FCPS presents awards to 2024 outstanding educators

Two principals and a teacher at Annandale/Mason District area schools were among the top award-winners at the Fairfax County Public Schools 2024 Outstanding Employees celebration on June 12.

Shawn DeRose of Annandale High School is one of two winners of the Outstanding Principal Award, along with the principal of Dranesville Elementary School.

Raven Jones of Luther Jackson Middle School was named Outstanding New Principal, and Columbia Elementary School teacher Shea Hestmark received the FCPS Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award.

DeRose “has built strong systems to support all students and ensure their academic, wellness, and behavior needs are met,” FCPS states. “He takes time to get to know staff, students, and families by name, and prioritizes collaborating to live the vision that Annandale High School is a community that finds strength in diversity, fosters belonging, and inspires lifelong learning.”

Rebecca Forgy of Parklawn Elementary School was a finalist for the Outstanding Principal Award.

According to FCPS, Jones “relentlessly works to build a positive and collaborative school culture where everyone can see themselves reflected and know that they are valued members of the school.

“She does not shy away from tough conversations but approaches difficult situations with compassion and an unwavering focus on student outcomes,” FCPS states. “Her dedication to ensuring the long-term, holistic success of students and staff has transformed the culture at Jackson.”

Annandale Terrace Elementary School Principal Ingrid Badia was a finalist for the Outstanding New Principal Award.

Other new principals recognized by FCPS included Serena Giron at Holmes Middle School, Leslie Malkowski at Canterbury Woods ES, and Mirna Vega at Sleepy Hollow ES.

FCPS lauded Hestmark as “a dedicated and passionate second-grade teacher committed to fostering a welcoming environment, supporting student agency, and creating rigorous learning opportunities.”

Hestmark successfully motivates her students to take risks and grow as learners, FCPS states. “Her commitment to equity and inclusion drives her to advocate for all students, ensuring each individual feels valued and supported in their educational journey.”

Amanda Castellucci, a first-grade ESOL teacher at Woodburn Elementary School, was a finalist for the Outstanding Elementary Teacher Award.

Katie Shaw, a multiple disabilities teacher at Annandale HS, was a finalist for the Outstanding Secondary New Teacher Award.

Danielle Hornbecker, director of student services at Frost Middle School, was named Outstanding School-Based Leader. Christy Hanlon, director of student services at Justice High School, was a finalist for that award.

Among other award winners at Annandale/Mason District area schools:

Outstanding Secondary School Teachers – school recipients

• Annandale HS – Lauren Paz Soldan, Spanish language
• Falls Church HS – Josh Toth, history and social studies
• Frost MS – Stephanie Pepper, history and social studies
• Glasgow MS – Carolina Guarda, ESOL
• Holmes MS – Donna Casto, English
• Justice HS – Cynthia Martinez, geosystems
• Luther Jackson MS – Sharon Parker, social studies
• Poe MS – Amelia Bowen, French
• Woodson HS – Travis Pugh, math

Outstanding Elementary School Teachers – school recipients

• Annandale Terrace – Leigha Pehlivan, art
• Baileys – Janice Perreault, librarian
• Bailey’s Upper – Kim Mann, resource teacher
• Beech Tree – Jordan Vachon, first grade
• Belvedere – Margot Hwang, fourth grade
• Braddock – Lisa England, first grade inclusion
• Bren Mar Park – Shannon Springfield, art
• Camelot – Christine Vickers, librarian
• Canterbury Woods – Melissa Adams, fourth grade
• Parklawn – Emma Whitaker, second grade
• Ravensworth – Maggie Stern, special education
• Sleepy Hollow – Matt Zupan, physical education
• Wakefield Forest – Briana Trone, first grade
• Westlawn – Deirdre Ladd, fifth grade
• Weyanoke – Josie Mani, advanced academics resource teacher
• Woodburn – Amanda Castellucci, ESOL

Outstanding Elementary School New Teachers – school recipients:

• Annandale Terrace – Erin Arnold, learning disabilities
• Bailey’s Upper – Malik Wyatt, multiple disabilities
• Braddock – Joann Chae, multiple disabilities
• Camelot – Haley Schreiner, sixth grade
• Canterbury Woods – Emily Bruce, physical education
• Columbia – Jessica Paul, special education
• Parklawn – Kate Gibson, music
• Ravensworth – Elsy Arias, second grade
• Sleepy Hollow – Katiria Holder, ESOL
• Westlawn – Jasmine Cuevas, fourth grade

Outstanding secondary school new teachers – school recipients

• Falls Church HS – Haley Buckley, learning disabilities
• Frost MS – Hannah Warnick, math
• Glasgow MS – Lycia Dolvin, science
• Justice HS – Rylee Bly, math
• Luther Jackson MS – Katie Baliou, music
• Poe MS – Alvaro Soto, eighth-grade science
• Woodson HS – Jayme Cole, multiple disabilities

Outstanding school-based leader – school recipients

• Annandale HS – Erik Healey, director of student services
• Beech Tree ES – Bridget Louder, assistant principal
• Columbia ES – Sarah Boudart, assistant principal
• Falls Church HS – Sean Rolon, assistant principal
• Frost MS – Danielle Hornbecker, director of student services
• Holmes MS – Nicholas Hartman, assistant principal
• Justice HS – Christy Hanlon, director of student services
• Luther Jackson MS – Kelsey Toure, assistant principal
• Poe MS – Leslie Rozzoni, assistant principal
• Wakefield Forest ES – Amy Williams, assistant principal
• Weyanoke ES – Michelle Doyle, assistant principal
• Woodson HS – Kathy Martin, assistant principal

Outstanding principals – school recipients

• Falls Church HS – Ben Nowak
• Glasgow MS – Victor Powell
• Justice HS – Tiffany Narcisse
• Parklawn ES – Rebecca Forgy
• Ravensworth ES – Erika Aspuria

Outstanding school-based operational employee – school recipients

• Annandale HS – Rosario Carrasco, family liaison
• Annandale Terrace ES – Siew Ng, instructional assistant
• Bailey’s ES – Maria Demarest, office assistant
• Bailey’s Upper ES – Hanan Sarsaur, instructional assistant
• Belvedere ES – Mandy Belcher, student information assistant
• Braddock ES – Sherryanne Sooknanan, administrative assistant
• Camelot ES – Beth Shalhoub, instructional assistant
• Canterbury Woods – Maggie Sawaya, instructional assistant
• Columbia ES – Lesli Bailey, kindergarten instructional assistant
• Falls Church HS – Jaime Medina Yrhuay, custodian
• Frost MS – Mason Price, instructional assistant
• Glasgow MS – Olga Fuentes, building supervisor
• Holmes MS – Phuoc Nguyen, custodian
• Justice HS – Robert Jimenez, administrative assistant
• Luther Jackson MS – Deb Robertson, administrative assistant
• Poe MS – Melinda Laudermilk, finance technician
• Ravensworth ES – Patricia Ramirez Aguirre, custodian
• Sleepy Hollow ES – Abena Kyerewa, building supervisor
• Wakefield Forest ES –Wendy Oliva, custodian
• Westlawn ES –Haydee Sanchez, administrative assistant
• Weyanoke ES – Yoana Alvarega, instructional assistant
• Woodburn ES – Robyn Fernandez, family liaison
• Woodson HS – Michael Ferraris, safety and security assistant