FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2025
communications@doe.virginia.gov
Richmond, Va. – Sharon Phox, a third-grade teacher at Alexandria City Public Schools’ James K. Polk Elementary School, has been named the 2026 Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year for Region 4 by the Virginia Department of Education. Phox has been a teacher and a mentor for 20 years.
“Mrs. Phox serves as an English Language Learner teacher in a high need community and ensures every child has the supports to be successful,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. “Her unwavering belief in every student’s potential, ability to adapt instruction to meet diverse needs, and commitment to building strong relationships with students and families makes her an exceptional educator and leader in her school community. As a lead mentor, her impact goes far beyond her own classroom, she is shaping the future of teaching itself. This recognition reflects the difference she makes every single day – congratulations on this incredible achievement.”
“Alexandria City Public Schools is honored to have Mrs. Sharon Phox to be selected as the Virginia Department of Education's Region 4 Teacher of the Year. We are proud she has been recognized for her outstanding teaching of third grade students at James K. Polk Elementary School and look forward to celebrating her achievement with our students, families and school community. Being selected as the ACPS teacher to receive this award, Mrs. Phox is representative of the high-quality workforce ACPS promotes and is a shining example of a teacher who consistently seeks engaging and innovative ways to provide a high-quality education to all students," said ACPS Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt.
Phox is a passionate EL teacher who serves third graders and uses her English as a Second Language endorsement to emphasize differentiated instruction to meet the needs of her diverse student population. A teacher for over 20 years, Phox has committed herself to instructional excellence and academic achievement for all students, working tirelessly inside and outside of the classroom to ensure her students’ strengths are highlighted and their needs are supported. Her core beliefs about teaching are that every student has the potential to succeed, and her role is to adapt her instruction to meet her students’ needs. She believes that modeling is essential for all learning styles, and small groups allow her to provide individualized support.
In Phox’s classroom, every student is valued for their unique abilities, including her ELL students who she reminds daily that they are smart because they are bilingual. She believes in fostering a safe and supportive environment where students feel a sense of belonging and know they are cared for. She prioritizes pacing her lessons to match students’ attention spans, ensuring that every student remains engaged, with the ultimate goal of helping her students make connections between what they are learning and their daily lives while ensuring they feel supported and successful in the process.
In addition, Phox serves as a mentor coordinator where she coaches new staff on best practices to execute in their first year, provides professional development, and collaborates with new educators to monitor their progress during the school year. She is highly involved in school activities, including the school’s annual talent show and the school garden project. Phox earned her bachelor’s degree in distributive education, education preparation from Old Dominion University, a master’s degree in social work from New York University, and a master’s degree in education - curriculum and instruction from the University of Virginia. “Mrs. Sharon Phox is the embodiment of what it means to be an exceptional educator,” said James K. Polk Elementary School Principal Carla Carter. “Her unwavering commitment to student success, her deep understanding of effective instruction and her ability to foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment make her a pillar of James K. Polk Elementary. Whether mentoring colleagues, uplifting students or engaging families, she leads with compassion, dedication and a steadfast belief in the potential of every child. We are beyond ecstatic to celebrate her as the Regional Teacher of the Year—an honor that reflects the profound impact she has on our entire school community," said James K. Polk Principal Carla Carter.
The announcement of Phox’s nomination coincided with a surprise visit from Superintendent Coons, Virginia Board of Education Member Anne Holton, and VDOE Chief of Staff Jeremy Raley. Phox and the seven other regional Teachers of the Year will join a Teacher Advisory Council, helping elevate the voices and perspectives of all Virginia teachers on VDOE’s work.
All eight Regional Teachers of the Year are nominees for the 2026 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year Award. The final Virginia Teacher of the Year Award will be announced in early May.
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