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Fairfax County Public Schools highlighted employees across the division in its November 2025 FCPS CARES recognitions, celebrating acts ranging from emergency bus coordination and family assistance to classroom support, community service and behind-the-scenes problem-solving.

November honorees

At the Gatehouse Administrative Center, Luis Cardona stayed beyond his regular shift to translate for a Spanish-speaking parent seeking help with a child’s school situation. His assistance allowed staff and the parent to communicate clearly and identify appropriate support.

Stonecroft Transportation employees Sam Kobman and Stephanie Keller were recognized for managing an emergency on Hunter Mill Road on Nov. 13. Their communication helped Area 3 and Area 4 buses reroute safely, enabled offices to contact affected families and kept disruption to the bus schedule to a minimum.

At Forest Edge Elementary, long-term substitute Preeti Singh and instructional assistant Robert Snell helped a kindergarten student adjust to a new school. The student’s parent praised Singh’s communication and monitoring of academic progress, as well as Snell’s attentiveness and ability to put children at ease.

Phillip Isberner of Cameron Elementary was honored for his work as an adaptive physical education teacher and lacrosse coach. The 2025 Virginia APHERD Teacher of the Year previously led West Potomac girls lacrosse to an Occoquan Regional Championship before joining the Hayfield boys program with fewer administrative responsibilities.

Jacqueline Naughton and the Lake Braddock Secondary caregivers coordinated more than 400 “Blessing Baskets” for families at Lake Braddock and neighboring schools, including Mountain View High School. The baskets contained necessities and gift cards, and volunteers spent a Saturday distributing them and loading them into vehicles.

Stone Middle School teacher Ruby Brown was credited with helping a student make gains in math, attendance and self-confidence. The student’s parent said Brown also provided after-school connection and mentoring for a child experiencing social isolation.

At Hayfield Secondary, Bryan Villalobos was recognized as a versatile team leader who has served as a translator, equity lead, new-hire trainer, technology troubleshooter and organizer of morale-building activities.

Additional employees recognized

Jose Zerpa Hersh of the Gatehouse Administrative Center was praised for his professionalism, community service and support of county garage and motor-pool operations. His nomination also cited his attention to the safety and well-being of officers and members of the public.

Mount Eagle Elementary teacher Perla Guerrero was recognized for handling changing circumstances calmly, communicating effectively with families and stepping in without being asked. One example involved walking to Kent Gardens to check on a new student who had exited a bus at the wrong stop.

Rebecca McLenithan, Fort Hunt Elementary’s only full-time counselor, was thanked for managing a large workload while remaining accessible to colleagues and supporting students throughout the school.

Fairfax High School counselor Luke Donald presented information about Fairfax Academy to Young Scholars, earning appreciation for making time during a busy period to answer students’ questions.

Belvedere Elementary educator Andrea Auerbach creates outdoor science lessons, organizes monthly Saturday family hikes and arranges transportation from the school and a large apartment community. She also coordinated the school’s annual Nature Night with local naturalists, activities, food and hot cocoa.

Annandale High School custodian Alexander Bancayan prepared the building early for Bryant High School’s satellite IPFIT program and repeatedly checked whether participants needed assistance. His warm greeting also helped a returning student feel at home.

Johnson Middle School teacher Jake Welch was recognized by a student for making class enjoyable with music while checking that students remained on task.

Navy Elementary bus driver Noureddine Jaafari was commended for his punctuality, dependability and kindness toward students and families.

Hayfield Secondary counselors Michelle Wang, Kellie Rodriguez-Lee, Eric Williams, Elyana MacNamara, Tim Dodson, Shayla Peterson, Molly Redican, Amber Simpkins, Ghil Hong and Maureen Toler were recognized for helping students manage schedules, future courses and emotional challenges while remaining available during urgent situations.

Christina Prishack of the Herndon Learning Center was praised for creating math resources, helping students prepare for required exams and providing teachers with practical solutions.

Cooper Middle School theater teacher Meg Baber received numerous submissions describing the program’s effect on students’ confidence, sense of belonging, teamwork and technical skills. Families said its classes and productions gave children an inclusive community during middle school and drew audiences from beyond the school.

Baber and Philip Kipperman also received thanks for guiding students through rehearsals and performances of “A Night at the Museum.” One parent said the experience helped a previously shy student connect with classmates and fall in love with theater.

Westgate Elementary Principal Hallie Demetriades rode a school bus when a difficult situation arose, offering direct support to the driver while reassuring students.

Bull Run Elementary custodian Nhu Truong was honored for keeping the school clean and welcoming, responding quickly to requests and maintaining a positive, professional attitude.

Mollie Kropp of the Instructional Programs Support Center led accessibility sessions during a Cooper Middle School staff meeting and Vanguard Day of Learning. Teachers received practical guidance on accessible instructional materials and time to explore resources on the Accessibility in FCPS Atlas site.

Kings Park Elementary special education teacher Naela Ahmed was praised for creating a safe and inclusive classroom for twin students, addressing their individual learning and emotional needs and working closely with their family and general education teacher.

Fairview Park employee Michele Anwyll helped two Annandale High School employees prepare for retirement in January 2026. They credited her with quick, accurate answers, useful referrals and compassionate guidance through benefits and retirement requirements.

Forest Edge Elementary employee Sarah Zamfir was recognized for helping children navigate disagreements and changing friendships while teaching empathy, humility and critical thinking.

Michelle Marion and Transportation Team 11 at the Lorton Center were thanked for coordinating Hayfield Secondary’s morning bus arrivals with the security team and helping students pass through the Open Gate weapons-detection system without delaying instruction.

Cherry Run Elementary teachers Jen Joo and Angela Lock separately caught incorrect dismissal records before a three-hour early release. Both verified that the affected children were supposed to remain at school and contacted their families to prevent mistaken dismissals.

Wilton Woods Center employees Shawn Heilemann, Riffat Ahmad and Michael Reilly were recognized for technical knowledge, responsiveness and collaborative problem-solving. Heilemann was also praised for teaching colleagues about his process, Ahmad for quickly supplying essential data feeds and Reilly for handling unexpected technology requests with a positive attitude.

Haycock Elementary’s Kathryn Dunbar was honored for serving as a library volunteer, cafeteria hostess and family liaison. Her work includes organizing books and displays, coordinating volunteers and managing a food-sharing table whose donations are delivered weekly to the McLean Share Food Bank.

Imani Sewell of the Gatehouse Administrative Center assisted Cameron Elementary during its Thanksgiving lunch, including putting on a hairnet and serving meals to students.

South Lakes High School teacher Alena Andrews was praised for designing rigorous lessons, supporting colleagues, helping supervise hallways and taking responsibility for Career and Technical Education industry certifications.

Anna Marie Wojcik quickly became an important part of Mount Eagle Elementary after arriving at the beginning of the school year. Colleagues cited her empathy, flexibility, humor and willingness to research unfamiliar procedures.

Stonecroft Transportation payroll employee Latika Barnes helped a new administrative assistant learn payroll operations, repeatedly answering questions and resolving problems with patience.

Fort Hunt Elementary art teacher Andrew Green was recognized for making art accessible to all students, developing new ways to display their work and producing the school yearbook.

Herndon Elementary teacher Alaina Bear helped a kindergartner transition into school by creating visual schedules and giving the family daily progress updates.

Cameron Elementary employee Amber Gonyea was praised for volunteering with clubs and PTA events, building trust with students and helping make the school welcoming.

Oakton High School athletic trainer Paul Rupp supported an injured freshman football player throughout the season, communicating with the family and school staff while monitoring the student’s recovery.

Christine Lieb-Mosley, Megan Pitts and Janice Peterson organized a Woodson High School career fair that connected students with professionals representing numerous career pathways.

Charity Risko of Belle View Elementary, Megan Walker of Falls Church High School, Jen Roberts of Great Falls Elementary, and Nathan Poumade and Elizabeth Joyce of Robinson Secondary shared their professional-learning experiences during the November Learning Circle. Their presentations connected training with practical ways to improve student engagement and growth.

Herndon Elementary administrator Jennie Skerker was recognized for welcoming students and families, supporting teachers, maintaining high expectations and advocating for fairness. She also volunteered as a bingo caller at an October PTA event.

Fort Hunt Elementary employee Rosa Dobarco was thanked for keeping the school office running smoothly with patience, problem-solving skills and a calm demeanor.

Amie Jenkins of the Nancy Sprague Technology Center helped a colleague move a school site to a Google shared drive and remained available for questions throughout the transition.

Chantilly High School employee Yohee Yoon assisted a family whose senior frequently missed first and second periods for allergy treatment. The parent praised Yoon for quickly and courteously processing absence and tardiness updates.

Johnson Middle School math teacher Richard Beck was recognized for building relationships that encouraged a student to request help. He also sent the family an unsolicited progress update and suggestions for preparing for an upcoming test.

Bull Run Elementary special education teacher Meghan Zidek was praised for knowing her students’ individual needs, checking that accommodations were provided and advocating for services and enrichment. She also created a portable calming corner so one student could regulate emotions throughout the building.

Bull Run instructional assistant Melissa Loyola was recognized for quickly adapting to a new special education role, learning students’ accommodations and advocating for respectful compliance with their individualized education programs.

Bull Run administrative assistant and finance technician Kimberly Neylon was commended for mastering a demanding position, supporting staff and families and managing school funds with equity in mind.

Bull Run teacher Celine Leary was honored for encouraging reflection and a love of learning, building relationships across grade levels and leading environmental efforts including Get2Green, a book swap and sixth-grade recycling collection.

Gatehouse Administrative Center employee Inock Lim received two recognitions for helping staff resolve local and non-local travel problems. Colleagues described her as patient and knowledgeable, particularly when handling grant-funded travel requests with missing documents or other errors.

Rocky Run Middle School employees A.J. Ries, Carol Cutler and Willie Martin found space for a professional-development session serving 25 novice teachers after organizers discovered the expected lecture-hall reservation had not been made.

Bryant High School teacher Randi Davison stepped into leadership duties during the absence of a department chair. She led meetings, entered accommodations, supported multilingual learners, coordinated graduation, served on the testing committee and continued preparing math students for Standards of Learning tests.

Franklin Middle School employee Kristie Pepin was thanked for going beyond her normal duties to help a colleague use the substitute website.

Willow Springs Elementary teacher Haemin Shin was recognized by a student intern for her patience and skill in teaching multilingual learners, including her use of songs to reinforce spelling.

Maria Escobar of the Dunn Loring Center supported two-day professional-learning sessions by arranging early building access, checking on participants and quickly responding when the room temperature became uncomfortable.

Fairfax High School employee Meg Perepiczka was praised for supporting faculty members, students and families while creating a safe environment in which students feel valued.

Wilton Woods Center employee Chip Lowe resolved an obscure technical problem affecting core processes on three servers. He researched the issue, kept colleagues informed and worked beyond normal hours until the systems were stable.

Providence Elementary math coach Tracy Cabacoy organized a Family Math Night featuring math-inspired art, sports activities, a marketplace and a hip-hop dance party. She also coordinated volunteers and community partners.

Lorton Center employee Michael Williams secured an additional bus at the last minute after Kings Glen Elementary discovered it was one vehicle short for a fourth-grade field trip to the Kennedy Center.

Orange Hunt Elementary teacher Christopher Timberlake was recognized by a family whose two children had him for third grade in consecutive school years. The parents credited him with inspiring enthusiasm for math, spelling, reading and critical thinking while communicating candidly and constructively about student progress.

Providence Elementary fifth-grade teachers Grace Adkins, Sara Benton, Stephanie McCrone, Caitlin McNeil and Alena Torres organized a grade-level morning meeting that celebrated kindness and addressed expectations for behavior on the playground and in the cafeteria.

Rick Kelly of the Nancy Sprague Technology Center was praised for helping build a workplace culture centered on employees and their families.

Fort Hunt Elementary teacher Zeeba Saleem was recognized for connecting with students, supporting both their academic engagement and emotional needs and ensuring that children feel included.

Union Mill Elementary educator Kasey Bisson continued supporting a former student despite a full teaching schedule. She provided check-ins, guidance and opportunities for the student to serve as a role model for younger children during a key transition.

Mount Eagle Elementary sixth-grade teacher Katie Chykirda was honored for developing instructional materials, helping students set learning goals and designing hands-on science projects. She also reorganized the science closet, served on committees and led Math Olympiad and Nature Gnomes clubs.

Herndon High School teachers Becky Henry and Ryan Ayoub were recognized for their long-term service. Henry was praised for her positivity, reliability and commitment to math students, while Ayoub was cited for his authenticity, teamwork and the positive physical education environment he creates.

Willow Oaks Administrative Center employee Alisha Martinez led a project-management workshop that made complex concepts accessible through practical tools and examples. Participants praised the training’s organization, energy and usefulness.