FCEF Teacher of the Year & Employee Awards

Congratulations to the 2026 Honorees

Falls Church City Public Schools is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 employee awards. All four winners were selected after review and voting by a panel of judges. This recognition reflects their outstanding dedication and the meaningful impact they make across our school community. They received cash prizes from FCEF, and two tickets to our Annual Gala & Auction, courtesy of the Steve and Nancy Sprague Teacher Leadership Fund. They will also be recognized at the FCCPS School Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. 

Academic Support Staff Employee of the Year
Brannon McLaughlin, Assistant to the Director, Jessie Thackrey Preschool

Operations Support Staff Employee of the Year
Roberto Fuentes, Custodian, Divisionwide

Professional Specialist of the Year
Josh Singer, IB Diploma Coordinator, Meridian High School

Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year
Kieran Shakeshaft, Individuals & Societies Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School

Recognition Ceremony
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Falls Church City Hall, 300 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA 22046
Reception 6:30 p.m. 
School Board Recognition 7:00 p.m.

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Nominees for the 2026 Employee Awards

Support Staff Employee of the Year (Academic)

• Brannon McLaughlin, Assistant to the Director, Jessie Thackrey Preschool

Support Staff Employee of the Year (Operations)

• Roberto Fuentes, Custodian, Divisionwide
• Nittaya Strength, Food Service Worker, Food Services Department

Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year

• 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

Professional Specialist of the Year

• Michelle Goldberg, School Counselor, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
• Josh Singer, IB Diploma Coordinator, Meridian High School

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2025 Employee Award 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
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Operations Support Staff of the Year
Alejandrina Sanchez-Martinez, Custodian, Meridian High School

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.