Outstanding Secondary Teacher

Recognizing the Greatest Achievements in Education

The process of nominating a candidate for the Outstanding Secondary 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 have completed at least three full years of teaching and be aware of and in agreement with this nomination. 

Award Criteria 

Nominees are teachers who:

  • Instill in students a desire to learn and achieve.
  • Understand the individual needs of students, encourage their talents, and foster their self-esteem.
  • Showcase a thorough knowledge of subject matter and the ability to share it effectively with students.
  • Proactively facilitate cooperative relationships with their colleagues, students, and the community.
  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership.
  • 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 Teacher. The Outstanding Secondary Teacher from each school advances to the pyramid level, where a Pyramid Secondary School Teacher is selected to advance to the region level. The Region Outstanding Secondary School Teacher is selected from each group of pyramid level winners and is a finalist for each award. The annual overall FCPS Outstanding Secondary Teacher is chosen from each group of finalists. 

Awards and Recognition

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

Outstanding Teacher - Previous Winners

2023

  • Elementary, Laura Senturia, Fourth Grade Teacher, Colin Powell Elementary School
  • Secondary, Daniel J. Miller, English Teacher, Fairfax High School
  • Secondary, Annie Ray, Orchestra Director, Annandale High School

2022

  • Elementary, Essel Linton, Music Teacher, Annandale Terrace Elementary School
  • Secondary, Kathleen Jacoby, Band Director, Herndon High School

2021

  • Elementary, David Worst, Health and Physical Education Teacher, Rose Hill Elementary School 
  • Secondary, Jenny Hay, English Teacher, Irving Middle School

2020

  • Elementary, Pete Cookson, STEAM Teacher, Laurel Hill Elementary School
  • Secondary, Howard L. Brewer Jr., English Teacher, TSRC Alexandria

2019

  • Elementary, Lisa Rode, Sixth Grade Teacher, Kings Glen Elementary School
  • Secondary, Heather Brueggen, English Teacher, Edison High School

2018

  • Elementary, Mary Bauer, Orange Hunt ES
  • Secondary, Alissa Oginsky, Holmes MS, Grade 6

2017

  • Elementary, Jillian Bell, Brookfield ES
  • Secondary, Sarah Thompson, Twain MS, English

2016 

  • Corey Thornblad, Kilmer MS, Social Studies

2015

  • Kimberly Scott, Franklin MS, English

2014 

  • Moosa Shah, Rachel Carson MS, Biology

2013 

  • Melissa Porfirio, Crestwood ES, Grade 1

2012 

  • Charles Sabatier, Mount Vernon HS, Physics

2011 

  • Jamie Sawatzky, Rocky Run MS, Social Studies

2010 

  • Brigitte Lavey, Langley HS, History

2009 

  • Francis Payne, Falls Church HS, History and AVID Program Coordinator

2008 

  • Michelle Ohanian, Mountain View Alternative HS, ESOL

2007 

  • Bob Eichorn, Cedar Lane School, Computer Enhanced Instruction

2006 

  • Lynn F. Riggs, Bailey’s ES for the Arts and Sciences

2005 

  • Stephen Scholla, Oakton HS, Physics

2004 

  • Joseph Hills, Lake Braddock SS, World Studies

2003 

  • Inge Pisano, Oakton HS, French/German

2002 

George Juliano, Robinson SS, Art/Ceramics

2001 

  • Edward D. Heffernan, Silverbrook ES, Grade 3

2000 

  • Gail Ritchie, Kings Park ES, Kindergarten, Grade 1

1999 

  • Shirley Folsom, Mount Eagle ES, Reading, Title I

1998 

  • Regla Armengol, Bailey's ES, Arts & Science Spanish Immersion

1997 

  • Philip Bigler, Thomas Jefferson HSST, History

1996 

  • Gretchen Portwood, Woodson HS, Journalism

1995

  • Kristi Thomas, Riverside ES, Band Director

1994 

  • Rebecca McDonnell-Sacra, McLean HS, Biology

1993 

  • Emelie Parker, Bailey's ES, Grade 1

1992 

  • Sharon Mullen, Woodley Hills ES, Grade 1

1991 

  • Diane Elaine Breakiron, Stuart HS, Biology

1990

  • Vern Williams, Longfellow MS, Mathematics

1989 

  • Lena Goreski, Lake Anne ES, Kindergarten

1988 

Teresa Zutter, Juvenile Detention Center, Special Education

1987 

  • Ronald Axelrod, West Springfield HS, English

1986 

Raymond Wilkins, South Lakes HS, Fine Arts

1985 

  • Dorothy Lytal, Fort Hunt ES, Grade 1

1984 

  • Jewell Alexander, West Springfield HS, English

1983 

  • Nancy Gibbs Fox, Wolftrap ES, Music

1982 

  • Maureen O'Donnell, Woodson HS, Latin 

Outstanding Secondary Teacher, Finalists, and School Recipients

The outstanding secondary school 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