Jennifer McCall received the Northern Virginia Magazine 2023 Teacher of the Year award and a $10,000 check on Friday at a pep rally at North Stafford High School, where she teaches math.
McCall, who joined North Stafford High School in 2012, has made it her mission to help at-risk students graduate. “My goal, and pride, is to watch my students walk across the stage and graduate,” she said when she was interviewed as a finalist.
“Parents and students told us about so many outstanding educators, like Ms. McCall. It was incredibly heartwarming to hear how much these teachers care about and inspire our children,” said Northern Virginia Magazine editor Amy Ayres.
Students, parents, and educators nominated teachers from across NoVA. A panel of 12 judges then selected McCall from 10 finalists for the prestigious award that recognizes extraordinary educators.
“Each of the finalists exemplified the best that teachers have to offer,” said Pete Kelly, dean of the College of Education at the University of Mary Washington, who helped judge the awards and spoke at the rally. “That one name, Jennifer McCall, rose to the top of the finalists is a powerful testament to her work.”
“There is greatness in the halls of North. You are great, your teachers are great, but Ms. McCall is the greatest,” said Thomas W. Taylor, superintendent of Stafford County Public Schools, at the rally.
Other judges included Virginia Secretary of Education Aimee Guidera and Northern Virginia Community College President Anne Kress.
“Ms. McCall stood out to me for her commitment to helping students of all backgrounds achieve at their highest potential,” Guidera said.
Kress agreed. “Ms. McCall’s dedication to ensuring all learners can and do succeed is humbling and heroic,” Kress said.
Northern Virginia Magazine, which featured McCall in its October issue, has posted its story on what made McCall stand out, as well as profiles of the other finalists, on its website. Here is the direct link to our Teacher of the Year page: https://northernvirginiamag.com/northern-virginia-magazine-teacher-of-the-year/
See video of McCall learning that she would receive the award on our Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cxf1yWNMhVR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
