Michelle Price
Director of Public Information and Community Involvement
(757)591-7453; Fax:(757)599-8270
In The News
Congratulations to the 2016-17 teachers of the year
(May 11, 2016) - Newport News Public Schools' 2016-2017 Teachers of the Year were honored at a banquet May 4. The evening also brought the announcement of the elementary, middle, high school and NNPS Teacher of the Year.
Katie Morgan
Division and Middle School Teacher of the Year
Katie Morgan, a sixth-grade school counselor at Dozier Middle School, is named the Division and Middle School Teacher of the Year. Morgan has six years of
counseling experience - all in Newport News.
Morgan, a second generation educator, believes in empowering students to ensure their success. As a sixth-grade counselor her focus is on ensuring that students have a successful transition to middle school. Morgan coordinates the orientation program and refines her counseling program to address identified needs and supports during the transition period of the first weeks of school.
A strong supporter of the NNPS youth development program, Morgan has served as a Governor's Youth Development Academy site supervisor and she launched two school based Youth Volunteer Corps chapters.
Morgan created and initiated a Virtual Mentoring program that is now utilized in 14 Newport News schools. Virtual Mentoring offers peer-to-peer guidance and support through video exchanges with a mentor who attends another school. Morgan has also organized counseling groups for students, matching students with shared experiences in support of one another.
Morgan shared, "A good educator must develop innovative programs and offer opportunities that address the unique needs of their students and the ever-changing world they live in."
Morgan holds a Bachelor's degree in Media Studies and Spanish from the University of Virginia and a Master's degree in School Counseling from the College of William and Mary.
Jacky Barber
Elementary School Teacher of the Year
Jacky Barber, a mathematics interventionist at Newsome Park Elementary School, is the Elementary Teacher of the Year. Barber has 13 years of experience and
is a second generation educator.
Barber encourages her students to become responsible for their own learning. She works cooperatively with students to develop strategies for success in mathematics through small group instruction. Barber focuses on making real world connections to math, giving students the opportunity to embrace math concepts in action. She also serves as a coach for new teachers.
Barber started a Duck Tape Club to teach students the fundamentals of operating a small business. Proceeds from the sale of various items the students make from duck tape have supported the school library, field days and local non-profit organizations. To support school-wide literacy, Barber helped implement a One School One Book program at Newsome Park. The entire school community read the selected book and enjoyed the related activities.
Barber said that she "strives to help herself and others continue to develop and implement new and creative teaching methods."
Barber earned a Bachelor's degree in Special Education from Elms College in Massachusetts and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from The George Washington University.
Eric Tyson
High School Teacher of the Year
Eric Tyson, a military science teacher at Heritage High School, is the high school teacher of the year. He has nine years of teaching experience.
Tyson teaches students leadership skills and citizenship through the Naval Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps (NJROTC). While many people believe that his students are required to enlist in the military upon graduation, Tyson says that is a common misconception. The NJROTC curriculum builds future leaders and prepares students to be college, career and citizen-ready.
Tyson takes pride in instilling the values of citizenship, service and personal responsibility in his students. He said, "I am doing something that I love to do … help students develop and refine their leadership skills."
Under his guidance, NJROTC students volunteer frequently in the community. The Color Guard has served at flag raising ceremonies, military celebrations and athletic events; and cadets organize the annual Red Cross blood drives at Heritage High.
Following a prestigious career in the Army and the Coast Guard, Tyson entered the Troops to Teachers program. Tyson holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications from Norfolk State University, a Master's degree in Instructional Systems Design from Florida State University and a Master's degree in Education from Old Dominion University.
| Teachers of the Year, 2016-2017 | |
| Early Childhood Centers | |
| Margie Myrsten | Denbigh Early Childhood Center |
| Lauren Coppedge | Gatewood P.E.E.P. |
| Jennifer Brown | Lee Hall Early Childhood Center |
| Paulette Thorogood | Marshall Early Learning Center |
| Tammy Zwiefelhofer | Watkins Early Childhood Center |
| Elementary Schools | |
| Esther Cross | An Achievable Dream Academy |
| Michelle Young | Carver Elementary |
| Lacy Lozaw | Charles Elementary |
| Wendy Lilliston | Deer Park Elementary |
| Jeff Collier | Dutrow Elementary |
| Christina Ziegler | Epes Elementary |
| Mary Thompson | General Stanford Elementary |
| Morgan Law | Greenwood Elementary |
| Traci Waters-Ellis | Hidenwood Elementary |
| Heather Westheimer | Hilton Elementary |
| LaToya Sawyers | Jenkins Elementary |
| Julie Bowers | Kiln Creek Elementary |
| Bradley Farrar | Lee Hall Elementary |
| Nina Chapman | Magruder Discovery STEM Academy |
| Michelle Priestley | McIntosh Elementary |
| Karen Perkins | Nelson Elementary |
| Jacky Barber | Newsome Park Elementary |
| Courtney Balingit | Palmer Elementary |
| Lindsey Smith | Richneck Elementary |
| Samantha Sissell | Riverside Elementary |
| Heidi Bogan | Sanford Elementary |
| Janet Gingery | Saunders Elementary |
| Sarah Wyant | Sedgefield Elementary |
| Simone Rouse | Yates Elementary |
| Middle Schools | |
| Lloyd McKeithan | Achievable Dream Middle & High |
| Adria Merritt | Crittenden Middle School |
| Katie Morgan | Dozier Middle School |
| Dedra Matthews | Enterprise Academy |
| Paula Gerst | Gildersleeve Middle School |
| Dawn Barnes-Tyson | Hines Middle School |
| Mildred Williams | Huntington Middle School |
| Chená Wilson | Passage Middle School |
| Baker McCutcheon | B.T. Washington Middle School |
| High Schools | |
| Demetrius Phipps | Denbigh High School |
| Eric Tyson | Heritage High School |
| Pete Mercier | Menchville High School |
| Judy Spalding | Warwick High School |
| Holly Kidd | Woodside High School |
 |
| Click image to enlarge |
| Download pdf |