To cultivate an empowering, supportive, and engaging environment with a strong sense of belonging, Prince William County Public Schools will recognize excellence in the workplace at the annual Outstanding Educators ceremony on Tuesday, April 22, at the Hylton Performing Arts Center. During the ceremony, winners will be announced in the following categories: 

  • Novice Teacher of the Year 
  • Teacher of the Year 
  • Principal of the Year 
  • Support Employee of the Year  

This event will also include the recognition of the finalists for these awards and educators who received or renewed their National Board Certification. 

The event will be streamed live on PWCS Facebook and PWCS YouTube. 

Congratulations to these exemplary PWCS employees. 

Novice Teacher of the Year Finalists 

  • Sara Antillon, Gainesville High School 
  • Destiny Fauntleroy, Sinclair Elementary School 
  • Jonathan Kerbaugh, Saunders Middle School 
  • Jena Powers, Sudley Elementary School  
  • Daniella Rodriguez Bresnahan, Kyle Wilson Elementary School  
  • Beth Tappen, Unity Braxton Middle School 
  • Tristan Troyer, C. D. Hylton High School 

Teacher of the Year Finalists 

  • Steven Ballas, Gainesville Middle School  
  • Juli Dempewolf, Brentsville District High School 
  • Kristen Hao, Westridge Elementary School 
  • Rachael Merlo, Dale City Elementary School 
  • Erin Roche, Bristow Run Elementary School  
  • Kelly Wasson, Independence Nontraditional School  

 Principal of the Year Finalists 

  • Kanika Dorsey, Potomac Shores Middle School 
  • Amanda Johnson, The Nokesville School 
  • Heather Goode, Sinclair Elementary School 
  • Joy Greene, Belmont Elementary School 
  • Edward Schultz, Gainesville Middle School  
  • Timothy Slayter, Montclair Elementary School 

Support Employee of the Year Finalists 

  • Loretta Allen, transportation dispatch manager in the Transportation Department 
  • Luis Escobar Valdez, custodian at West Gate Elementary School 
  • Reynelle Garcia, administrative assistant in the Student Opportunity and Multilingual Services Department  
  • Connor Sadler, administrative assistant at Potomac High School  
  • Florence Taylor, kindergarten teacher assistant at Dale City Elementary School 
  • April Watring, administrative assistant in the Food and Nutrition Department