Marion Intermediate Teacher Named ‘Regional Teacher of the Year’

A Smyth County teacher is Southwest Virginia’s Region 7 Teacher of the Year.

The Virginia Department of Education awarded Marion Intermediate School teacher Teresa Hash with the honor.

The third grade teacher is one of eight educators being recognized for excellence in the classroom by the Virginia DOE.

Hash beat out candidates across Southwest Virginia. According to education officials, the Smyth County teacher submitted a portfolio highlighting her professional accomplishments, educational philosophies and community activities. From there, a Norfolk-based panel selected Hash to represent Region 7.

Education Department representatives surprised this year’s winners with classroom visits to announce the honor.

“The educators recognized today represent not only their regions, but the more than 100,000 Virginia teachers who inspire and encourage students — while challenging them — to achieve at increasingly higher levels,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Billy K. Cannaday Jr.

October 24th, Hash and her fellow Regional Teacher of the Year honorees will compete in Richmond for a shot at Virginia’s Teacher of the Year. The commonwealth’s 2009 winner will go on to compete for the National Teacher of the Year title.

NOTE: Two previous Virginia teachers have gone on to become National Teacher of the Year: B. Philip Bigler, the 1998 Virginia Teacher of the Year, and Mary V. Bicouvaris, the 1989 Virginia Teacher of the Year.

2009 Regional Teachers of the Year

(Region 1) Nicole C. Winter, a social studies instructor at Cosby High in Chesterfield County

(Region 2) Sarah O.V. Lichtel, a third-grade teacher at Stonehouse Elementary in Williamsburg

(Region 3) Kyle J. Toth, an English instructor at Massaponax High in Spotsylvania County

(Region 4) Patricia R. Herr, a physical science teacher at Smart’s Mill Middle in Loudoun County

(Region 5) Therese R. Warner, a prekindergarten instructor at McGaheysville Elementary in Rockingham County

(Region 6) Stephanie A. Doyle, a U.S. History I teacher at Breckinridge Middle in Roanoke

(Region 7)Teresa L. Hash, a third-grade instructor at Marion Intermediate in Smyth County

(Region 8) Joy E. Utzinger, a visual arts teacher at Prince Edward County Elementary