Henrico's Top Teachers - 2025

Welcome to the 13th edition of the Henrico Citizen’s Henrico’s Top Teachers section, highlighting the work and efforts of 20 outstanding teachers in Henrico County.

We began this section in 2011 and have now profiled 260 Henrico teachers – each one with a story as unique, impressive and meaningful as the teachers themselves. Each year, we receive dozens upon dozens of nominations from readers in honor of teachers they’ve had, or their children or grandchildren have had. Colleagues and administrators often make nominations, too.

We intentionally limit the honorees each year to no more than one from any given school, but often that means omitting a number of worthy candidates.

The truth is, there are countless teachers in classrooms throughout the county doing extraordinary work this year and every year. We’re proud to recognize 20 of them who are exceedingly deserving each year, but we hope that their stories also provide a better understanding of the stories of those who we can’t spotlight who also are deserving of recognition.

Now, we invite you to meet Henrico’s Top Teachers’ Class of 2025; click each name to read more:

Matt Allender, Deep Run High School, exceptional education
Kim Clem, Ward Elementary School, second grade
Katie Cooke, The Academy at Virginia Randolph (PACE program), English
Robin Davia, Canterbury Community Nursery School, pre-kindergarten
Marilyn Dowell, Pocahontas Middle School, English
Kasi Farmer, Glen Allen High School, history and government
Adrienne Feldman, Jackson Davis Elementary School, first grade
Nikki Ficor, Pinchbeck Elementary School, third grade
Amanda Hawthorne, Crestview Elementary School, exceptional education
Kelly Horne, Varina Elementary School, exceptional education
Jamice Lee, Ashe Elementary School, fifth grade
Cari Malakoff, Tuckahoe Elementary School, counseling
Keylon Mayo, Highland Springs High School, business and marketing
Sheila Olesen, Saint Mary's Catholic School, math
Derek Phipps, Tuckahoe Middle School, drama
Melanie Reardon, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, second grade
Kiara Samuels, Colonial Trail Elementary School, first grade
Jordyn Satterfield, Quioccasin Middle School, chorus
Megan Vrolyk, Dumbarton Elementary School, fifth grade
Stacey Willis, Adams Elementary School, first grade exceptional education