Falls Church City Public Schools announced 16 nominees for FCCPS Employee Awards on Wednesday, January 22. Colleagues, students, and parents made the nominations based on their exceptional dedication to the students and community of Falls Church.
A "Prize Patrol" including Superintendent Peter Noonan, Chief Academic Officer William Bates, Chief Financial Officer Kristen Michael, Human Resources Director Amy Hall, Falls Church Education Foundation President Cecily Shea, FCEF Executive Director Debbie Hiscott, and school administrators surprised each with news of their nomination during the school day.
Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Award
The winner, announced in April, will be selected by a panel of judges and will be awarded $1500 from the FCEF. The winner also becomes a finalist for the Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award.
The nominees are:
Ann Beckman, ESOL Teacher, Mount Daniel Elementary School
Jeff Buck, Seventh Grade Civics & Economics Teacher, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Tammy Chincheck, Social Studies Teacher, George Mason High School
Jaclyn Harper, Kindergarten Teacher, Mount Daniel Elementary School
Peter Laub, English Teacher, George Mason High School
Layton McCann, Fifth Grade Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Amanda Morey, Second Grade Teacher, Mount Daniel Elementary School
Terry Mountain, Kindergarten Teacher, Mount Daniel Elementary School
Shelly Skomra, Fourth Grade Teacher, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
David Sikora, Kindergarten Teacher, Mount Daniel Elementary School
Support Staff Employee of the Year Award
Support staff employees assist teachers and administrators in providing services to the instructional program and facilities. They include paraprofessionals, office staff, health aides and central office specialists and administrative assistants, as well as employees in these departments: Transportation, Food Services, Day Care, Maintenance Services, and Custodial Services. The Support Staff Employee of the Year Award winner will receive $1000 from FCCPS. The winner, selected by a panel of judges, is announced in April.
The nominees are:
Ken DiCesare, Paraprofessional, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Sara Henderson, Paraprofessional, George Mason High School
Luis Sorto, Paraprofessional, George Mason High School
Tito Sorto, Food Services Manager, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Beth Stoffel, Paraprofessional, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
Professional Specialist of the Year Award
This award recognizes certified education professionals, who are not classroom teachers or on administrator pay scales. Those eligible include School Social Workers, School Counselors, School Psychologists, Behavioral Specialists, Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapists, Academic Coordinators, Librarians, Reading, Math and Technology Specialists. The Professional Specialist of the Year Award winner will receive $1000, jointly funded by FCCPS and FCEF. The winner, selected by a panel of judges, is announced in April.
The nominee for this award is Vicki Galliher, Athletic Trainer, George Mason High School
All nominees and the winners of these three awards are recognized at the May 2020 FCCPS Celebration of Excellence.