As we wrap up Teacher Appreciation Week for 2025, we can’t help but feel so warm and fuzzy about all the positive comments and stories you’ve shared with our CCPS teachers and community. Our educators, past and present, are special people that go above and beyond to spark curiosity, kindle creativity and brighten the future for each and every student.
This week, we’ve been highlighting our Teachers of the Year and reading your comments on social media. We've decided to share as many of the comments as we could here.
Do you have something to share about your favorite CCPS teachers? Visit our Facebook page and leave your story, memory or shout-out to a teacher who’s made a difference for you and your family. You can do this anytime – not just this week. Thank you for your appreciation!
Michelle Reed, Christine Harrold, Courtney Clarke, Hannah Gibson – it is such a blessing that all of you are part of my girl's journey. I see her blossom and have more confidence every day. It is amazing to watch. All of you are truly the best!
Sarah Becker!! My son has had the blessing of having her 2nd and for 3rd grade when she looped up with his class this year!! We absolutely love her!! She’s an amazing teacher and a wonderful person!!
Thanks for all that you do! Ms. Lori Boykin, I will always remember you as an amazing teacher who was always there for Ariana and our family. You made a huge difference for our daughter during pre-kindergarten at the Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy. Thanks a lot.
You're making a real difference! Thank you for your hard work! Ms. Jamie Blake, you are the best teacher ever. Ariana and our family were so blessed to have had you as Ariana's kindergarten teacher at Salem Church Elementary School.
Abygail Ziglar has taught both of my daughters, and we adore her. She is so warm and loving, and an amazing teacher. She finds ways to motivate and encourage her students based on what fits them and their personality. She is so special to our family!
Brittany Dixon was my son’s fifth grade teacher and she is incredible. He is going into high school, and still talks about how amazing fifth grade was thanks to her. She is innovative, fun, kind, hard working, etc. She is constantly thinking of new ways to make learning fun and enjoyable. CCPS is SO lucky to have her!!
Katie Davis Longo – CB loved having you as her chorus teacher! You helped her grow as a singer, and I know she got the lead in her school musical last year because you gave her the foundation she needed.
Taylor Bernard has put her heart and soul into the theater program at Thomas Dale High School Theatre Department! The program has come so far since she joined 5 years ago!
Christine Harrold, Hannah Gibson, Courtney Clarke – thank you for loving my little guy and being so encouraging!!
Jacqueline Ferguson was my inspiration to become a teacher and now I am finishing out my first year of teaching!
Amanda Matejunas and Brittany Nicole Williams: Thanks for being wonderful teachers to my kids this year! They both loved having you each as teachers. Thanks for all of your hard work every single day and helping them grow and learn!
Mrs. Lauren Moran at Midlothian Middle School is the Unified PE teacher. Not only does she provide opportunities for my son's class to learn sports like the other classes, but she helps organize Unified sports to play against other schools: basketball, bocce ball, and track and field. Mrs. Moran also volunteered to be my son's support so he could participate in the school's Cross Country team in the fall and is excited to see him at the Monument 10K and other races that he participates in with his dad. Thank you for all that you do.
Carolyn Harlow, 5th grade CBG teacher at Clover Hill Elementary School. She truly cares for her students!
My youngest had a difficult time in 6th and 7th grade but he had 2 amazing teachers who took him under their wing and believed in him. Peg Moncure and Don Felice made a huge impact on my son! I am forever thankful.
My amazing coworkers at Matoaca High School always support me! I also can’t forget Valerie Sweet, the best cooperating teacher I ever could have had for student teaching.
Mrs. Rachel Hudgins goes above and beyond to support not just her students but their families. She takes the time to get to know her students on their individual levels to help find ways to set them up for success. She follows them throughout their academic journey, not just when they are in her class. She is one of a kind. We are so grateful for her.
Jill Anderson, Stacy Bradshaw, Charles Payton and Coach Kevin Tucker assisted me in being the man I am grateful for the work that they did to help me be successful during my time at Matoaca High School
MHS Class of 90 here… Mr. Ray Goss was the BEST English teacher ever. He gave me my love of reading, especially reading obscure and “weird” books like Hitchhikers Guide, The Metamorphosis, I Am the Cheese and Flowers for Algernon. I will always remember him as kind, caring and so funny.
Kaela Snipes at Ettrick Elementary is the absolute best. She has such a kind heart!
The amazing people at Ecoff Elementary! I am so grateful I get to work alongside people that bring life and love to education.
My daughter’s elementary teacher at Winterpock, Karen Cullen, is a fabulous teacher!! Helped Alexis come out of her shell and inspired Alexis to have more interest in reading.
Samantha Hutton: the best math teacher ever! I love you so big.
Mrs. Allen at Hopkins Road Elementary! If I won the lottery I’d give her a million dollars! Coming from another school district this year with my son (he’s autistic and adhd combined). I was nervous because of experiences I’ve had at his last school in the other district. When I say my child has overcome and achieved so much this year alone! I CRY! I cry happy tears almost every single day. I appreciate her and Mrs. Ozga (his special education teacher) so much!!! Along with any of the other teachers or therapists that help with my kid. He’s thriving so much in the general classroom and in life in general. I owe a HUGE thanks to them and the entire staff that’s helped me at Hopkins. I’m forever grateful!
My life? Melinda Edwards and Mr. Polk. My kids’ teachers? Luana Lambert, Marianne Serros, Lyon Herting, Michael McEwen, Barbara Schaedel, Mary Beth Modena, and Kerry Fretwell (my kids never had her but adored her as a show director). Bruce Tetlow, the best principal! And all their dance teachers Chesterfield Dance Center
Melissa Bowman: A true blessing at GHES. Kelsey Mcallum: Huge impact to the speech department at GHES.Thank you both!
Sarah Bonds at Reams Rd Elementary. My daughter who is 13 now still talks about her and the family she felt she was a part of in 2nd grade. Sarah taught my girl during one of the most challenging years and loved her through all the hardships happening in her world. She also helped her grow from a struggling reader to an amazing reader who loves books! My child not only had the pleasure of being in Sarah's class, but I was also lucky enough to work with her at Reams for 8 years. Sarah loves her school babies fiercely and works so hard to make sure they feel that every day, even on the hard days. Sarah is a true gem and we are so lucky to have her in CCPS!
Mrs. Foust teaches kindergarten I know she works hard and loves every little person!
Alison Graham at OHES!! Such an amazing educator, and did so much for my son and his reading last year. She is amazing at meeting kids where they are and helping them continue to grow!! We will always remember your support!
Mrs. Ruggiero (Mrs. Otoole) was my 3rd grade teacher at Chalkley Elementary! I loved her to pieces, but never told her. And Mr. Fetta, my Manchester Middle School Art teacher. I couldn't wait to be in 8th grade to take Art the entire year!
My daughter’s kindergarten teacher, Nicole Miles is still her favorite ever! We love Mrs. Miles! Go Crestwood!
John Hall— teacher, coach, and awesome person!
Mrs. Green (SPED) and Mrs. Leigh – Hening 1st grade teachers. Ms.Green the way you encourage my son and lift his spirits when he’s doubtful helps me as his mom so much, knowing someone is there when I’m not that’s pushing him for success and not allowing him to slip through a crack. Your humor in challenging times, it’s a breath of fresh air. I’m also grateful for the women at the front desk at JG Henning y’all are the best team, thank you Mrs. Middleton for being a saint in the midst of the chaos and frontline for us parents! Me specifically . No matter what’s thrown at you, your ability to stay composed, timely and mitigate with a smile to find that resolve, face to face and humanize teacher parent relationships by being is unmatched. You are never hard to find. Thank you! YOU ALL ARE EVERYTHING!
My son is now 20 and in the working world, but I forever will be indebted to our speech therapist Leslie Dulay. She changed our lives with her hard work with my son.
The amazing teachers Swift Creek Elementary, Swift Creek Middle Sailors and Clover Hill High School, home of the Cavaliers! Sooo many to be thankful for!!
Courtney Clarke, Michelle Reed, Hannah Gibson, Amanda Doyle – so thankful for all of you being a part of my girl's life and making her a better person!
Leroy Lane and Jenny Pulley. Two legends that helped to mold me into the person and teacher for CCPS that I am today. Always loved and always respected. Thank you!
Ms. Harrington, thank you for your guidance with my grandson Elliot.
To this day, I’m thankful for the teachers of Salem Church ES, Salem MS, and Lloyd C Bird HS: Ellen Harvey, Ellie Tuck, Jessie White, Sherri Bova, Shannon Carr, Suzy Bolton, Margaret Hicks, Beth Wamsley, Tonya Felice, Barbara Astoria, Adrienne Blanton, Lynn Dieter, Stephanie Baber, Keenan Entsminger, Barbara Kaminski,Brian Morton, and Jen Hipps. You all were/are amazing teachers, and I appreciate each and every one of you. Never forget the difference(s) you made for your students on a daily basis. You are remembered and you will forever be appreciated. As your former student and as a current educator - THANK YOU!
My daughter’s current teacher, Charlotte Martin, made my daughter’s switch to CCPS as a first grader so seamless this year. Even with a newborn, she has shown up for that class every day with kindness, giving 100%. She truly is a rockstar!
I’m gonna give a shout out to some of my amazing high school teachers who showed me the importance of critical thinking, creativity, and a love of learning! Jill Porter, Greg Dommisse, and Laura Honess Wright— thanks for your enthusiasm. It was contagious and gave me inspiration to teach with y’all for CCPS!!!
Courtney Clarke thanks for making a difference in my life and my baby girl’s
Nate Miller, my choir high school teacher. You made choir my safe place all four years of high school. Choir was a no bullying zone, and was the best part of the day. You are part of the reason I want to be a teacher! Thank you for the best 4 years of choir!
Angela Hovermale and Lynne Gilbert will always hold a special place in my heart as wonderful teachers. 18 years out of school and I still talk and follow them
Michelle Reed has grown my youngest leaps and bounds this year. He has made so much growth in all academic areas because of her! Thanks for all you did, Mrs. Reed!
Liz Jones Cruz was a blessing for one of my kids! She was able to catch him up after he came to her behind grade level due to covid struggles. He left her class with confidence and skills to be successful in middle school! We are so grateful for her!
I have several teachers who inspired me to become a teacher in Chesterfield myself. Shannon Broughton, Angela Hovermale, Reese Gordy and Lauren Murray demonstrated a passion for teaching and truly inspired me to pursue a career in education myself. I have core memories from each of their classes that I can still remember today.
Savannah Walker was an amazing teacher for my son. She grew his love of learning, reading and school as a whole. Not only did she teach him how to be an academic scholar, but she taught him how to be a good friend and stand up for others.
I love Mrs. Hardy at Bailey Bridge Middle! She is like a school mom to me and it’s sad I won’t see her next year!
I’d like to mention this to Mrs. Livezey and Mrs. Yonce. Thank you for all the support and thank you for helping me grow as a student. I’m proud to be a Specialty Center student at Thomas Dale. Ms. Livezey was my ESL teacher and always helped me to do my best no matter what.
Thank you so so much for Ms. Fitzgerald for being the absolute best teacher I've ever had! One of the best people I've ever met! We love you Fitz!!
I cannot say enough good things about Mrs. Amick and Mr. Nixdorf at Beulah Elementary. Through their partnership, the progress I have seen in my Kindergartner is incredible! Thank you, thank you!!
Ms. Gallimore over at Ettrick Elementary. She is godsent.
Thanks to Ms. Ricks from Carver Middle! She’s the best science teacher ever.