A rapturous applause followed after a James K. Polk Elementary School teacher was officially named the Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year.
In front of an assembly of third graders, teacher Sharon Phox was presented the honor by Lisa Coons, Virginia’s superintendent for public instruction, as well as Alexandria City Public Schools leadership and her family.
“It’s so hard to be recognized because I don’t really see myself doing anything special,” Phox said after receiving the award. “I just do what I love.”
Coons said that teachers at Polk wrote impressive recommendations about Phox.
“There is a third grade teacher here today who loves to teach English learning,” Coons said, before announcing the award, “… who loves to support her English learners, and goes above and beyond every day to make sure, if you don’t necessarily speak English as your first language, she makes sure you love math and literacy and reading.”
According to ACPS:
In Phox’s classroom, every student is valued for their unique abilities, including her ELL students who she reminds daily that they are smart because they are bilingual. She believes in fostering a safe and supportive environment where students feel a sense of belonging and know they are cared for. She prioritizes pacing her lessons to match students’ attention spans, ensuring that every student remains engaged, with the ultimate goal of helping her students make connections between what they are learning and their daily lives while ensuring they feel supported and successful in the process.
In addition, Phox serves as a mentor coordinator where she coaches new staff on best practices to execute in their first year, provides professional development, and collaborates with new educators to monitor their progress during the school year. She is highly involved in school activities, including the school’s annual talent show and the school garden project.
Phox started her teaching career in Alexandria 25 years ago and has been teaching third graders at Polk for a decade.
“Third grade is the perfect age to influence children,” Phox said.
Phox and seven other regional teachers of the year will serve on a VDOE teacher advisory council. All eight regional Teacher of the Year winners are eligible for the 2025 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year Award. Governor Glenn Youngkin will announce that award on May 7 in Richmond.
Phox earned her bachelor’s degree in distributive education, education preparation from Old Dominion University, a master’s degree in social work from New York University, and a master’s degree in education – curriculum and instruction from the University of Virginia.
“Mrs. Sharon Phox is the embodiment of what it means to be an exceptional educator,” said James K. Polk Elementary School Principal Carla Carter.
