NNPS recognizes 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year honorees
Posted: May 8, 2024
Newport News Public Schools recognized all 42 of its 2024-2025 Teachers of the Year and announced division-wide awards May 7 at the Marriott at City Center.
Kiln Creek Elementary School fourth grade teacher Jessica Reynolds was honored as Elementary School Teacher of the Year and Division-wide Teacher of the Year, with Booker T. Washington family and consumer sciences teacher Tanesha Koonce recognized as Middle School Teacher of the Year and Heritage High School math teacher Llew Radford awarded High School Teacher of the Year.
"Tonight is special because we are acknowledging our Teachers of the Year, our dedicated educators who are molding young minds and preparing them for success," said Superintendent Dr. Michele Mitchell.
"Our mission defines and guides the work that we do every day. However, it is our people who truly define who we are. No group is more accountable to the success of Newport News Public Schools than our teachers, reading specialists, library and media specialists, instructional coaches, school counselors, psychologists, social workers. The list can go on and on."
Crittenden Middle School teacher Chanda Woods, 2025 Virginia Region 2 Teacher of the Year and 2023-2024 NNPS Teacher of the Year, was the keynote speaker.
"You have been selected to be the leaders of your colleagues, who recognize you for who you are and what you have to offer," Woods said. "This is why you're being acknowledged. My advice for you is to embrace every challenge and opportunity.
"Our chosen profession demands resilience and it's that resilience that keeps us passionate and dedicated. Let us continue to cultivate it, fueling our journey with unwavering enthusiasm, remembering that we bring the world into our classrooms. Our students experience that world through us."
Reynolds has worked in education for 17 years and thanked the school community for its support of her growth and development as a teacher.
"I graduated here from Newport News, I came from a family of teachers and I honestly love my job and I would not change it for the world," Reynolds said.
