Inaugural 'Heart of Henrico Awards' honor 15 Henrico Schools employees

, and Citizen Staff Reports

March 24, 2026 . 4:58 PM

3 min read

Heart of Henrico Award recipient Jennifer Robinson (center), part of HCPS' Early Learning Preschool program, is recognized on stage by HCPS Superintendent Amy Cashwell and 12 On Your Side meteorologist Andrew Freiden at an awards ceremony at the ACE Center at Hermitage March 18, 2026. (Courtesy Henrico Schools)

"Tireless," "transformative," "unmatched" and "unflappable" were among the words used to describe 15 Henrico County Public Schools staff members who were honored during the inaugural Heart of Henrico Awards ceremony, which took place last week at the Advanced Career Education Center at Hermitage.

Honorees were cited for going above and beyond to serve the schools, students, families, staff members and communities they represent. Chosen from more than 400 nominations submitted by students, parents/guardians and peers, the standout staffers were honored for their exceptional contributions to the school system.

Nominators described the commitment and dedication of the 15 honorees to their school communities or the school division, categorized by the five core values in HCPS’ strategic plan, the Journey to 2030: Student-Focused, Belonging, Collaboration, Innovation and Equity.

Heart of Henrico Award recipient Dottie Tyler, a bus assistant, is honored on stage by HCPS Superintendent Amy Cashwell at an awards ceremony at the ACE Center at Hermitage March 18, 2026. Videos were shown of students, parents and staff reciting what they wrote in support of the 15 Heart of Henrico Award winners. (Courtesy Henrico Schools)

The honorees span every section of Henrico and a wide variety of roles within Henrico Schools:

Student-focused

• Dillon Fail, principal, Cashell Donahoe Elementary School;
• Jill Rich, teacher and director at the Center for Environmental Studies and Sustainability at Varina High School;
• Debra Verbeeck, clinic aide, Gayton Elementary School.

Belonging

• Sandi Chesworth, library assistant, Glen Lea Elementary School;
• Howard Moodie, custodian, Nuckols Farm Elementary School;
• Angela Stewart, cafeteria manager, L. Douglas Wilder Middle School.

Collaboration

• Tomeka Campbell, associate principal, Three Chopt Elementary;
• Dottie Tyler, bus assistant, Transportation;
• Erica Wood, school counselor, Hungary Creek Middle School.

Innovation

• Brewster Brown, director of school counseling, Tuckahoe Middle School;
• Nick Lapres, innovative learning coach, Fairfield Middle School;
• Alexis Miller, Family Resource Center coordinator, Family and Community Engagement.

Equity

• Jehan Gabrual, associate principal, Dumbarton Elementary School;
• Jennifer Robinson, Early Learning Preschool family advocate, Federal Programs and Foundational Learning;
• Victoria Goss Stepp, drama teacher, George H. Moody Middle School.

Heart of Henrico Award recipient Nick Lapres, an innovative learning coach at Fairfield Middle School, shakes hands with Henrico School Board Chair Madison Irving after being recognized at an awards ceremony at the ACE Center at Hermitage March 18, 2026. (Courtesy Henrico Schools)

“The Heart of Henrico Award is more than recognition,” said HCPS Superintendent Amy Cashwell, who celebrated the winners with members of the Henrico School Board. “It is a reminder that Henrico County Public Schools is at its best when its core values are not just words on a page, but values lived out in classrooms, cafeterias, front offices, libraries, school buses and every space where students and families are served.”

During the awards ceremony, which was emceed by NBC 12 meteorologist Andrew Freiden, the school division also celebrated its content educators of the year as well as seven exceptional school nurses whose quick action and medical expertise saved the life of a student or staff member at their respective schools.

To view video highlights from the awards ceremony and learn more about the Heart of Henrico Award recipients, visit www.henricoschools.us/page/heart-of-henrico.