Congratulations to the 2025 Individual Impact Award winners!

Collaboration and Partnerships Individual Impact Award Winners

The winners of this award d evelop influential partnerships with parents, businesses, and community organizations; foster collaboration across schools, offices, and/or departments; utilize internal and external resources and expertise to bolster student learning and promote the success of students and staff.

Ammar Ahmad Attar

Database Engineer, Information Technology 

• Ammar is responsible for ensuring that more than 30 mandated tests across the entire K-12 spectrum get properly loaded into FCPS’ large scale data warehouse and Student Information System on a regular basis. As a result of Ammar's efforts, teachers have vital and timely data to make decisions and plan better outcomes for all FCPS students. To accomplish this massive task, Ammar constantly meets and partners with various offices including the Office of Assessment and Reporting, Career and Technical Education, Department of Special Services, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and countless programs across the division.

Riley Barrows

After-School Specialist, Rachel Carson Middle School

• In his role as after-school specialist, Riley has developed stellar relationships with parents, businesses, and community organizations to secure sponsors and volunteers for the more than 50 after-school activities offered at Rachel Carson every quarter. Riley has expanded the after-school program to be an efficient, inclusive and diverse support for students across all cultures and interests. His programs engage more than 250 students every afternoon in a variety of opportunities that include state-award-winning academic competitions. Additionally, Riley’s daily administrative teamwork effectively supports teachers and students alike.

Kristen Ceglie

Fourth Grade Teacher, Coates Elementary School

• Kristen is known for building strong partnerships with Coates Elementary staff, families, and the community. As a fourth-grade team lead, she guides curriculum planning and often finds ways to connect different subjects, such as collaborating with the Science teacher for students to learn about ecosystems while simultaneously studying Virginia’s regions in Social Studies. She spearheads a buddy mentor program, pairing students from different grades to work together on projects like community service. Kristen organizes major school events like Multicultural Night and the annual staff basketball game against Deer Park Elementary, bringing together families from different schools. Her efforts foster a positive school culture and strengthen community bonds. Congratulations, Kristen!

Claudia De Paz

School Social Worker, Special Services 

• Claudia has used her position as a school social worker to significantly expand partnership opportunities at Providence Elementary. She drives impactful initiatives such as Community Connection Night, for which she secured over 35 organizations to provide critical information about mental health resources, youth programs, and other essential services. Claudia effectively leads Tier 2 and 3 interventions. Her previous work with the Department of Family Services laid the foundation for her belief in supporting mental health through strong community partnerships. Claudia's leadership demonstrates a commitment to integrated support systems and ensuring student success.

Shelli Carpenter Farquharson

Career Experience Specialist, George C. Marshall High School

• Shelli is a career experience specialist who facilitates real world learning opportunities for Marshall Academy students. Shelli researches and organizes job fairs, internships, and scholarship opportunities. She has facilitated experiences at the FBI Academy, FBI Headquarters, FBI Terrorist Screening Center, the International Spy Museum, and worked in partnership with industry to bring in guest speakers from Navy Special Warfare Operations, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Fairfax County Police. She provides in depth knowledge to students on industry trends and insights on what recruiters are seeking in qualified candidates.

Amy Garcia

Family Liaison, Belle View Elementary School

• As family liaison at Belle View Elementary, Amy has significantly strengthened home-school connections through her collaborative work. She has initiated monthly “Coffee Chats” that foster family engagement. These chats address academic and wellness topics in an inclusive setting. Amy partners with staff to identify families in need, providing supports such as transportation, translations, and resources. Her outreach has led to improved student attendance and engagement. Additionally, she collaborates with community organizations to support families’ broader needs. Amy exemplifies leadership through partnership, creating a more connected and empowered school community.

Kathryn Garcia

Family Liaison, Gunston Elementary / Chief Experience & Engagement Office 

• Kathryn is relentless about caring for every family, student, and staff member. Since entering her role, school and community partnerships have grown and thrived. Participation in activities such as Community Day, Career Day, Diversity Night and Blue Star Week have grown tremendously under her leadership. She secures donations and makes local connections to ensure every school event is successful. For the Fall Marathon, she partners with the PTA and Historic Gunston Hall to provide a fun and profitable fundraiser. A few of Kathryn’s most successful annual events are the Veteran's Day Ceremony and College and Career Day. 

Nicholas Hartman

Assistant Principal, Holmes Middle School

• Nick has built partnerships with the school’s primary stakeholders - the students - to empower them for personal and academic success. He is famous for his unflappable demeanor, navigating even the toughest conversations with unfailing calm, respect, and patience. Nick supports the Multiered Systems of Support Tier 1 team and Instructional Leadership Team with data-driven analysis and decision making. He organized the faculty science teams to attend training for working with English Language Learners, ensured that AVID students attended a college field trip, and provided opportunities for staff development over the summer. He goes above and beyond to enrich and empower everyone around him. 

Christina Hunt

School Social Worker, Special Services

• Christina consistently goes above and beyond to support special education needs, especially in regards to post secondary transition planning. After attending the Virginia Children Services Act Conference to expand her knowledge base of community-based services, she developed and implemented a caregiver support group to share these resources and assist families with accessing needed services. Her work has been recognized with a nomination for the Fairfax County Special Education PTA Award for Outstanding Related Services. Christina also provides services as a member of the social work advisory committee.

Jennifer Miley

Director, Student Services, Rachel Carson Middle School

• Jennifer works tirelessly to foster partnerships between staff, families, administrators, and community members. She is a known problem-solver who develops creative solutions when challenges arise. Her counseling department was awarded the prestigious “Recognized American School Counselor Association Model Program” designation. Jennifer leads with grace and efficiency, making sure timelines are kept, nothing and no one falls through the cracks, and an entire school year of calendared events are planned and executed smoothly. She is positive, a decisive leader, and operates with a growth mindset. 

Karen Olarinde

Resource Teacher, Annandale High School

• Karen leads the math department with a commitment to equity, collaboration, and high-quality instruction. Her impact reaches across the pyramid as she builds strong partnerships with teachers, administrators, and central office staff to align practices and elevate student learning. Karen designs and facilitates pyramid-wide professional development and fosters cross-departmental collaboration. She plays a central role in communicating about after-school interventions, testing preparation, and academic support services, ensuring that families are well-informed and equipped to help their children succeed. Karen’s consistent outreach and responsiveness have helped build meaningful home-school connections, particularly for students facing academic challenges. 

Robert Stringham 

HVAC Teacher, Edison High School

• Robert builds strong relationships with parents, industry leaders, and community partners to create hands-on learning, internships, and career pathways for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) program students. He has published over 20 books, led students to SkillsUSA state and national recognition, and secured thousands of dollars in grants and donations. His graduates earn high-wage apprenticeships, and he’s shaped state curriculum and national conversation in HVAC education. Through tireless advocacy and innovation, Robert bridges education and industry, transforming lives and exemplifying the FCPS mission.

Kyoko Vaughan

Japanese Language Teacher, Hayfield Secondary School

• Kyoko fosters cross-cultural collaborations and mutual understanding. Over her many years as a Japanese teacher, she has developed and sustained deep student relationships. Through the Kakehashi project, her students traveled to Tokyo and Hiroshima for a cultural exchange visit. Hayfield students were invited to attend a Japanese poetry workshop with first ladies Jill Biden and Yuko Kishida at the White House. Kyoko coordinated a world-renowned Japanese musical group to perform at a school assembly. Her students have successfully competed at the national level, and volunteered with the Sakura Matsuri Festival in Washington DC.

Equity and Cultural Responsiveness Individual Impact Award Winners

The winners of this award d emonstrate cultural responsiveness in building relationships and leverages impact to address systemic equity challenges; engages in reflection to craft culturally responsive solutions that eliminate barriers; promotes equity and inclusivity for those in marginalized or underrepresented groups.

Julie Curtin

Multilingual Learners Teacher, George C. Marshall High School

• In addition to serving as the ESOL department chair, Julie was one of two teachers to pilot a team-taught ESOL IB English Language and Literature double-block class. Julie is a member of the School Innovation and Improvement Plan (SIIP) team and contributing member of the Marshall Testing and Assessment Center. She has served as a new teacher mentor and Great Beginnings coach. Julie has been an Academy instructor for the Mentoring Novice Teachers course. She has written curriculum at the county level for both English and ESOL Instructional Services, and the Online Campus.

Aileen J. Mavity-Hoffman

Fourth Grade Teacher, Spring Hill Elementary School

• Aileen created and implemented the school wide holiday initiative, "Windows." Inspired by the book by Julia Denos, every student and staff member was encouraged to decorate a "window" to share their family traditions. This project provided a unique way for the school community to understand and appreciate diverse experiences. Each year Aileen leads the 4th-grade team in creating an annual Ocean Fashion Show, aligning with 4th-grade science standards and Universal Design for Learning practices to make learning engaging and relevant. Aileen is not only an exceptional team lead, but is the catalyst for meaningful, lasting change at Spring Hill. 

Erin Rock

History & Social Studies Teacher, Lake Braddock Secondary School

• As equity lead at Lake Braddock, Erin demonstrates cultural responsiveness by addressing systemic inequities head-on. She facilitated a post-incident lesson on racism, explicitly aimed to counter bias and hate stemming from misunderstanding. By having students identify commonalities, she helped spark connections and highlight their shared humanity. Erin extends this impact through the Global Classroom Project, connecting her history classes with peers around the world. Most recently, she led a UN Sustainable Development Goal project to compare education equality in the Middle East and North Africa with that in the US, historically and presently. Erin’s work dismantles barriers for all students.

Innovation and Improvement Individual Impact Award Winners

The winners of this award e xhibit a commitment to innovation and transformation; effectively implement new initiatives that have a broad impact on FCPS students, staff, and/or the community.

Benjamin Bedard

Resource Teacher, Hayfield Secondary School

• As the systems of support advisor, Ben has implemented numerous strategies to promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment. He can be seen in the hallway and cafeteria throughout the day, motivating students to arrive promptly to class, and making decisions that will keep themselves and others safe. He encourages and models positive language and behavior, contributing to a warm and positive school climate. Committed to equity, he amplifies student voice, honors student identities and experiences, and ensures student safety and well-being.

Alexis Hermes

Administrative and School Finance Assistant, Coates Elementary School

• Alexis is always seeking innovative solutions, especially when it comes to Coates’ rapid school growth. She is quick to order learning materials and classroom furniture, and find spaces for all groups. Alexis takes care of before- and after-school clubs to ensure they are set up for success. She leads the office team with professionalism, manages school finances with precision, and exercises strong critical thinking skills to support the planning and execution of school initiatives. Alexis’ leadership and dedication make her an indispensable part of the school.

Navdeep Kaur

Engineering Technician, Facilities & Capital Programs 

• Navdeep serves as the liaison between architects, their sub-consultants, the Fairfax County Land Development Service office, and city and town offices. Navdeep works together with FCPS architects and engineers, building contractors, and different areas of Fairfax County with the common goal of directing the design and construction of school addition and renovation projects. She makes the permit process run effortlessly with her knowledge and her background in architecture. Her willingness to adapt to ever changing permit processes allows projects to be on schedule and on budget.

Aron Sterling

Senior Manager, Educational Technology - Systems & Design, Instructional Services

• Aron’s work in education technology directly enhances instruction and equitable access to materials for all FCPS students. He has led the successful implementation and ongoing improvement of the Schoology and Performance Matters platforms. These tools support educators and facilitate purposeful assessment and data-driven improvements in student learning. Aron champions equity and inclusion through accessible digital content and Universal Design for Learning. As a collaborative problem-solver and forward-thinker, Aron’s work drives the division towards excellence and opportunities for every learner.

Cindy Waddell

Technology & Engineering Education Teacher, Bryant High School

• As Bryant High School’s Construction Technology Teacher, Cindy exemplifies innovation and excellence in education. She has played a pivotal role in establishing a hands-on engineering program that aligns with the FCPS strategic plan by promoting equity, access, and career readiness. Through high-quality work-based learning, Dr. Waddell provides students with real-world skills, including OSHA certification and workplace readiness. Her commitment to student success, creativity in the classroom, and ability to turn vision into opportunity make her a transformative educator who prepares students for fulfilling careers—not just jobs.

Student Achievement and Success Individual Impact Award Winners

The winners of this award i mplement strategies to actively engage students in the learning process; create opportunities of ownership in academic activities and discussions; promote an inclusive and supportive learning environment where all students are valued and supported.

Irene Veltri Hall

Cosmetology Teacher, Edison High School

• As a cosmetology teacher at Edison Academy, Irene consistently delivers excellent instruction, fosters equity, and expands opportunities for all students. Irene's impact on student achievement is both measurable and inspirational. Her students consistently achieve a 100% pass rate on the state board licensure exam, an extraordinary accomplishment that reflects both her expert pedagogy and her unwavering commitment to student success. Her tireless work and passion for teaching have made a lasting difference in the lives of her students.

Benjamin Hutton

Multilingual Learners Teacher, Herndon High School

• Ben is an extraordinary asset to the achievement of Herndon High School students. His passion, combined with his ability to build relationships with every student, encourages and facilitates a love for learning in and out of the classroom. On any given day, Ben can be found collecting containers for his students to raise worms, creating a rendition of the moon with 150 pounds of flour, attending after school detention to help struggling students, organizing a battle of the bands, or inviting students to the roof of the school to watch the eclipse. He makes learning an adventure every student wants to be a part of.

Nicole Zupan

Learning Disabilities Teacher, Union Mill Elementary School

• As a multiple disabilities teacher, Nicole serves students in second and third grades who have a wide range of academic and behavioral support needs. She has decades of experience at a number of FCPS schools, and is a parent of neurodivergent children herself. She brings care, kindness, and a unique perspective to her work. Nicole has regular Zoom sessions with parents of students on her caseload and supplies them with a weekly newsletter. She has run invaluable intervention and strategy professional development sessions for her colleagues. From administrators to teachers to custodians to families, her impact stretches through the whole Union Mill community.