Outstanding Elementary New Teacher
Recognizing the Greatest Achievements in Education
The process of nominating a candidate for the Outstanding Elementary 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 must also be 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 Elementary New Teacher. The Outstanding Elementary New Teacher from each school advances to the pyramid level, where a Pyramid Elementary New Teacher is selected to advance to the region level. The Region Outstanding Elementary New Teacher is selected from each group of pyramid-level winners and is a finalist for the award. The overall FCPS Outstanding Elementary New Teacher is chosen from this group of finalists.
Awards and Recognition
All school-level honorees will be recognized. The annual FCPS Outstanding Elementary 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.
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
