This past year has been one for the books for Theresa Guthrie Goltermann, a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) electives teacher at Tabb Middle School.
In the spring, Goltermann was named Teacher of the Year for the York County School Division. On Monday, she was selected as one of eight finalists for Virginia Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Victor Shandor, division superintendent, and Dr. Steven Constantino, assistant superintendent for instruction at the Virginia Department of Education and former WJCC schools superintendent, made the surprise announcement in front of Tabb Middle School’s entire student body Monday.
“We are preparing the next generation of STEM pioneers,” Goltermann told throngs of cheering students. “You are the future and you guys are awesome. If it weren’t for you, and all the teachers and the staff and the wonderful students, I wouldn’t be here. I do this because I love it.”
The teachers were selected from a pool of candidates nominated by school divisions in each of the state’s eight superintendents’ regions, according to a press release from the Virginia Department of Education. To qualify, each candidate submitted a portfolio highlighting their accomplishments, educational philosophies and work within their communities.
“In recognizing and honoring these eight teachers, the commonwealth is learning something their colleagues already know,” Terry Governor McAuliffe said in the release. “Each is a leader in public education who goes above and beyond to prepare students for a successful future in our new Virginia economy.”
Goltermann now represents 16 school divisions from throughout Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore in the race for the state’s top teacher. The Virginia Teacher of the Year will be announced next week at a reception in Richmond.
“We are thrilled,” said Heather Young, the principal at Tabb Middle School. “And can’t imagine a finer teacher to represent our region…Mrs. Goltermann has cultivated an environment where students are empowered to make mistakes and learn from them to fine-tune and improve their products.”
The other seven candidates for Virginia Teacher of the Year are as follows:
- Greenlee B. Naughton, an English teacher at Highland Springs High in Henrico County
- Sarah M. Adamson-Mair, a kindergarten teacher at Lewis and Clark Elementary in Caroline County
- Michelle Cottrell-Williams, a social studies teacher at Wakefield High in Arlington County
- Russell T. Jennings, an agriculture teacher at Fluvanna County High in Fluvanna County
- Karey A. Henzey, a special education teacher at West Salem Elementary in Salem
- Chrystle M. Gates, a music teacher at Chilhowie Elementary in Smyth County
- Tiffany W. Lynch, an English teacher at Park View High in Mecklenburg County
