Introducing A+ Educators: Highlighting our local school staff

Hello Friends,

This year at MGW, we created a new award program to highlight teacher and staff members at local schools that go above and beyond in their service to their students and colleagues. 

We’re pleased to announce that we’ve officially named the program the A+ Educators awards. We’re also excited to welcome Stuart Hall to our list of participants! 

Help us celebrate our fourth round of A+ Educators winners that were nominated by their peers. Along with the award, each winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to Clocktower Restaurant in Staunton from the MGW team.

Augusta County Public Schools October A+ Educator Award Winners:

 Elementary School Winner: Ben Luna
Position: Music Teacher
School: Craigsville Elementary School 

Ben has infused Craigsville Elementary with music and energy. He shares the message of love, acceptance, and kindness through the school-wide morning announcements and encourages and models these traits in his classroom. We’re grateful for the fun and energy he brings to learning! 

Middle School Winner: Ross Gulliver
Position: ESL Teacher 
Schools: Stuarts Draft Middle School & Stuarts Draft High School

Ross serves all English as a Second Language Students at SDMS and SDHS. Ross works well with his students and collaborates with teachers to meet student needs.   Additionally, Ross tutors students after school and spearheaded recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month at SDHS.  

High School Winner: Marisela Gomez
Position: ESL Parent Liaison 
Schools: Augusta County Public Schools

In her first year with ACPS, Marisela is already taking great strides to assist ESL students and their families. Marisela works with families to answer questions, helps them navigate school procedures, and assists with the needs of the family. Her work to match community resources with the families and schools in need has already made a tremendous difference. 

Stuart Hall October A+ Educator Award Winner:

Elementary School Winner: Julie Caran
Position: 5th grade  

Julie is our 5th grade teacher. She is a creative and very thoughtful teacher who engages her students in project-based learning and is a master at differentiation- to meet each students' individual needs.

She has crafted many engaging units that ignite students' passion for learning including a Mini-Economy unit for 4th and 5th grade students.  In an annual Economy Competition held at JMU, our students have placed in top positions every year we participate.

Grace Christian School October A+ Educator Award Winners:

Elementary School Winner:  Nicki McConnell
Position: Kindergarten Teacher 

Nicki is a veteran teacher who brings lots of experience and wisdom into her Kindergarten classroom. It is common for her students to want to stay in Kindergarten for another year! They love Mrs. McConnell, because they know she loves them. She has a gentle way of affirming her students while challenging them to grow. How grateful we are to have Nicki setting the standard for school in our youngest of students.

Elementary School Winner:  McKenna Schreiner
Position: 5th Grade Teacher

McKenna has done an amazing job transitioning into her role as a full-time 5th grade teacher. She has established a strong, disciplined presence and high academic standards while promoting new ideas. Her class mascot, a large stuffed shark, is just the motivation to complement this sound classroom culture. McKenna graduated from Mary Baldwin University in 2021 with a degree in Education and is currently pursuing her Masters in the same field. We are thrilled to have McKenna at GCS and pray she will be here for many years to come.

High School Winner: Lucas Allamon 
Position: Social Studies Teacher

Having a passion for his subject area but an even deeper passion for his students is what makes Lucas an exemplary teacher. He has a strong desire to pass on knowledge about our past and to help students to wisely apply those lessons to their current world. What especially endears him to his students is his wit and willingness to chat with or listen to students, but don’t ever cross him on a dodgeball court.

Congratulations to all of the A+ Educators award winners! We appreciate everything you do to make sure students have an excellent education.

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