Salem teacher in the running for Virginia Teacher of the Year

Karey Henzey is a special education teacher at West Salem Elementary

Karey Henzey with her two daughters, who attend the school.

SALEM, Va. – Eight teachers are now in the running to be the Virginia Teacher of the Year, including a Salem teacher.       Karey Henzey is a special education teacher at West Salem Elementary in Salem and will represent Region 6 in the final competition round.

"It's building that relationship and I feel that once you build that relationship with a child, the possibilities are endless," said Henzey. "I help them reach their academic and social, emotional, behavioral potential. That's what I want to do, I do that by supporting their work in the classroom with their teachers."

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She is the only teacher in our area being honored out of the eight regional teachers.  To make it this far, after being nominated, they were judged by a panel on their accomplishments, educational philosophies and community activities.

Next week, the same panel will interview each person.  The final decision will be announced next week in Richmond.

The eight 2018 Regional Teachers of the Year announced are as follows:

- Greenlee B. Naughton, an English teacher at Highland Springs High in Henrico County (Region 1)

- Theresa A. Guthrie Goltermann, a Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) electives teacher at Tabb Middle in York County (Region 2)

- Sarah M. Adamson-Mair, a kindergarten teacher at Lewis and Clark Elementary in Caroline County (Region 3)

- Michelle Cottrell-Williams, a social studies teacher at Wakefield High in Arlington County (Region 4)

- Russell T. Jennings, an agriculture teacher at Fluvanna County High in Fluvanna County (Region 5)

- Karey A. Henzey, a special education teacher at West Salem Elementary in Salem (Region 6)

- Chrystle M. Gates, a music teacher at Chilhowie Elementary in Smyth County (Region 7)

- Tiffany W. Lynch, an English teacher at Park View High in Mecklenburg County (Region 8)


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You can see Jenna weekday mornings at the anchor desk on WSLS 10 Today from 5-7 a.m. She also leads our monthly Solutionaries Series, where we highlight the creative thinkers and doers working to make the world a better place.