FCEF Teacher of the Year & Employee Awards
2026 Nominees
Support Staff Employee of the Year (Academic)
*Winners will be announced in April 2026
- Brannon McLaughlin, Assistant to the Director, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
- Roberto Fuentes, Custodian, Custodial Department
- Nittaya Strength, Food Service Worker, Food Services Department
- Mark Coffren, Health & Physical Education Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
- Dawn England, Special Ed Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
- Beth Green, Enrichment Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
- Amanda Morey, Second Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
- Nora Rosenberger, Special Education Teacher, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
- Kieran Shakeshaft, Individuals and Societies Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
- Michelle Goldberg, School Counselor, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
- Josh Singer, IB Diploma Coordinator, Meridian High School
*Winners will be announced in April 2026
2025 Winners
Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year & Washington Post Teacher of the Year
Miriam Schimmoller, Third Grade Teacher, Oak Street Elementary
Professional Specialist of the Year
Miriam Pirone, Speech Therapist, Oak Street Elementary/Meridian High School
Academic Support Staff of the Year
Bushra Al-Eryani, Paraprofessional, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
Operations Support Staff of the Year
Alejandrina Sanchez-Martinez, Custodian, Meridian High School
Congratulations to the winners, who were surprised in their schools on April 22. The four award recipients were selected in a process that started in October 2024 with an open call for nominations to the community. The recipients were also recognized at the Falls Church School Board meeting in May. They received cash prizes from FCEF, and two tickets to our Annual Gala & Auction, courtesy of the Steve and Nancy Sprague Teacher Leadership Fund.
Miriam Schimmoller, Third Grade Teacher, Oak Street Elementary
Professional Specialist of the Year
Miriam Pirone, Speech Therapist, Oak Street Elementary/Meridian High School
Academic Support Staff of the Year
Bushra Al-Eryani, Paraprofessional, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
Operations Support Staff of the Year
Alejandrina Sanchez-Martinez, Custodian, Meridian High School
Congratulations to the winners, who were surprised in their schools on April 22. The four award recipients were selected in a process that started in October 2024 with an open call for nominations to the community. The recipients were also recognized at the Falls Church School Board meeting in May. They received cash prizes from FCEF, and two tickets to our Annual Gala & Auction, courtesy of the Steve and Nancy Sprague Teacher Leadership Fund.
Past Winners
The Falls Church Education Foundation is pleased to support the Falls Church City Public Schools' Teacher of the Year Award. All nominees receive two courtesy tickets to the Annual Gala & Auction and the overall winner receives a prize of $1,500, funded by the Foundation.
The 2024 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Tosin Adetoro, STEM Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School.
The 2023 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Julia Noble, First Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School.
The 2022 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Jennifer Jayson, Meridian Math Teacher
The 2021 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Will Snyder, GMHS Computer Science Teacher
The 2020 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Layton McCann, Fifth Grade Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.
The 2019 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Marc Robarge, GMHS Art Teacher.
The 2018 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Farrell Kelly, Seventh Grade History Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School.
The 2017 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Lisa Allan, Fourth Grade Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.
The 2024 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Tosin Adetoro, STEM Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School.
The 2023 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Julia Noble, First Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School.
The 2022 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Jennifer Jayson, Meridian Math Teacher
The 2021 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Will Snyder, GMHS Computer Science Teacher
The 2020 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Layton McCann, Fifth Grade Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.
The 2019 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Marc Robarge, GMHS Art Teacher.
The 2018 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Farrell Kelly, Seventh Grade History Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School.
The 2017 FCEF Teacher of the Year was Lisa Allan, Fourth Grade Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School.