For Immediate Release: April 17, 2023
Media Contact: Charles B. Pyle
RICHMOND — Eight Virginia teachers today learned of their selection as 2024 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year during surprise classroom visits and announcements at their schools. The eight are now in the running for selection later this spring as the commonwealth’s 2024 Virginia Teacher of Year.
“I can’t think of a better way to start my tenure as state superintendent than to visit with teachers and students and recognize one of our exemplary educators,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. “I look forward to meeting each of our 2024 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year and listening to their ideas on how we can better support teaching and learning in every classroom in the commonwealth.”
Coons, Virginia Department of Education’s Chief of Staff Jeremy Raley and Assistant Superintendent for Data, Research and Technology Dave Myers joined New Kent County Superintendent Brian Nichols at New Kent High School for the announcement of the Region 1 winner.
The eight 2024 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year announced today are as follows:
- John R. Aughenbaugh, a career and technical education instructor at New Kent High in New Kent County (Region 1).
- Craig T. Reynolds, a pre-K-grade 5 teacher at Magruder Elementary in York County (Region 2).
- Amy L. Gregory, a 6th-8th grade special education teacher at Hamilton Holmes Middle in King William County (Region 3).
- Jeffery W. Keller, a 9th-12th grade social studies teacher at John Handley High in Winchester (Region 4).
- Brandy H. Johnson, a 7th grade language arts teacher at Shelburne Middle in Staunton (Region 5).
- Jennifer M. Hatch, a grade 7 mathematics teacher at Benjamin Franklin Middle in Franklin County (Region 6).
- Melanie P. Smith, a pre-K-grade 5 library media specialist at Chilhowie Elementary in Smyth County (Region 7).
- Tequisha L. Stiles, an 8th grade English teacher at James Solomon Russell Middle in Brunswick County (Region 8).
A VDOE committee selected the eight winners from among candidates nominated by school divisions. The committee — which includes teachers, representatives of education and business associations, the military community and 2023 Virginia Teacher of the Year Fabiana Parker — will reconvene in Richmond later this spring to interview the regional winners and select the 2024 Virginia Teacher of the Year.
The 2024 Virginia Teacher of the Year will represent the commonwealth in the Council of Chief State School Officer’s National Teacher of the Year Program.
Three previous Virginia teachers — Mary V. Bicouvaris, the 1989 Virginia Teacher of the Year; B. Philip Bigler, the 1998 Virginia Teacher of the Year; and Rodney A. Robinson, the 2019 Virginia Teacher of the Year — went on to be named as national teachers of the year.
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