Dale City Names Top Educators

By Kristina Schnack Kotlus
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The Dale City Civic Association named three teachers as the area’s most outstanding educators.

Those chosen this year for the Teacher of the Year award teach at Gar-Field Senior High, Beville Middle and Rosa Parks Elementary schools.

Maj. William Brannen, senior instructor of Gar-Field’s Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program, was named High School Teacher of the Year.

Brannen took charge of the JROTC program in July 2006 and since has seen enrollment in the program double.

Last year, Gar-Field’s JROTC program was recognized by the Marine Corps as a Region Honor School, a citation earned by only 10 percent of the schools in the area, according to a Prince William County Public Schools press release.

In addition to the civic association’s award, Brannen was also chosen by his colleagues as the 2010–2011 Gar-Field Senior High School Teacher of the Year.

As one student writes, “He is a great role model… the thing I will most remember about him is his persistence—the fact that he never gives up. He is someone who believes in the impossible.”

Amy Crotty, International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme teacher, family and consumer sciences teacher, and department chair at Beville Middle School was named Dale City Civic Association’s Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Crotty is also on the school’s school-wide discipline team and co-sponsor of the student council association.

Crotty consistently uses varied techniques to reach all learning styles, including a “game of life”, the iron chef competition, and a string of guest speakers to spark student’s interest, school officials say.

In nomination letters from students to the civic association, students mentioned feeling safe in her classes and expressed appreciation for the friendly and orderly environment she provides. A coworker notes “[Crotty] gladly does all sorts of things to make our school a better place to work and learn,” school officials said.

Terri Faulkner, school counselor at Rosa Parks Elementary was named Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Faulkner also leads discipline program, sponsors the safety patrol program, and assists with the Girls on the Run club.

Before students take the Virginia Standards of Learning tests each year, she holds a pre-testing pep rally to inspire children during what can be a stressful time, according to the press release.

Colleagues say she is known for her “fearless” defense of children, and for motivating parents to become involved.