2018 Washington Post Teacher of the Year Nominees
January 23, 2018…Each year, the Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award recognizes pre-K through 12th grade teachers who contribute in a substantive way to the improvement of education in the greater D.C. area by exemplifying excellence in their profession. The goal of the award is to ensure students receive a high-quality education through promoting creative, effective and engaging instruction. Additionally, nominees must have a minimum of five year’s teaching in an accredited school system and must demonstrate the ability to:
1) Instill in students a desire to learn and achieve
2) Understand the individual needs of students, encourage their talents and foster their self-esteem.
3) Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of subject matter and the ability to share it effectively with students.
4) Foster cooperative relationships with their colleagues and the community.
5) Demonstrates outstanding leadership
All nominees were recognized at the January 23, 2018 regular School Board meeting. View a video of the School Board's recognition on the division's YouTube channel.
The following educators are the 2017-2018 nominees for their school.
Ashley Slaney, Baldwin Elementary School, Kindergarten teacher
Ms. Slaney was nominated for her ability to reach the earliest learners, and, as a result, set them on a path of learning and achievement for years to come. She began her career at MCPS in 2012 as a Head Start teacher at Round Elementary School. Her ability to tailor instruction so that each student can apply their natural gifts and talents, while also helping them adjust to going to school, impacts both students, parents and fellow teachers in a positive way. Her success in the classroom is what has led to her serving as the Kindergarten Lead Teacher at Baldwin, where she mentors a team of six teachers with a collaborative goal of helping her grade level meet the needs of all students.
Christy Morton, Jennie Dean, STEM Coach
Ms. Morton began her career in education as a first grade teacher for MCPS in 2002. She has never wavered in her ability to make sure both students and staff have access to the materials they need to be successful. Her fellow teachers and nominators say her genuine love of learning, open mindedness, and ability to adapt has helped her excel as a lead mentor for Jennie Dean staff. She most recently collaborated with a fellow teacher to help secure a technology grant for her school. It is her ability to help foster self-esteem among her students and provide a positive role model for her fellow teachers that has helped achieve great results for the school.
Kerstin McMahon, Haydon Elementary School, Second grade
Ms. McMahon has been a dedicated employee of Manassas City Public Schools for nearly 30 years! Her nominators say she has always had a way of reaching the most vulnerable of students through her consistent and nurturing approach in the classroom. She is recognized by her peers as a supportive, caring and compassionate coworker, which has led to her being a lead mentor and grade level teacher at Haydon. She is a perfect example of how a teacher can be sensitive to the needs of students while also challenging them on their road to academic success.
Jennifer Faria, Round Elementary School, Fourth grade
Ms. Faria’s nominators describe her classroom as one of inclusion and encouragement. Visitors to her classroom may often hear celebratory shout-outs for a student who demonstrated academic success, or see a student reading to another student. Her ability to provide accommodations for all students—whether they need extra support or to be challenged—has not gone unnoticed by the school community. She was selected as a grade level lead teacher and mentor teacher one year after joining the Round team!
Stephanie Fischer, Weems Elementary School, Special Education
Ms. Fischer has worked in special education at MCPS since 2000. Her nominators says she consistently and effectively reaches her students by collaborating with coworkers, parents and the school community. She successfully utilizes her school’s Talents and Gifts program ‘The Future Me,’ which introduces students to community business leaders, to help them recognize their skill sets and possible future aspirations. Her nominators say she is eager to assist fellow teachers and parents in order to guarantee student success.
Amy Bossard, Baldwin Intermediate, 5th grade science & social studies
Ms. Bossard began her career with MCPS in 2014 as a third-grade teacher before moving on to help make the newest MCPS school a success. At Baldwin Intermediate, she continues to integrate technology in the classroom to deliver individualized instruction based on the needs of the student. Ms. Bossard is recognized by her nominators as being a mentor to both students and teachers. Her ability to make students feel comfortable in her presence lends itself to their academic success. She also serves as a mentor in the Teacher Education and Mentor Program.
Kristen Gates, Mayfield Intermediate, Special Education Teacher
Since beginning her career with MCPS in 2012, Ms. Gates strives daily to get to know each of her students in order to understand how they learn and what motivates them. As a result, she is able to instruct her students using activities and resources that are engaging and effective. It’s been said that one can actually hear the excitement in her voice as she shares student success stories. Ms. Gates, through speaking with her students, observing their interactions, and communicating with others, develops a keen understanding of her students’ individual needs. Knowing this, she is able to build on students’ natural abilities to become successful in the classroom.
Roland Adam, Metz Middle School, Science Teacher
Mr. Adam has been with Manassas City Public Schools for five years, all of which have been at Metz Middle School. As a science teacher, he provides instruction for students of all ability levels, and does so with equal respect, energy and effectiveness. His approach to teaching allows all students to feel equally successful within his classroom. He uses small groups, individualized instruction through technology, whole group and even one-to-one methods based upon where he is teaching a concept. His students feel successful daily, weekly and at the end of the year because of the time he dedicates to them and his instructional practice.
Kristine Heaver, Osbourn High School, Physics Teacher
Ms. Heaver joined the Osbourn teaching staff in 2012, where she now teaches all levels of Physics offered at the school. According to her nominators, Ms. Heaver truly understands the individual needs of students, encourages their talents and fosters their self-esteem. She does this by reviewing her students’ schedules prior to the start of a school year to get an understanding of the strengths and abilities of her students, particularly in the aspect of their mathematics skills. She then will tailor lessons and activities to suit the needs of the majority of her students. Her varied teaching style allows her to spark student interest and passion for physics and engineering, and, as a result, student enrollment in the physics program has flourished at each level offered.