2011 Virginia Teacher of the Year

LaTonya E. Waller

2011 Virginia Teacher of the Year LaTonya E. Waller is a sixth-grade and eighth-grade science teacher at Lucille M. Brown Middle School in Richmond and chair of the school’s science department. She coaches the school’s "Mind Games" team and sponsors science, engineering and forensics clubs for students.

In 2009, Waller received an R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence. Waller holds a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a post-master’s certificate in education leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. Waller is also the Region 1 Teacher of the Year.

See news release 2011 Teacher of the Year - October 18, 2010

REGION 2
Karen  J. Drosinos – a kindergarten teacher at Pembroke Elementary School in Virginia Beach. She provides division-wide professional development and is completing National Board Certification.  Drosinos holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Maryland.

REGION 3
Gregory A. Feducia – an eleventh-grade International Baccalaureate English and gifted resource teacher at Mountain View High School in Stafford County. Feducia is the sponsor of his school’s National Honor Society chapter and is a clinical faculty member for the University of Mary Washington’s student teacher program. Feducia earned National Board Certification in 2008 and holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Mary Washington and a master’s degree in education from George Mason University.

REGION 4
Colette Fraley – an eleventh-grade social studies teacher at Wakefield High School in Arlington. Fraley earned National Board Certification in 2009 and is the chair of her school’s social studies department. Fraley holds a bachelor’s degree with a double major in history and journalism from Marshall University, a master’s degree in education from the University of Virginia and a graduate certificate in secondary teaching from American University.

REGION 5
Janice C. Wiley – an early childhood special education teacher at Hutcherson Early Learning Center in Lynchburg.  Wiley has been a member of the Lynchburg City Schools Autism team since 2007. Wiley holds a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders and speech pathology from Madison College (James Madison University) and a master’s degree in early childhood special education and a postgraduate certificate in Autism from Lynchburg College.

REGION 6
Lisa R. Taylor – a second-grade teacher at Belview Elementary School in Montgomery County. Taylor served on a team that wrote and received a Panasonic National School Change Award for 2010. Taylor holds a bachelor’s degree in human development from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in education from Radford University.

REGION 7
Diana D. Blanton – a biology teacher at Giles High School in Giles County. Blanton is the sponsor of her school’s National Honor Society chapter and head coach of the Mountain Academic Competition Conference. Blanton holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Emory & Henry College and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from Radford University.

REGION 8
Valarie W. Harris – a seventh-grade pre-algebra teacher at Amelia County Middle School. Harris is a member of Amelia County’s Curriculum Development Team and has served as site coordinator for the 21st Century Community Learning Center at her school. Harris holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Longwood University.