Hampton City Schools announces finalists for the Teacher of the Year for the 2025-2026 academic year

Hampton City Schools proudly recognizes the outstanding Teachers of the Year (TOY) for the 2025-2026 academic year. These dedicated educators exemplify excellence through their professionalism and commitment to the students of Hampton City Schools. Their innovative teaching methods and creative approaches make a lasting impact in our classrooms, schools, and communities. We are privileged to have such remarkable educators guiding our students toward becoming lifelong learners and achieving their dreams.

This year, we celebrated all Teachers of the Year at a special event held at The Landing on March 20, 2025. In addition, we honored 12 exceptional finalists—seven from elementary schools, three from middle schools, and two from high schools. These finalists will participate in an interview process with the division-level TOY selection committee, followed by classroom observations to assess their teaching practices. Their achievements will be recognized during our preservice kickoff event in August, where we will also announce the HCS Elementary, Middle, High, and Overall Division Teacher of the Year.

Elementary School Level Finalists

Armstrong School for the Arts – Jennifer Thompson

Barron Fundamental Elementary – Kimberly Gerczak

Bassette Elementary – Shante Jackson

Forrest Elementary – Jennifer Holmes

Future Learning Experience (FLEx) – Candace Horsley
Kilgore Gifted Center – ShaDonna Baker-Davis

Langley Elementary – Ann-Logan Mugler

Phillips Elementary – Laura Dorsey

Middle School Level Finalists

Jones Magnet Middle – Jessica DiCarlo

Lindsay Middle – Stacey-Ann Facey

High School Level Finalists

Bethel High – Heather Woodruff

Phoebus High – Ashley Winfield

Full List of the 2025-2026 Teachers of the Year for each school/Dept

Aberdeen Elementary - Asia Boggs - Fifth Grade

Adult and Alternative Learning Center - Kellie Robinson - Language Arts

Andrews PreK-8 - Tara Turner - Third Grade

Armstrong School for the Arts - Jennifer Thompson - K-5 Music

Asbury - Jacqueline Wimbley - Special Education

Barron Fundamental Elementary - Kimberly Gerczak - Special Education

Bassette - Shante Jackson - First Grade

Bethel High - Heather Woodruff - CTE

Bryan Elementary - Kellee Sweeney - Fifth Grade

Burbank - Tanjya Kieffer - Kindergarten

Christian Elementary - Shanna Payne - Kindergarten

Cooper Elementary Magnet School for Technology - Rokasha Edmondson - Kindergarten

Department of Academic Advancement and Enrichment (DAAE) -Tim Hatok - Gifted Resource

Eaton Fundamental Middle - Mary Green - Math

Forrest Elementary - Jennifer Holmes - Librarian

Future Learning Experience (FLEx) - Candace Horsley Elementary/Middle School ELA

Hampton High - Tya Smith – Language Arts

Jackson Fundamental Elementary - Melani Thomas - Third Grade

Jones Magnet Middle - Jessica DiCarlo - Health and Physical Education

Kecoughtan High - Kristen Massey – Biology/Life Science

Kilgore Gifted Center - ShaDonna Baker-Davis - Gifted Third Grade

Kraft Elementary - Laura Scott – Second Grade

Langley Elementary - Anne-Logan Mugler – First Grade

Lindsay Middle - Stacey-Ann Facey - English 

Machen Elementary - Deborah Fahringer - Literacy Support Specialist

Moton Early Childhood Center - Brenda Garlick - Pre-K 

Patrick Elementary - Andra Corcoran - Third Grade 

Peake Elementary - Emily Lammie - First Grade

Phenix PreK-8 – Taisha Harris – Special Education

Phillips Elementary - Laura Dorsey - Second Grade

Phoebus High - Ashley Winfield - English

Smith Elementary - Kayla Hilton – Second Grade

Syms Middle - Faith Coppedge - Special Education

Tarrant Middle - Kim Garner-Boone - Special Education