For Immediate Release: October 4, 2021
Contact: Charles Pyle (804) 371-2420
RICHMOND — Eight teachers today learned of their selection as 2022 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year during surprise announcements at their schools. One teacher was selected from each of the commonwealth’s eight superintendent’s regions.
Governor Ralph Northam and first lady Pamela Northam participated in the Region 1 Teacher of the Year announcement at John B. Cary Elementary in Richmond. Mrs. Northam also participated in the Region 7 announcement at Atkins Elementary in Smyth County. Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane announced the Region 8 winner at Appomattox County High, basketball great Magic Johnson (via a prerecorded Zoom message) participated in the Region 6 announcement at Lucy Addison Middle in Roanoke, and Secretary of Education Atif Qarni announced the Region 3 selection at Essex High in Essex County.
"These teachers are true examples of the dedication and ingenuity of our educators,” Northam said. “Whether teaching virtually or in-person, their commitment made a tremendous difference in students' lives during a challenging year. As full time in-person instruction safely resumes across the commonwealth, their excellence will continue to make a difference in the classroom.”
“I want to thank all of our teachers for their tremendous efforts to support, challenge, and inspire Virginia's students,” Mrs. Northam said. “Our regional teachers of the year personify a can-do spirit in the face of challenges and demonstrate immense dedication to the academic success and wellbeing of their students.”
The following individuals were selected as the 2022 regional teachers of the year, one of whom will be selected next week as the 2022 Virginia Teacher of the Year:
- Ashley Sharell Bland, an instructional technology resource teacher at John B. Cary Elementary School in Richmond (Region 1).
- Daphne Tamara Fulson, a second-grade teacher at Portlock Primary School in Chesapeake (Region 2).
- Robert Dean LaFollette, a science, career and technical education, and mathematics teacher at Essex High School in Essex County (Region 3).
- Howard L. Brewer Jr., an English teacher at the Transition Support Resource Center-Alexandria in Fairfax County (Region 4).
- Matthew Kenneth Uselton, an English Teacher at Liberty High School in Bedford County (Region 5).
- Eboni Jenee Harrington, a mathematics teacher at Lucy Addison Middle School in Roanoke (Region 6).
- Ashley Duncan Cannon, a health and physical education teacher at Atkins Elementary School in Smyth County (Region 7).
- Brendan Mayer Conroy, a GED/Individual Student Alternative Education Program teacher at the Appomattox County High School in Appomattox County (Region 8).
The teachers were selected from among candidates nominated by school divisions in each of the state’s eight superintendent’s regions. The candidates submitted portfolios highlighting their accomplishments, educational philosophies and community activities.
A selection panel, including classroom teachers, representatives of professional and educational associations, and the business community reviewed the portfolios and selected the eight regional teachers of the year.
“I am so appreciative to all teachers across the commonwealth for their continued work during this difficult time and am glad to have this opportunity to congratulate these regional winners,” Lane said. “It was exciting today to again surprise teachers in their classrooms with the news that they’ve been selected to represent all of the excellent teachers in their respective regions.”
On October 14, the panel will interview each of the eight regional teachers to select the 2022 Virginia Teacher of the Year. The decision will be announced by Governor Ralph Northam later in the day.
The 2022 Virginia Teacher of the Year will be the commonwealth’s nominee in the National Teacher of the Year Program. The recognition is given by the Council of Chief State School Officers and program partners. 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.
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