The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce presented an employee, teacher and student from Langley and McLean High School with their annual education award Thursday, May 9. Photo by Alex McVeigh.
The Greater McLean Chamber of Commerce honored staff, students and faculty from McLean and Langley High Schools with their annual education awards.
“This is one of the most exciting events throughout the course of the year. We all believe very much in the difference our students and educators make in the community,” said John Brough of Chain Bridge Bank, chair of the chamber. “It’s our privilege to recognize them today.”
Christina Spaulding, Ayesha Faisal and Claire Silva were named the McLean High School employee, student and teacher of the year, respectively.
Spaulding is in her third year at McLean, and has been an active supporter in student wellness programs such as Stress Less, Laugh More and the Acknowledge, Care, Tell program.
Faisal serves as district president for Fairfax County’s DECA organization, which she refers to as her sport, as well as secretary and chief of staff for the State Leadership Conference. A senior, she will attend Penn State in the fall.
Silva, who has taught for 14 years, teaches ninth grade biology and 11th and 12th grade oceanography. She has been chair of the science department since 2007, started the school’s annual Remotely Operated Vehicle challenge and coaches teachers at the county’s Great Beginnings: Enriching the Experience program.
“I love [my job] because I enjoy the journey we travel each year with students and colleagues to cultivate learning,” she said. “Each year I grow as a teacher and as a leader from the uniqueness of our communal symphony.”
From Langley High School, Norma Jamsheed, Jackie Ryan and Jennifer Bonafide were named the employee, student and teacher of the year, respectively.
Jamsheed began working at Langley as a parent volunteer, eventually becoming the school’s registrar and later principal’s secretary, a position she has held through seven principals. She also coordinates substitute teachers at the school.
Ryan, a junior, recently ran for a position of student representative on the county’s school board, and serves on Langley’s student government association. In that position, she managed the Class of 2013’s bake sale, planned the homecoming halftime entertainment and is a member of the New Student Club. She also volunteers at Jill’s House, a facility for children with disabilities.
Bonafide is an English teacher in her seventh year at Langley. She sponsors and mentors several clubs at the school, and has served in leadership roles at national education conferences.
The winners were honored at a breakfast Thursday, May 9 at J. Gilbert’s in McLean. Several local officials, including Del. Barbara Comstock (R-34), Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) and Dranesville School Board Rep Janie Strauss attended the event.
“We’re proud of our public schools throughout Fairfax County, but here in Dranesville we’re especially proud,” Foust said. “The outstanding administrations of McLean and Langley, their student bodies and teachers, really are what makes the McLean area special.”