Each year, Chesterfield County Public Schools celebrates outstanding teachers of the performing arts. Here are the 2026 honorees:
Exceptional Leadership Award - Donald Davis of Matoaca High
His nominator wrote: “Don has shown strong leadership within the county band community by organizing and hosting the all-county jazz event this year. Don leads his students with exemplary skill; his students earned a superior rating at district assessment. Don leads the Matoaca High School arts department with strong and dedicated leadership. He organizes many of the school’s assemblies, manages community events through the marching band, and serves as a mentor. As I approach the end of my second year in education, his guidance has been especially meaningful to me.”
Novice Teacher Award - Keighton Bell of Manchester Middle
His nominator wrote: "Mr. Bell has demonstrated the maturity, passion, and artistic vision of a seasoned educator. From day one, Mr. Bell established a culture of excellence, consistently holding students to high performance and behavior expectations. Mr. Bell has transformed the atmosphere of Manchester Middle's theater department, fostering a disciplined yet creative space where students thrive. … Perhaps most impressively, Mr. Bell devised a completely new work based on the lived experiences of not just his theater students but from the responses of over 100 students at Manchester Middle. This original production was deeply moving and showcased his ability to turn student stories into powerful, professional-level theater.”
Performing Arts Award - Robyn Kim of Manchester High
Her nominator wrote: “Robyn's passion for choral arts is unmatched and incredibly inspiring. She is grateful for and highly complimentary of everyone she works with. Her passion for music (and life) is evident.”
There was a three-way tie for the Unsung Hero Award:
Sarah Ramsey of Thomas Dale High, whose nominator wrote this: “Sarah has shown a willingness to host a multitude of county band events this year along with chairing assessment this year. I appreciate her willingness to offer her space and take on the extra work for the county. … She has a great rapport with her students and the other directors in the county. She is always willing to help.”
Olivia Slagle of Tomahawk Creek Middle, whose nominator wrote this: “Olivia jumped in to help at all-district band. She served as a supplemental host and helped facilitate setup, the rehearsal, and tear-down. … She was able to take on the entire event with only three weeks of notice. … Olivia can be relied on at all events to jump right in to support students!”
Kim Rose, Providence Middle teacher who died in February, will be honored posthumously. Her nominator wrote: “Kim was dealing with serious illness but managed to come to work every day into November working with students despite pain and illness. Kim didn't just come when she was sick, she diligently taught the students in front of her and prepared them for the extra events like all-county and all-district auditions. … She said her favorite part of her job was helping students become more confident humans and better musicians.”
