Crestwood Elementary School Teacher Named Region 4 Teacher of the Year

A Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) elementary school teacher has been named Virginia’s 2014 Region 4 Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Department of Education. 

Melissa Porfirio, a first-grade teacher at Springfield’s Crestwood Elementary School, was selected among hundreds of candidates nominated by school divisions in region 4, which includes schools throughout Northern Virginia.

As one of eight regional teachers recognized, Porfirio is in the running for 2014 Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year.

“These teachers, from schools in every corner of the Commonwealth, are committed to excellence and the success of their students,” Governor Bob McDonnell said in a statement announcing the regional winners.  “I congratulate them for their selection as regional teachers of the year and thank them for what they do every day to prepare young Virginians for the future.”

Porfirio learned of her nomination last Thursday during a surprise classroom visit by FCPS Superintendent Karen Garza.

Porfirio, who was the FCPS 2013 Teacher of the Year, has taught at Crestwood since 2005. She earned her master's degree and licensure in early childhood education, early childhood special education, and English as a Second Language education at George Mason University.

She received the school’s Human Relations Award in 2008 and also won the Washington Post Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award for educational excellence.

The 2014 Virginia Teacher of the Year will be announced during an awards ceremony on Friday, Oct. 11 in Richmond, Va.