The Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc (REFI) and Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS) named Ms. Chris Grim the 2019 Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year at a ceremony held at the historical Lucy Simms Continuing Education Center on May 17, 2018. As the selected individual for the county, Ms. Grim will now be eligible for regional and state selection as Teacher of the Year to be held next fall through the Virginia Department of Education.
Photos from Lucy Simms Educator of the year reception-May 17, 2018
Recognition of, and appreciation for, the job that our teachers do everyday in the classrooms is vitally important.
- REFI makes a presentation to the new teachers each year at their orientation to familiarize them with the depot. The new teachers are invited to be the first staff members to come to the depot to select items for their classrooms.
- REFI recognizes one teacher from each of the 24 schools as the Teacher of the Year with an engraved clock and a $100 check.
- REFI also selects an Educator of the Year from this outstanding group who is supported to go on to compete at the Virginia Department of Education level. The Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year award is supported by the BotkinRose Law Firm, the Virginia Law Group, and Douglas Guynn.
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2019 – Chris Grim, Fulks Run Elementary School
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2018 – Michael Thompson, Spotswood High School
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2017 – Teresa Shank, Mountain View Elementary School
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2016 – Lucinda Swartzentruber, Plains Elementary School
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2015 – Kim Tate, Spotswood High School
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2014 – Sue Haley, John Wayland Elementary School
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2013 – Karen Komara, Pleasant Valley Elementary School
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2012 – Vicki Richard, John Wayland Elementary School
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2011 – Don Rhodes, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2010 – Bob Failes, Spotswood High School.
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2009 & Region 5 Teacher of the Year – Therese Warner, McGaheysville Elementary School.
Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year 2008, Jerry Ridgeway, Turner Ashby High School