VCTM William C. Lowry 2008 Teacher of the Year Awardees

 Heather Wilhelm is a second grade teacher at Westgate Elementary School in Falls Church, Virginia, which is part of Fairfax County Public Schools.  She has 13 years of teaching experience.  Her Principal, Juanita G. Harris, said, “In addition to her regular duties as a second grade teacher Heather serves as the Math Lead Teacher for all Westgate students Kindergarten – Grade 6.  She is also a Fairfax County Public Schools Lead Teacher and in this capacity she works with other teachers in the county to support their math instructional program.”  Co-worker, Gretchen Thiele, said, “Heather’s work is highlighted by her personal ambition to learn and to grow as an educator.  Her ability to pass this motivation and enthusiasm to her students and other staff members is evidenced in all she does in our school.”  Sheila Walker, Assistant Principal at Westgate, in her letter of nomination said, “Heather is an exceptional teacher.  To make sure the students in her class are inspired to learn. Heather employs a wide variety of strategies and techniques.  Mrs. Wilhelm’s communication with faculty and staff is constant.  She presents often at staff development sessions and is a leader for math curriculum and instruction within the county.  In her classroom, No Child Left Behind is not just legislation; it is a belief system that doesn’t waiver.” 

 Leslie Laden is a K – 5 Math Specialist at Garrison Elementary School in Stafford County.  She has 13 years of teaching experience.  Pamela M. Kahle her Principal for the last three years, said, “Mrs. Laden promotes math to staff, students and parents alike through school-wide workshops.  She holds monthly grade-level meetings, introducing new techniques, sharing resources with teachers, and insuring that resolutions to any math concerns are found.”  Five of Mrs. Laden’s fellow teachers said, “As professional educators, we view Mrs. Laden as a mentor, math professional and dedicated teacher whose ultimate goal is for every student to understand mathematics.  She has made and continues to make a difference in the math program at our school, and we appreciate her sincere desire to help in any way possible.”  Debbie Delozier, Elementary Mathematics Coordinator for Stafford County Schools, said, “Mrs. Laden is an excellent mathematics teacher and mathematics specialist.  I have had the privilege of observing her instructionally (with students and with teachers) numerous times.  In working with students they are always highly engaged in mathematics learning with great emphasis on mathematics communication and reasoning.  Mrs. Laden also takes a leadership role among the mathematics specialist team in the district.   She is truly a role model for other mathematics specialists.” 

 Donna Rosser is an 8^th grade middle school teacher and Middle School Teacher Corps Member at Sandusky Middle School in the Lynchburg City Schools Division.  She has 28 years of teaching experience.  Dr. Patty West, Instructional Specialist for Math with Lynchburg City Schools, said, “…Donna is the consummate professional.  She has earned the respect of the math teachers in her department and teachers throughout the school system.  Her ability to elicit the best in her students is widely acknowledged and admired.  Her boundless energy and dedication to her students in the end inspires them to believe in themselves.”  Assistant Principal, Walt Rivers, said, “Mrs. Rosser is an active mentor to all math teachers and goes out of her way to help others.  She models lessons for other teachers and team teaches on a frequent basis in order to help other teachers grow professionally.  Mrs. Rosser uses a variety of instructional methods in the classroom.  ”A fellow mathematics teacher, Gaynell A. Harper, said, “Mrs. Rosser shows her belief that all children can learn…She gives meaning to the learning using a variety of methodologies with an emphasis on hands-on-learning, such as songs, games and demonstrations to give added meaning to learning.  She is not just a teacher, but an inspiration to her students and other educators….” 

Debra DeMaria is a high school mathematics teacher currently teaching BC Calculus at Lake Braddock Secondary School, in Fairfax County.  She has 32 years of teaching experience.  Frank Atkinson, the Pre-K – 12 Mathematics Coordinator for Fairfax County Public Schools, said, “I am extremely grateful that my professional path led me to Debbie.  My background had been elementary education and as I gained professional experience I became interested in the teaching and learning of mathematics.   I accepted a job as a middle school mathematics teacher at Lake Braddock … where I taught for nine years.  It was Debbie who mentored me, helped me to realize my strengths, and provided the scaffolding and encouragement I needed as I returned to school to receive certification in Secondary Mathematics.  Now in my capacity as … Coordinator of Mathematics for Fairfax County … I always know that I can count on Debbie to lead and guide instructional practices throughout the county.  She truly is a master teacher.”  Cynthia Prieto, Assistant Principal at Lake Braddock, said, “She (Debbie) teaches adolescents, …new and experienced colleagues, … parents and … me as her administrator.”  Ms. Prieto said that one student who wrote about Mrs. DeMaria said, “…If you don’t understand something … find Mrs. DeMaria.  Trust me, she always makes things clear.”  Mrs. DeMaria’s Principal, Linda Burke, said, “She (Debbie) is an incredibly inventive and creative teacher.  Math is a hands-on concept for her and her students.  …Debbie’s contribution to our school has been consistent and tireless. She is a policy maker and has an incredible ability to implement the many educational initiatives that encompass today’s math education with accuracy and grace.”  In conclusion Mrs. Burke wrote, “She (Debbie) is beyond the Best!”

 Dr. Jesse (Jay) Wilkins is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA.   Jay has 16 years of teaching experience.   Susan Magliaro, Director, School of Education at Virginia Tech, said, “…He (Jay) has been an advocate for mathematics education, but more importantly he has been an advocate for teachers and students….Jay is well known as an excellent teacher – one who has a special affinity for working with our elementary education pre-service teachers to help them gain the conceptual and pedagogical content knowledge that they need to help students really learn mathematics.   …Jay is an outstanding mathematics educator who has truly advanced the field for the public good.”  Betti Kreye, Supervisor of Mathematics for Montgomery County Public Schools as well as co-teacher and grant writer with Jay for a program for her school division, said, “Jay’s wealth of knowledge concerning how children learn mathematics and his ability to make our teachers feel at ease and willing to engage in the lessons and discussions allowed him to work effectively with teachers of all grade levels.  …He has earned the respect of teachers as well as Elementary Principals.”  Seventeen teachers who are Jay’s students wrote, “Jay’s passion, skill, and caring as a teacher have had a profound impact on our teaching.  He is, himself, a lifelong learner….  Jay’s enthusiasm for mathematics, for the enhancement of mathematics instruction for children and for our cohort’s professional growth is obvious and infectious.   As a teacher of teachers, Jay’s positive influence has spread far and wide, and many, many children have benefited from his teaching without ever having met him.  We are better teachers, coaches, and mathematicians because of him”