Henrico County Public Schools educators receive grants, awards in recognition of classroom excellence
Henrico, Va., Nov. 13, 2023 – The Community Foundation has recognized nine Henrico County educators for outstanding instruction for 2023. Four Henrico County Public Schools instructors won the REB Award for Teaching Excellence, and five additional teachers were finalists. The winners received grants that will enable them to continue their love of learning and pursue cutting-edge study in their fields. Across the Richmond area, a total of 16 winners and 15 finalists were selected from among the 85 teachers nominated by students, parents and colleagues.
The foundation’s awards identify, recognize and support teaching excellence in the Richmond area, and are given to nominees who have distinguished themselves through their inspiring performance in the classroom.
The winners were surprised last week with announcements at their schools.
2023 Henrico County Public Schools REB Award winners:
- James Dorton, J.R. Tucker High School (history teacher): $10,500 to travel to England and Austria and research the life, career and death of a great uncle, a B-17 pilot killed during World War II.
- Andrew Givens, Advanced Career Education Center at Hermitage (entrepreneurship teacher): $12,500 to examine how the Young Enterprise Scheme program in New Zealand supports students from diverse ethnic, economic and regional backgrounds as they learn entrepreneurial skills and plan community businesses.
- Amanda Kinsler, Tuckahoe Middle School (innovative learning coach): $12,400 to visit Scandinavian schools and learn how they create a culture of student success and teacher happiness by emphasizing student ownership, project-based learning and innovation.
- Chad Lowe, the Academy at Virginia Randolph (history teacher): $15,000 to travel to major U.S. and European cities to research governmental differences and observe various instructional approaches in successful inner-city schools.
2023 Henrico County Public Schools REB Award finalists (all receive $1,000 grants):
- Stacey Daub, Colonial Trail Elementary School (fourth grade teacher).
- Elizabeth Waggoner, Laburnum Elementary School (teacher fellow).
- Shari West, Tuckahoe Elementary School (kindergarten teacher).
- Meghan Gouldin, Henry Ward Elementary School (physical education teacher).
- Amanda Green, Greenwood Elementary School (fifth grade teacher).
The selection process includes a nomination, an interview and submission of a project proposal. Proposals include an approximation of the amount needed to fund the candidate’s proposed project.
Amanda Kinsler, an innovative learning coach at Tuckahoe Middle School, reacts to a surprise presentation of the REB Award for Teaching Excellence. HCPS had four winners and five finalists in 2023.
Andrew Givens, an entrepreneurship teacher at the Advanced Career Education Center at Hermitage, is recognized with the REB Award for Teaching Excellence by Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent. HCPS had four winners and five finalists in 2023.
Chad Lowe, a history teacher at the Academy at Virginia Randolph, stands with his family and Henrico County Public Schools leaders after being presented with the REB Award for Teaching Excellence. HCPS had four winners and five finalists in 2023.
James Dorton, a history teacher at J.R. Tucker High School, is congratulated by Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent, for winning the REB Award for Teaching Excellence, as Ingrid Grant, chief of school leadership, looks on. HCPS had four winners and five finalists in 2023.