Educators honored with FCPS Impact Awards

Educators at Holmes Middle School, Annandale Terrace Elementary School, and Annandale and Woodson high schools are among the recipients of FCPS Impact Awards.

Fairfax County Public Schools Superintendent Michelle Reid presented the awards to 24 individuals – including school-based educators and central office staff – and 17 teams at a ceremony at Fairfax High School on Oct. 8.

The awards were given in four categories: Collaboration and Partnerships, Equity and Cultural Responsiveness, Innovation and Improvement, and Student Achievement and Success.

Nicholas Hartman, assistant principal at Holmes Middle School in Lincolnia, was honored for building partnerships with students to empower them for personal and academic success.

Hartman supports teachers with data-driven analysis and decision-making, FCPS states. He also ensured science teachers received training for working with English language learners, ensured that AVID students attended a college field trip, and provided opportunities for staff development over the summer.

“He is famous for his unflappable demeanor, navigating even the toughest conversations with unfailing calm, respect, and patience,” FCPS says.

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Both Harman and Karen Olarinde, a resource teacher at Annandale High School, received Impact Awards in the Collaboration and Partnerships category.

“Karen leads the math department with a commitment to equity, collaboration, and high-quality instruction,” FCPS states. “Her impact reaches across the pyramid as she builds strong partnerships with teachers, administrators, and central office staff to align practices and elevate student learning.”

She has built meaningful connections with families to ensure they are aware of after-school interventions, testing preparation, and academic support services.

In the Equity and Cultural Responsiveness category for teams, Michelle Carr-Hogan and Ashley Ireland, educators at Annandale Terrace Elementary School, received an Impact Award for their work as sponsors of the Get2Green Club.

They launched a schoolwide recycling program with daily collections by fifth-graders and participation from students in the enhanced autism class. That project highlights “their commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and providing meaningful, equitable experiences for all students,” FCPS says.

The “Portrait of a Cavalier” initiative earned an Impact Award for a team at Woodson High School. Students now engage in meaningful reflection, assess growth in Portrait of a Graduate competencies, and connect learning to real-world experiences. The team hosts career days and guest speakers to prepare students for life after high school.