Fauquier Excellence in Education Foundation Awards Nearly $17,000 in Grants to 10 Local Educators

Warrenton, VA—From technology education to physical education, and from solidifying all-school unity to full staff training and beyond, 10 Fauquier County teachers and administrators will increase their own knowledge to share in their classrooms and schools as a whole, thanks to the 2024 Fauquier Excellence in Education Foundation Educator Professional Development Grants. A total of $16,803 was awarded to this year’s applicants, who stem from eight schools representing all three education levels and spanning a broad swath of the county.

IT teachers Jenna Brown (Mary Walter) and Jessica Cherenzia (Pierce) look forward to attending the Texas Computer Education Association conference to immerse themselves in the latest advancements and best practices in educational technology. In addition, Dana Sisler (Greenville) will attend “Get Your Teach On 2024” to transform her teaching skills in several areas where students currently struggle. PE teacher Jen Bird (Ritchie) will attend the 2024 National Physical Education Institute, led by some of the nation’s most influential Health and Physical Education teachers, and use her newfound knowledge to impact students for years to come.

A team of four, including teachers Amanda Hazlehurst and Sha’Von Sutton, and principal Matt Yonkey (Auburn), as well as Stacy Wilfong, currently at Marshall Middle but moving to Auburn beginning in the 2024–25 school year, look forward to attending the Ron Clark Academy House System Professional Development Conference to build upon Auburn’s current House System, which already shows great promise.

At the high school level, Tammy Jenkins (Liberty) will attend the Virginia Health and Medical Sciences Educators Association conference to review new ideas and skills coming up in medical classes. And finally, Southeastern Alternative, led by principal Shelly Neibauer, was awarded a partial grant toward the costs of having a PBL Works professional development series delivered onsite for the entire instructional staff.

The Foundation received more than twice the number of applications than it did in recent years, and it is honored to continue its long-standing tradition of supporting dedicated Fauquier County public school educators. Since the program began 40 years ago, it has awarded more than $500,000 to hundreds of educators.

Fauquier Excellence in Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to its mission of creating, enriching, and expanding educational opportunities for Fauquier County Public Schools, teachers, and students. All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

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