Excellent Educators: Virginia Beach

Yahoo

06-05-2025

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — With so many excellent educators throughout the Hampton Roads region, WAVY is spending the month of May highlighting just a few of teachers that have made an impact in the area.
This year, Virginia Beach City Public Schools nominated five Excellent Educators, including Iwalani Wilson, Aubrey Simmons, Jessica Byrd, Morgan Dittfield and Catherine Bailey. 10 On Your Side's Deja Parker met up with Ms. Wilson, a social studies teacher at Great Neck Middle School who was recently awarded the STEAM grant.
Excellent Educators: Ms. Iwalani Wilson
More information on the other four nominated educators can be found below:
Aubrey Simmons
Aubrey Simmons is a 4th grade teacher at Alanton Elementary School. VBCPS nominated Ms. Simmons after one of the students in her class was taken from her mom prior to their winter break. Simmons then went through all the steps and hurdles to become a foster parent for the student through the end of the school year.
VBCPS also said Simmons is willing to help other students in need, saying, 'her love and generosity are exceptional.'
Aubrey Simmons (Courtesy: VBCPS)
Jessica Byrd
Jessica Byrd is a 4th grade special education teacher at Thoroughgood Elementary School. VBCPS nominated Byrd due to her work with both special education students and their families. Byrd is said to treat every student under her care with dignity and works to challenge her students into meeting individualized goals.
In addition to her work inside the classroom, Byrd serves on the Special Ed Advisory Committee for VBCPS and is also an active member of the school's Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports committee.
Jessica Byrd (Courtesy: VBCPS)
Morgan Dittfield
Morgan Dittfiled is a kindergarten teacher at Brookwood Elementary School. VBCPS nominated Ms. Dittfiled due to her dedication and passion for ensuring her students feel seen, valued and excited to learn. Dittfield works to make sure all of her students thrive.
VBCPS said Dittfield's efforts, both inside and outside of her classroom, have allowed her students remain curious while learning, saying, 'her tireless efforts have set the foundation for a successful school year, and her students are flourishing under her care.'
Morgan Dittfield (Courtesy: VBCPS)
Catherine Bailey
Catherine Bailey is an English teacher at Kempsville High School. VBCPS nominated Ms. Bailey due to her work to create a positive and inclusive school culture at the school. Bailey also works to help her fellow teachers to find ways to keep students engaged in the classrooms, even being compared to the Energizer Bunny for all that she does throughout the entire campus.
'As principal, I am continually impressed by Ms. Bailey's dedication, leadership, and relentless comittment to making Kempsville a better place for both students and staff,' Kempsville High School Principal Melissa George said. 'She is not only an outstanding educator but also a role model for what it means to truly invest in a school community.'
Catherine Bailey (Courtesy: VBCPS)
For more on the educators being highlighted throughout the region, visit WAVY's Excellent Educators page here.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.
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