Congratulations to the 2023 Nominees!
FCCPS & FCEF Leadership, along with many excited colleagues, surprised the nominees for the FCCPS employee awards at school. The winners of each award will be announced in April. All nominees and winners will be recognized at the FCCPS Celebration of Excellence in May.
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
















2022 Employee Award Winners
Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year
Jennifer Jayson, Math Teacher, Meridian High School

Professional Specialist of the Year
Jennifer Fessenden, PreK-12 Mathematics Coordinator, Systemwide

Support Staff Employee of the Year - Operations
Sindy Morel, Assistant Director of Food Services

Support Staff Employee of the Year - Academic
Alane O’Neill, Technology Aide, Oak Street Elementary School

Nominated for 2022 Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year
Nominated for Support Staff Employee of the Year
Nominated for Professional Specialist of the Year
TEACHER OF THE YEAR HONOREES (1984 - 2022)
FALLS CHURCH EDUCATION FOUNDATION TEACHER OF THE YEAR
2022 Jennifer Jayson, MHS
2021 Will Snyder, GMHS
2020 Layton McCann, TJES
2019 Marc Robarge, GMHS
2018 Farrell Kelly, MEHMS
2017 Lisa Allan, TJES
2016 Heather Van Gorder, MDES
AGNES MEYER OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD
2015 Nan Hof, MDES
2014 Stephen Erick, TJES
2013 Joel Block, GMHS
2012 Karin Tooze, GMHS
2011 Suzanne Planas, GMHS
2010 Maryel Barry, MEHMS
2009 Amy Harding-Wright, MD
2008 Jed Jackson, TJES
2007 Denise O’Neil, TJES
2006 Carol Monsess, MDES
2005 Mary Jo West, GMHS
2004 Emily Florence, TJES
2003 Catherine Wiant, GMMS
2002 June Chalou, TJES
2000 Linda Johnsen, GMHS
1999 Patricia English-Sand, TJES
1998 Nancy Brown, TJES
1997 John Ballou, GMHS
1996 Heidi Lang, TJES
1995 Grace Rissetto, GMHS
1994 Lois Blevins, MDES
1993 Martha Ramey, TJES
1992 Frank Sheedy, GMHS
1991 Gail Lanouette, TJES
1990 Robert Snee, GMHS
1989 Trudy Taylor, TJES
1988 Michael Hoover, GMHS
1987 Ann Felker, TJES
1986 Steven Klass, GMHS
1985 Mary Lee Tatum, GMHS
1984 6th Grade Team: Lindy Hockenberry, Harry Shovlin, Tamara Ballou, Mark Wallace, GMMS
SUPPORT STAFF EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR (2005-2022)
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 (2019-2022)
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