Nomination Ad

2023-24 FCCPS Employee Recognition Awards

FCCPS Employee Award Programs

  • Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Award

  • Professional Specialist of the Year Award

  • Support Staff Employee of the Year (Operations)

  • Support Staff Employee of the Year (Academic)

The nomination calendar and process are changing in 2023. In order to reduce the burden on nominators, the initial nomination packet requirements are shorter. The nomination and selection process will begin in the schools and departments. Following initial nominations, school employees will select their building or department nominee for each award.

Those selected as building/department nominees will be announced in November, and a more robust nomination packet will be assembled by the school community.

The divisionwide selection process will follow. The winner of each award will be announced in January 2024.

Contact awards@fccps.org with questions.

2023-24 Awards Calendar

October 1, 2023 Call for Nominations Open.

November 14, 2023 Nominations Deadline

Week of December 4, 2023 Announcement of School/Department Finalists

January 2024 Announcement of Divisionwide Winners

May 2024 Celebration of Excellence honoring FCCPS employees

Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Award

This award recognizes teachers whose contributions to the Falls Church City Public Schools exemplify excellence in their profession. Pre-K -12 Classroom Teachers, Special Education, ESOL, and Advanced Academic Teachers are eligible  for this award.

Nomination Criteria

  • Inspire Learning: Instill in students a desire to learn and achieve. 

  •  Encourage Individual Growth: Understand the individual needs of students, encourage their talents and foster their self-esteem. 

  • Demonstrate Subject Matter Expertise: Showcase a thorough knowledge of subject matter and the ability to share it effectively with students. 

  • Foster Collaboration: Proactively facilitates cooperative relationships with their colleagues, students, and the community. 

  • Lead by Example: Demonstrate outstanding leadership.  

Eligibility 

Nominees must:

  • Be an active full-time teacher in PreK - Grade 12

  • Have completed 5 years of service as an educator, and three years with Falls Church City Public Schools.

  • Plan to serve as an FCCPS teacher in the 2024-25 school year.

Additionally:

  • Individuals may not nominate themselves or encourage others to do so.

  • Previous winners are not eligible to receive this award.

Professional Specialist of the Year Award

This award recognizes Professional Specialists whose contributions to the Falls Church City Public Schools exemplify excellence in their profession. Specialists are certified education professionals, who are not classroom teachers or administrators. School Social Workers; School Counselors; School Psychologists; Behavioral Specialists; Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapists; Academic Coordinators; IT Team; Librarians; Reading, Math and Technology Specialists are eligible for this award.

Nomination Criteria  
A nominee must be a Professional Specialist who:

  • Provides outstanding service to students, colleagues and community.

  • Fosters cooperative relationships with colleagues, parents and the community.

  • Demonstrates thorough knowledge of subject matter and shares it effectively with students.

  • Shows outstanding leadership.

Eligibility

Nominees must:

  • Be an active full-time employee on a contract.

  • Completed 5 years of service as an educator, and three years with Falls Church City Public Schools.

  • Plans to maintain position in FCCPS throughout the 2024-2025 school year.

Additionally:

  • Individuals may not nominate themselves or encourage others to do so.

  • Previous winners are not eligible to receive this award.

Support Staff Employee of the Year (Operations)

This award recognizes support staff employees whose contributions to the Falls Church City Public Schools exemplify the highest attributes of service. Support staff employees in operations departments include employees in these departments. Employees in Transportation Services, Food Services, Extended Day Care, Maintenance Services, Custodial Services, Budget & Finance, and Human Resources departments are eligible for this award.

Nomination Criteria  A nominee must be a support staff member who:

  • Provides outstanding service that supports students, staff, parents, or facilities.

  • Fosters cooperative relationships with colleagues, parents, and the community.

  • Understands and assists with the needs of their constituents.

  • Demonstrates thorough knowledge of skills and expertise required to effectively perform the job assignment.

Eligibility 

Nominees must:

  • Be an active full-time or part-time employee on a contract.

  • Have completed at least five years of service with Falls Church City Public Schools.

  • Plan to maintain position in FCCPS throughout the 2024-2025 school year.

Additionally:

  • Individuals may not nominate themselves or encourage others to do so.

  • Previous winners are not eligible to receive this award.

Support Staff of the Year (Academic)

This award recognizes support staff employees whose contributions to the Falls Church City Public Schools exemplify the highest attributes of service. Support staff employees assist teachers and administrators in providing services to the instructional program. They include Paraprofessionals, Office Staff, School Health Aides, Registrars, and Administrative Assistants supporting academic programs.

Nomination Criteria  A nominee must be a support staff member who:

  • Provides outstanding service that supports students, staff, parents, or facilities.

  • Fosters cooperative relationships with colleagues, parents, and the community.

  • Understands and assists with the needs of their constituents.

  • Demonstrates thorough knowledge of skills and expertise required to effectively perform the job assignment.

Eligibility 

Nominees must

  • Be an active full-time or part-time employee on a contract.

  • Have completed at least five years of service with Falls Church City Public Schools.

  • Plan to maintain position in FCCPS throughout the 2024-2025 school year.

    Additionally:

  • Individuals may not nominate themselves or encourage others to do so.

  • Previous winners are not eligible to receive this award.

2022-23 Employee Award Recognition Program

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FCCPS Award Nominees

2023 FCCPS Employee Award Winners

Julia Noble photo

Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year

Julia Noble

First Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School


Steve Kinght

Professional Specialist of the Year

Steve Knight

PK-12 Instructional Technology Coordinator, Systemwide


Dee Dee Etheredge

Support Staff Employee of the Year - Operational

Dee Dee Etheredge

Administrative Assistant, Meridian High School


Michael Gilroy

Support Staff Employee of the Year - Classroom

Michael Gilroy

Paraprofessional, Meridian High School

Employees Nominated for 2023 FCCPS Awards

Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year

Mount Daniel Elementary
Karen Bevan Kindergarten Teacher
Laura McNamara Kindergarten Teacher
Amanda Morey Second Grade Teacher
Julia Noble First Grade Teacher

Oak Street Elementary
Miriam Schimmoller Third Grade Teacher

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Lauren Carpel Choir Teacher, MYP Specialist
Molly Greer Lang & Lit Teacher

Meridian High School
Eric Duchaj Individual & Societies Teacher
Will Stewart Science Teacher

Support Staff Employee of the Year

Central Office
Margaret Doubleday Finance Specialist

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Lakisha Talbert Registrar

Meridian High School
Vavaria "DeeDee" Etheredge Administrative Assistant to Assistant Principals
Michael Gilroy Paraprofessional

Professional Specialist of the Year

Divisionwide
Steve Knight PreK-12 Education
Technology Coordinator

Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Ashley Burgess Behavior Specialist
Kim Nguyen Network Engineer

Meridian High School
Brad McAdam School Counselor

TEACHER OF THE YEAR HONOREES (1984 - 2023)

FALLS CHURCH EDUCATION FOUNDATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR

2023 - Julia Noble, First Grade Teacher, MDES

2022 - Jennifer Jayson, Mathematics Teacher, MHS

2021 - Will Snyder, Computer Technology & Mathematics Teacher, GMHS

2020 - Layton McCann, 5th Grade Teacher, TJES

2019 - Marc Robarge, Art Teacher, GMHS

2018 - Farrell Kelly, 8the Grade Humanities Teacher, MEHMS

2017 - Lisa Allan, 4th Grade Teacher, TJES

2016 - Heather Van Gorder, First Grade Teacher, MDES

AGNES MEYER OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD

2015 - Nan Hof, Kindergarten Teacher, MDES

2014 - Stephen Erick, 4th Grade Teacher, TJES

2013 - Joel Block, mathematics Teacher, GMHS

2012 - Karin Tooze, Language Arts Teacher, GMHS

2011 - Suzanne Planas, Spanish Teacher, GMHS

2010 - Maryel Barry, Language Arts Teacher, MEHMS

2009 - Amy Harding-Wright, Preschool Teacher, MDES

2008 - Jed Jackson, 4th Grade Teacher, TJES

2007 - Denise O’Neil, Speech Teacher, TJES

2006 - Carol Monsess, First Grade Teacher, MDES

2005 - Mary Jo West, Band Teacher, GMHS

2004 - Emily Florence, 4th Grade Teacher TJES

2003 - Catherine Wiant, Language Arts Teacher, GMMS

2002 - June Chalou, TJES

2000 - Linda Johnsen, French Teacher, GMHS

1999 - Patricia English-Sand, TJES

1998 - Nancy Brown, TJES

1997 - John Ballou, Design Teacher, GMHS

1996 - Heidi Lang, TJES

1995 - Grace Rissetto, ESOl Teacher, GMHS

1994 - Lois Blevins, MDES

1993 - Martha Ramey, TJES

1992 - Frank Sheedy, Printing Teacher, GMHS

1991 - Gail Lanouette, TJES

1990 - Robert Snee, GMHS

1989 - Trudy Taylor, Special Education Teacher, TJES

1988 - Michael Hoover, Langauge Arts & Journalism Teacher, GMHS

1987 - Ann Felker, Art Teacher, TJES

1986 - Steven Klass, GMHS

1985 - Mary Lee Tatum, Family Life Education Teacher, GMHS

1984 - 6th Grade Team: Lindy Hockenberry, Harry Shovlin, Tamara Ballou, Mark Wallace, GMHS 

SUPPORT STAFF EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR (2005-2023)

2023 (Classroom) Michael Gilroy, Paraprofessional, Meridian High School

2023 (Operations) DeeDee Etheredge, Administrative Assistant, Meridian High School

2022 (Classroom) - Alane O'Neill, School Technology Assistant, OSES

2022 (Operations) - Sindy Morel, Assistant Director, Food Services

2021 (Operations) - Natalie Espinoza, Attendance Secretary, MEHMS

2021 (Classroom) - Patrick DeShields, Paraprofessional, TJES

2020 - Luis Sorto, Paraprofessional, GMHS

2019 (Operations) - Jennifer Lee, Food Services Manager & Bus Aide, Transportation

2019 (Classroom) - Norma Sorto, Paraprofessional, TJES

2018 - Charmaine Barr, Bus Driver, Transportation

2017 - Jan Potrykus, Paraprofessional, TJES

2016 - David Morales, Head Custodian, TJES

2015 - Marty Gadell, Superintendent’s Secretary & Assistant Clerk of the School Board, CO

2014 - Shey Wakeley, Paraprofessional, MDES

2013 - Sara Blake, Payroll Finance Specialist, Systemwide

2012 - Debra Newman, Paraprofessional, TJES

2011 Leila Levesque, Data Information Specialist, Systemwide

2010 - LaBryan Thomas, Maintenance, MEHMS

2009 - Larry Allen, Band Paraprofessional, TJ, MEHMS & GMHS

2008 - Kathy Poff, Aide, TJES

2007 - Barbara Mitchell, Superintendent’s Secretary, Central Office

2006 - Bob Nissen, Maintenance Supervisor, Systemwide

2005 - Marco De Las Casas, Bus Driver, Systemwide

PROFESSIONAL SPECIALIST OF THE YEAR (2019-2023)

2023 Steve Knight, PK-12 Instructional Technology Coordinator

2022 - Jennifer Fessenden, PK-12 Mathematics Coordinator, Systemwide

2021 - Vicky Block, Physical Therapist, Systemwide

2020 - Vicki Galliher, Athletic Trainer, GMHS & MEHMS

2019 - Carol Seaver, School Counselor, TJES