2025 Teacher of the Year & Past Recipients

Print

Font Size: + -

2025 Teacher of the Year

Avanti Yamamoto, a mathematics teacher at Hanover County Public Schools’ Atlee High School (Region 1), was named the 2025 Virginia Teacher of the Year

Mrs. Yamamoto has been a teacher for more than 10 years, eight of which she has spent with Atlee High School. Mrs. Yamamoto has always had a passion for mathematics and working with children and is described by her colleagues

as someone who was born to be a teacher. While in her third year at VCU, she decided to pursue a career in education. She has worked with a wide range of students – from special education to advanced math classes – and has reached all students regardless of socio-economic status, learning aptitude, or math background. Mrs. Yamamoto is determined to show all her students that math is not scary and that they are “math people.”

A pillar in her community, Mrs. Yamamoto spends her free time serving various organizations and clubs. She is currently a member of the National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She also serves as the Key Club International Sponsor at Atlee High School. Mrs. Yamamoto is a teacher who inspires and pushes her students to achieve far beyond what they thought possible and has made a tremendous impact in her students’ lives.

2025 Regional Teachers of the Year

Pictured: Andy Holmes, Genevieve Weaver, Emily Wilson Overstreet, Candace Carrier, Avanti Yamamoto, First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin, Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin, Chanda Woods, Beth Marshall, Darnelle Greene, Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Lisa Coons.

The seven other outstanding 2025 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year include:

Region 2: Chanda Woods, an integrated language arts teacher at Newport News Public Schools’ Crittenden Middle School
Region 3: Beth Marshall, a French teacher at Spotsylvania County Public Schools’ Riverbend High School
Region 4: Darnell Greene, a mathematics teacher at Manassas Park City Schools’ Manassas Park Middle School
Region 5: Genevieve Weaver, an adapted special education teacher at Bedford County Public Schools’ Jefferson Forest High School
Region 6: Candace Carrier, a career and technical education – agricultural education teacher at Montgomery County Public Schools’ Blacksburg High School
Region 7: Andy Holmes, a band director at Smyth County Public Schools’ Marion Senior High School and Marion Middle School
Region 8: Emily Wilson Overstreet, a visual arts teacher at Cumberland County Public Schools’ Cumberland Elementary School

2024 Teacher of the Year

Jeffery W. Keller, a history teacher at John Handley High School in Winchester, was named the 2024 Virginia Teacher of the Year during a livestreamed announcement by Governor Glenn Youngkin on May 18, 2023.

2024 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2024 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

John R. Aughenbaugh, a career and technical education instructor at New Kent High in New Kent County (Region 1)
Craig T. Reynolds, fifth-grade teacher at Magruder Elementary in York County (Region )
Amy L. Gregory, a special education teacher at Hamilton Holmes Middle in King William County (Region 3)
Brandy H. Johnson, a seventh-grade language arts teacher at Shelburne Middle in Staunton (Region 5).
Jennifer M. Hatch, a seventh-grade mathematics teacher at Benjamin Franklin Middle in Franklin County (Region 6).
Melanie P. Smith, a library media specialist at Chilhowie Elementary in Smyth County (Region 7).
Tequisha L. Stiles, an eighth-grade English teacher at James Solomon Russell Middle in Brunswick County (Region 8).

2023 Teacher of the Year

Fabiana Parker, an English as a second language teacher at Thornburg Middle School in Spotsylvania County, was named the 2023 Virginia Teacher of Year during a livestreamed announcement by Governor Glenn Youngkin on September 30, 2022.

2023 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2023 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Kiara S. Thompson, a physical science teacher at Thomas C. Boushall Middle in Richmond (Region 1)
Jason D. Bartholomew, a business information and technology teacher at Nansemond River High in Suffolk (Region 2)
Jordan M. Markwood, a music teacher at Rock Ridge High in Loudoun County (Region 4)
Lori C. Peltonen, a library and media specialist at Staunton High in Staunton (Region 5)
Angela D. Myers, a librarian at Read Mountain Middle in Botetourt County (Region 6)
Dawn Poe, a kindergarten teacher at Fairview Elementary in Grayson County (Region 7)
Megan G. Graves, a special education teacher at Appomattox High in Appomattox County (Region 8)

2022 Teacher of the Year

Daphne Tamara Fulson, a second-grade teacher at Portlock Primary School in Chesapeake, was named the 2022 Virginia Teacher of the Year. Fulson was selected earlier as one of the Commonwealth's eight regional teachers of the year and was then named as the Virginia Teacher of the Year during a special announcement and celebration at the Executive Mansion.

2022 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2022 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Ashley Sharell Bland, an instructional technology resource teacher at John B. Cary Elementary School in Richmond (Region 1)
Robert Dean LaFollette, a science, career and technical education, and mathematics teacher at Essex High School in Essex County (Region 3)
Howard L. Brewer Jr., an English teacher at the Transition Support Resource Center-Alexandria in Fairfax County (Region 4)
Matthew Kenneth Uselton, an English Teacher at Liberty High School in Bedford County (Region 5).
Eboni Jenee Harrington, a mathematics teacher at Lucy Addison Middle School in Roanoke (Region 6).
Ashley Duncan Cannon, a health and physical education teacher at Atkins Elementary School in Smyth County (Region 7).
Brendan Mayer Conroy, a GED/Individual Student Alternative Education Program teacher at the Appomattox County High School in Appomattox County (Region 8).

2021 Teacher of the Year

Anthony Swann, a fifth-grade teacher at Rocky Mount Elementary in Franklin County, was named the 2021 Virginia Teacher of the Year during a virtual recognition ceremony. Swann was selected from the eight regional winners announced previously and was named the Commonwealth's nominee for the 2021 National Teacher of the Year.

2021 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2021 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Sarah F. Jurewicz, a Culinary Arts I and II (Baking and Pastry Arts) teacher at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center in Chesterfield County (Region 1).
Alisa T. Smith, a Spanish teacher at Jamestown High in Williamsburg-James City County (Region 2).
Kimberly G. Cannon, a U.S. History teacher at Stafford Middle in Stafford County (Region 3).
Lisa M. Rode, a sixth-grade teacher at Kings Glen Elementary in Fairfax County (Region 4).
Lisa S. Cooper, a first-grade teacher at Bessie Weller Elementary in Staunton (Region 5).
Sarah M. Biggs, a first- and second-grade reading teacher at High Point Elementary in Washington County (Region 7).
Victoria S. Soyars, a Geometry teacher at Park View High in Mecklenburg County (Region 8).

2020 Teacher of the Year

Andrea Carson Johnson was named the 2020 Virginia Teacher of the Year. Carson is a 12-year veteran and teaches 12th grade English at Salem High School in Salem, Virginia. Carson was selected from the eight regional winners announced previously and was named the Commonwealth's nominee for the 2020 National Teacher of the Year.

2020 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2020 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Gregory Patrick Lyndaker, an Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Psychology teacher at Henrico High in Henrico County (Region 1)
Rachel Kathryn Thompson, an International Baccalaureate World Language Spanish and Advanced Placement Capstone Seminar teacher at Princess Anne High in Virginia Beach (Region 2)
Latasha Marlene Lee, a choral music teacher at Northumberland Middle and Northumberland High in Northumberland County(Region 3)
Jennifer Renee Rodgers, an Advanced Placement United States and Comparative Government and Politics, Academic Government, Modern International Relations, and Global Social Issues teacher at Dominion High in Loudoun County (Region 4)
Amy Marie Mallow, a second-grade teacher at Huddleston Elementary in Bedford County (Region 5)
Sarah Lea Deel, a science teacher at Marion Senior High in Smyth County (Region 7)
Michelle Rae Howell, a special education teacher at LaCrosse Elementary in Mecklenburg County (Region 8)

2019 Teacher of the Year

Rodney A. Robinson is the 2019 Virginia Teacher of the Year. Robinson is a 19-year veteran of Richmond Public Schools, and began teaching at Virgie Binford Education Center — a school inside the Richmond Juvenile Detention Center — in 2015. Robinson was selected from the eight regional winners and was named the Commonwealth's nominee for the 2019 National Teacher of the Year.

2019 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2019 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Stephen J. Legawiec, a Virginia and U.S. History and Advanced Placement U.S. History teacher at Lafayette High in Williamsburg-James City County (Region 2)
Daniel N. Reichard, a fifth-grade teacher at Kate Waller Barrett Elementary in Stafford County (Region 3)
Timothy W. Cotman Jr., an equity and excellence coordinator and English teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle in Arlington County (Region 4)
Christine M. Grim, a first-grade language arts and mathematics teacher at Fulks Run Elementary in Rockingham County (Region 5)
Jamie F. Nichols, a sixth-grade mathematics and science teacher at Lucy Addison Middle in Roanoke (Region 6)
Charlcia D. Burke Jones, a library media specialist at Jonesville Middle in Lee County (Region 7)
Ashley N. Blackwell, a first-grade teacher at Cumberland Elementary in Cumberland County (Region 8)

2018 Teacher of the Year

Michelle Cottrell-Williams, a social studies teacher at Wakefield High in Arlington County, was named 2018 Virginia Teacher of the Year during a September 18 recognition ceremony at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.

2018 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2018 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Greenlee B. Naughton, an English teacher at Highland Springs High in Henrico County (Region 1)
Theresa A. Guthrie Goltermann, a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) electives teacher at Tabb Middle in York County (Region 2)
Sarah M. Adamson-Mair, a kindergarten teacher at Lewis and Clark Elementary in Caroline County (Region 3)
Russell T. Jennings, an agriculture teacher at Fluvanna County High in Fluvanna County (Region 5)
Karey A. Henzey, a special education teacher at West Salem Elementary in Salem (Region 6)
Chrystle M. Gates, a music teacher at Chilhowie Elementary in Smyth County (Region 7)
Tiffany W. Lynch, an English teacher at Park View High in Mecklenburg County (Region 8)

2017 Teacher of the Year

Toney Lee McNair Jr., a choral music teacher at Indian River Middle School in Chesapeake, was named 2017 Virginia Teacher of the Year during an October 17th recognition event at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.

2017 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2017 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Louise Thornton, a government teacher at Prince George High in Prince George County (Region 1)
Carolyn Kleinert, a Spanish teacher at Freedom Middle in Spotsylvania County (Region 3)
Heidi Trude, a French teacher at Skyline High in Warren County (Region 4)
Crystal DeLong, a social studies teacher at Liberty High in Bedford County (Region 5)
Jason Ince, an agricultural education teacher at Chatham High in Pittsylvania County (Region 6)
Beth Shell, an agricultural education teacher at Lee County Career and Technical Center in Lee County (Region 7)
Katie McCann, a language arts and reading teacher at Appomattox Elementary in Appomattox County (Region 8)

2016 Teacher of the Year

Natalie DiFusco-Funk is a fifth-grade teacher at West Salem Elementary in Salem. DiFusco-Funk, the Region 6 Teacher of the Year, was selected as the 2016 Virginia Teacher of the Year after being interviewed by a committee that included representatives of professional and educational associations, the business community and 2015 Virginia Teacher of the Year Jaclyn Marie Roller Ryan.

2016 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2016 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Christopher Averill, a history teacher at Cosby High in Chesterfield County (Region 1)
Lauren Osborn, an English teacher at Poquoson High in Poquoson (Region 2)
Stacey Rice-Lee, an English teacher at Northumberland Middle in Northumberland County (Region 3)
Kimberly Scott, an English teacher at Franklin Middle in Fairfax County (Region 4)
Kenneth “Spence” White Jr., a drama, stagecraft and public speaking teacher at Jefferson Forrest High in Bedford County (Region 5)
Ruthanne Cole, a science teacher at Bland County High in Bland County (Region 7)
Edward McCann Jr., an agricultural education teacher at Appomattox County High in Appomattox County (Region 8)

2015 Teacher of the Year

Jaclyn Marie Roller Ryan is an agriscience teacher and Future Farmers of America (FFA) advisor at Signal Knob Middle in Shenandoah County. Ryan, the Region 4 teacher, was selected after being interviewed by a committee that included representatives of professional and educational associations, the business community and 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year and 2014 National Teacher of the Year finalist Melissa A. Porfirio of Fairfax.

2015 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2015 Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Tara L. Brunyansky, a chemistry teacher at James River High in Chesterfield County (Region 1)
Bevin K. Reinen, a first-grade teacher at Three Oaks Elementary in Virginia Beach (Region 2)
Jennifer H. Worrell, a fourth-grade language arts teacher at Petsworth Elementary in Gloucester County (Region 3)
Gerin E. Martin, an early childhood special education teacher at Hutcherson Early Learning Program in Lynchburg (Region 5)
Matthew T. Newton, a grades 3-5 special education teacher at Fishburn Park Elementary in Roanoke (Region 6)
Mark T. Merz, a pre-kindergarten teacher at Oak Point Elementary in Smyth County (Region 7)
Kelly S. Jones, a World History and Sociology teacher at Greensville County High in Greensville County (Region 8).

2014 Teacher of the Year

Melissa A. Porfirio, a first-grade teacher at Crestwood Elementary School in Fairfax County, is the 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year, having previously been named Region 4 Teacher of the Year. A teacher for eight years, Porfirio earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Catholic University and a master’s degree in education, curriculum and instruction from George Mason University.

2014 Regional Teachers of the Year

The other seven 2014 Regional Teachers of the Year are as follows:

Tracey Zaval, an eighth-grade civics and economics teacher at Midlothian Middle in Chesterfield County (Region 1)
Carrie E. Gantt, an 11th- and 12th-grade English teacher and Teachers for Tomorrow instructor at Princess Anne High in Virginia Beach (Region 2)
Tara J. Hefner, a second-grade teacher at Courtland Elementary in Spotsylvania County (Region 3)
Jennifer B. Lovett, a reading specialist at Linkhorne Elementary in Lynchburg (Region 5)
Byard W. “Trey” Harris III, a music teacher and band director at Bassett High in Henry County (Region 6)
Tina H. Cook, a computer technology teacher at Chilhowie Middle in Smyth County (Region 7).
Shawnta L. Posey-James, an Earth science teacher at Greensville County High in Greensville County (Region 8).