For Immediate Release: May 18, 2023
Media Contact: Charles B. Pyle
RICHMOND — Jeffery W. Keller, a history teacher at John Handley High School in Winchester, was named the 2024 Virginia Teacher of the Year this evening during a livestreamed announcement by Governor Glenn Youngkin at the Patrick Henry Building on Capitol Square. Keller was selected last month as one of the commonwealth’s eight regional teachers of the year and is now Virginia’s nominee for 2024 National Teacher of the Year.
“It’s exciting. It’s validation for hard work and long hours.” Keller said. “I am thankful for my students, too — it’s really for them. They’re what it’s all about.”
“It’s a privilege to host you and your families, and it’s an honor to thank you for your tireless commitment to this most important profession,” Younkin said to the regional winners before announcing Keller’s selection. “Together, you are preparing the future and empowering the present of the commonwealth and America.”
“Jeffery encourages each of his students to set high goals and creates pathways for them to achieve excellence,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons said. “I am looking forward to visiting Handley High and watching him in action. Jeffery and our other regional teachers of the year are going to be outstanding ambassadors for the commonwealth’s teachers and public schools.”
Following interviews this morning with each of the eight regional winners, a Virginia Department of Education selection committee chose Keller, the 2024 Region 4 Teacher of the Year and Winchester Teacher of the Year. The committee included representatives of professional and educational associations, the business community and 2023 Virginia Teacher of the Year Fabiana Parker.
The other seven 2024 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year — also honored during this evening’s ceremony — are as follows:
- John R. Aughenbaugh, a career and technical education instructor at New Kent High in New Kent County (Region 1).
- Craig T. Reynolds, fifth-grade teacher at Magruder Elementary in York County (Region 2).
- Amy L. Gregory, a special education teacher at Hamilton Holmes Middle in King William County (Region 3).
- Brandy H. Johnson, a seventh-grade language arts teacher at Shelburne Middle in Staunton (Region 5).
- Jennifer M. Hatch, a seventh-grade mathematics teacher at Benjamin Franklin Middle in Franklin County (Region 6).
- Melanie P. Smith, a library media specialist at Chilhowie Elementary in Smyth County (Region 7).
- Tequisha L. Stiles, an eighth-grade English teacher at James Solomon Russell Middle in Brunswick County (Region 8).
“Moving forward, our eight regional teachers of the year will meet with me monthly as a Teacher Advisory Council to elevate the voices and perspectives of all Virginia teachers within VDOE,” Coons said.
“Our regional teachers of the year represent the faces and the future of teaching in the commonwealth,” said Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera. “They are passionate and dedicated educators who give their all to their students every day. I look forward to continuing our efforts to make Virginia the best place to be a teacher.”
Following the ceremony, Keller and the other teachers were honored at a reception hosted by the governor and First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin.
“I am excited to toast teaching’s very best at the Executive Mansion,” said Mrs. Youngkin. “As a mother, I’m forever grateful to educators who are faithfully leading and giving students support and skills that will serve them their entire lives. Congratulations to Jeffery and all our other regional teachers of the year.”
The 2024 National Teacher of the Year will be announced next spring at a White House ceremony. Three previous Virginia teachers went on to be named National Teachers of the Year: 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.
Major underwriting for the Virginia Teacher of the Year Program is provided by the Dominion Energy, Virginia Lottery, Allen Allen Allen & Allen, Liberty University, Kings Dominion & Soak City, and Moseley Architects.
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