Maria Meyers, who is the reading specialist at Davis Elementary School, is the 2025 Teacher of the Year for Chesterfield County Public Schools. She joined Davis Elementary in 2023 after previously teaching for Virtual Virginia and schools in Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi and Florida.
Meyers learned she is the top teacher in central Virginia's largest school system when CCPS leaders surprised her Jan. 28 with flowers, balloons and a banner proclaiming her award.
Dr. Kenya Batts, principal of Davis Elementary, said, "Maria Meyers has a passion for literacy and growing student and teacher knowledge. She is extremely knowledgeable and digs in to make sure we all have what we need. She is kind, patient and willing to go the extra mile to help everyone! Maria’s passion for literacy is contagious, and it makes us all want to be better."
Meyers earned a bachelor's degree from Florida State University, master's degree from Plymouth State University and reading specialist certificate from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has received multiple awards throughout her career but considers her top accomplishment to be "the students that can now read ... and the teachers that can now effectively and efficiently teach their students to read because of the guidance [I have] been able to provide."
Asked how her work transcends classrooms and impacts students, Meyers wrote, “While there are bigger, and broader ways that I have connected with students and the community … the most basic and foundational way that I truly connect with students and the community is through regular, positive interactions. The impact of a kind word and a smile can uplift those around you. Remembering a student’s plans for the weekend or the name of a sibling generates trust and connection. A friendly wave in the morning car rider loop to parents and caregivers cultivates a culture of care. It does not take a large sum of money, or even time and energy, to show the kindness that others need to feel connected and safe enough to try to do their best.”
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. Here are the top 2025 teachers for Chesterfield County Public Schools:
Maria Meyers, reading specialist at Davis Elementary, is the CCPS Teacher of the Year and the Elementary School Teacher of the Year.
Carly Felts, who teaches English as a second language at Providence Middle, is the Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Victoria Fitzgerald, visual arts teacher at Meadowbrook High, is the High School Teacher of the Year.
In letters presented to the district’s top three Teachers of the Year, Superintendent Dr. John Murray wrote, “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. You are one of our teaching superstars."
Here are 2025 Teachers of the Year from every school in Chesterfield County Public Schools:
Elementary schools
Jorge Martinez of Bellwood Elementary
Nancy Sheetz of Bensley Elementary
Jeanne Howe of Beulah Elementary
Lee Zulauf of Bon Air Elementary
Erin Richardson of Chalkley Elementary
Brandi Guess of Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy
Sabrina Taylor of Chesterfield Virtual School
Dylan Campbell of Marguerite Christian Elementary
Carolyn Harlow of Clover Hill Elementary
Meghan Broderick of Crenshaw Elementary
Tina Rodin of Crestwood Elementary
Emily Peppers of Curtis Elementary
Maria Meyers of Davis Elementary (also CCPS Teacher of the Year and CCPS Elementary School Teacher of the Year)
Megan Bailey of Ecoff Elementary
Courtney Sykes of Enon Elementary
Lesa Boyd of Ettrick Elementary
Christine Wells of Evergreen Elementary
Janell Chavis of Falling Creek Elementary
Jessica Coe of Gates Elementary
Amy Blaylock of Gordon Elementary
Jenifer Friedel of Grange Hall Elementary
Jill Lutz of Greenfield Elementary
Nicole Fleming of Harrowgate Elementary
Mercedes Francis of Hening Elementary
Jacob Stech of Hopkins Elementary
Lauren Marston of Jacobs Road Elementary
Stacy Bradford of Matoaca Elementary
Dan Case of Moseley Elementary
Jessica Harrington of Old Hundred Elementary
Valerie DeLung of Providence Elementary
Victoria “Vicki” McGee of Reams Road Elementary
Kristin Jones of Robious Elementary
Keith Spencer of Salem Church Elementary
Tonja Pass of Elizabeth Scott Elementary
Stephanie Clarke of Alberta Smith Elementary
Kristie McGuigan of Spring Run Elementary
Sandi Wiley of Swift Creek Elementary
Kelly McDougald of Watkins Elementary
Annie Babb of Bettie Weaver Elementary
Carlie Jansen of Wells Elementary
Megan Baker of Winterpock Elementary
Robin Seifert of Woolridge Elementary
Middle schools
Adrienne Keller of Bailey Bridge Middle
Marianne Hinton of Carver Middle
Jonathan Schoepflin of Elizabeth Davis Middle
Dr. Cecelia Stith of Falling Creek Middle
Anna Hastings of Manchester Middle
Mark Adams of Matoaca Middle
Marcus Brown of Midlothian Middle
Carly Felts of Providence Middle (also CCPS Middle School Teacher of the Year)
Angie Jett of Robious Middle
Sara Lindsay of Salem Church Middle
Caitlin Conroy of Swift Creek Middle
Matt Widrick of Tomahawk Creek Middle
High schools
Cheri Washington-Elliott of Bird High
Amy Pernell of Career and Technical Center @ Courthouse
Dr. Tim Dey of Career and Technical Center @ Hull
Aubrey Moog-Ayers of Carver College and Career Academy
Jessie White of CCPSOnline
Kimberly Peterson of Clover Hill High
Wendy Washington of Cosby High
Bryan Sheetz of Thomas Dale High
Kellie Samson of James River High
Barbara Kaminski of Juvenile Detention Center
Bonnie Byrnes of Manchester High
Brooke Vaughan of Matoaca High
Victoria Fitzgerald of Meadowbrook High (also CCPS High School Teacher of the Year)
Erinn Dinsmore of Midlothian High
Janel Parks of Monacan High