Chesterfield County Public Schools selected as its Teacher of the Year for 2026 James Myers, who teaches advanced engineering and manufacturing at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull.
Myers learned that he is the top teacher in central Virginia's largest school system when CCPS leaders surprised him Jan. 20, popping into his classroom to deliver the big news, gifts and congratulations.
Here’s what Brian Russell, principal of CTC@Hull, said about how Myers makes a difference: “James Myers demonstrates the insight and professionalism of a seasoned educator despite only a few years in education. He understands the big picture and the delicate ecosystem of students, programs, business partners and the wider Career and Technical Center community and continuously works to improve opportunities for his students. He is always willing to support his colleagues and contributes as a coach and PLC lead. … His industry experience strengthens his advanced engineering and manufacturing curriculum.”
A career switcher, Myers said he realized that he gravitated to teaching throughout his 25-year career in business by mentoring young colleagues, coaching field hockey and working with Boy Scouts. He began teaching in Chesterfield County Public Schools in 2023 after working as a performance engineer, product development engineer, operations manager and vice president within the manufacturing industry.
Teacher of the Year process
Every Chesterfield County school annually selects its Teacher of the Year. Chesterfield County Public Schools selects from those honorees an Elementary School Teacher of the Year, a Middle School Teacher of the Year and a High School Teacher of the Year, then chooses the districtwide Teacher of the Year from those three honorees.
On Jan. 20, school leaders also announced these awards:
Elizabeth Talley, school counselor at Davis Elementary, is the Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
Terrance Gregory, who teaches band at Falling Creek Middle, is the Middle School Teacher of the Year.
In letters presented to the district’s top three honorees, Superintendent Dr. John Murray wrote this about Teachers of the Year, “In every school and at every level, certain teachers stand out. These teachers demonstrate care and compassion, stress the importance of rigor and relationships and do the extra things necessary to help move our students toward success. They are committed to being game changers.”
Here are 2026 Teachers of the Year from every school in Chesterfield County Public Schools:
Elementary schools
Yasmin Ramirez of Bellwood Elementary
Amanda Midkiff of Bensley Elementary
Janta Thomas-Brown of Beulah Elementary
Jean Thompson of Bon Air Elementary
Kelsey Hilton of Chalkley Elementary
Starr Parker of Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy
Erin Dunnagan of Chesterfield Virtual School
Andrea Thomas of Marguerite Christian Elementary
Kristel French of Clover Hill Elementary
Diane Anders of Crenshaw Elementary
Melissa Smith of Crestwood Elementary
Kimberly Bender of Curtis Elementary
Elizabeth Talley of Davis Elementary (also the Elementary School Teacher of the Year)
Emily Kaiser of Ecoff Elementary
Amber Kanode of Enon Elementary
Dr. Sydney Lilly of Ettrick Elementary
Erinn Dilday of Evergreen Elementary
Trayona Brockenbrough of Falling Creek Elementary
Rachel Nordgaard of Gates Elementary
Rudy Edmunds of Gordon Elementary
Carrie Wallace of Grange Hall Elementary
Morgan Hanley of Greenfield Elementary
Raychel Simmons of Harrowgate Elementary
Tess Walton of Hening Elementary
Stacey Pritchard of Hopkins Elementary
Michaela Smith of Jacobs Road Elementary
Mary Krevonick-Lewis of Matoaca Elementary
Claire Leary of Moseley Elementary
Janae Rogers of Old Hundred Elementary
Garrett Morgan of Providence Elementary
Darlene Walker of Reams Road Elementary
Morgan Saxby of Robious Elementary
Jacqueline Clarke of Salem Church Elementary
Angela Erwin of Elizabeth Scott Elementary
Liz Pearson of Alberta Smith Elementary
Alison Watson of Spring Run Elementary
Jessica Dent of Swift Creek Elementary
Emily Bourne of Watkins Elementary
Kim Logan of Bettie Weaver Elementary
Nancy Poulsen of Wells Elementary
Brittany Williams of Winterpock Elementary
Kimberly English of Woolridge Elementary
Middle schools
Amanda Andersen of Bailey Bridge Middle
Laura Powell Kiser of Carver Middle
Rachel Szybisty of Elizabeth Davis Middle
Katherine Nance of Deep Creek Middle
Terrance Gregory of Falling Creek Middle (also the Middle School Teacher of the Year)
Edward Allen of Manchester Middle
Michael Hogwood of Matoaca Middle
Brian Roberts of Midlothian Middle
Victoria Crone of Providence Middle
Kristine Condrey of Robious Middle
Adrienne Payne of Salem Church Middle
Katie Coates of Swift Creek Middle
Melinda Bowden of Tomahawk Creek Middle
High schools
Karen Richardson of Bird High
Trista Grigsby of Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse
James Myers of Career and Technical Center @ Hull (also CCPS Teacher of the Year and the High School Teacher of the Year)
Susan Anderson of Carver College and Career Academy
Kelsie Myers of CCPSOnline
Rebekah Amato of Clover Hill High
Jennifer Swartz of Cosby High
Samantha Hutton of Thomas Dale High
Lauren Benere-Forder of James River High
Deanna Lane of Manchester High
Matthew Stinson of Matoaca High
Melissa Lee of Meadowbrook High
Morgan Hargrave of Midlothian High
Adrian Murray of Monacan High