May 10, 2012
News Release

 

HCPS Teacher of the Year and First Year Teacher of Year Announced

 

Henrico County Public Schools is proud to announce that Whitney Wells Corfield, the math teacher in residence at Chamberlayne Elementary School won the 2012 Gilman Teacher of the Year Award, and Derek Podolny a math teacher at Freeman High School won the First Year Teacher of the Year Award. The two were honored last night at the 2012 Gilman Teacher of the Year Awards Ceremony held at Glen Allen High School.

 “I want my students to have faith in themselves and I want them to realize how important they are to their schools, communities, families, friends and the future of the world,” Corfield said. “If they see their worth, they’ll see the worth in others and give back to their community when they are successful adults. I believe that if I can help them see their importance, then I have done my job as a teacher.”

“Corfield’s unconditional love for children and her desire to see them not only succeed, but excel in school is what makes her an exceptional teacher. However, it is the service work that she does for students outside of school that sets her apart from many of her colleagues…” said a fellow teacher.

And as for the First Year Teacher of the Year, he is described as being exceptional as well.

According to his administrators, Podolny holds high expectations for his students’ academic performance, works to develop their confidence through their ability to do math, and is willing to assume a variety of roles to find a way to make that connection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact: Mychael Dickerson, Executive Director for Communications and Community Outreach, 652-3724 or dmdickerson@henrico.k12.va.us.