What a year! What a group of A+ Educators!
Now that the school year has come to an end, we would like to thank all teachers of every kind for their endurance in the classroom this past year. Our community would not be the same without you and all the efforts you put in, even those that may go unnoticed. Congratulations on another successful school year, 2021-2022.
As you know MGW implements a monthly award announcement to highlight teachers and staff members at local schools that go above and beyond in their service to their students and colleagues. The A+ Educators Awards are our way of saying thank you to the teachers and staff making a difference. Each of the current winners will receive a gift certificate to Remedy Burger in Staunton to celebrate their greatly valued success!
Elementary School Winner: Amy Fitzgerald
Position: First Grade Teacher
School: Augusta County Public Schools - Hugh K. Cassell Elementary
Amy is an artist. Not in the traditional sense but in terms of her knowledge and craft. She has an uncanny ability to notice when her students are struggling or having a bad day, and she goes out of her way to work that into her lesson. Amy finds ways to motivate and intervene with her students before anyone would even notice it was necessary. This year her classroom experienced two tragedies that most teachers will never experience once in a career of teaching. In late January, one of her students passed away in a house fire. Even though Amy was grief-stricken, she was a strong and reassuring presence for her students and their families. Less than three weeks later, the aide who assisted in her classroom during reading groups lost her life in a car accident. Again, Amy was able to find ways to help her students cope, understand, and process the tragedy. Due to Amy’s ability to connect to her students and the bonds that she builds among them, they have persevered and overcome their emotional grief to continue to grow as students and people. Her grace, positivity, and empathy are a model for all other educators.
Middle School Winner: Melissa Ruggerio
Position: 7th Grade Math Teacher
School: Augusta County Public Schools - Wilson MIddle School
Mrs. Ruggerio is an integral part of WMS. She daily serves as an educator, counselor, and collaborator with students and colleagues. She daily arrives with professional poise and positivity. Mrs. Ruggerio greets each student by name and takes the time to get to know who they are both academically and socially. She gives up her own personal time to attend their events and also assists with coaching the forensics team at WMHS.
High School Winner: Shannon Sandridge
Position: Biology Teacher
School: Augusta County Schools - Wilson Memorial High School
The best description for Mrs. Sandridge is “all in.” She is a teacher that works hard for students but also hard for staff. She is willing to go above and beyond for students, especially those who do not always enjoy her content, although that rarely happens because she is able to “sell it” to almost anyone. Mrs. Sandridge looks for ways to connect with students, such as attending their sporting events or extracurriculars, always presenting in a positive manner towards students, and making herself available.
Winner: Maria Nava
Position: Upper School Math Teacher
School: Stuart Hall
Maria is an Upper School math teacher and has been instrumental in our Computer Science program. Not only does she teach our AP Computer Science Principles course, but she also works tirelessly to encourage girls to take advantage of the opportunities to learn to code and take computer science courses. She has been quite successful in this endeavor, and STU earned The College Board's AP® Computer Science Female Diversity Award for expanding young women’s access to AP Computer Science Principles (CSP). Maria also designed our Data Science course when STU added this offering to our program several years ago. We were very happy that shortly after the addition of this course, UVA announced the addition of The School of Data Science to their program. Maria was also appointed as our MIndfulness Coordinator to assist our students and faculty in their well-being. STU is very fortunate to have a teacher who is very smart and capable but also very aware of the need for balance and good mental health.
Winner: Miranda Hogan
Position: Director of Learning Support Services / 7th Grade Science
School: Stuart Hall
Miranda joined the Stuart Hall team just this year as the new Director of Learning Support Services. She immediately became incredibly valuable to our program. She not only supports students with learning accommodations, but she oversees all student progress. She is a specialist in differentiation techniques in the classroom and assists our teachers in meeting the needs of every single student through our Mastery School program. Miranda also taught our 7th-grade science class this year. We are very fortunate to have her at the helm of Learning Support.
Winner: Llewelyn Riddle
Position: 3rd Grade Teacher
School: Grace Christian Elementary School
Llewelyn is the epitome of excellence in teaching her third graders! She sets a high bar but works patiently with every student to help them achieve academically, relationally, and spiritually. They are grateful for her dedication and hard work in the GCS family and are exceedingly thankful she is at the helm in 3rd Grade!
Winner: Kathy Kilmer
Position: AP English Teacher / HS Registrar / Language Arts Department Chair
School: Grace Christian High School
Kathy is always willing to listen to a student or peer and to go the extra mile to assist them however she can. Her drive towards excellence is infectious within the classroom and beyond. What is mostly endearing, though, is her willingness to laugh at herself or with you, no matter what the circumstances.
Winner: Frank Kahrs
Position: Athletic Director
School: Grace Christian Elementary, Middle, and High School
“Can do” is Frank’s usual mode of operation! When most schools were afraid to compete during COVID, Frank was always looking for appropriate opportunities for our students to excel athletically. He works tirelessly and professionally to see GCS succeed in all of our sporting ventures. He is also a perfect example of a team player who will do whatever it takes for GCS to maintain our high standards. When help is needed, Frank is the first to be called!
If you have questions about your MGW services, we'd love to talk with you. You can reach us at (540) 925-2255 or email us at getservice@mgwnetworks.com.
