NEWS RELEASE
(ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Virginia)—Albemarle County Public Schools (ACPS) is proud to announce the nominees and winners of its 2024-25 division-wide recognition program, which honors excellence among educators, support staff, and school and division leaders. The Licensed Employee of the Year award celebrates licensed staff members such as classroom teachers, school counselors, librarians, instructional coaches, and speech pathologists. The Classified Employee of the Year award recognizes non-teaching staff who play vital roles in schools and departments, such as office associates, custodians, bus drivers, and other support professionals. The program also includes a Leader of the Year award for division administrators and school leaders who exemplify the ACPS mission. New this year is a category honoring First-Year Teachers who have demonstrated exceptional performance as they begin their careers in education.
Each year, school communities and departments nominate individuals who go above and beyond in their service. From these exceptional nominees, one winner in each category is selected by a committee of peers, parents/guardians, and administrators.
This year’s winners are:
- Licensed Employee of the Year: Sarah Kiscaden, Mountain View Elementary School
- Classified Employee of the Year: William Morse, Transportation Services
- Leader of the Year: Ashby Johnson, Principal, Journey Middle School
- First-Year Teacher of the Year: Mia Giacomo, Agnor Elementary School
“We are grateful to each of our nominees for the difference they make in the lives of students every day,” said Superintendent Matt Haas. “And we are thrilled to honor Sarah, William, Ashby, and Mia for their exceptional contributions this year.”
Nominees and winners receive a plaque to commemorate their nomination and will be celebrated during an upcoming School Board meeting. Winners also receive a $500 award. Additionally, the Licensed Employee of the Year will have the chance to advance to the regional and state Teacher of the Year competitions, and the Classified Employee of the Year will be eligible for the Virginia Department of Education’s Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award.
2024-25 Employee of the Year Nominees
(Licensed Employee of the Year nominee | Classified Employee of the Year nominee)
Elementary School Nominees:
- Agnor: Anne Bear | Varda Chaudry
- Baker-Butler: Marcee Porterfield | Crystal Pariseau
- Broadus Wood: Libby Nicholson | Christi Barker
- Brownsville: Jayme Pallante | Carrie Gumm
- Crozet: Hope Caplan | Ruth Kirby
- Greer: Chelsea Castro-Fitzgerald | Charles Craig
- Hollymead: Liz Player | Ashleigh Wright
- Ivy: Linda Montoya | Cynthia Tichner
- Mountain View: Sarah Kiscaden (winner) | Dalia Flores Amaya
- Murray: Christianna Schork | Connie Magnum
- Red Hill: Kimberly Leathers | Jackie Baylink
- Scottsville: Kellye Christ | Tayler Spradlin
- Stone-Robinson: Liza Wiggington | Sarah Walker
- Stony Point: Deborah Mayo | Faith A. Brill
- Woodbrook: Grace Dalton | Molly Byers
Middle School Nominees:
- Burley: Crystal Randall | Monique Jones
- Henley: Lauren Cousar | Jerrica Larcart
- Journey: Elena McIntosh | Brandon Agee
- Lakeside: Jeff Criscione | Alex Scully
- Walton: Alex Groff | Frances Wood
High School Nominees:
- Albemarle: Brittany McElheny
- Community Lab: Don Barnes | Lucy Akers-Allen
- Monticello: William Trent | Charlene Schroeder
- Western Albemarle: Dawn Tinder | Kevin Hall
Department Nominees:
- Building Services: Justin Stanley
- Extended Day Enrichment Programs (EDEP): Caroline Kirby
- Human Resources: Shelli Campbell
- Intensive Support Center (ISC): Wendy Ford Brown
- Special Education: Margaret Hess | Emily Skelton
- Technology: Megan Panek | Ryan Lampert
- Transportation: William Morse (winner)
2024-25 Leader of the Year Nominees
- Ashby Johnson, Principal, Journey Middle School (winner)
- Chris Lennon, Director of School Counseling, Community Lab School
- Steve Saunders, Principal, Greer Elementary School
- Ashley Struzik, Assistant Director of Special Education
2024-25 First-Year Teacher of the Year Nominees
- Mia Giacomo, Agnor Elementary School (winner)
- Chelsea Otterholt, Baker-Butler Elementary School
Honoring a Legacy of Excellence
This year’s recipients join a distinguished group of past awardees:
- 2023-24 Winners: Sarah Reyes, Albemarle High School; Carla Dodson, Murray Elementary School; and Mark Leach, Department of Technology
- 2022-23 Winners: Jessica Eisenhauer, Monticello High School, and Pecolia Conner, Agnor Elementary School
Photo Highlights: 2024-25 ACPS Recognition Winners
Sarah Kiscaden, Licensed Employee of the Year
William Morse (second from left), Classified Employee of the Year
Ashby Johnson (right), Leader of the Year
Mia Giacomo, First-Year Teacher of the Year
CONTACT: Dr. Helen T. Dunn, Public Affairs and Strategic Communications Officer
PHONE: 434-249-8379