Each year, Chesterfield County Public Schools recognizes two Outstanding Teachers of the Gifted: one from elementary and one from secondary.
2026 Elementary Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted - Megan Colpo, Marguerite Christian Elementary
She joined Chesterfield County Public Schools in 2011 and has been at Marguerite Christian Elementary since that time. The parent who nominated her wrote: “Her work with my children has been transformative. … Megan ‘gets’ my kids in a way most people don’t. She quickly recognizes how each child learns and adapts her approach to meet them where they are. That keen insight makes a real difference for [my twins]. … My kids feel safe with Megan — and that means everything to me. … Megan creates a classroom where they know they belong, where questions and differences are met with patience and respect. She notices the little wins, and I don’t think people realize how big those are. When a small step — completing a paragraph, answering a question, joining a group activity — was celebrated, it built momentum for further success. Those moments have been pivotal for my boys’ confidence.”
2026 Secondary Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted - Amy Zombron, Manchester Middle
Additionally, she has been selected as the Region 1 Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted by the Virginia Association for the Gifted. Zombron joined Chesterfield County Public Schools in 2005 and has been at Manchester Middle since 2016. Principal Toni Kilpatrick wrote in her nomination: “Amy understands that her impact goes far beyond her gifted students. She views all students at Manchester as part of the population she serves. Her deep commitment to collaboration ensures that all students benefit from her expertise, as she works closely with colleagues in both the comprehensive English PLC and with special education teachers. … In her gifted classroom, Amy creates creative, challenging, and interdisciplinary lessons that promote critical thinking and intellectual discourse. … She fosters a learning environment where students are not just recipients of knowledge but active participants, developing their own ideas and engaging in discussions that deepen their understanding.”
Learn more about gifted education in Chesterfield County Public Schools.