First-Class UMW Grads Earn Teacher of the Year Honors

Seacobeck Hall is home to UMW's College of Education, which fosters future educators. Several recent College of Education graduates received 'Teacher of the Year' awards this year. Photo by Parker Michels-Boyce.

Carleigh Rahn '22 turned her classroom into an "escape room" to prepare for a unit on exploration. Mallory Karnei '22 used the SkyView Lite app to help students learn about planets. Ivelisse Maddalena '22 assigned a drawing activity to illustrate the concept that anyone can be a scientist.

What do these three local educators have in common? They all are recent University of Mary Washington graduates, and they all are recipients of this year's "top teacher" awards in Fredericksburg, and Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, respectively.

During National Teacher Appreciation Week, Mary Washington celebrates teachers making a difference in their classrooms and in their communities throughout school districts near and far.

"I am extremely proud of the many teaching accolades and awards our graduates from the College of Education receive early in their teaching careers," UMW College of Education Dean Pete Kelly said of this year's honorees. "Our students are bright and deeply committed to becoming excellent teachers."

UMW's College of Education offers a clinically based curriculum, top-notch faculty and staff, and strong K-12 partnerships that set students up for success, Kelly said. Learning takes place in Seacobeck Hall, which includes model classrooms, a robust makerspace and lots of room for teamwork and collaboration.

Founded in 1908, Mary Washington has strong roots as a teachers college and offers both undergraduate and graduate programs in education.

The following are among UMW alumni who claimed 2024 Teacher of the Year awards:

• Courtney Beavon, First Class Teacher of the Year, Falmouth Elementary School
• Toby Campbell, New Teacher of the Year, Lloyd C. Bird High School
• Sabrina Christiansen, Novice Teacher of the Year, Caroline Middle School
• John Giannini, Novice Teacher of the Year, Lafayette Elementary School
• Sofia Hobbs, Novice Teacher of the Year, Prince William County Public Schools
• Ivelisse Maddalena, First Class Teacher of the Year, Stafford High School
• Kiarnan Kaleshefski, First Class Teacher of the Year, Conway Elementary School
• Mallory Karnei, New Teacher of the Year, Massaponax High School
• Carleigh Rahn, Novice Teacher of the Year, Walker-Grant Middle School
• Zachary Schuster, First Class Teacher of the Year, Stafford Elementary School
• Keyla Sciascia, New Teacher of the Year, Parkside Elementary School
• Lu Sheikhnureldin, Novice Teacher of the Year, James Monroe High School
• Katie Vukmanic, First Class Teacher of the Year, Kate Waller Barrett Elementary School
• Erin Wilson - New Teacher of the Year, Salem Elementary School

Know a 2024 honoree who's missing from this list? Let us know! Email [email protected].

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