WILLIAMSBURG-JAMES CITY COUNTY — With the addition of virtual learning and extra safety practices this year, teachers have taken on even more stress and responsibilities than normal.
Because of this, Cox Communications has awarded two local educators $1,000 grants each for going above and beyond for their students as part of its 2021 Cox Education Heroes initiative.
For Teacher Appreciation Week, Cox set out to find “heroes” in the education field who work early mornings and late nights to support their students and school community.
“We recently went on a search to find Virginia’s top educators and I’m thrilled to share that two teachers in Williamsburg-James City County Public School district were selected,” Cox spokeswoman Angelique LeBlanc said.
The grants were awarded to Sherry Mather, a Special Education teacher at Stonehouse Elementary School, 3651 Rochambeau Dr, and Jonathan Nonnemacher, a Librarian and Media Specialist at James River Elementary School, 8901 Pocahontas Trail.
The winners were announced in a May 25 press release.
According to the release, Mather was chosen because “she encourages her students to work hard, do their best, and be successful. She loves all of her students as her own and always puts their needs first. She is also an amazing collaborator and support system for the other teachers with whom she works.”
Nonnemacher was chosen for the grant because “not only did Mr. Nonnemacher go above and beyond in years past helping with running club and serving as team leader, but this year he has proven how dedicated he is to our school community. He does an excellent job finding books that students in our lower-income environment will relate to and be interested in, as well as providing hands-on activities that relate to literacy.“
Mather and Nonnemacher were among 10 Virginia teachers that the broadband company awarded its 2021 Cox Education Heroes grants to.
The winners were chosen out of 250 nominations submitted to Cox.
“It goes without saying these teachers have overcome tremendous obstacles this past year,” Cox Virginia Government and Public Affairs VP Nneka Chiazor said. “These educators have demonstrated they are more than dedicated to our youth. From starting food pantries in classrooms to hand delivering education packets to students’ mailboxes, to making science labs fun, these teachers represent the best of the best.”
Each teacher will receive $1,000 each for a classroom makeover.
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