This article is part of a series of profiles about each finalist for Virginia Beach City Public Schools’ 2024 Citywide Teacher of the Year.

Stephanie Filio remembers her school counselor at Tallwood High encouraging her to keep pursuing academic and career goals, which proved prophetic. Today she’s the school counseling department chair at Larkspur Middle School and a finalist as VBCPS 2024 Teacher of the Year.

Filio believes students need to know they not only have the ability to succeed, but are worthy of success.

“As an educator, I commit to acting as a reflection for students so that they can see their abilities and important place in the world through my eyes,” Filio said. “I work so they can believe what I see with each hurdle they overcome and each accomplishment they achieve by their own strength.”

Filio has 14 years of education experience, including several years at Corporate Landing Middle School. One of her former students there credits Filio with saving her life.

“She encouraged me to use my gifts and talents to help motivate the go-getter inside of me,” the student said. “After graduating from high school I am now in college and she has remained there for me and kept her promise!”

In addition to her work as department chair and AVID school counselor, Filio serves as the chair of the school’s Drop Out Task Force and co-chair of the Student Recognition Committee. She co-chairs the partnership with Grace Bible Church and the various outreach programs and recently published a book, titled “Responding to Student Trauma: A Toolkit for Schools in Times of Crisis.”

“Mrs. Filio works tirelessly to ensure success by providing proactive support via her expertise in social and emotional learning, establishing open lines of communication and building positive relationships with students, parents and staff,” said Carey Manugo, Larkspur’s principal.