FCPS Honors Faculty Across The County

All the glitz and glam of a Hollywood award show drew hundreds of guests to the first annual FCPS Honors ceremony at George Mason University Wednesday night. Teachers, principals, families and friends gathered to honor the best educators in the county and celebrate their achievements.

“We honor teachers that dedicate their time to enhancing our student’s minds,” emcee and assistant superintendent of human resources Kevin L. North said. “Thanks to their efforts we’ve encouraged our students to strive.”

The FCPS Honors, sponsored by the Foundation for Fairfax County Public Schools, combined five previously solo award presentations into the evening’s reception and ceremony. In addition to honoring the educators, this year the Eddie award was also given to the foundation’s founding board member’s companies.

“We wanted to create the type of awards ceremony that the Eddie award is to education as the Emmy is to television, as the Oscar is to movies and the Grammy is to music,” North said. “The star in the Eddie represents the students looking to the future and it is supported by our teachers who hold them up.”

‘Outstanding First Year Teacher’ was awarded to Heather Monfasani from Crestwood Elementary School for her work with behaviorally challenged students. Her commitment to her students and her drive to boost academic confidence was described as ‘a breath of fresh air’ to her peers at Crestwood.

“Heather’s organizational skills far surpass any other beginning or novice teacher that I have ever worked with,” one colleague said in a press release. “She is committed and intrinsically motivated.”

Carl Sandburg Middle School’s Terrance Yarborough won ‘Outstanding First Year Principal’ for his unparalleled dedication to his students, unwavering support of his staff and his clear vision for the school. Peers of Yarborough call him ‘professional, energetic and the model of a dedicated, involved leader’.

“Having worked at Carl Sandburg for the past eight years, I can say without a doubt that this has truly been a year of positive change that will only get better,” nominator Tara Charity said in a press release. “When an important decision needs to be made, Mr. Yarborough always steps up to the plate and makes sound, ethical, and fair decisions."

‘School Based Support Employee of the Year’ went to Shirley Miller from Cooper Middle School for her 54 years of service in county school and her exceptionally strong work ethic. According to Cooper staff, Miller contributes to a positive school climate and regularly goes above and beyond her regular duties.

“Her hard work, commitment, and devotion are the main reasons that Cooper Middle School continues to possess an aura of cleanliness and organization even after the many years it has been open,” said principal Arlene Randall in a statement. 

Cheryl Temple from Assistive Technology Services received the ‘Non-School Based Support Employee of the Year’ for her work with technology in schools and with faculty and staff. Her work provides students with the appropriate technology for their needs and consults and trains FCPS personal, according to a statement by the school system.

‘Teacher of the Year’ Jamie Sawatzky from Rocky Run Middle School and ‘Principal of the Year’ Maureen Marshall from Garfield Elementary School were previously announced in The Washington Post, but also received their Eddie’s at the ceremony.