Hermitage High School teacher named HCPS Teacher of the Year

Henrico County Public Schools employs more than 4,000 teachers, but only one is honored each year with the school division’s Teacher of the Year Award. The 2025 recipient is Christine Suders, who teaches English at Hermitage High School.

“I’m just so thrilled to be the face of a much bigger community,” Suders said at a surprise announcement Thursday morning in her classroom. “I don’t see this as a reflection of me so much as Hermitage. It’s a win for all the hard work this community does. It means the world that the students and this incredible place are getting the positive recognition that I’ve known for so long they deserve.”

“Each year, there’s nothing more special than honoring someone who represents the incredible qualities of Henrico County Public Schools,” said Amy Cashwell, HCPS superintendent. “Christine — in her professionalism, her dedication, the way she builds relationships — represents the best qualities we see in our teachers. I can’t think of a better individual to represent the county.”

Suders is chair of the Hermitage English Department and serves on the school’s instructional leadership team. She is co-sponsor of the Hermitage chapter of the National Honor Society and started an annual community literacy night festival at the school. In 2023, she was recognized by her peers at Hermitage with the school’s Golden Apple Award for her leadership and support of other staff members. Suders is also active in state and national professional organizations.

Suders joined the Hermitage faculty in 2019. She grew up in Williamsburg and attended Eastern Mennonite University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature. She earned a master’s degree in education from Longwood University in 2016. Suders began her teaching career at Varina High School, where she taught from 2011-18.

Suders was selected from five finalists by a committee of administrators and educators using an interview and review process. Each finalist was also named their school’s teacher of the year. Each finalist writes several essays as part of the selection process. Suders’ essay on absenteeism calls for supporting students with wraparound services like mental and physical health care, housing resources and flexible paths for student achievement.

The school division will host a May banquet at the Hilton Short Pump to recognize the Teacher of the Year honorees from all HCPS schools, including the 2025 divisionwide Teacher of the Year finalists: Audra Vanderland, librarian at Glen Lea Elementary School; Adria Bader, an English teacher at J.R. Tucker High School; Audra Callahan, music teacher at Maybeury Elementary School; and Sekani Grant, a social studies teacher at Elko Middle School.