Latest news with #ExcellentEducators
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Excellent Educators: Chesapeake
Excellent Educators is a WAVY-TV 10 initiative to celebrate local teachers who have gone above and beyond for their students and communities during the last academic year. These Excellent Educators were nominated by their school divisions. Congratulations to these educators for all of their hard work and accomplishments! CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — Throughout the month of May, 10 On Your Side is highlighting teachers in our area for our Excellent Educators series. In Chesapeake, we were introduced to Kaitlyn Gabriel. In 2025, she was named teacher of the year for both Oscar Smith Middle School and for the entire school district. View all of the nominated educators She teaches Civics and Economics to 6th graders at the middle school. Even though she struggled in school herself, she knew she wanted to be a teacher since Kindergarten. During WAVY's visit to Gabriel's classroom, she turned the Civics lesson into a secret agent style investigation. She is known to occasionally dress in costume for lessons, even if it makes driving to work a little embarrassing. Known to many students as Ms. Gabe, she started teaching in 2019, right before the COVID pandemic. 'Never really got a normal year and I think that's kind of a blessing, because it's made me a better teacher,' Gabriel said. 'All of the cool lessons I have come up with and the way that I have evolved as a teacher wouldn't have really happened without those learning gaps. It's forced me to be the best that I can be because it is what they deserve.' Outside the classroom, Gabriel is also a soccer coach. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Excellent Educators: Virginia Beach
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 for updates. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
