Falls Church City Public Schools is pleased to announce the honorees for the 2025 employee awards. They were selected after review and voting by a panel of judges. The winners were surprised with a giant check from the Falls Church Education Foundation and will be recognized at the FCCPS School Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.. 

Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Miriam Schimmoller, Third Grade Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
Miriam Schimmoller is the winner of the 2025 Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award, representing the best of the best in the Washington, DC region.  

Professional Specialist of the Year Miriam Pirone, Speech Therapist, Oak Street Elementary School and Meridian High School

Academic Support Staff Employee of the Year Bushra Al-Eryani, Paraprofessional, Jessie Thackrey Preschool

Operations Support Staff Employee of the Year Alejandrina Sanchez-Martinez, Custodian, Meridian High School

Nominees for Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year 

• Lisa Beinhart, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School

• Kent Foster, World Language Teacher, Meridian High School

• Diane Kidder, Second Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School

• Pam Mahony, Individuals & Societies Teacher, Meridian High School

• Amanda Morey, Second Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School

• Susan Rhyne, Preschool Teacher, Jessie Thackrey Preschool

• Jamie Sample, Choral Music Teacher, Henderson Middle School and Meridian High School

• Miriam Schimmoller, Third Grade Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School

Nominees for Operations Support Staff Employee of the Year

• Annette Folks, Extended Day Care Staff

• Alejandrina Sanchez-Martinez, Custodian, Meridian High School

Nominees for Academic Support Staff Employee of the Year 

• Bushra Al-Eryani, Special Education Paraprofessional, Jessie Thackrey Preschool

• Surabhi Dobhal, Special Education Paraprofessional, Meridian High School

• Najla Muhammad, Finance Administrative Assistant, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School

• Kim Tanner, Special Education Paraprofessional, Mt. Daniel Elementary School

Nominees for Professional Specialist of the Year

• Hai Le, Systems Operation Manager, Divisionwide

• Miriam Pirone, Speech Language Pathologist, Oak Street Elementary School & Meridian High School

• Kim Yeager, School Psychologist, Mt. Daniel Elementary School & Jessie Thackrey Preschool