Jennie Dean Teacher is Washington Post Award Nominee
Jennie Dean Elementary second grade teacher Amy Keen is the 2017 Washington Post Teacher of the Year for Manassas City Public Schools (MPCS). She is among 20 recipients of the prestigious award, which honors teaching excellence in the Washington region.
Keen began her career at MCPS in 1995 as a first grade teacher at Jennie Dean. Her dedication to building positive relationships with her students to foster life-long learners is what has driven her to “loop up” grades to stay with students throughout her career. Mrs. Keen's ability to make connections with her students both academically and personally has led to many student success stories that have not gone unnoticed by her nominators. By the time Keen left Dean in 2006, where she had taught first, second and third grades. She then went on to teach Kindergarten for Fauquier County Schools for nine years before returning to Dean, where she currently leads a diverse classroom with a variety of ability levels.
It is Keen’s consistent support for students, staff and the larger school community that has earned her many nominations for the award. In addition to teaching at Dean, she has been a grade level lead teacher, PTA vice president and department representative. She was also instrumental in the school's improvement and accreditation process. Additionally, she is currently serving as a member of the STEAM and Calendar committees as well as the Teacher Mentor program.
Keen will be honored at the Manassas Education Foundation’s 20th Annual Night of Excellence on May 25, 2017. The Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award recognizes pre-K—12th grade teachers who contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education in the area. The goal of the award is to ensure students receive a high-quality education through creative instruction.
Pictured from left: Jennie Dean Elementary School Assistant Principal Tyler Faria;
MCPS Teacher of the Year Amy Keen and Superintendent Dr. Catherine Magouyrk