Hampton City Schools names 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year finalists

Hampton City Schools is proud of their 2023-2024 Teachers of the Year (TOY)! These individuals demonstrate excellence through their professionalism and commitment to the students of Hampton City Schools. Their creative and innovative instruction positively affects our classrooms, schools, and communities. Hampton City Schools is fortunate to have such outstanding teachers guiding our students toward a future where they can become lifelong learners and achieve their dreams.

This year we honored all of the Teachers of the Year at an event at The Landing on March 29, 2023. In addition, we recognized 12 finalists: seven from elementary schools, three from middle schools, and two from high schools. These finalists will participate in an interview process with the division-level TOY selection committee. A team will visit their classrooms to observe their teaching practices. The teachers will be recognized during our preservice kickoff event in August, at which time we will also reveal the HCS Elementary, Middle, High, and Overall Division Teacher of the Year.

Elementary School Level Finalists

Nicole Lewis - Forrest Elementary

Michelle C. Bowers - Armstrong School for the Arts

Erica Butler - Phillips Elementary

Robyn R. Gatling - Barron Fundamental Elementary

Victoria Martin - Smith Elementary

Sarah Naugle - Mary S. Peake Elementary

Crystal A. Rosey - Machen Elementary

Middle School Level Finalists

Alex Lardin - Ann H. Kilgore Gifted Center

Joanna Wilson-Jones - Syms Middle 

Tijuania Y. Lambert - Jones Magnet Middle 

High School Level Finalists 

Tracy D. Bourne - Kecoughtan High 

Tirzah Sarro-Jaynes - Phoebus High 

For a full list of the individual schools 2023-2024 Teachers of the Year, see below:

Aberdeen Elementary Love Shanese Kane Second Grade

Adult & Alternative Learning Center Alexandra Snyder Social Studies

Andrews PreK-8 Jamesha Nurse Third Grade

Armstrong School of the Arts Michelle C. Bowers First Grade

Asbury Elementary Marcella Oliver Third Grade

Barron Fundamental Elementary Robyn R. Gatling Kindergarten

Bassette Elementary Eboni R. Bradford Math Interventionist

Bethel High Kimberly S. Coleman CTE

Bryan Elementary Malinda Britt Third Grade

Burbank Elementary Colleen Doolen Third Grade

Mary Christian Elementary Sandra Avery Second Grade

Cooper Elementary Magnet Carole A. Birdsong Teacher-Librarian

Department of Academic Advancement and Enrichment Kathy Brady Gifted Resource Teacher

Eaton Fundamental Middle Freddie Shealey Eighth Grade Math

Future Learning Experience (FLEx) Michael Lewis Fourth Grade

Forrest Elementary Nicole Lewis Kindergarten

Hampton High Veronica M. Hill CTE

Mary Jackson Elementary Dr. Kendra Boykin-Miles Reading Specialist

Jones Magnet Middle Tijuania Y. Lambert CTE

Kecoughtan High Tracy D. Bourne Theatre

Kilgore Gifted Center Alex Lardin Gifted Math

Kraft Elementary Nicholas Shannon Math Interventionist

Langley Elementary Nicole Whiteside Third Grade

Lindsay Middle Richie B. Scott Math Inclusion

Machen Elementary Crystal A. Rosey School Counselor

Moton Early Childhood Center Rebecca Baez PreK

Albert W. Patrick III Elementary Hayley Torok Kindergarten

Mary Peake Elementary Sarah Naugle Third Grade

Phenix PreK-8 School Margaret V. Benbow Kindergarten

Phillips Elementary Erica Butler Third Grade

Phoebus High Tirzah Sarro-Jaynes Instructional Leader and Climate and 

Culture Coach

Smith Elementary Victoria Martin Art

Syms Middle Joanna Wilson-Jones Eighth Grade Math

Tarrant Middle Fallan M. Lee-Brown Math