During an all-staff Zoom Award Announcement, Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS) announced 14 nominees for FCCPS Employee Awards; 3 honorees received the Volunteer Impact Award; one employee received a No Kid Hungry Award Winner. These outstanding employees were nominated by colleagues, students, and parents for their outstanding dedication to the students and community of Falls Church.

PRESENTATION SLIDE SHOW - PDF


Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Award

The winner, who will be announced in April, will be selected by a panel of judges and awarded $1500 from the FCEF. The winner will also be entered as a finalist for the Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award.

The nominees are:

  • Brooke Brown, Sixth Grade Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School

  • Kenny George, CTE Teacher, GMHS

  • Lisa Gross, Theatre Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School

  • Stephanie Komajda, Special Education Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School

  • Will Snyder, Computer Science Teacher, GMHS

  • Matt Weimeister, 5th Grade Teacher, TJES

Support Staff Employee of the Year Award 

Support staff employees assist teachers and administrators in providing services to the instructional program and facilities. They include paraprofessionals, office staff, health aides and central office specialists, administrative assistants, and employees in these departments: Transportation, Food Services, Day Care, Maintenance Services, and Custodial Services. The Support Staff Employee of the Year Award winner will receive $1000 from FCCPS. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges and announced in April.

The nominees are:

  • William DeShields, Paraprofessional, TJES

  • Natalie Espinoza, Administrative Assistant, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School

  • DeeDee Etheridge, Administrative Assistant, GMHS

  • Alane O’Neill, Technology Paraprofessional, TJES

Professional Specialist of the Year Award

This award recognizes certified education professionals who are not classroom teachers or on administrator pay scale: School Social Workers, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Behavioral Specialists, Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapists, Academic Coordinators, Librarians, Reading, Math and Technology Specialists.  The Professional Specialist of the Year Award winner will receive $1000, jointly funded by FCCPS and FCEF. The winner will be selected by a panel of judges and announced in April.

The nominees are:

  • Vicky Block, Physical Therapist, Systemwide

  • Valerie Chesley, School Counselor, GMHS

  • Scott Daugherty, Technology Educator

  • Matt Sowers, School Counselor, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School

Volunteer Impact Award

This award recognizes school volunteers who go above and beyond. They expend considerable energy, time, and creativity volunteering for the benefit of FCCPS schools. 

The winners are

  • Cecily Shea, Falls Church Education Foundation

  • Mary Asel, GMHS PTSA

  • Becki Creed, GMHS Athletic Boosters

No Kid Hungry School Meals Hero Award

The winner is

  • Richard Kane, Food Services Director 

All nominees and the winners of these three awards will be recognized at the FCCPS Celebration of Excellence in May 2021