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.

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.

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.

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.

Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year

Julia Noble

First Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School

Professional Specialist of the Year

Steve Knight

PK-12 Instructional Technology Coordinator, Systemwide

Support Staff Employee of the Year - Operational

Dee Dee Etheredge

Administrative Assistant, Meridian High School

Support Staff Employee of the Year - Classroom

Michael Gilroy

Paraprofessional, Meridian High School