
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
2023 FCCPS Employee Award Winners

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
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