Warren County ‘Teachers of the Year’ receive Rotary accolades

Ten Warren County Public School teachers were named “Rotary Teachers of the Year” at the regular Friday meeting of Front Royal Rotary on June 4.

Traditionally chosen by their peers, the 10 each received a certificate from club President Derrick Leisure as former president Bret Hrbek read off the citations.

Warren County’s ‘Rotary Teachers of the Year’.  Courtesy Photo FR Rotary/Bret Hrbek

Those acknowledgments began with Julie Llanes-Smith of A.S. Rhodes Elementary School. Llanes-Smith lives in Strasburg and teaches special education children from kindergarten through 5^th grade. “Julie’s vehicle is often one of the last cars in the parking lot in the evening and is often here on weekends. Her commitment to her students, their families, and her colleagues is the fuel that drives her to excellence,” her citation read.

Felicia Warner followed, cited by her E. Wilson Morrison Elementary Principal Shane Goodwin to be “one of the absolute best educators and teacher leaders … in my 26 year career in public education.” Warner lives in Linden.

Then followed Lori Cockrell of Front Royal, a teacher at Hilda J. Barbour Elementary, whose principal Nikki Taubenberger, quoting colleagues, said Cockrell was “dedicated, determined and consistent” who “pushes her students to their full potential.”

Ginny Silverthorn, a 4^th grade teacher at Leslie Fox Keyser Elementary, was acclaimed to be “a role model for teachers everywhere”. Silverthorn lives in Front Royal.

The last of the elementary school teachers was Julie Besecker of Winchester, who teaches at Ressie Jeffries. Her principal, Nina Helmick, referring to the difficulties imposed by the pandemic, said her 5^th grade teacher “rocked the school year” with a goal “to enrich each child to be their best no matter what it takes.”

Turning to middle school teachers, Hrbek led off with Ruth Foster of Skyline. He said the entire staff of Skyline Middle School joined in to laud Foster, saying in a statement: “We want to thank her for always keeping us on our toes with student expectations, with modeling good teaching and communicating, and for providing a positive outlook even when things (like pandemics) are tough.”

Warren County Middle School proposed Luke Heeter as their “Rotary Teacher of the Year”. Heeter became the “go to” person for help with virtual learning. As athletic director, he was singled out for his “smooth coordination of events”… (and one) who makes learning fun for those … lucky enough to work with him. He provides students the tools and opportunities to excel both academically and outside the classroom.” Heeter lives in Front Royal.

At the two high schools, Skyline’s Sarah Griffin of Front Royal and Warren’s Ashley Hastings of Fairfax were singled out at the Rotary luncheon. Skyline High’s Griffin, also a special education teacher, was acclaimed for “a remarkable blend of instructional insight and innovation.”

Hastings of Warren County High School was saluted as being creative, enthusiastic and responsive to the needs of her students, the students themselves recognizing her for being “a caring teacher who knows how to make difficult concepts understandable.” Hastings also is the WCHS tennis coach.

And the Warren County Special Education Department submitted the name of Whitney Crigger of Strasburg for a “Rotary Teacher of the Year” award. Crigger is an elementary school teacher in the Brighter Futures Learning Community, working with students who are referred from the five elementary schools “who have not experienced success in their previous placements”.