Castelli invited my son to their classroom to help him adjust to his new environment. He is in special education and has high anxiety which increases in new environments. Ms. Altman shared connection building details about her likes and interests (aka love for dinosaurs). Ms. Castelli created a level of trust by gently guiding him through the classroom and anticipating his questions. They also gave him a tour of the Special classrooms and he was able to meet several other teachers which create a stronger level of comfortability for him. They also let him pick his desk in the classroom. One of the most important aspects to a successful school year for a student is their level trust and confidence in their teacher team. Ms. Altman and Mrs. Castelli built a strong foundation of trust and confidence that day and they continue to grow it every day. Thank you, Ms. Altman, and Mrs. Castelli for the kindness and love you showed my son. We are excited to see how much he grows this year under your teaching expertise."

-a Kings Glen ES parent

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Andrew Aversa & Christine Ritter, Kings Glen ES

"This is my son's first year at Kings Glen. The new school year is always difficult for him because of his high levels of anxiety. I reached out to Dr. Ritter in July and asked if she had any recommendations for him ahead of August. She immediately responded with an invite to the school to host my son for a Q&A and personal tour by herself. We arrived and were lucky to also have this special and personalized meeting and tour with the new Assistant Principle, Andrew Aversa, and Dr. Ritter. Dr. Ritter and Mr. Aversa sat down with my son answered his questions and just chatted with him about all things Kings Glen. Then they took him on a tour. We saw the library, gym, 4th grade hallway, where the lights switches are for the hallways—all with short stories about the school and what his school career will be like at "The Glen". Their kindness, gentleness, and love for teaching shown through their words and actions that day. It really changed how my son acted for the rest of the summer. It gave him confidence; I was not able to provide to him. They created a lifelong memory for him and taught him the power of kindness that he has yet to realize. Thank you, Dr. Ritter, and Mr. Aversa."

-a Kings Glen ES parent

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Evarista Gonzalez & Heather Tickle, Brookfield ES

"While leaving school late one evening, Ms. Tickle discovered a teenager outside the exit of our school. She quickly noticed that the student needed help. He spoke only Spanish, so she quickly found help. Ms. Eva, our custodian, helped to interpret and comfort the student. They quickly learned that today was the first day of school for the student, who had just moved from another country. On his way home, he got lost in the neighborhood and was unable to find his way. He found his way to school. His path crossed with Ms. Tickle and Ms. Eva. Ms. Tickle contacted an administrator who worked with the high school administrators to find the students phone number and contact his family, who were so glad to have him home! I’m grateful for the quick thinking, compassionate team that saw a teen in need and jumped right in!"

-Margaret Sisler, Brookfield ES

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Henry Miller, Sideburn Support Center

"Henry Miller, an energy educational specialist in FCPS is one of the greatest gems that serves FCPS. Henry is an exemplary problem solver, and he is always willing to assist at various locations across the county. I was without AC for over 6 weeks and was told that the computer program wasn't communicating with the HVAC system. I reached out to Mr. Miller, and I had AC the very next day. Mr. Miller, I appreciate you so much and thank you."

-Stephanie Lewis, Hayfield ES

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Jailene Acevedo, Hayfield ES

"Jailene Acevedo is the registrar and a life saver at Hayfield Elementary School. Every single day, Jailene has a smile on her, and she is ready and willing to make every person’s day better. Right after Labor Day, I was diagnosed with Covid and Jailene scanned strings registration forms to my email so I could continue working through the registration period. When I returned to the building my workload was manageable because of her willingness to assist me. I can't thank her enough. Jailene, you are the best."

-Stephanie Lewis, Hayfield ES

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Kimberley McPherson, Fort Hunt ES

"Kimberley is not only new to our school, but new to our country. She has jumped right in and assimilated easily. She is a leader on the team, and she has committed to learning and mastering the new Benchmark curriculum. She is incredibly hardworking and is willing to go above and beyond to ensure success for herself and her students. We are very lucky to have her here at Fort Hunt."

-Tracy Hutchison, Fort Hunt ES

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Sriram Krishnamurthy, Wilton Woods Center

"I had requested a large amount of data for a project. I was directed to Sriram, who was able to find exactly what I needed in less than a day. He even provided well beyond what I was expecting. Sriram was extremely friendly, responsive, and knowledgeable throughout the process. Thank you, Sriram!"

-Michael Mazzarella, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Madison Thomas, Kelli Vance & Rowena Hipol, Eagle View ES

"I would like to pass on my appreciation to my son’s teacher and aides. Ms. Hipol, Ms. Thomas and Ms. Vance have been nothing short of amazing and patient with my son. They communicate with me daily if needed and we are even working on 1-2-3 Magic together at home and school. I truly know they care about the success of my son and I know they do for all the children they work with. I have so much hope now that my son will thrive. Thank you!!"

-an Eagle View ES parent

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Mike Parker, Centreville HS

"We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude and recognition to Mr. Parker, the new Director of Student Activities for CVHS. He has made an incredible impact in just a few short months in this position. His passion for creating a welcoming and connected environment for all students is evident. Whether through organizing inclusive events or being a supportive presence, his dedication to fostering school spirit and community has already made a significant difference. One specific moment was seeing him on the sidelines of the football field, cheering on the marching band after their first halftime performance. His enthusiasm and celebration alongside the students truly showed his commitment to recognizing and uplifting every part of our school. Thank you, Mr. Parker, for all that you've done so far and we are excited to see the continued positive influence you'll have on CVHS!"

-a Centreville HS parent

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Tammy Ruther, Mountain View HS

"Tammy is currently working at Mountain View HS as an IA but was previously a Biology teacher at Mountain View HS. Due to her knowledge of the Biology SOL, the high school asked if she would be willing to support our students in preparation for the September Biology retakes. Tammy agreed and she spent the first month of school coming to the high school and meeting individually with six of our seniors who needed to prepare for the Biology SOL. She came to the high school for four periods of her day to remediate our high school students (not her students in AIM). Tammy did not have to support our program (since she works with a different campus) but she wanted to help our seniors find success. She identified areas of need (which was a lot since it had been in a few years since some of our students had taken the course) and individually remediated those specific areas with our six students. She even provided a boot camp (with snacks) the day before the exam to make sure our students were ready. We are so grateful for her willingness to support and provide her expertise to our students/building. Thank you Tammy!"

-Jennifer Crump Strawderman, Mountain View HS

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Jill Woodall, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Jill has been an invaluable resource to elementary librarians, especially for myself. Whenever I find myself needing support with curriculum, planning, formative assessments or advocacy for our school's library program, she is always ready to help. Her calm demeanor and ability to listen and articulate thoughtful unique solutions make her a wonderful colleague and mentor to new and experienced librarians alike. Jill fills the role of being an instructional partner, collaborator, and mentor with such ease. I am so grateful for all of her expertise and knowledge as well as her willingness to share and listen proactively on a regular basis. Thank you Jill."

-Kannan Cangro, Clermont ES

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Dominic Williams, Union Mill ES

"Across my tenure in FCPS I have been blessed to work with and be supported by numerous talented and supportive administrators, to include the fantastic Mr. Dominic Williams. Returning from a yearlong leave of absence, Mr. Williams has regularly checked in on me and asked how I am balancing the work / mom life balance as a new parent and inquired about the health and well-being of my son and family. He has collaborated with me and across school staff to create, implement and plan numerous supports and strategies to ensure student access and success across their academic day. He enthusiastically listened to our specialist team's suggestion for improved visuals and consistent, common language to better support positive behaviors and POG traits across our school setting, learning new technology tools and creating a proposed visual that is engaging and clear within days of suggestion. Always a yes-man, Mr. Williams is the first to lead by example and say: "what can we do to support students' needs and make them successful?". Mr. Williams, thank you for being human and seeing me as an individual. Thank you for building me up and supporting my growth and fostering my development as an educator. Thank you for being a positive influence and a bright light at Union Mill. We are lucky to have you as a parent, community member and administrator. The world needs more Mr. Dominic Williams in it!"

-Manda Tirado, Union Mill ES

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Elizabeth Roasriao Machado & Lisa Cathero, Chantilly HS

"Elizabeth Rosario Machado and Lisa Cathro sponsor the Fuerza Latina club at Chantilly High School. The joy and inclusion that this club brings to the students of and interested in hispanophone cultures has created a community of celebration. The time and efforts these teachers put into managing the club on their volunteer time should be applauded. The school is a better place for their generosity."

-Elaine Gonzalez, Chantilly HS

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Liz Beaty, Krystal Styles & Heather Boyd, Haycock ES

"Thank you to the administration team of Dr. Liz Beaty, Ms. Heather Boyd and Ms. Krystal Styles at Haycock Elementary School for their tremendous effort to make the three hour early release day schedule as organized as possible for staff and students. Given the parameters from the district, they carefully considered both the students' needs and the teachers' responsibilities, ensuring that the schedule was not only logical and organized but also practical for everyone involved. The level of care and precision they brought to this process is deeply appreciated. Thank you for your dedication and the countless hours you invested. Your thoughtful attention to detail, despite the many restrictions you had to work around, truly stands out.

-Jeannie Sklar, Haycock ES

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Randall Kearns, Lorton Center

"Randy is the bus driver supervisor for the Lorton area and is assigned to Sangster Elementary School. Randy has gone above and beyond to help us at Sangster and ensure that our students make it home safely every day. At the start of school, we needed more yellow tape for our Kindergartners and Randy brought it right over. Randy has come to our rescue multiple times when there was a problem with one of our buses. Yesterday evening, Randy doubled back from a bus run that was a distance from Sangster to make sure that all of our students got home safely. The admin team at Sangster wants to thank Randy for going above and beyond. We are grateful to him for coming through for us and for our students. We recognize how hard you are working and your support makes a difference. THANK YOU!"

-Karen Kleiber, Sangster ES

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Liz Beaty, Krystal Styles & Heather Boyd, Haycock ES

"The administration team at Haycock ES are the best! They have worked tirelessly days, nights, and weekends, to ensure that our upcoming three hour early release Monday is successful for staff and students. They have listened to feedback from everyone and have made a clear, detailed schedule for everyone. They are ensuring that everyone is feeling heard. I appreciate all of the hard work that you have put into this. It does not go unnoticed!

-Nisha Hecht, Haycock ES

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Yujin Choi, Haycock ES

"Yujin is the SIA at Haycock ES. Yujin is one of the most hard working colleagues I have ever known. She goes above and beyond every day to do her job and BEYOND. She is also the best lunch buddy. Yujin has gone above and beyond working tirelessly to make sure we have all of the information about every student for these early release Mondays. She has helped in the process of knowing which way every student is going home and organized it in a way that is so helpful to all classroom teachers and specialists. Her attention to detail does not go unnoticed. Thank you for being you, Yujin! I appreciate all that you do!"

-Nisha Hecht, Haycock ES

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Natalie Oguara, Laurel Ridge ES

"I have had the privilege of having two children that were taught in Laurel Ridge elementary school by Ms. Oguara. When my son was in the class, he was having difficulty with reading in language, arts and Ms. Oguara took time to meet with my wife and myself, to help create a plan to help him be successful at school. It also helped me become a little bit more vested in learning the challenges that young black men have had in school. Our son has become more successful and has had great success as a result of this plan, which was initiated by Ms. Oguara in 3rd grade. My daughter is now a student in her class and we are so thrilled about it. We received a book this past week to read as a family and are truly thankful for the thoughtfulness and caring spirit that Ms. Ogura has shown our family and the students she teaches. I would just like to say thank you for the energy and effort you put in each day that sometimes may go unnoticed, but we see it in our children's excitement to learn and go to school and are grateful for teachers like you."

-a Laurel Ridge ES parent

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Lia Berry, Hayfield Secondary

"I would like to recognize Ms. Lia Berry as an amazing CT leader and member of the HS Chemistry team at Hayfield. Ms. Berry leads with a student first mindset that promotes clarity in instruction, safe spaces for student questions and feedback, and quantifiable checks for comprehension that the team as a whole can emulate. She goes above and beyond to make sure that each concept being taught to the students clearly reflects the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) subject standards and sets the students up for academic success. Her warmth extends beyond the students as she encourages team bonding within our CT. Ms. Berry has been a priceless mentor and role model to me in my first couple weeks at Hayfield as a new teacher. Thank you Ms. Berry for always creating the time for students and staff at Hayfield who need a helping hand!"

-Miranda Merritt, Hayfield Secondary

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Meredith Renard, Davis Career Center

"Meredith has been doing an amazing job engaging her students in vocational and life skills instruction this year. Her students are always engaged and she works hard to deliver lessons that are related to student interests. You can often hear lots of laughter and fun music coming from her classroom! You can tell she builds amazing relationships with students. She is a great collaborator and contributes ideas to our curriculum development as well as with her team teacher. Kudos Meredith!"

-Maureen Howard, Davis Career Center

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Crystal Engelbrecht, Centreville HS

"Centreville High School is so fortunate to have Crystal Engelbrecht on staff as an Instructional Coach. She is incredibly dedicated and does whatever it takes to support students and staff. She is extremely knowledgeable, cares about the work that needs done, and always does it with a smile on her face. Her commitment to problem solving and coming up with creative solutions shines through on a daily basis. We are so lucky to have her as part of the Wildcat family!"

-Tracy Bromberg, Centreville HS

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Chad Steffey, Annandale HS

"Annandale Terrace Elementary School (ATES) has a special tradition to kick off the new school year with a Pep Rally out in the field in the month of September. This is our 6th year having the Pep Rally and each year Annandale High School’s marching band comes over to our school to help participate in our school wide assembly. When our school reached out to Chad Steffey, a Band Director at Annandale High School, over the summer if they would be willing to participate again this year, he gladly jumped right in. He brought his marching band students and the color guards last Friday and the students at ATES loved seeing them at the Pep Rally. It is always such a fun event and the students look forward to this each year. It’s also nice to see our former Annandale Terrace students in the marching band joining us back as a performer because they once were in the elementary school at our school enjoying this great time! Thank you Chad Steffey for organizing in bringing your amazing group of students to ATES and supporting the Annandale pyramid schools! Your continued support is so appreciated!"

-Essel Linton, Annandale Terrace ES

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Stephanie McWhirt, Cub Run ES

"I would like to take this opportunity to recognize, and sincerely thank, Mrs. Stephanie McWhirt of Cub Run Elementary School for all she does to help our students grow and thrive. My child had Mrs. McWhirt as her first grade teacher during the 2023-2024 school year, and she grew by leaps and bounds due to Mrs. McWhirt’s dedication and expertise. From the moment I sat in the classroom on Back to School Night and observed Mrs. McWhirt’s enthusiasm and the extent of her knowledge and experience, I knew my child was in good hands. Throughout the entire year, my child’s face lit up when speaking about how much she loved the first grade and her teacher. Every time I had the opportunity to observe Mrs. McWhirt’s interactions with her students, I always left feeling extremely grateful that my child was one of them. Additionally, I frequently ran into parents of her current or former students out in the community, and each and every time, without fail, that parent had the absolute highest praise for Mrs. McWhirt and tremendously positive things to say about their child’s experience in her class. We will always be incredibly thankful for Mrs. McWhirt, and we truly believe FCPS and Cub Run Elementary School are extremely lucky to have her! Thank you, Mrs. McWhirt!"

-a Cun Run ES parent

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Dione Avalos, Lake Anne ES

"Ms. Dione Avalos is technically an instructional assistant (or paraprofessional) at Lake Anne Elementary, but she is so much more to our students, families, and staff. She exemplifies exceptional dedication and flexibility. Dione consistently prioritizes the needs of our students and can seamlessly transition between supporting a 6th-grade student needing academic support, to covering a kindergarten class when the teacher has a family emergency and immediate coverage is needed, to assisting in the multi-grade level Enhanced Autism class with students she has been able to make meaningful connections with, to managing lunch supervision. This is all done with a positive attitude and genuine desire to help. Her unwavering commitment to alleviating the impact of staff shortages and unfilled substitute positions has been instrumental in maintaining a stable and supportive environment for our students. Dione's ability to adapt and contribute wherever needed makes her an invaluable asset to our school community. Her hard work and collaborative spirit truly make a difference every day and these few words don’t do her justice. I want her to know that her efforts do not go unseen and I am thankful every day she is with us here at Lake Anne."

-Melanie Porter, Lake Anne ES

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Molly Williams, Mount Vernon Woods ES

"Ms. Williams took time out of her lunch to have a video call with a former student who chose a call with her as his behavior incentive for the week. Ms. Williams clearly had a huge impact on the student in elementary school, and now as a 7th grader, he still identifies her as a preferred adult. This student was having a hard time adjusting to the demands of middle school until we identified this incentive. The student earned his call by staying on task and completing work in all of his classes for a whole week. Ms. Williams has graciously offered to conduct additional incentive calls in the future! Her commitment to her students is awesome and has made a positive impact!"

-Angela Perez, Whitman MS

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Christopher Smith, Johnson MS

"I would like to recognize KJMS principal Chris Smith for his support of the FCPS Battle of the Books program. We were struggling to find a location large enough to accommodate the FCPS Battle of the Books Cross County Competition in April, and Mr. Smith used his connections with Fairfax High School to help us reserve their Fieldhouse for our event. Additionally, I would like to recognize City of Fairfax Superintendent, Jeff Platenberg and the City of Fairfax School Board for generously financing the use of the Fairfax High School Fieldhouse for the Cross County Competition."

-Jennifer Betten, Johnson MS

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Mary Flournoy, Alan Leis Center

"I want to thank Mary from Alan Leis Center for her help today when I visited her worksite. She had compiled all the information I needed before my arrival and was very helpful in showing me where everyone sat so I could update my building plans and list. Not only was she very resourceful but patient and kind. Thank you for going above and beyond in your customer service."

-Luis Cardona, Gatehouse Admin Center

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Shawn Le, Nancy Sprague Technology Center

"I wanted to take a moment to recognize Shawn Le for his dedication to the Sangster community. Mr. Le went above and beyond to support Sangster’s fall Movie Night. He not only spent hours setting up for the large event after school hours, but stayed the entire night and disassembled, packed, and moved heavy items long after the movie concluded. His positive attitude, kind demeanor, and work ethic are unmatched. The Sangster PTA is forever grateful for Mr. Le’s support!"

-Sangster ES PTA

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Lynette Webster, Herndon MS

"I wanted to take a moment to recognize Lynette for her outstanding work as a first year SBTS. She is not only a first year SBTS, but she is also trying to navigate a new school with new instructional technology. In her short time at Herndon MS, she has consistently exceeded expectations and has been a valuable asset to our school. I am honored to work alongside someone like Lynette. We can’t thank Lynette enough for her support and her positive attitude towards students and staff. I have had numerous teachers tell me that they are so thankful for her. Lynette’s attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and dedication are truly inspiring. Thank you, Lynette, for all that you do."

-Danny Mikhail, Nancy Sprague Technology Center

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John Tayamen, Stonecroft Transportation

"Mr. Tayamen is a warm smile and positive resource to students and staff. He shows up to Fairfax with a "can-do" attitude and steps in even when he is not asked. We appreciate having him here to share laughs, a quick ride for an Academy student in need, and for general advice. We are lucky to have him as part of our FCPS team!"

-Andrea Cook, Fairfax HS

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John Tayamen, Stonecroft Transportation

"I work in the Academy office at Fairfax HS. We have students who come to us from almost every high school in the county to take a specialized class and then return to their base schools for the rest of the day. Occasionally, we will need help getting students back for one reason or another. On several such occasions, John Tayamen has been available at FHS and has simply stepped in to help our students - often he sees the need before we have even asked and jumps in to support. He is a problem solver and a helper. One such moment occurred yesterday, 9/11, during an end-of-day run when we needed some extra transportation support for a couple of students whose regular transportation had been interrupted. It happened that John had time before his next scheduled run, and without hesitation he welcomed my students onto his bus and got them back to their base school. For our students who travel during their day for Academy, it means a lot to know that someone is there to help them when they need it. In truth, it is those unseen or seemingly small actions in support of a student that really matter. To me, John represents the best qualities of an FCPS team member - willing to jump in at any available moment to get the job done for a student, and always with kindness."

-Sarah Tarvid, Fairfax HS

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Brenda Dreesbach, Mt. Vernon Woods ES

"Brenda has gone above and beyond to support our teachers. She has taken a leaders' lens in supporting teachers by modeling instruction, providing feedback, coaching and consultation. She has support teachers with planning, parent communication, finding resources and classroom management. We are so thankful the way Brenda willingly and enthusiastically supports everyone, but especially our new teachers. Her knowledge, expertise, commitment and cheerful disposition make MVW an exceptional place to work and learn."

-Christine Berry, Mt. Vernon Woods ES

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Luc Nguyen, Chantilly HS

"Luc Nguyen has gone above and beyond to collaborate with our school picture photographers. He is working hard to arrange an day for the photographers to come into the building and set up in specific rooms in order to take school pictures of some students in our Adapted Curriculum program who cannot safely transition to the general location that other students are having pictures taken at. Some of these students have not been able to have a school picture taken safely since elementary school. We greatly appreciate Mr. Nguyen's efforts to include our students!"

-Maura Edwards, Chantilly HS

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Braden Peterson, Langley HS

"I would like to acknowledge the unwavering leadership of Langley's Director of Student Services, Dr. Braden Peterson. Dr. Peterson supports his team in numerous ways with acts of kindness and professionalism by empowering all of us to lead with excellence. I would like to show my appreciation for his leadership style, which is authentic, transformative, and dynamic. His commitment to growing his team personally and professionally is evident in his actions as he prioritizes channeling resources that enhance our abilities to serve students and families. His door is always open, and he welcomes dialogue that is matched with mutual respect, which enacts positive change in our school community. He models effective communication and conflict-resolution skills as he seeks solutions that work for all parties. Dr. Peterson is a strong advocate for Langley’s counseling and clinical team and is also a champion for supporting the mental well-being of teachers, students, families, and the wider Langley community. He is certainly a solid mentor to me and my teammates, and we are forever grateful for his service to our school."

-Lauren Lipton, Langley HS

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Maranda Black, Westfield HS

"Mrs. Black is consistently trying to improve quality of student life at Westfield. She goes out of her way to make everyone feel comfortable and motivated. Mrs. Black is saintly, benevolent, and overall an amazing person. She is always looking for new an inventive ways to support her students. She is the best person for this award."

-Anonymous

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Iris Stubblefield, Bryant HS

"This person showcases what FCPS is all about. They go above and beyond each and every day to get students involved in their learning, showing colleagues how they are great role models in the classroom for their students, and they are caring and sharing with all those around them - encouraging everyone to be a better person and member of the community. I first had the opportunity to be working with her during summer school where she (somehow) got students who did not want to attend, not only attend, but to succeed. She is now taking the lead in our school's Purple Heart initiative and is a force to be reckoned with wherever she shows up. No one seems to have the ability to say "No" to her, and that is a good thing. Her enthusiasm, positive outlook, and encouraging nature all make Ms. Iris Stubblefield a person who shows she truly cares for all of FCPS. She has started getting my students to write "Thank you" cards to different people who are making positive impacts in their lives. The reflection, and insight, the students talk about when mentioning these people is powerful. Ms. Stubblefield is an FCPS person who CARES!"

-John Stimac, Byrant HS

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Seyed Eftekhari, Stonecroft Transportation

"I would like to give a shout out to Seyed "Sid" Eftekhari, the bus driver of Bus 99 for Great Falls Elementary School. Sid is always extremely welcoming and supportive to the students. Every day he greets them with affection and says bye with a fist bump. He also entertains them and educates them on the ride, choosing classical music to play and then telling the kids interesting facts about the music as well as getting reactions from the kids to the music and discussing it with them. He is fabulous to have as a bus driver."

-a Great Falls ES parent

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Maggi Aitken, Fort Hunt ES

"Maggi Aitken is an amazing teacher who finds a way to connect with every student she encounters, even if they aren’t necessarily in her class. Students who need a change of setting to regroup can go to Ms. Aitken’s classroom and feel included while they work on regulating their feelings, all while her class is engaged and focused on the lesson. Students in her class truly feel seen and heard, and she does a wonderful job of figuring out just what each student needs, and then finding a way to deliver. Maggi is an advocate for fellow teachers, working to support new teachers and veterans alike by sharing her insights and wisdom, all while maintaining a delightful sense of humor. All of these reasons (and many more!) are why I have chosen Maggi Aitken for a FCPS Cares nomination."

-Tracy Hutchison, Fort Hunt ES

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Edward Peyton, Merrifield Support Center

"I want to recognize Eddie Peyton (HVAC) for going above and beyond every time we call for help. Eddie’s willingness to take on the HVAC challenges at Fairhill ES with a laugh and smile has made a significant difference. We want to thank him for his hard work and dedication to FCPS! His positive attitude is contagious and has a significant impact on school morale. He is a charismatic leader."

-Elise Brammer, Fairhill ES

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Maribel Sanchez, Marshall HS

"I would like to send a big thank you to Ms. Sanchez. She assisted me during the open house held for freshman at Marshall HS. As a new parent of a high school student I was feeling overwhelmed and could not log into my ParentVue account. She took the time to listen to me and then take me to her desk to troubleshoot my issue. She was very patient and so nice and ensured me it would be fixed before my child started school. Within 10 mins I had my new login and password issued and left Marshall HS feeling confident my child was in a good school where they had staff member who really do care. Thank you Ms. Sanchez, for you it might be a routine thing to help a parent but for me it meant the world !"

-a Marshall HS parent

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Alexa O'Flynn, Dunn Loring Center

"Sometimes I wonder where Ms. Alexa (family liaison) has come from. She finds connection and provides care for ALL in a way that identify, geography, religion, etc... etc. does not matter. When I come to Lake Anne Elementary School and then interact with Ms. Alexa, I feel calmed by the genuine welcome. I am thankful for the care and love she shows to all students who cross our entrance and I am grateful that each and every day that Ms. Alexa can be the first face our Dolphins see. We all benefit from and appreciate her curiosity, responsiveness, intuition, and innovative approaches (which are just natural to her) when responding to whatever comes our way. She does so all the while being calm, grounding, proactive, and compassionate. When something needs to happen that others may not see, she problem-solves in a way that doesn't overwhelm the person she must request something from or impact our ability to do what needs to get done. It’s other-worldly and something I've rarely experienced in my professional life. With so much admiration, I want to recognize her for the exceptional contributions she makes not only to the staff at Lake Anne Elementary School, but also to our students and (especially) our families and communities. She ensures that parents who are having a tough time seeing their child have difficulty transitioning to school also feel cared for. Ms. Alexa responds immediately when any of our Dolphins are having a challenging moment or day. She even brings the administration and the main office staff caffeinated treats when we don’t even recognize the need for a pick-me-up. Ms. Alexa is a powerhouse in modeling how we care for students, having compassion for each of our colleagues, and just simply being a warm and welcoming spirit for EVERYONE she interacts with. I have only been a part of the Lake Anne family since July, but she is definitely one of the main reasons that I find joy coming to work each and every day."

-Melanie Porter, Lake Anne ES

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Kristen Mendick, Bailey's Upper ES

"Kristen Mendick, one of our Physical Education teachers at Bailey's Upper Elementary, is the living embodiment of the phrase: "above and beyond." Kristen already deserves recognition for being an amazing PE teacher who creates a fun and welcoming gym environment. But Kristen is not content to leave it at that - she seeks opportunities throughout her day to find ways to support kids outside of PE, too! She recognizes that classroom teachers have instructional schedules that allow for less planning time than specials teachers do. As a result, Kristen reaches out to teachers who might have classes with high needs and offers up some of her own planning time to come in and support students. It's not uncommon to find Kristen sitting on the rug modeling turn and talk language with a student or sitting side by side at a table with a student who might need help editing his writing. Students look forward to seeing her throughout various points in their day: in the gym, in the cafeteria during her lunch duty and our classroom. Kristen Mendick goes above and beyond in every way and our classroom is a better place because of her!"

-Laura Wagner, Bailey's Upper ES

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Michael Carfang, Hayfield Secondary

"Mr. Michael Carfang, who joined our staff this school year has made an immediate impact, on our student body, both in the classroom (as a Business and Information Technology teacher), and in conjunction with the Hayfield Boys Lacrosse Program, whom he has joined as our incoming Defensive Coordinator. Coach Carfang is a warm inviting person, and has quickly bonded with many of our student body, by displaying genuine care about them and their needs. His classroom emits a caring and productive environment, while his presence with our Boys Lacrosse off season conditioning program has reaped immediate returns. All the athletes are eager to work with him, with one of his other passions, developing and conditioning well rounded athletes, in both flexibility, and strength, to maximize their impact on the lacrosse field. Thank you Coach Carfang for making such an immediate and impactful impression on our school and community."

-Jim Mercer, Hayfield Secondary

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Jeffrey Overton, Hayfield Secondary

"I want to recognize Mr. Jeffrey Overton Sr., one of our Special Education Instructional Assistants. Everyday, I see Mr. Overton in the hallways, interacting and assisting our twice exceptional students. He leads by example with an outstanding attitude, and wonderful demeanor. He is always encouraging and supporting with his actions and words, generating a warmth and trust with the students in his charge, the student body at large, and our staff! Whenever he encounters anyone in the hallways, or on our campus, he beams a smile, and wishes that person a warm hello, and askes how they are doing, or delivers a genuine compliment. Even though he has only been at Hayfield a short time, he has made an immediate and positive impact! Thank you Mr. Overton for adding your considerable charm and concern to our wonderful school and community!"

-Jim Mercer, Hayfield Secondary

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Alison Costanza, Nancy Sprague Technology Center

"Alison has been tirelessly trying to fix an issue with an application. She is super pleasant and extremely quick to reply and offer suggestions! Thank you Alison!"

-Jenn Scott, Montrose ALC

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Rachel Le, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Don't call her Ms. Rachel Le, call her the Renaissance Woman, because this lady DOES IT ALL. For now, let’s stick with Ms. Le as I share just how exceptional she is in managing the ISAEP program. This program supports at-risk students in completing career counseling, technology training, personal finance education, and preparation for the four exams which comprise the GED. Given the VDOE’s specific protocols for under-age participants, meticulous record-keeping is essential. The ISAEP program is a hidden gem, and Ms. Le plays a crucial role in educating guidance staff and families about it. Her patience and dedication help build strong relationships with counselors, fostering trust and support for students on this alternative path. This year, we’re celebrating NINETEEN 2024 graduates from ISAEP East—a testament to Ms. Le’s hard work and commitment. While that is an OUTSTANDING accomplishment, it is rarely understood from the outside that for every student who qualifies for the program and completes, there are half a dozen more who Ms. Le has communicated with, coordinated testing for, and assessed their fit for the program. One student who returned to finish the program this year described Ms. Le as “helpful and inspirational,” setting her apart from the teachers he has had. Students and families are often apprehensive about "alternative school", but Ms. Le’s warm demeanor, exuberant laugh, and genuine desire to connect with students help dissolve their worries. They see how much she cares noticing small changes in their demeanor in the classroom or making a daily morning wake-up call over and over without fail. As Ms. Le's new teammate, I am grateful for her competence and guidance with the intricate student application process and extensive data collection, recording, and communication. Her patience extends to her peers and she understands that mistakes are part of learning. Ms. Le’s enthusiasm motivates students and makes her a worthy candidate for recognition for her outstanding contributions to FCPS, its students, and their futures."

-Jude Welling Browns, ISAEP East - Graham Rd

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Meghan Kelleher, Providence ES

"I’d like to recognize Meghan Kelleher, an assistant principal at Providence Elementary. Meghan’s patience and compassion with students during the toughest moments is awe inspiring. Her ability to see what a child needs in any moment is spot on; moreover, she’s able to recognize a student’s strengths in those moments. She is both a safe space for kiddos and a respected authority figure in the building because she creates genuine relationships with students. In addition, Meghan listens and supports her staff with an empathetic ear as well as an actionable plan. I feel lucky to work with Meghan Kelleher."

-Stephanie McCrone, Providence ES

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Abby Taylor, Centre Ridge ES

"I need to say a big kudos and thank you to my amazing colleague/partner/teammate Abby Taylor! I've been out sick and she's stepped up to the plate (baseball theme!) in more ways than one. She did absolutely fabulous presenting for back to school night, always working on our expanding case loads and prepping for the days. She's incredibly efficient, reliable and loyal. Best preschool team!!"

-Sharon Santo Domingo, Centre Ridge ES

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Simon Tham, Ji Ahn & Nitin Bhatia, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Simon Tham, Ji Ahn, and Nitin Bhatia, from the Professional Learning Office, have gone above and beyond again and again to guide our team in creating Professional Development offerings for our Get2Green leaders. They are patient, quick to respond, and willing to work through barriers to get the job done. Each time I come away from an interaction with them, I am grateful for their expertise and collaboration. Even when they don't know an answer, they are quick to connect us with someone who does."

-Chrissy Brownson, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Kerry Ravenelle, Herndon Learning Center

"Non-traditional School Programs moved office locations in mid-August from Willow Oaks to Herndon Learning Center. As the Out-of-School Support team was unpacking and setting up our new office space in Herndon, OSS team members had numerous issues with technology, connecting monitors, laptops, docking stations, getting access to printers, etc. Kerry quickly stepped in to help with all the technology issues. She took time away from her own unpacking to troubleshoot OSS team member's technology issues to include setting up monitors, connecting docking stations, etc. She was so patient as she helped each team member and she ensured everyone's technology was working. Thank you Kerry, the OSS team appreciates your help so much!!!"

-Kristin Dougherty, Herndon Learning Center

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Jorge Del Carpio Vasquez, Wilton Woods Center

"Jorge Del Carpio Vasquez, a former DSS Data Management team member, assisted a current DSS Data Management staff member on a mission-critical data request. Mr. Del Carpio Vasquez's prior knowledge proved essential as the current DSS Data Management team benefited from Jorge’s previous knowledge and experience to deliver the request promptly. Thank you, Jorge!"

-Andrew Guillen, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Angela Stotka, Fairview ES

"I am writing to nominate Angela Stotka for the FCPS Cares award because of her exceptional dedication to my children's school, Fairview ES. One of the most remarkable qualities about Ms. Stotka is her ability to forge deep connections. From the moment my daughter started working with her, I could see a noticeable shift in her attitude towards spelling and her self-image. Ms. Stotka always takes the time to listen attentively, asking thoughtful questions and showing genuine interest in both my daughter's thoughts and feelings, as well as mine as a parent. This personalized approach has made my child feel valued and understood, creating a safe and supportive learning environment where she can thrive. Ms. Stotka has been instrumental in boosting my daughter's confidence in her spelling and writing abilities. She was able to identify the areas that needed more instruction, celebrate her successes, and provide constructive feedback that has helped her grow. Through targeted strategies and encouragement, Ms. Stotka has helped my daughter develop a positive mindset towards learning, believing that she can overcome challenges and achieve her goals. At the end of last year, my daughter said. "Ms. Stotka is my trusted adult at school." This heartwarming statement made my husband and I excited to know that she has someone who not only cares about her goals but also provides her with the support, guidance, and encouragement she needs to succeed.

-a Fairview ES parent

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Shawna Peterson, Rolling Valley ES

"Shawna Peterson is an essential part of Rolling Valley! Every day, she goes above and beyond to ensure that all the students and teachers she works with are set up for success. Shawna is exceptionally organized and finds a way to go between four fifth-grade classrooms and supports second-grade while juggling four children at home. Shawna is extremely knowledgeable in everything- she can tell the students about dinosaur fossils and the numerous places she has lived worldwide! Shawna is an avid reader, and every week, the students look forward to hearing her book recommendations and book talks. Shawna is patient, kind, and extremely helpful. She goes way beyond her job requirements for the good of the school community. To me, Shawna is what being a Rockin’ Robbin is all about! I am honored to know and work with Shawna and call her a friend."

-Bethany Araujo, Rolling Valley ES

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Saira Bano, Saratoga ES

"Ms. Saira Bano is Saratoga’s Cafeteria Manager, and a Food Service Manager Trainer (MIT). Ms. Saira goes above and beyond, taking interest in the students meeting their needs, supporting her staff, and motivating the MIT’s to be the best. She works with the MIT’s to fully understand and perform their duties to learn the different positions to become the best Food Service Managers. Ms. Saira inspires by example helping students with their food choices, ensuring they are happy with their meals; taking time to build student relationships. In the mornings, Ms. Saira is there to greet her trainees, her staff to get the day started and then greets each student as they enter the cafeteria offering breakfast to get their day started. She is there with a smile and “how are you” at lunch. Ms. Saira is a great Food Services ambassador, and we are so lucky to have her on our Food Service team as well as the Saratoga Elementary Team. Thank you, Ms. Saira, for all you do."

-Teresa Hinds, Saratoga ES

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Macario Doral & Bart Johnson, Sideburn Support Center

"Dear Mr. Mac Doral and Mr. Bart Johnson, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks for the incredible work you've done in repainting our classroom walls. The quality of your work is truly exceptional, and our rooms look fantastic thanks to your expertise. What sets you both apart, though, is the extra care you take to ensure that our staff's personal touches, like the pictures on the walls, are restored exactly as they were before. This attention to detail means a lot to all of us and shows just how much pride you take in your work. Thank you for going above and beyond to make our classrooms not only look great but feel like home. Your dedication and thoughtfulness are greatly appreciated"

-Frost Admin Team at Frost MS

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Jennifer Conner, Gatehouse Admin Center

"Jennifer guided me through the deep and mysterious forest of teacher contracts and helped me understand how and why certain procedures work. When I emailed her to ask advice, she very kindly called me and explained the particular issue to me in a very friendly and reassuring way. Oodles of expertise and and great people skills! Thanks, Jennifer!!"

-Diana Scheid, Centreville HS

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Remberto Chavez, Woodson Complex

"Dear Mr. Chaves and the FCPS Grounds Crew, I wanted to extend my sincerest gratitude to you and your team for the exceptional work you've done in clearing the brush weeds and other growth along our fence lines. For years, these obstacles have hindered our visibility and detracted from the overall appearance of our grounds. Thanks to your efforts, our school now boasts improved visibility and a significantly enhanced aesthetic appeal. Your dedication and hard work have not gone unnoticed. Your attention to detail and commitment to excellence are truly commendable. It's clear that you take great pride in your work, and it shows in the outstanding results we see today. Once again, thank you for your invaluable contribution to our school community. Your efforts have made a lasting impact, and we are incredibly grateful for all that you do."

-Philip Hudson, Frost MS

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Geoveddy Marte, Colleen Wood, Leyla Lytle & Connie Johnson, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"Dr. Connie Johnson (PT) and her colleagues (Leyla Lytle, Colleen Wood and Geoveddy Marte) conducted a very helpful training session during teacher workdays prior to the start of school. Their professionalism, delivery of the information, and opportunity to practice good body mechanics in order to move or transfer students with limited mobility were extremely helpful. I was struck by their sensitivity and care for employees taking care of themselves to prevent injury, especially addressing the needs of staff who may work more than one job, have their own physical limitations, or are at higher risk of injuring themselves due to their own fatigue. I have been to multiple trainings by Dr. Connie Johnson, and I am always impressed by her ability to relay her expertise, use fantastic resources, and understand not only clinical applications but what it is like to actually be multi-tasking in a busy classroom setting. PT services are not only addressing individual needs of students but also going above and beyond to care about the wellbeing of staff!"

-Linda Lee, Chantilly HS

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Katherine Connolly, Bucknell ES

"Katherine Connolly is an outstanding and caring teacher at Bucknell elementary school. She embodies a growth mindset with adaptive thinking, always ensuring that her students receive what they need and deserve. In addition to being an excellent teacher, she is a strong leader among her colleagues. She collaborates with others in a considerate manner, taking into account the experiences, and thoughts of team members. She leads by example and is a great role model for fellow teachers. Her consistent and clear communication with families provides a comprehensive approach to being an "Outstanding Teacher". Thank you Katherine for your dedication to Bucknell, students, staff, and families."

-Tara Klibansky, Bucknell ES

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Debbi Morton, Willow Oaks Admin Center

"The Department of Special Services (DSS) Operations and Strategic Planning (OSP) team recently relocated from the FCPS Gatehouse Admin Center (GAC) to the Willow Oaks complex. The team of over 40 personnel moved seamlessly over to our new office spaces thanks to the hard work and dedication of our OSP Admin Assistant III, Debbi Morton. In addition to her regular job responsibilities, she worked and coordinated with DSS leadership, facilities and tech support teams from both GAC and Willow Oaks and moving vendors to ensure the move went smoothly. Debbi relayed to the team all the information we needed to move over, including dates, timeframes, detailed packing directions, and office space and phone assignments. Once we arrived at Willow Oaks her work was not done, as she still worked tirelessly to make sure we each had the office supplies, tech support and physical workspace set-up needed to do our jobs. Debbi did all this with professionalism mixed in with a sense of humor – always smiling, laughing and lightening up the mood for us all. Our OSP team is beyond lucky to have Debbi always supporting us and our FCPS students and families!"

-Tara Petrovic, Willow Oaks Admin Center

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Scott Darwin, AJ Keifer & Jason M King, Lake Braddock Secondary

"Let’s go Bruins! Thank you to Mr. King English teacher at Lake Braddock. He’s phenomenal and has supported my son greatly this year in English. Really appreciate his guidance. Also would like to thank AJ Keifer, my son’s History teacher last year, as she showed empathy and understanding. Props to Mr. Darwin as well, as he’s been a supportive assistant principal. Lake Braddock is certainly a wonderful school, administrators, teachers, and staff all the way around. Thank you to these good people!

-a Lake Braddock Secondary parent

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Anna Elston, Franklin Sherman ES

"This message can’t carry the weight of entire year of exemplary support and teaching, but Mrs. Elston was my child’s second grade teacher for 2023/24 and she was a beyond what any parent can hope for in a teacher. Her empathy, patience, kindness, and care for every child of every background makes her the best teacher. The community is so SO fortunate to have her nurturing the youth. We love you Mrs. Elston!!"

-a Franklin Sherman ES parent

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Jacqueline Candray, Blanca Chicas, Carmen Velasco, & Tony Taylor, Columbia ES

"At Columbia Elementary School, we're proud to be a small school with a big heart. Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for our students to learn, take risks, and have fun is a shared responsibility. A major contributor to this positive atmosphere is the consistently spotless conditions of the facility, and timely support of teachers and students, provided by our incredible custodian team. Blanca, Jacky, Carmen, and Tony consistently go above and beyond to make our school a beautiful and inviting place. They greet students with friendly smiles, offer unwavering support to our teachers, and work tirelessly to maintain our building's pristine condition. From preparing the school for summer programs to ensuring it's ready for the start of the school year, their dedication is truly remarkable. Visitors often comment on how well-kept our school is, and we owe this entirely to our wonderful custodians. Their hard work and positive attitude make a significant impact on our school community. We're grateful for everything they do and appreciate their invaluable contributions. They are an irreplaceable piece of this small school's big heart."

-Mike Astudillo, Columbia ES

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Rebecca McLenithan, Fort Hunt ES

"Mrs. M goes above and beyond to support families, students, and staff members. She always has a positive and willing approach to find solutions, alternatives, and positive experiences for everyone to feel included, welcome, and represented. Mrs. McLenithan thank you for supporting us and motivating us to always look for the bright side."

-Tracy Hutchison, Fort Hunt ES

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Brittany Furman, Kings Park ES

"Brittany Furman is my twins’ speech teacher. She is a talented and dedicated speech language pathologist. But this FCPS Cares is about the love and compassion she showed my twins when they didn’t want to start school this year. She was there everyday to greet them with a smile and confidence. She even came up with an inventive and smart idea to motivate them into the school. Her patience and understanding their young and anxious minds has been a life saver. Thank you Brittany and can’t wait to see how you help them grow this year."

-a Kings Park ES parent

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Dotty Lin, Kings Park ES

"Dotty Lin, principal of Kings Park Elementary, went above and beyond to ensure my twins started this year well. She responded to emails and phone calls quickly. We worked together on ideas and plans. She was there the first few days, when there were tears and clinging. She showed compassion and expertise and trusted her staff to make recommendations and to follow through. Thank Dotty for helping my twins start this year with *some* smiles and laughter. Can’t wait to see what the year brings."

-a Kings Park ES parent