Outstanding School-Based Leader
Recognizing the Greatest Achievements in Education
The process of nominating a candidate for the Outstanding School-Based Leader award begins through each school's awards liaison. The awards liaison at each school has information about the nomination process and deadlines.
Any FCPS employee or community member can nominate a school-based leader for this award, but employees may not nominate themselves. Eligible candidates must currently work as a full-time or part-time Schedule C employee or School-Based Administrator who has completed at least one contracted year of employment working with FCPS in their current position at their current work location.
Award Criteria
Nominees are school-based leaders who:
- Provide a unique and exceptional contribution to FCPS through their work.
- Demonstrate outstanding leadership in the workplace and commitment to their field.
- Strengthen and improve the FCPS working or learning environment through their work.
- Foster an environment where diversity in all of its forms is valued and appreciated and demonstrate keeping equity at the center of their work.
The Selection Process
All schools will conduct a local nomination process to determine their Outstanding School-Based Leader. The Outstanding School-Based Leaders from every school then go on to the pyramid level, where a Pyramid Outstanding School-Based Leader is selected and put forward to the Region level. The Region winners will be the finalists for the overall Fairfax County Public Schools Outstanding School-Based Leader.
Awards and Recognition
All school-level honorees will be recognized. The annual FCPS Outstanding School-Based Leader will be announced at the FCPS Honors event and will receive $4000. In recognition of collaborative teamwork, the FCPS award winners and their colleagues will also receive a celebration at their worksite.
Questions and More Information
Please contact the school's awards liaison with questions or visit the Outstanding Employee Awards web page.
Outstanding Leader - Previous Winners
2023
- School-Based, Karen J. Hertel, Assistant Principal, Bryant High School
- Nonschool-Based, Alice Wigington, Executive Director, Budget Services, Financial Services
2022
- School-Based, Bianca Aiello, Director of Student Services, Poe Middle School
- Nonschool-Based, Melissa O. Russell, Director II, Payroll Management
2021
- School-Based, Kathryn Crump Teague, Director of Student Services, Johnson Middle School
- Nonschool-Based, Tracey Jewell, Director, Information Technology Support Services
- Nonschool-Based, Maria Perrone, Director III, Food and Nutrition Services, Energy Zone Food Services Center, Financial Services
2020
- School-Based, Jamie C. Gadley, Assistant Principal, Dogwood Elementary School
- Nonschool-Based, Michelle Lis, Coordinator III, Instructional Coach Initiative, Willow Oaks Administrative Center
2019
- School-based, Kemba Ephraim, School Counselor, Gunston Elementary School
- Nonschool-based, Pamela Rose Walter, Manager, Transportation Services, Stonecroft Transportation
2018
- School-Based, Emily Kaltenmark, Assistant Principal, Key Center
- Nonschool-Based, Noël Klimenko, Director, Pre-K-12 Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Services, Willow Oaks Administrative Center
2017
- School-Based, Sarah Beck, Academic Dean, Glasgow Middle School
- Nonschool-Based, Priscille Dando, Coordinator, Library Information Services, Instructional Services, Instructional Program Support Center
2016
- Holly DeVore, Assistant Principal, Oak Hill Elementary School
- John Dooley, Coordinator, Network and Systems Services, Information Technology
- Deborah Jackson, Special Projects Administrator, Human Resources
2015
- Gordon Jenkins, Technology Support Services Coordinator, Nancy Sprague Technology Center
2014
- Carol Horn, Coordinator, Gifted and Talented, Fairfax Ridge
- Ed Tyler, Coordinator, Data Services, Wilton Woods
2013
- Colleen Eddy, English Teacher, Oakton HS
- Connie Nie, Manager, Network Security, Information Technology
2012
- Mark Emery, Administrator, Office of After-School Programs, Division Superintendent
- Pat Fege, Language Arts Coordinator, K-12, Instructional Services
2011
- Craig Herring, Coordinator, School Support, Instructional Services
- Rebecca Iannuzzi, Instructional Coach, Dogwood ES
- Chris Weber, School-Based Technology Specialist, Clifton ES
2010
- Bruce Butler, Principal, South Lakes HS
- Tim Kane, Assessment Coach, Marshall HS
- Teresa West, Principal, McNair ES
2009
- Mary Arwood, Employee Performance Assessment Specialist, Human Resources
- Deborah Metzker, After School Specialist, Frost MS
2008
- Andrew Cole, Director, Office of Leadership Development
- Jill Jakulski, Principal, Burke School
2007
- Anne Hoffman, Math Teacher, Mountain View
- Teresa Zutter, Director, Alternative School Programs
2006
- Thomas Garber, Assistant Administrative Hearing Officer, Superintendent’s Office
- Eileen N. Grattan, Administrative Hearing Officer, Superintendent’s Office