FCCPS is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Employee Awards
Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year
Tosin Adetoro, STEAM Teacher, Oak Street Elementary
Professional Specialist of the Year
Mary Manzione, Speech Therapist, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
Academic Support Staff of the Year
Jessica Hollinger, Administrative Assistant, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Operations Support Staff of the Year
Eduardo Molina, Custodial Supervisor
Three of the winners were surprised in their schools on Tuesday, April 16. Eduardo Molina will receive his award posthumously. He passed away suddenly in March 2024, before he knew that he would be the winner of the award.
The award recipients were selected in a process that started in October 2024 with an open call for nominations to the community. There were 34 nominees for all of the awards. The recipients will be recognized at the May 14 Falls Church School Board meeting. They received cash prizes from the Falls Church Education Foundation (FCEF) , and tickets to the annual FCEF Gala, which will take place on May 17.
Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year
Tosin Adetoro, STEAM Teacher, Oak Street Elementary
Professional Specialist of the Year Mary Manzione, Speech Therapist, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
Academic Support Staff of the Year
Jessica Hollinger, Administrative Assistant, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Operations Support Staff of the Year
Eduardo Molina, Custodial Supervisor
Congratulations to the Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Finalists
Eric Duchaj, Individuals and Societies Teacher, Meridian High School
Sara Tennyson, Special Education Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Tosin Adetoro, STEAM Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
Kate Mahr, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
These school-selected finalists will be considered for the FCEF Teacher of the Year Award. The winner of this award, and winner of all FCCPS Employee Recognition Awards, will be announced in April 2024.
Eric Duchaj, Individuals and Societies Teacher, Meridian High School
Sara Tennyson, Special Education Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Tosin Adetoro, STEAM Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
Kate Mahr, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School.
2023-24 Awards Process & Calendar
Thanks you to the community for nominating 34 staff members for the 2023-24 FCCPS Employee Awards.
Week of December 4, 2023 Announcement of School/Department Nominees; Letter of Support Portal Opens
January 12 Letter of Support Portal Closes
February 2024 Announcement of FCEF Teacher of the Year Finalists from each school.
April 2024 Announcement of all Award Winners
Contact awards@fccps.org with questions.
2024 Nominees for FCCPS Employee Recognition Awards
Support Staff Employee of the Year (Operations)
Soon Chuan, Food Services and Transportation Staff
Ashlie Kendrick, Payroll Specialist
Josh Kingsley, Mt. Daniel Center Supervisor, Extended Day Care
Maeve McQuail, Oak Street Center Supervisor, Extended Day Care
Guillermo Mejia-Santos, Custodial Staff
Eduardo Molina, Custodial Supervisor
Support Staff Employee of the Year (Academic)
Jessica Hollinger, Administrative Assistant
Nancy Peacock, Administrative Assistant
Professional Specialist of the Year
Brittney Allen-Shaw, Special Education Administrator, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Valerie Chesley, School Counselor, Meridian High School
Larkin Epstein, Mathematics Specialist, Mt. Daniel Elementary and Oak Street Elementary Schools
Tara Filmyer, School Counselor, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Mary Manzione Speech Therapist, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
Jennifer O'Keefe, Mathematics Specialist, Meridian High School
Dana Quirine, School Counselor, Meridian High School
Katy Reardon, Reading Specialist, Mt. Daniel Elementary and Oak Street Elementary Schools
Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year
Tosin Adetoro, STEAM Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
Chris Carrico, Special Education Teacher, Meridian High School
Eric Duchaj, Individuals & Societies Teacher, Meridian High School
Dawn England, Special Education Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
Diane Kidder, Second Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
Marleah Liebner, Language & Literature Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Casey Maco, Family and Consumer Science Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Ross Mandel, Language & Literature Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Kate Mahr, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
Lisa Myklestad, Special Education Teacher, Meridian High School
Brigitte O'Donoghue, Special Education Teacher, Meridian High School
Kish Rafique, Science Teacher, Meridian High School
Kelly Schumann, French Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Dave Sikora, Kindergarten Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
Shelly Skomra, 4th Grade Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
Katia Taylor, French Teacher, Meridian High School
Sara Tennyson, Special Education Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Ray Wu-Rorrer, Career & Tech Education Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle & Meridian High School
TEACHER OF THE YEAR HONOREES (1984 - 2023)
FALLS CHURCH EDUCATION FOUNDATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR
2023 - Julia Noble, First Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
2022 - Jennifer Jayson, Mathematics Teacher, Meridian High School
2021 - Will Snyder, Computer Technology & Mathematics Teacher, George Mason High School
2020 - Layton McCann, 5th Grade Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2019 - Marc Robarge, Art Teacher, George Mason High School
2018 - Farrell Kelly, 8the Grade Humanities Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
2017 - Lisa Allan, 4th Grade Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2016 - Heather Van Gorder, First Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
AGNES MEYER OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD
2015 - Nan Hof, Kindergarten Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
2014 - Stephen Erick, 4th Grade Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2013 - Joel Block, Mathematics Teacher, George Mason High School
2012 - Karin Tooze, Language Arts Teacher, George Mason High School
2011 - Suzanne Planas, Spanish Teacher, George Mason High School
2010 - Maryel Barry, Language Arts Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
2009 - Amy Harding-Wright, Preschool Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
2008 - Jed Jackson, 4th Grade Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2007 - Denise O’Neil, Speech Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2006 - Carol Monsess, First Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
2005 - Mary Jo West, Band Teacher, George Mason High School
2004 - Emily Florence, 4th Grade Teacher Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2003 - Catherine Wiant, Language Arts Teacher, George Mason Middle School
2002 - June Chalou, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2000 - Linda Johnsen, French Teacher, George Mason High School
1999 - Patricia English-Sand, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
1998 - Nancy Brown, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
1997 - John Ballou, Design Teacher, George Mason High School
1996 - Heidi Lang, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
1995 - Grace Rissetto, ESOL Teacher, George Mason High School
1994 - Lois Blevins, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
1993 - Martha Ramey, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
1992 - Frank Sheedy, Printing Teacher, George Mason High School
1991 - Gail Lanouette, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
1990 - Robert Snee, George Mason High School
1989 - Trudy Taylor, Special Education Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
1988 - Michael Hoover, Langauge Arts & Journalism Teacher, George Mason High School
1987 - Ann Felker, Art Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
1986 - Steven Klass, George Mason High School
1985 - Mary Lee Tatum, Family Life Education Teacher, George Mason High School
1984 - 6th Grade Team: Lindy Hockenberry, Harry Shovlin, Tamara Ballou, Mark Wallace, George Mason Middle School
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, Oak Street Elementary School
2022 (Operations) - Sindy Morel, Assistant Director, Food Services
2021 (Operations) - Natalie Espinoza, Attendance Secretary, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
2021 (Classroom) - Patrick DeShields, Paraprofessional, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2020 - Luis Sorto, Paraprofessional, George Mason High School
2019 (Operations) - Jennifer Lee, Food Services Manager & Bus Aide, Transportation
2019 (Classroom) - Norma Sorto, Paraprofessional, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2018 - Charmaine Barr, Bus Driver, Transportation
2017 - Jan Potrykus, Paraprofessional, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2016 - David Morales, Head Custodian, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2015 - Marty Gadell, Superintendent’s Secretary & Assistant Clerk of the School Board, Central Office
2014 - Shey Wakeley, Paraprofessional, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
2013 - Sara Blake, Payroll Finance Specialist, Systemwide
2012 - Debra Newman, Paraprofessional, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
2011 - Leila Levesque, Data Information Specialist, Systemwide
2010 - LaBryan Thomas, Maintenance, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
2009 - Larry Allen, Band Paraprofessional, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School and George Mason High School
2008 - Kathy Poff, Aide, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
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, George Mason High School and Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
2019 - Carol Seaver, School Counselor, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School