Tina Garfield, a Spanish teacher at Princess Anne High School, is the 2024 Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS) Citywide Teacher of the Year. Superintendent Aaron Spence made the announcement during a surprise visit to Garfield's school on Dec. 21.

"Mrs. Garfield's creative teaching methods give students an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the culture and experiences of the Spanish-speaking world," said Dr. Spence. "Her dedication inspires students to gain confidence in themselves and their unique talents. She exemplifies what it means to be a part of the VBCPS family."

Garfield has been teaching for 26 years and is a graduate of Princess Anne High. Her Spanish teachers at VBCPS sparked her passion for education. Garfield received the National Board Certified Teacher distinction in 2019. She leads professional development sessions for teachers and sponsors her school's Spanish Honor Society. Her volunteer service includes Families of Autistic Children of Tidewater and the Beach Girls Rock and African American Male Summit committees.

"Tina Garfield demonstrates a passion for teaching and a love for her students that is timeless and embodies all that is great in education," said C. Todd Tarkenton, principal of Princess Anne High School.

Garfield uses various resources and her experiences as a mother of an autistic son to provide students culturally responsive experiences in the classroom. Her lessons include Spanish music and art, and she shares stories, photos and souvenirs about her travels to Spain, Honduras and Costa Rica.

"I try to bring equity into the classroom by allowing students who do not have the means to physically travel to these places the opportunity to explore virtually," she said. "I provide a safe environment to take risks, celebrate successes and boost confidence. Students have added Latin music to their playlists, request songs and sing during class."

As the 2024 Citywide Teacher of the Year, Garfield receives a $200 Massage LuXe spa package; a week's stay in an Orlando villa and $500 from McDonald's Restaurant owned and operated by Hugh Fard; $1,000 from the Virginia Beach Education Foundation; and $1,000 from the VBCPS Department of Teaching and Learning to spend on instructional supplies for her classroom. She'll join the city's other teachers of the year at a banquet, May 4, at the Hilton Oceanfront.

From an initial pool of 87 Teachers of the Year, the division's selection committee visited the classrooms of selectees and interviewed finalists to determine Garfield as the winner. The four other finalists were Stacey Bellissimo, business/leadership teacher at Cox High School; Stephanie Filio, school counselor at Larkspur Middle School; Jessica Bradford, gifted resource teacher at Pembroke Elementary School; and Morgan Knight, art teacher at Red Mill Elementary School.

###

Department of Communications and Community Engagement, [email protected]

Like us on Facebook || Follow us on Twitter || Follow us on Instagram
Visit the Core