Nine Henrico teachers recognized for outstanding instruction in 2017 REB Awards

The Community Foundation has recognized nine Henrico County teachers for outstanding instruction for 2017. Five winning HCPS teachers were awarded professional development grants in the annual REB Awards for Teaching Excellence. Four others were named finalists. Across the Richmond area, a total of 16 winners and 14 finalists were selected from among the 112 teachers nominated by students, parents and colleagues.

The foundation’s awards identify, recognize and support teaching excellence in the Richmond area. The grants enable area public school teachers to continue their love of learning by pursuing adventures of a lifetime. This year’s Henrico honorees received professional development grants ranging from $6,500 to $12,000, given to nominees who have distinguished themselves by inspiring classroom performance.

The 2017 winners include:

• Jerome Fleming, Short Pump Middle School: $10,300 to explore America’s historic cities and create a photo/video diary of each city to illustrate the culture and history that has made America into the diverse nation it is today.
• Jonathan Lauder, Mills Godwin High School: $6,500 to travel to Paris, Vienna, Munich and Philadelphia to explore the ideas of the Enlightenment and the social and political revolutions brought to the western world.
• Lindsey Pantele, Glen Allen High School: $12,000 to visit several European cities to study literary periods: Heroic and Classical Greek; Renaissance; and Modern.
• Todd Ritter, Henrico High School: $10,600 to participate in Commedia Dell’arte and mask-making workshops in Florence, Italy and to visit several theatres spanning from ancient Rome to the modern day.
• Gregory Townsend, Douglas S. Freeman High School: $12,000 to explore the culture, archaeology and geology of Central and South America while learning the Spanish language in an immersive setting.

Finalists (all receive $750 grants):

• Jeannine Chewning, Hermitage High School
• Rebekah Goemaat, Virginia Randolph Education Center
• Kirkland Jackson, Tuckahoe Middle School
• Kasey Kolste, Three Chopt Elementary School