RICHMOND — Eight Virginia teachers today learned of their selection as 2023 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year during surprise classroom visits, assemblies and announcements at their schools. The eight are now in the running for selection next month as the commonwealth’s 2023 Virginia Teacher of Year.

“Each of us has seen a life changed by a committed, loving teacher, and empowering teachers to best serve their students in partnership with parents remains a top priority for my administration,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “In the budget we signed this year, I was so pleased to help provide teachers pay raises and bonuses to honor their work, especially throughout the pandemic. Great teachers must be recognized, I’m pleased that today we’re recognizing the outstanding work of eight wonderful teachers throughout the commonwealth.”

Youngkin joined Secretary of Education Amiee Guidera and Richmond Superintendent Jason Kamras at Thomas C. Boushall Middle School for the announcement of the Region 1 winner.

“I am so excited to congratulate our 2023 regional teachers of the year,” Guidera said. “Each of them represents the best of the best across the commonwealth’s public education system and across a variety of grade levels and content areas.”

Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow joined Suffolk Superintendent John B. Gordon III at Nansemond High School for the announcement the Region 2 selection.

“Our eight regional teachers of the year will serve as ambassadors for the schools in their regions, the state and for the teaching profession,” Balow said. “They are recognized by their peers — and now by the commonwealth — for their ability to build strong relationships with students and families, and teach in ways that inspire students to excel, regardless of the subject matter or the challenges they face.”

The eight 2023 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year announced today 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).
• Fabiana B. Parker, an English as a second language teacher at Thornburg Middle in Spotsylvania County (Region 3).
• 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 Red 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).

A Virginia Department of Education committee selected the eight winners from among candidates nominated by school divisions. The committee — which includes teachers, representatives of education and business associations, the military, and 2022 Virginia Teacher of the Year Daphne Tamara Fulson — will reconvene in Richmond Sept. 30 to interview the regional winners and select the 2023 Virginia Teacher of the Year. The governor and first lady Suzanne Youngkin will announce the selection that evening during a ceremony at the Executive Mansion.

“The first lady and I are looking forward to hosting everybody at the governor’s mansion to celebrate the teacher of the year at the end of September,” Youngkin said. “And what a day it will be to recognize one great teacher among many great teachers in the commonwealth of Virginia.”

The 2023 Virginia Teacher of the Year will represent the commonwealth in the Council of Chief State School Officer’s National Teacher of the Year Program.

Three previous Virginia teachers — Mary V. Bicouvaris, the 1989 Virginia Teacher of the Year; B. Philip Bigler, the 1998 Virginia Teacher of the Year; and Rodney A. Robinson, the 2019 Virginia Teacher of the Year — went on to be named as national teachers of the year.

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