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Fairfax County Public Schools’ September 2025 FCPS CARES selections recognize employees whose work ranged from helping children through personal crises to restoring classrooms, resolving emergencies and keeping essential school services running.

Jae Lemeshewsky of Sandburg Middle School received the Region 3 honor and was also identified as the Winter 2026 FCPS CARES of the Quarter recipient. The instructional assistant, known as “Ms. L,” welcomes new employees with a potted plant and a $2 bill—symbols of growth and good fortune that have become part of the school’s culture.

Lemeshewsky has also taught gymnastics at the Mount Vernon Recreation Center for more than 12 years. During that time, she has donated her paychecks to the Fairfax County Park Foundation to help buy gymnastics equipment. Her classes incorporate healthy-eating lessons, sign language and imaginative touches intended to engage children.

Regional and central-office recipients

Central Office recognition went to field engineer Rue De La Bay and HVAC technician Maged Gerges. They replaced a worn blower motor at Robinson Secondary after its noise began interfering with classroom discussions. The repair was completed efficiently, with little disruption, leaving students with a quieter learning environment.

In Region 1, Colvin Run Elementary Principal Ken Junge and staff members Felecia Allen and Faye Cofer were honored for helping a kindergartner and parent through a difficult morning. Junge calmly brought the crying child into school, Cofer spoke with him before he returned to class and Allen later reassured the parent.

Region 2 recognized Falls Church High School’s Amy Marketos for supporting a student with serious health challenges. She brought other staff members into the effort, assembled games, books, a teddy bear and other gifts for the student and his mother, and visited the family at home.

Hope Song, assistant principal at Colin Powell Elementary, received the Region 4 honor. After spending much of the previous school year on maternity leave, she returned to duties that include supporting the Korean immersion program, coordinating testing, overseeing Kiss and Ride and leading school teams.

Region 5 selected Franklin Middle School counselor Joni Fraundorfer. A family credited her with providing steady support while their child faced anxiety, depression and a medical leave from school. Her assistance included regular check-ins, after-hours calls and advocacy that helped the student feel safe upon returning.

Forestdale Elementary’s Alicia Fyfe was the Region 6 recipient. She helped a teacher obtain and learn to use equipment for special education students, arranged replacements, streamlined device checkout during Extended School Year and followed up on computers tied to individual students’ IEP needs.

Staff responded when safety and health were at stake

Several submissions described employees acting quickly during potentially serious situations.

At Westbriar Elementary on Aug. 22, Zoey Lee noticed a driver who appeared to be in distress near the Kiss and Ride line. She persuaded him to move the vehicle out of traffic and sought help from Deborah Alsado, who notified administrators so authorities could respond.

Derek Garcia and Eric Ferguson of the Sideburn Support Center worked late and through rain after a leak forced 50 students and several employees out of their space at Wakefield Forest Elementary. Their work allowed the students to return the next day.

Darius Herskovitz and Luis Martinez of the Office of Safety and Security assisted a West Potomac High School student experiencing a medical emergency while the two employees were on campus for another matter.

At Lake Braddock Secondary, Kristyn Wharton and Krista Murphy separately stepped away from other game-day responsibilities to help a band student in need. Wharton continued checking on the student throughout the game.

Robyn Jones, a safety and security assistant at Rocky Run Middle School, was recognized for directing morning traffic through a complex intersection shared by cars, buses and students on foot.

A Hayfield Secondary foreign-language team—including Laurie Donovan, Elizabeth Busch, Norma Derosa, Yoshimi Gallan, Nadia Ghosheh, Daniel Kingsley, Jennifer Mathews, Laura Ona, Michelle Pennow, John Salazar, Raja Slimani, Olfa Sliti, Dawn Terry and Kyoko Vaughan—rearranged classes after poor airflow and air quality affected several rooms. Teachers shared instructional and work spaces so language classes could continue without delay.

Ayman Berasko of the Sideburn Support Center restored electricity to a copier and refrigerator in Liberty Middle School’s social studies area, while Rue De La Bay and Maged Gerges’ HVAC work ended the persistent mechanical noise disrupting a Robinson classroom.

Support extended beyond ordinary job duties

Sandburg Middle cafeteria manager Sabrina Clarke promptly answered a parent’s questions about a child’s food allergy by telephone and email.

Cooper Middle social worker Kaelyn Serrao was commended for helping students and families address challenges while also supporting colleagues. At Hayfield Secondary, counselor Eric Williams was credited with helping a student build confidence, understand her Section 504 rights and manage anxiety over more than three years.

At Forest Edge Elementary, teacher Kaitlyn Marenyi worked with a parent to identify and test strategies for a struggling child. Saratoga Elementary’s Melissa Sommer similarly helped a student who had endured difficult early school years feel secure and successful.

Colvin Run Elementary teacher Melanie Clubb provided regular updates and reassurance while a kindergartner adjusted to school. Langley High counselor Abby Tomlin supported two brothers and initiated a meeting to check on one student’s well-being.

West Springfield High counselors Sheryl Arenholz, Brielle Frisch and Anna Montain were recognized for sustained student advocacy. Arenholz helped a family through a difficult situation; Frisch secured recognition of a transfer student’s previous coursework; and Montain was praised for combining academic and emotional support with persistent follow-through.

Former West Springfield counselor Megan Neforos contacted a family before the school year to prepare a student who struggles with change for a counselor transition. School counselor Danny Tsang was honored for mentoring new counselors, improving departmental processes, supporting assessments and participating in after-school clubs.

South Lakes High teacher Mackenzie Schmidt sent families a message describing an entire class’s hard work and accomplishments. Mount Vernon High’s Danni Torres was praised by a military family whose children have attended schools in six states for her compassion, patience and ability to connect with students.

Kerri Hutchins of the Willow Oaks Administrative Center was recognized for quickly locating furniture, food, clothing, transportation and shelter for students and families facing homelessness, foster care, pregnancy and other urgent circumstances.

Patti Boore of the Lorton Center arranged transportation for hundreds of students at the beginning of the year and responded to emergencies affecting families experiencing homelessness.

Inclusion efforts crossed language and disability barriers

Franklin Middle’s adapted curriculum staff—Arian Walker Roberts, Patrick Fauver, Julia Hills, Reginald Dixon, Kristie Pepin, Rusi Rahman and Jeffrey Weinstein—learned 40 common Arabic words to welcome a newly arrived, nonverbal autistic student from Saudi Arabia. Staff carried pocket reference sheets and added Arabic to classroom signs.

Tania Tapia, a Woodburn Elementary special education teacher with more than 10 years of service, was recognized for developing data-based IEP goals, mentoring colleagues and supporting a hearing-impaired student with complex needs.

Hanan Sarsaur, an instructional assistant in Bailey’s Upper Elementary’s Enhanced Autism Classroom, was praised for stepping into difficult situations and building strong relationships with students.

At Mount Vernon Woods Elementary, Katie White balanced her work as math lead and MTSS coordinator with becoming a trusted adult for a student struggling to adjust to a new school. She also coached the student’s teacher.

Rex Miller of Providence Elementary built belonging by greeting children in the lunch line, celebrating birthdays and promoting nutrition through Back-to-School Night and Wellness Wednesday activities.

Colin Powell Elementary resource teacher Hyawon Kang supported multilingual learners through small-group instruction and testing assistance. Instructional assistant Arjuman Bano was recognized for bringing warmth and dependable help to students, teachers and school events.

Mount Eagle Elementary’s Kara Reid was praised for meeting the needs of kindergartners, including English learners. Ania Mervis, also at Mount Eagle, organized the school’s first celebration for students who exited the ESOL program and routinely supported children with encouragement and practical assistance.

Language Services Specialist Iris Malave Compher was recognized for handling hundreds of requests from multilingual families with care and thoroughness.

Teams mobilized after an unexpected school closure

Multiple recognitions followed the abrupt closure of a local private day school serving students with significant needs.

Janeen Waddell collaborated with the applied behavior analysis team to maintain services and create a welcoming temporary environment. ABA coaches Meylin Cano, Allyson Matthews, Stephan Al-Khateeb, Michelle Griffiths, Devin Coleman-Houff, Tessa Vitlo, Erika Stavropoulos and Jen Spicer rapidly adjusted their work to provide lessons and behavioral support.

Shauna Gardziel, Kelli Lobo and Kelly Galbraith were honored for leading the response with empathy, while a larger team—Laura Mondragon, Mike Bloom, Terri Edmunds-Heard, Gardziel, Lauren Keenen, Matthews, Hoang Nguyen, Debbie Lorenzo, Dawn Schaefer, Tina Wilkerson, Lobo, Kelly Conn-Reda and Katherine Wayne—found space at Kilmer Center and assembled staff and lesson plans within one week.

A parent of one affected student credited the employees with creating a stable, professional and caring setting despite the sudden loss of the students’ placements.

Technology and operational work kept schools moving

Network engineer Choong “Chris” Chung spent hours at Hutchison Elementary researching and troubleshooting a long-running network problem before working with colleagues on a solution.

Ki Hyun Park of Woodson IT received two recognitions. He replaced and repaired an office phone at the Dunn Loring Center, then separately helped Mount Vernon High relocate roughly 25 to 30 phones. At Mount Vernon, he walked office to office to verify details and worked for several hours to finish the complicated project.

Peyton Bunch set up newsroom computers at Poplar Tree Elementary on his first solo school visit. Scott Pratt and his staff resolved a technology problem at West Springfield High, while Kristopher Bunch was commended for years of responsive service and for proposing collaborative solutions rather than simply closing support tickets.

Erik Dahlin of the Nancy Sprague Technology Center responded rapidly to an access request and provided detailed instructions for pursuing it through another channel. AnnMarie Mochen helped school staff understand attendance systems and was separately recognized for patient, responsive assistance with EDSL and the Audit Dashboard.

Noah Hwang supported the fall MAP assessment rollout by solving elementary-school rostering problems. Natalie Baumstark, Ji Ahn and Nitin Bhatia quickly updated and posted Community Work Experience training despite the demands of back-to-school season, allowing students with IEPs to begin community job placements on time.

Patty Lopez, Karin Stamper and Marilyn Weiss were honored for handling questions and tickets associated with the Monthly Membership process, which supplies data for state and federal reporting.

Mark Lindesay produced a training video about appropriate and inappropriate touch on a school bus. Transportation officials said the presentation made a sensitive subject accessible and would become a central part of the training curriculum.

Angela Newsome and Shakita Robinson were recognized for mentoring and supporting colleagues on the Reporting team. Newsome provided calm guidance under heavy deadlines, while Robinson continued answering coding and historical-process questions after moving to another role.

Educators strengthened classrooms and programs

At Daniels Run Elementary, reading specialists Kathy Shankle and Amy Lorvidhaya guided teachers through the Benchmark curriculum introduced in August 2024. Their work included answering implementation questions, supporting VALLSS testing and reading plans, analyzing data, creating materials and providing direct intervention.

Fairview Elementary’s Samantha Goldstein and Meghan Ehrman helped sixth-graders and families navigate the county’s Algebra I Honors pilot. They solicited student input, addressed parents’ concerns and coached one child on self-advocacy.

The Liberty Middle math team—Michelle Kamiyama, Erin Murray, Alison Goitia, Lou Nichas, Olivia Nichas, Jinghuei Calvente, Larry Tarlton, Emily Whitaker, Reshma Ajmani, Jennifer Franke and Ashleigh Lesson—was recognized for its unusually close collaboration and welcoming support of a new colleague.

Liberty educators Taren Suraci and Shane Zavala posted Schoology resources for a colleague on leave, while Kelly Bell helped another employee learn Finance Park and prepare for Back-to-School Night.

Burke educators Essie Carter and Maurilia Roman worked together to address difficult student behaviors. At Burke Middle, Emilie Fagot and Em Quinlan created a project-based lesson designed to spark participation and curiosity.

Jameshia Davie of the Alan Leis Center advised a Riverside Elementary teacher on scheduling and planning. Riverside staff members Naheed Ijaz and Tricia Finkhousen were also recognized for sharing their knowledge of preschool students, routines and curriculum.

Candice Cetinkaya, Chrissy Brownson and Erika Thompson delivered hands-on professional development about science and outdoor learning to Columbia Elementary’s K-3 staff. Teachers said the session provided activities they could immediately bring into classrooms.

Jeff Lonnett of Willow Oaks created professional development and lessons intended to increase rigor while making instruction accessible to a wide range of learners.

At Fort Hunt Elementary, Linda Myers connected Spanish immersion lessons to real-world situations and continued her own professional training. Carla Tricoli-Rodriguez was recognized for leadership of the immersion program, while Preshion Lynch brought critical- and creative-thinking lessons to classrooms and helped launch the school’s new full-time Advanced Academic Program for third grade.

Ingrid Garrett, a Barbados native who taught for 30 years before joining FCPS through Participate Learning, was praised for culturally responsive teaching and for ensuring her Fort Hunt students made academic progress.

At Colin Powell Elementary, Hope Song’s leadership complemented the work of Kang and Bano. At Providence Elementary, Hannah Bergquist began the year by coordinating with colleagues and parents to ensure students had what they needed.

School communities benefited from work behind the scenes

Xiomara Campos helped prepare Fort Hunt Elementary each morning, maintained supplies and supported orderly cafeteria operations. At Mount Eagle Elementary, Barbara Adams was honored for more than 30 years of service and for a family connection to the school that includes her husband and children.

David Kish, an Annandale High alumnus, continued volunteering his time to coach, prepare events and cook for staff functions. Band director Zachary Wadsworth brought the Marching Atoms and color guard to Annandale Terrace Elementary, where they performed for more than 650 students and employees at the annual Cougar Pride Pep Rally.

Lake Braddock teacher John Tourtellotte worked with theater technology students to build marching-band props and equipment and taught stage combat for a second year. Rory Hatch and Hannah Reedy were recognized after the cheer and dance teams formed a tunnel for the marching band on game nights.

At Fort Hunt, Carla Tricoli-Rodriguez was also credited by a colleague with strengthening the Spanish immersion program. That recognition complemented one for Linda Myers, who was praised for inclusive instruction and thoughtful curriculum work.

At Mount Eagle, physical education teacher Alexander “Zander” MacDonald created organized and engaging activities for students from kindergarten through sixth grade. A separate submission named health aide Kristine Townes but described the honoree as “Marlow,” praising the aide’s calm and compassionate care in the health room.

Willow Springs Elementary Principal Dylan Taylor was recognized for responding to children in crisis, checking on employees and maintaining an open-door approach. Stone Middle’s Armando Garcia strengthened collaboration between administrators and student services while advocating for students and families.

Mountain View High building supervisor Latrena Warthen welcomed a family visiting the school as a September polling site and gave them a tour after learning that one parent had attended elementary school in the same building.

Mantua Elementary teacher Michelle Sullivan turned a family’s visit to the school garden into an impromptu lesson about herbs and vegetables, sending the children home with herbs and an eggplant.

Transportation, facilities and delivery teams earned praise

Lavon Carter and Jeremy Doxer of Stonecroft Transportation worked to resolve bus-route problems affecting Sunrise Valley Elementary families. Stonecroft supervisors Elsa Fisher and Rodrigo Arrate Latham each received two submissions praising their mentorship, daily check-ins and support for new drivers.

Team 12 transportation employees SamOku Oku, LaShawnda Keels, Yanixia Catin, Christian Pineda and Ray Goodman were honored for serving Key Center students. Their work included managing medical and behavioral situations, changing routes, helping students board and exit buses, attending IEP meetings and speaking with families.

Natividad Ramos and Maurice Leake of the Forte Center interrupted another assignment to remove accumulated materials from a loading dock, preventing delays to regular deliveries.

Andrew Reinoso and his Woodson Complex crew completed grounds work at Sunrise Valley Elementary. Louis Smith of the Forte Center was recognized for punctual mail deliveries and a consistently friendly manner.

Patti Boore’s transportation work supported students experiencing homelessness, while Lisa Shields coordinated interviews and schedules for AVID tutors and communicated closely with teachers about school needs.

Student activities and career programs drew recognition

Christina Byun, Allison Cupit, Amtul Chaudhry, Christian Love and Freddi Markson helped students open the Brew-Tea-Ful Cafe at Pulley Career Center. During its soft opening, students carried out clearly practiced roles while staff offered support without taking over.

At South County High, Megan Cooper and Mehreen Naghmi helped lead small groups and activities during Sources of Strength training for nearly 100 student leaders. Catric Whaley Marshall helped identify participants and ensured they felt safe and supported.

Stephen Kingston and Shanae Hill recruited participants, reserved and prepared the training space and handled purchase orders for the same event.

Kara Stamper of Centreville High shared college and career resources with Mountain View High while Mountain View’s specialist position was vacant. West Potomac High college and career counselor Karen Young coordinated a senior information night while helping families keep deadlines and college decisions in perspective.

Lake Braddock’s Cindy Allen corrected a student’s final college transcript problem in less than an hour by contacting the college and keeping the family informed.

Dozens more were thanked for everyday acts of care

Additional submissions recognized:

• Hyawon Kang and Arjuman Bano of Colin Powell Elementary for patient academic and classroom support.
• Kristine Townes, Alexander MacDonald, Kara Reid, Ania Mervis and Barbara Adams of Mount Eagle Elementary for health, instruction and community service.
• Dylan Taylor of Willow Springs Elementary for responsive leadership.
• Martha Macdonald of Willow Oaks for training and organizing volunteers.
• Megan Cooper, Mehreen Naghmi, Catric Whaley Marshall, Stephen Kingston and Shanae Hill for South County’s Sources of Strength program.
• Ellen Giuliano of Holmes Middle for calmly handling a last-minute field-trip date change requested by Transportation.
• Joe Berret of Gatehouse for helping an administrator prepare a Hearings Office packet within 48 hours.
• Denise Lee and Rashida Williams of Willow Oaks for regularly gathering feedback and supporting directors of student services.
• Zachary Wadsworth and the Marching Atoms for supporting Annandale Terrace’s school-year kickoff.
• Linda Myers, Carla Tricoli-Rodriguez, Preshion Lynch and Ingrid Garrett for strengthening Fort Hunt’s academics and culture.
• Ki Hyun Park, Scott Pratt, Peyton Bunch and Kristopher Bunch for responsive school technology service.
• Louis Smith, Natividad Ramos and Maurice Leake for reliable delivery work.
• Mackenzie Schmidt, Abby Tomlin, Sheryl Arenholz, Brielle Frisch, Anna Montain and Megan Neforos for student-centered communication and counseling.
• Kelly Bell, the Liberty Middle math department, Taren Suraci and Shane Zavala for supporting colleagues and students.
• Hanan Sarsaur, Tania Tapia, the Franklin adapted curriculum team and the Kilmer response teams for helping students with disabilities.
• Lisa Shields for organizing AVID tutors and supporting school programs.
• Brittney Floyd of West Potomac High, who was described by a colleague as an inspiring teacher and role model.

Other brief recognitions went to Forestdale’s Alicia Fyfe; West Potomac’s Karen Young; Providence’s Hannah Bergquist and Rex Miller; Riverside’s Naheed Ijaz and Tricia Finkhousen; and Early Childhood Resource Teacher Jameshia Davie.

The September collection also praised staff whose dependable work can easily escape public notice: cafeteria managers, custodial and facilities employees, technology specialists, bus personnel, counselors, instructional assistants, administrative staff and teachers. Together, the submissions depict a school system in which small gestures—an encouraging call, a quiet classroom, a fixed phone or a welcoming greeting—can materially change a student’s day.