Bradley Ward, a fifth-grade teacher at Rosemont Forest Elementary School, has been named the 2016 Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Citywide Teacher of the Year.

“I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet,” Ward said at the surprise ceremony announcing his award. “I don’t know if it ever will.”

Ward was selected as the 2016 Citywide Teacher of the Year from an initial pool of all 87 Teachers of the Year. Earlier this year, he was named one of 10 semi-finalists who received classroom visits from the Teacher of the Year selection committee. Five finalists, including Ward, were then interviewed to determine the citywide winner.

This morning, VBCPS Superintendent Aaron Spence made the announcement during a surprise visit to Ward’s classroom.

Ward has been teaching for 15 years, 10 of which have been with VBCPS.

“I know that I was called to teach,” Ward said. “I know that’s what I was made to do.”

For more information about Ward’s honor, visit vbschools.com.