We Are Proud of You!

By Aldrin ES
Spotlights
May 03, 2026

Fairfax County SEPTA Awards

Liz Smith stands in the center of a group of three, proudly holding a dark wood plaque. The plaque identifies her as a winner of the Mark Stewart Memorial Award for Outstanding Elementary Special Educator. She is flanked by the same man and woman from previous photos, both smiling in a brightly lit hallway.
LIZ SMITH

Congratulations to Liz Smithfor her nomination and for being named the 2025–2026 Outstanding Special Education Teacher award recipient at the Ninth Annual Fairfax County SEPTA Awards.
Three people posing together in a large hall with grey brick walls and tiered seating. In the center, Megan Fadoul with long dark hair wears a colorful floral maxi dress and an olive green jacket. She is flanked by Barbara Gist on the left in a grey plaid blazer and black trousers, and Shane on the right in a tan blazer over a black turtleneck. The room is filled with other attendees blurred in the background.
MEGHAN FADOUL
We also congratulate Meghan Fadoulon being nominated as Outstanding Preschool Special Education Teacher for the 2025–2026 school year.We are proud to recognize both educators for their dedication, expertise, and commitment to supporting students and families.

Western Governors University (WGU) Outstanding Paraeducators Award

Assistant Principal Barbara Gist and WGU representative Elizabeth McCarthy recently presented Olga Prytkov and Paulina Ttito with Western Governors University (WGU) awards recognizing them as Outstanding Paraeducators, following a national call for school nominations.
Three women posing in front of a brick wall and indoor greenery. The woman in the center wears a red shirt and holds a bouquet of flowers in pink wrapping. The woman to her left wears a pink floral dress and holds a framed WGU certificate and a navy blue WGU gift bag. The woman on the right wears a white sweater and grey trousers, smiling as she stands beside them.
OLGA PRYTKOV
We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition of their dedication and impact on students. We are also deeply grateful for all of our instructional assistants whose care, commitment, and support make a meaningful difference in our classrooms every day. 
A group of four women and a young boy posing together in a classroom setting. The woman in the center, wearing a red shirt, holds a framed certificate and a bouquet of flowers. A navy blue gift bag with the WGU logo hangs from her arm. Her colleagues stand around her with their arms around each other, while a young boy in a graphic t-shirt and red shorts stands in the foreground. A pink neon heart-and-rainbow light is visible on the wall behind them.
PAULIA TTITO

Jamileh Abu-Ghannam — recipient of the FCCPTA Shining Star Award

Mr. Wolfe left, Jamileh middle, Barbara Gist right in photo.
Jamileh Abu-Ghannam