Congratulations to Melissa Furr – 2019 WJCC Division Teacher of the Year
The WJCC Teacher of the Year program recognizes outstanding teachers from each division school. In addition, three level Teachers of the Year are selected after additional review of nominating packets and visits to each of the teacher’s classrooms.
The WJCC Division Teacher of the Year was selected from the three level Teachers of the Year after an additional review of nominating packets and visits to each of the teacher’s classrooms.
The Rookie Teacher of the Year Award recognizes a teacher who is within his/her first year of teaching and demonstrates outstanding performance and superior instructional skills. Based on the Rookie Teacher Eligibility Criteria, school administration select one First Year Teacher of the Year nominee per school (and Bright Beginnings).
Video
Division & High School Teacher of the Year
I have been teaching visual arts at Jamestown High School for the past 9 years. I teach Drawing, Art Foundations, and Concourse 9 (an innovative PBL class with English, Biology, World History, and Art Foundations). I graduated from ODU in 2005 with a BA in Art History and I received a MAT in Art Education from CNU. I am inspired daily by the creativity of the amazing community here at JHS.
Elementary School
Teacher of the Year
I am a special education teacher at D.J. Montague Elementary School. I love working with my fabulous inclusion teachers and amazing special education paraprofessionals! I attended the College of William & Mary and I enjoy cheering on the Tribe any chance I get. My husband, Craig, is also a teacher and we enjoy traveling together in the summer as well as running in local races.
Middle School
Teacher of the Year
I am a 6th grade math teacher at Berkeley. My goal has always been to believe in my students’ abilities even though they may not believe in themselves. I am passionate about coaching, in and out of the classroom, and coached softball and basketball for 17 years. I enjoy reading, sports, and spending time with my husband, Chuck, two daughters, Shannon and Crystal, and two Jack Russell Terriers.
Division Rookie
Teacher of the Year
WJCC Rookie Teachers of the Year
- Karolena “Kara” Chwalowski – Clara Byrd Baker Elementary
- Emma Newman – Matoaka Elementary
- Amy Newcomb – Matthew Whaley Elementary
- Kate Roessler – Norge Elementary
- Rebecca Pullen – Stonehouse Elementary
- Joshua Denny – Lois S. Hornsby Middle
- Emily Lovekamp – Toano Middle
- Alynn Parham – Jamestown High
- Sean Smith – Lafayette High
- Zachary Fetters – Warhill High
This is my 30th year as a Pre-K teacher at Norge. I started back when the program was called Norge Early Education and Development (or NEED) Center and there were 5 classrooms for the whole division, all focused on children with identified special needs. There has been so much growth and positive changes, but our goal in BB is the same: catch kids early and instill in them a love of learning!
I have been an inclusion and self-contained special education teacher since 2002. I was a stay at home mom until 1998 and then became a Sped assistant. I fell in love with teaching and received my M.Ed. from W&M. My current position is working with students who are nonverbal in a self-contained classroom. I truly enjoy supporting the families and watching each child maximize his potential.
I am a third grade teacher at JBB. I have been teaching for fourteen years and I’ve taught second, third, fourth, and fifth grades. I’m from Fredericksburg, Virginia, and was originally inspired to become an educator by the many wonderful teachers I had in Spotsylvania County. I enjoy reading, cooking, and skiing; and I am also the proud parent of a Kindergartener at JBB!
Five years ago I moved to Virginia and started teaching at LLE. I have been the Centers team lead and served on the leadership team for the past three years. Additionally, I have been an active participant on our School Effectiveness Team and FACE committee. When I’m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my husband and family, going for hikes, watching sporting events, and traveling.
I have been a part of WJCC Public Schools since 2007, first as a substitute teacher then as CRT for James River. Along with teaching at JRE I have also been a part of the WJCC Summer School program for 5 years creating projects such as Creative Coding and SHIP Network. It is my goal to make sure that our students do not just consume technology but learn how to create with technology.
I grew up in Venezuela and moved to the United States at the age of 15. I received my Bachelor of Science in elementary education and master’s in counseling from William and Mary. I taught at Matthew Whaley from 1995-2002 then became a stay home mom and teacher to my 4 kids for 13 years. I have been back at Matoaka for 4 years now. I am fluent in Spanish and have been married for 22 years.
I am a North Carolina native and graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. I have taught for a total of 15 years, the last 10 at my beloved Matthew Whaley. I am married and have a daughter named Campbell and a son named Hobbes. I love first grade and always tell my students, “once you‘re my firstie, you’re always my firstie!”
This is my tenth year as the Computer Resource Teacher at Norge Elementary School. I started my career as a fifth grade teacher at Norge after graduating from the Master’s program at JMU in 2006. My favorite thing about my job is teaching the language of coding and inspiring future computer programmers! I am married to Aaron Cattell and we have two children Emma and Charlie, ages 7 and 4.
Williamsburg has been home to me for the last 34 years. After graduating from Virginia Tech, I have been teaching for 29 years. I have taught at Rawls Byrd and James River before coming to Stonehouse 18 years ago. Fourth grade seems to be my niche because of Virginia history. I have two sons who graduated from WJCC schools and I love to spend time with my family, read, and sit on any beach!
I am an 8th grade Civics/Economics teacher in my 22nd year of teaching at Toano Middle School. What I love most about teaching is being able to build positive relationships with my students, families and staff. I enjoy creating interactive and engaging lessons and seeing the aha moments of my students’ success. Having taught both of my children and alongside my husband TMS is my second home.
I have taught American Sign Language at Lafayette High School since 2014 and prior to that I taught Deaf Education (K-12) for over 10 years. I aim to prepare students to adapt to different situations, embrace everyone’s differences, and engage more deeply with the world around them. I also sponsor the ASL Club, ASL Honor Society, and organize Silent Events within the community.
I am the Theatre Teacher and Director at Warhill High School. Before Warhill, I taught and directed Theatre at Hornsby Middle School. I have a BFA in Musical Theatre from Shenandoah Conservatory, and served as a professional stage performer before becoming a teacher. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Kevin and cat Maelie.
