For Immediate Release: September 30, 2022
Contact: Charles Pyle (804) 371-2420
RICHMOND — Fabiana Parker, an English as a second language teacher at Thornburg Middle School in Spotsylvania County, was named the 2023 Virginia Teacher of the Year this evening during a livestreamed announcement by Governor Glenn Youngkin at the Patrick Henry Building on Capitol Square. Parker was selected last month as one of the commonwealth’s eight regional teachers of the year and is now Virginia’s nominee for 2023 National Teacher of the Year.
“Teachers play a critical role in the success of every learner and child in Virginia and Fabiana is the best of the best,” Youngkin said. “Growing up as an ESL student, Fabiana knows firsthand the challenges her students face. She began her career as an educator as a girl teaching her grandmother to read. She has helped hundreds of students find a path to success by equipping them with the English skills necessary to prosper academically and in life."
"I would like to thank my school, my principal, and especially my students," Parker said. "I do this for them. I was an ESL student myself and I am so happy that I get to represent the students, teachers and diversity of the commonwealth."
Youngkin announced Parker’s selection at the conclusion of the annual Virginia Teacher of the Year ceremony, which also included remarks by Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera, state Board of Education President Dan Gecker, 2022 Virginia Teacher of the Year Daphne Fulson, and Superintendent of Public Instruction Jillian Balow.
"Fabiana's story is moving and she is a wonderful role model for students and peers alike," Balow said. “She’s been a leader in every school division where she has taught, serving her colleagues by designing and leading professional development, writing curriculum and modeling positive relationships with homes and parents. She will be an outstanding ambassador for all of the teachers in our increasingly diverse commonwealth.”
A Virginia Department of Education selection committee chose Parker — the Region 3 Teacher of the Year and Spotsylvania County Teacher of the Year — following interviews this morning with each of the eight regional winners. The committee included representatives of professional and educational associations, the business community and the 2022 Virginia Teacher of the Year.
Parker earned a Bachelor of Arts in Modern Foreign Language and Education at King’s College London and earned a Master of Arts in Education, Curriculum and Instruction at Boise State University in 2005.
Parker’s ethic of community service extends beyond her classroom and includes volunteering at an animal-rescue center and serving as a medical interpreter and COVID-19 contact tracer for the Virginia Department of Health.
The other seven 2023 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year — also honored during the ceremony this evening — are as follows:
- Kiara S. Thompson, a physical science teacher at Thomas C. Boushall Middle in Richmond (Region 1).
- Jason D. Bartholomew, a business information and technology teacher at Nansemond River High in Suffolk (Region 2).
- Jordan M. Markwood, a music teacher at Rock Ridge High in Loudoun County (Region 4).
- Lori C. Peltonen, a library and media specialist at Staunton High in Staunton (Region 5).
- Angela D. Myers, a librarian at Read Mountain Middle in Botetourt County (Region 6).
- Dawn Poe, a kindergarten teacher at Fairview Elementary in Grayson County (Region 7).
- Megan G. Graves, a special education teacher at Appomattox High in Appomattox County (Region 8).
The 2023 National Teacher of the Year will be announced next spring at a White House ceremony. 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 National Teachers of the Year.
Major underwriting for the Virginia Teacher of the Year Program is provided by the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. Other principal sponsors include the Virginia Lottery, Allen Allen Allen & Allen, Liberty University, Kings Dominion & Soak City, and Moseley Architects.
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