Congratulations to History and Social Studies Teacher Jane Kortan who was recognized as the FCPS 2021 Region 1 Outstanding Secondary Teacher and one of the six finalists for the FCPS Outstanding Secondary Teacher at this year's FCPS Honors event, held at Jiffy Lube Live on June 9th.

In her last six years at Herndon High School, Ms. Kortan has enthusiastically and creatively led the Government, Leadership, and Political Science programs to build courses with a focus on developing real-world connections for her students. In these courses, she has placed students in internships on Capitol Hill, successfully raised money and matched donors with local families in need, and hosted guest speakers in person and virtually. She serves in a multitude of positions at school and is “one of the few teachers… who can truly connect with her students and can make the classroom feel like home,” writes one student. Another student says, “Our school has become a brighter and more inclusive place because of Ms. Kortan.”

• View Ms. Kortan's page on the FCPS website

Congratulations to our following staff members who were also recognized at this year's FCPS Honors Ceremony!

Outstanding Secondary New Teacher School and Pyramid-Level Recipient

• Emma Holdaway, Mathematics Teacher

Outstanding School-Based Operational Employee School-Level Recipient

• Beverly Barr, Student Information Assistant

Outstanding School-Based Professional Employee School and Pyramid-Level Recipient

• Liz Smith, School Based Technology Specialist

Outstanding School-Based Leader School-Level Recipient

• Michael Gillespie, Assistant Principal

Thank you to Michael Gillespie and Nile Shaikh for all of their hard work with the nomination process by serving as this year's awards liaisons.