educators holding awards

The Virginia Thespian Society has honored Woodbridge High School Principal Dr. Heather Abney as Principal of the Year and theatre arts teacher Parker Hallman as High School Teacher of the Year, recognizing their leadership, advocacy, and commitment to theatre education.

The awards represent the organization’s highest honors for secondary schools and celebrate educators who demonstrate outstanding support for the arts and exceptional impact on student development.

The Principal of the Year award recognizes administrators who champion the arts as essential to a well-rounded education, fostering creativity, empathy, collaboration, and student engagement.

Dr. Abney said her appreciation for the arts grew after she became principal of Woodbridge High 10 years ago.

“During the first six months of my principalship at Woodbridge High School, I spent a lot of time getting to know our school community to understand more about the culture here and what was important to all stakeholders,” she said.

Although she does not have a background in the arts, Dr. Abney fondly recalls performing in “Bye Bye Birdie” as a middle school student—a small role she says she is still proud of.

“I believe the importance of the arts in schools goes well beyond simply giving students a place to express themselves,” Abney said. “The arts allow students to take a break from the daily academic routine, connect and collaborate with their peers, and think in new and creative ways.”

She added that through visual art, music, theatre, and dance, students are often able to share emotions and ideas they may not yet know how to put into words.

Hallman credited Dr. Abney’s leadership as a driving force behind the theatre program’s success.

“She sees the value in the arts and therefore supports them at all levels,” Hallman said. “She actively attends performances and promotes them to the community. She advocates for funding and space for theatre programs, ensuring they thrive. And she recognizes the arts as a way to build confidence, empathy, and leadership in students.”

Hallman’s Teacher of the Year award recognizes theatre educators who exemplify innovation, dedication, and lasting impact. The honor celebrates teachers who ignite a passion for the arts while shaping students’ futures.

Beyond school productions, Hallman has expanded student exposure to professional theatre through trips to the National Theatre in Washington, D.C., and most recently to Broadway in New York City.

Dr. Abney praised Hallman’s commitment to excellence.

“Parker Hallman follows in the footsteps of exceptional theatre educators at Woodbridge High School who helped establish a strong, high-quality theatre program,” she said. “Immediately, upon being hired, Mr. Hallman demonstrated a clear commitment to providing meaningful learning experiences for students both on and off the stage.”

Both educators said they are honored by the recognition, which marks a significant win for Woodbridge and its continued commitment to the arts.