The 2016 Teacher of the Year Celebration was held Thursday, Oct. 14 at The Westin at Town Center. Teachers of the Year, principals and guests filled the Westin ballroom to hear remarks from the 2016 Citywide Teacher of the Year, Rosemont Forest’s Bradley Ward.

During his speech, Ward praised his team of teachers as well as his administration for making his school a fun and creative place to work. In addition, he praised the role of STEM in today’s teaching and the way it prepares students today for the jobs of tomorrow. To highlight his point, Ward had guests try and figure out how to use a balloon to separate salt from pepper.

Superintendent Aaron Spence also spoke to the audience. In his remarks, Spence thanked teachers for focusing on the heart of education.

“What you, as teachers of the year, do is help kids find the whimsy in the learning experience,” Spence said. “You nurture critical thinking and problem solving, but wrap it in play and wonder and joy…Thank you for your dedication to our children, and for keeping what matters most at the forefront of our profession.”

Spence also introduced the four citywide teacher of the year finalists:

• Gabrielle Hurst, from Malibu Elementary School
• Tasha Hurst, from Ocean Lakes High School
• Sheena Smith, from Bayside Sixth Grade Campus
• Robert Wnukowski, from Kempsville Middle

Congratulations to all the Teachers of the Year, and for pictures from the event, visit the VBSchools Facebook page.