Outstanding Secondary New Teacher

Recognizing the Greatest Achievements in Education

The process of nominating a candidate for the Outstanding Secondary School New Teacher Award begins at the school level 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 teacher for this award, but employees may not nominate themselves. Eligible candidates must be within the first three years of teaching and are aware of and in agreement with this nomination. 

Award Criteria 

Nominees are teachers who:

  • Exhibit superior instructional skills
  • Interact exceptionally well with students
  • Demonstrate excellent ability to communicate and engage with faculty, staff, parents and the community
  • 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 Secondary New Teacher. The Outstanding Secondary New Teacher from each school advances to the pyramid level, where a Pyramid Secondary School New Teacher is selected to advance to the region level. The Region Outstanding Secondary School New Teacher is selected from each group of pyramid level winners and is a finalist for the award. The overall FCPS Outstanding Secondary New Teacher is chosen from this group of finalists.

Awards and Recognition

All school-level honorees will be recognized. The annual FCPS Outstanding Secondary New Teacher 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.  

2023 Outstanding Secondary School New Teacher, Finalists, and School Recipients

The outstanding secondary school new teacher, finalists, and school recipients for 2023.

Outstanding Employee Awards

Each year, FCPS recognizes its outstanding employees at the FCPS Honors gala. Who will you nominate?

Outstanding Employee Awards Liaisons

Outstanding Employee Awards liaisons are at each work location in FCPS. Contact the respective awards liaison for information about nominating an employee at that particular work location.

Employee Recognition Programs

Employee recognition helps to create a caring culture and ensure a Premier Workforce.

Employees, Applicants, and Retirees

Submit questions or concerns, as well as upload forms and other documents through the FCPS StaffConnect portal. Human Resources representatives are also available for assistance Monday – Friday (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) by calling 571-423-3000 or 1-800-831-4331.
FCPS StaffConnect

Outstanding New Teacher - Previous Winners

2023

  • Elementary, Elogien I. Ali, Sixth Grade Teacher, Saratoga Elementary School
  • Secondary, Melvin Burch-Bynum, JROTC Marine Senior Instructor, Mount Vernon High School

2022

  • Elementary, Shelby Megan Press, Second Grade Teacher, Riverside Elementary School
  • Secondary, Matthew A. Fredericks, Health and Physical Education Teacher, Hughes Middle School

2021

  • Elementary, Amelia Kirsten Carr, Kindergarten Teacher, Bucknell Elementary School 
  • Secondary, Melissa Duluc, Spanish Language Teacher, McLean High School

2020

  • Elementary, Ayanna René Bundy, Fifth Grade Teacher, Hollin Meadows Elementary School
  • Secondary, Samantha Jalajel, Speech & Drama Teacher, Frost Middle School

2019

  • Elementary, Hanna Nguyen, Fifth Grade Teacher, Garfield ES
  • Secondary, Aanand Vasudevan, Math Teacher, South Lakes HS

2018

  • Elementary, Emily Burke, Multiple Disabilities Teacher, Marshall Road ES
  • Secondary, Emily McCloud, Math Teacher, J.E.B. Stuart HS

2017

  • Elementary, Dixie Mazur, Music Teacher, Marshall Road ES
  • Secondary, Rebecca Barnes, West Springfield HS

2016

  • Lauren Armentrout, Second Grade teacher, Graham Road ES

2015

  • Lee Daugherty, Speech and Drama, Mount Vernon HS

2014

  • Christie Attanasio, Grade 1, Dogwood ES

2013

  • Kimberly Jones, High School APEX (Biology) and Developmental Reading, Quander Road School

2012

  • Jamie Obendorfer, Algebra Teacher, Twain MS

2011

  • Heather Monfasani, Grade 5, Crestwood ES

2010

  • Jennifer Fier, Special Education Music and Sensory Integration, Key Center

2009

  • Tara Murphy, Grade 5, Mount Eagle ES

2008

  • Alexander Case, Grade 12 Government & Grade 9 World History, West Potomac HS

2007

  • Lesley Scherrer, Music, Fairfax Villa ES

2006

  • Virginia Brewbaker, Grade 5 GT, Haycock ES

2005

  • Heather Miele, Grade 5, Lynbrook ES

2004

  • Deana Coast, Grade 5, Churchill Road ES

2003

  • Marian Marsh, Grade 6, Little Run ES

2002

  • Robert Harrison, Grade 7 History, Glasgow MS

2001

  • Kerry Crosby, Grade 3, Westlawn ES