Spotlighting Excellence: 3 Teachers Who Go Above and Beyond in the Classroom
It's time to celebrate our community's newest A+ Educators! In this post, we're excited to highlight the March nominees—teachers and staff chosen by their peers for going above and beyond in supporting their students and colleagues. The A+ Educator Awards are our way of expressing gratitude to the outstanding educators who make a difference every day.
Each of these winners receives a gift certificate sponsored by Lingo Networks to The Green Room in Downtown Staunton to celebrate their success!
Elementary School Winner: Leigh Anne Sorrells
Position: 2nd Grade Teacher
School: Stuarts Draft Elementary School
Leigh Anne Sorrells is a second grade teacher at Stuarts Draft Elementary School. Mrs. Sorrells is an incredibly knowledgeable and hard working teacher. She loves each and every one of her students, and works well with a wide variety of students.
Mrs. Sorrells is very organized, always prepared and continues to look for ways to improve her teaching, even after 28 years of experience. She plans lessons that keep her students engaged and builds their academic skills. Leigh Anne loves her students and her colleagues. She is always willing to help children or adults with any task. We appreciate all that she does in and out of her classroom and are excited to recognize her for being such an amazing teacher.
Middle School Winner: Tim DeSimone
Position: Band Teacher
School: Wilson Middle School
Tim DeSimone is the Band Director at Wilson Middle School and is our middle school Teacher of the Month. Tim's dedication and leadership over the last 4 years have propelled the Wilson Middle School band program to new heights. The program has grown to 155 students, the largest in ACPS, with 25% of WMS students now participating in band. Under his direction this year, 22 students earned a spot in Valley Honor Band, while 13 students made the District Honor Band.
High School Winner: Lauren Grove
Position: PE/Health/Driver’s Ed Teacher
School: Wilson Memorial High School
We proudly recognize Lauren Grove as our high school teacher of the month for her outstanding dedication and contributions to Wilson Memorial High School. As a Health and PE teacher, Department Chair, Drivers Education Instructor, and coach, she plays a vital role in shaping students' well-being and success.
Beyond the classroom and the court, she helps foster a sense of community through her work with the Nest Club, a student community club, and has even served as an administrator for June Academy. At the county level, Lauren has established herself as a teacher leader for her division colleagues. She often serves as a division point person in the areas of Driver's Education, Family Life Education, and Health and PE and works closely with the instruction department and other department chairs for curriculum development and implementation in these areas. Her passion, leadership, and dedication continue to make a lasting impact on WMHS and is felt throughout the greater ACPS community.
Congrats to all of the A+ Educators award winners! We appreciate everything you do to make sure students in our community have an excellent education.
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