Jim Alberston taught and coached for 41 years, with 25 of those years at Clover Hill High (1983-2008). He taught classes in world history, sociology and the Civil War and coached 72 seasons in wrestling, golf and boys tennis. He was instrumental in creating the curriculum for the Civil War elective. Through foreign exchange programs, Jim accompanied middle and high school groups to England and Germany. One of Clover Hill High’s winningest coaches, he was named district and regional Coach of the Year multiple times. In retirement, Jim continues to make a difference by tutoring middle school students at Tomahawk Creek and Swift Creek middle schools and working with the Cosby High boys tennis team. Jim Alberston video

Betsy Stark Barton brought a love of history to the Curtis, Reams Road and Providence elementary classes she taught 1982-2002. In addition to teaching thousands of first graders and third graders, she mentored dozens of student teachers. In 2002, Betsy was named elementary history specialist for the Virginia Department of Education, where she played a vital role developing social studies standards that define what Virginia teachers must teach and students should learn. Betsy died in 2019, but her influence continues through a scholarship in her memory through the Virginia Foundation for Humanities and a Teacher of the Year Award in her name given by the Virginia Council for the Social Studies. Betsy Stark Barton video

Joann Crowell-Redd began her career as a special education teacher at Matoaca Middle in 1980, then became the district’s first vocational evaluator at the Chesterfield Technical Center. Before retiring in 2010, she made a difference as assistant principal of Davis Elementary and principal of Wells, Ettrick and Ecoff elementaries before moving to central office as personnel specialist and then director of human resources. Students don’t always remember their principals, but students remember Joann because she could see when they needed help and she would stop whatever she was doing to offer that help. She had a gift for making every staff member and volunteer feel as if they were of the utmost importance in educating young people. In retirement, Joann is an adjunct professor and is proud to have founded SFS, a company providing estate and liquidation services. Joann Crowell-Redd video

Donna Dalton influenced teaching and learning throughout Chesterfield County Public Schools, as she advanced from teacher to math specialist to curriculum and instruction director to professional development director to chief academic officer. Her inclusive approach brought about algebra being offered for all eighth graders and professional development available for all CCPS employees (not just teachers). As the district’s chief academic officer, she drove the strategic planning process that led to providing Chromebooks for all students and shifted instruction to better prepare students for life after high school. In retirement, Donna continues to educate through her series of children’s books featuring two mice that travel throughout the world. Donna Dalton video

Patricia B. Lancaster served as assistant principal at James River High (1994-1997) and Manchester High (1997-2006). She began her teaching career in Richmond and served as a principal in Powhatan and an administrator in Richmond. Her high standards and encouragement motivated thousands of students and professionals. To promote student belonging and scholarship, she sponsored organizations like the National Beta Club and Umoja at Manchester High and Minority Expressions at James River High. As a Fulbright Scholar, she traveled to Japan and England to collaborate with global educators. In retirement, Patricia continues to make a difference as a Chesterfield election officer, a leader of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and a board member for Business Opportunities for the Blind and for Ebenezer Baptist Church. Patricia B. Lancaster video

Sandra Silvestre was a history, media production and International Baccalaureate educator at Meadowbrook High School. She launched the school’s media program to provide an engaging career pathway for students. Whether or not students went on to careers in film/TV/video production — as many did — the communication skills they learned from Sandie could be used in any field. She was also Meadowbrook’s unofficial mother, taking care of students by paying for lunch in the cafeteria, checking on their progress toward graduation and attending extracurricular activities to support all of the students involved. From 1981 to 2011, Sandie’s dedication and extreme attention to detail were unparalleled at Meadowbrook High. Sandra Silvestre video

Throughout his career, Gene Brown focused on building relationships with students. He made sure that each student felt special and valued, influencing thousands of young lives. He taught history and government at Thomas Dale High School, where he also started a tennis program and coached boys and girls tennis for 25+ years. He retired from teaching after 32 years, then returned to Thomas Dale High as assistant principal for 12 years, two of which were at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center. That’s a total of 44 years of educating, mentoring and motivating the youth of Chesterfield County. He also served five years in the Air Force plus 22 years in the Army Reserves and was active in community service organizations. Throughout his career, Gene Brown encouraged and inspired thousands of students. Gene Brown video

Ceal Donohue led with compassion and dedication in each of her many roles within Chesterfield County Public Schools. Throughout her 43-year career (with 29 of those years in Chesterfield County Public Schools), she worked to meet the individual needs of students and families but also put a great focus on staff development and worked diligently to build up her colleagues. Her caring and understanding manner touched many over the years. She served as a history and government teacher at Meadowbrook High School, assistant principal at Meadowbrook and James River high schools and summer school program manager for the division. She also supervised the business-information technology teachers and served as Chesterfield’s liaison for dual enrollment with postsecondary partners. Ceal Donohue made a lasting positive impact on students and staff members. Ceal Donohue video

Dr. Lynda Gillespie taught and nurtured students as a middle school, high school and technical education teacher over her 34-year career (with 32 of those years in Chesterfield County Public Schools). She engaged with students in multiple ways to create bonds that remain strong after decades, and her contributions were wide ranging. At the Chesterfield Technical Center,  she created Virginia’s only all-student, live TV program. As the division’s English instructional specialist, she developed countywide programs such as Writing Across the Curriculum, which included training principals and parents about what constitutes good writing. As director of technology, she implemented the first student laptop initiative. After retirement, she continued to serve as a volunteer and has worked with a local nonprofit to help raise funds to provide literacy kits. Dr. Lynda Gillespie’s positive influence continues throughout the community. Dr. Lynda Gillespie video

Pete Koste dedicated his 39-year career to the young people of Chesterfield County. Beginning as a math teacher at Falling Creek Middle School, he soon moved to Midlothian High School where he taught math, served as athletic director and coached several sports before becoming assistant principal. As 1993-2016 principal of Manchester High School, he was steadfast in his affection for and dedication to the Manchester community. A passionate believer in education and in the power of relationships, he was always there for students and staff. Stressing to students the importance of extracurricular connections (arts, clubs, sports), he served at the highest levels of the Virginia High School League. The 2008 recipient of the R.E.B. Award for Distinguished Educational Leadership, Pete Koste lives by the advice he shared annually with Manchester High graduates: never compromise your integrity; serve the community; hard work is the key to success; and always treat people with dignity and respect. Pete Koste video

Robin Morgan’s 42 years with Chesterfield County Public Schools left a legacy of grateful students, staff and families. She began as an elementary school teacher at Grange Hall and then Gates. Moving into leadership roles, she served as assistant principal and principal at several schools, becoming Bellwood Elementary principal in 2004. She motivated staff members to reach every child, every chance, every day. Her leadership put Bellwood Elementary on the path to becoming a Nationally Distinguished Title I School. Her retirement in 2011 only lasted for a summer before she returned to work in Chesterfield County Public Schools for seven more years. In 2017, she moved to Petersburg City Public Schools as principal coach, then retired for good in 2019. Robin Morgan’s inspiring focus on relationships and instruction was unparalleled. Robin Morgan video

In addition to teaching health and PE for more than 35 years (23 at Midlothian High School), Stan Morgan coached three sports annually for most of those years: boys and girls cross country, indoor track and outdoor track. For 14 years after his retirement, Coach Morgan continued to coach those three sports before deciding at age 83 to let others take over coaching duties. A member of the VHSL Hall of Fame, he coached the Midlothian High girls cross country team to seven state championships, the boys cross country team to six state titles and the boys indoor track team to a state championship. Coach Morgan used a careful balance of discipline and care as he challenged student athletes to perform their best on the course and in the classroom. Stan Morgan’s determination to hold students and student athletes to the highest standard, while showing a high level of care, is inspiring. Stan Morgan video

Dr. Marcus Newsome served for a decade as superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools and was one of the most successful and longest tenured superintendents among the nation’s 100 largest school districts. In partnership with the School Board, educators and the community, he transformed Chesterfield County Public Schools into a national leader. During his tenure, the school district implemented the largest Google Chromebook initiative in the nation and became a leader in children’s engineering, career and technical education and effective implementation of blended learning, project-based learning, service learning and social media. His approach was always student centered, and processes that limited opportunities for students were eliminated or revised. Marcus Newsome co-founded Mega Mentors, which continues to connect business and civic mentors with Chesterfield County students, and he continues to serve as a mentor to many current and aspiring educational leaders as the director of the Virginia Superintendents Leadership Academy. Dr. Marcus Newsome video

Throughout his career, Mr. Accashian was an innovative teacher, coach and administrator known for motivating at-risk students and helping them believe in themselves. As an administrator at Meadowbrook High, he helped create the Phoenix program to combat a higher than desired student dropout rate. From there, he became involved with Communities In Schools of Chesterfield and helped establish the Burger King Academy, an alternative program that helped at-risk students graduate. Burger King Academy went on to become Community High, where Mr. Accashian served as principal, continuing to champion the needs associated with alternative education.

During her 30-plus years in education, Dr. Baskerville served as a world language instructor, a foreign language department chair, an instructional specialist for foreign languages and later the specialist for English as a Second Language (ESL).  After retirement, Dr. Baskerville earned her Ph. D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies and went on to become a consultant in the Office of School Improvement at the Virginia Department of Education.

From 2000-06, Dr. Cannaday served Chesterfield County Public Schools as Superintendent. When he began his leadership journey in Chesterfield, fewer than half of the division’s schools were fully accredited. When he left to become State Superintendent of Public Instruction, all Chesterfield County schools were fully accredited. Under his guidance, he led Chesterfield County Public Schools through a period of large growth as enrollment increased by nearly 6,500 students.

As one of the founders of MEGA Mentors, Mr. Cummings has provided leadership and inspiration to others resulting in thousands of Chesterfield students meeting with success. This volunteer organization is comprised of more than 150 individuals who support 550 students in ten Chesterfield County schools. Mr. Cummings’ leadership remains steady as the organization is working to reach an ambitious goal in serving all Chesterfield County schools. Mr. Cummings also continues to be involved with the Chesterfield Education Foundation.

After retiring from military service, Mr. Floyd served Chesterfield County as a school bus driver. Throughout his employment with the school division, he strongly believed in the mission of feeding the hungry and ending hunger in Chesterfield County, so he volunteered his time at the Chesterfield Food Bank (CFB). Now retired, Mr. Floyd continues to serve as a volunteer helping to supply thousands of meals to children and their families who are food insecure during the summer months. Through his partnership, the Chesterfield Food Bank has expanded opportunities for Chesterfield County Public Schools’ families.

Prior to her leadership role as an instructional specialist for school counseling, Ms. Hornick served as a school counselor for more than two decades at a number of school sites. Not only did she help prepare thousands of Chesterfield County students for college or careers, but she also helped play a role in creating the school division’s initial crisis response plan, incorporating responsive support for students who might experience trauma. Even though Ms. Hornick is retired, she is still driven to work with suicide prevention efforts in order to support our young people.

Not only was Ms. Jackson a brilliant educator and positive role model, but she also influenced her Chesterfield students by building relationships with them that made a lasting impact. Beginning her career teaching under segregated conditions, she took great interest in her students throughout their academic careers and beyond, encouraging them to be both self-reliant and resilient. Now retired, Ms. Jackson is an avid teacher of black history and is a neighborhood and church historian.

A celebrated educator, Ms. Robertson served Chesterfield County Public Schools as a Latin teacher and department chair for more than 35 years retiring from Midlothian High School in 2010. Ms. Robertson was selected Midlothian High School’s Teacher of the Year twice and was named Chesterfield County Public Schools’ Teacher of the Year in 1976. In addition to these recognitions, she was named the Chesterfield County Public Schools’ Foreign Language Teacher of the Year in 1978 and then received the Classical Association of Virginia’s Latin Teacher of the Year Award in 2010. Even in retirement, she continues to support students at Midlothian High and mentor other women as educators and leaders.

Throughout her 35 years in Chesterfield schools, Mrs. Smith served as a teacher, a principal and central office leader. During this time, she developed, implemented and evaluated comprehensive leadership and career development programs that benefited employees, while also mentoring hundreds of assistant principals, principals, directors and central office leaders. Upon retiring, Mrs. Smith went on to become the Clover Hill District School Board Member for eight years where her top priority was that each child in Chesterfield County schools received a high-quality education.

For more than 20 years, Mrs. Stanfield served Chesterfield County Public Schools as an elementary school teacher. Her compassion, support and high expectations for her students laid the foundations for success in her classroom and beyond. Retiring from Ecoff Elementary School in 1997, she has continued serving and supporting the families in her community in a variety of ways. From teaching an adult class on financial literacy to supporting Little Free Libraries along the Route I corridor, Mrs. Stanfield is a teacher at heart.

With a career spanning three decades, Mr. Winn’s impact went well beyond the classroom. In addition to helping students realize their musical potential by fostering their musical talent, he was also considered a mentor by many of his colleagues. His work at the division level was the lever for lifting up the entire performing arts program in Chesterfield County. Now retired, he continues to work in music education as the founder and Executive Director of Dixie Classic Festivals. Mr. Winn is a respected leader in the national concert performance arena which includes well-known colleagues, composers, conductors and performers from around the country.