
Falls Church City Public Schools is pleased to announce the honorees for the 2025 employee awards. They were selected after review and voting by a panel of judges. The winners were surprised with a giant check from the Falls Church Education Foundation and will be recognized at the FCCPS School Board Meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 2025..
Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year Miriam Schimmoller, Third Grade Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
Miriam Schimmoller is the winner of the 2025 Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award, representing the best of the best in the Washington, DC region.
Professional Specialist of the Year Miriam Pirone, Speech Therapist, Oak Street Elementary School and Meridian High School
Academic Support Staff Employee of the Year Bushra Al-Eryani, Paraprofessional, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
Operations Support Staff Employee of the Year Alejandrina Sanchez-Martinez, Custodian, Meridian High School
FCEF Teacher of the Year Miriam Schimmoller
FCEF Professional Specialist of the Year, Miriam Pirone
Academic Support Staff Employee of the Year, Bushra Al-Eryani
Operations Support Staff Employee of the Year, Alejandrina Sanchez-Martinez
Congratulations to the Nominees for 2025 FCCPS Employee Awards
Nominees for Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year
Lisa Beinhart, Special Education Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
Kent Foster, World Language Teacher, Meridian High School
Diane Kidder, Second Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
Pam Mahony, Individuals & Societies Teacher, Meridian High School
Amanda Morey, Second Grade Teacher, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
Susan Rhyne, Preschool Teacher, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
Jamie Sample, Choral Music Teacher, Henderson Middle School and Meridian High School
Miriam Schimmoller, Third Grade Teacher, Oak Street Elementary School
Nominees for Operations Support Staff Employee of the Year
Annette Folks, Extended Day Care Staff
Alejandrina Sanchez-Martinez, Custodian, Meridian High School
Nominees for Academic Support Staff Employee of the Year
Bushra Al-Eryani, Special Education Paraprofessional, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
Surabhi Dobhal, Special Education Paraprofessional, Meridian High School
Najla Muhammad, Finance Administrative Assistant, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Kim Tanner, Special Education Paraprofessional, Mt. Daniel Elementary School
Nominees for Professional Specialist of the Year
Hai Le, Systems Operation Manager, Divisionwide
Miriam Pirone, Speech Language Pathologist, Oak Street Elementary School & Meridian High School
Kim Yeager, School Psychologist, Mt. Daniel Elementary School & Jessie Thackrey Preschool
2024-25 Awards Process & Calendar
October 21, 2024 Nomination form opens
November 19, 2024 Nomination deadline
Week of December 9, 2024 Announcement of nominees
Week of December 9, 2024 Letter of support portal opens
January 21, 2025 Letter of support portal closes
February 2025 Packets presented to all nominees
April 2025 Announcement of all award winners
May 13, 2025 Recognition of award winners at School Board Meeting
Contact awards@fccps.org with questions.
Falls Church Education Foundation Teacher of the Year
Tosin Adetoro, STEAM Teacher, Oak Street Elementary
Professional Specialist of the Year Mary Manzione, Speech Therapist, Jessie Thackrey Preschool
Academic Support Staff of the Year
Jessica Hollinger, Administrative Assistant, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School
Operations Support Staff of the Year
Eduardo Molina, Custodial Supervisor