Teaching kids is challenging, and on Thursday (May 8) Alexandria City Public Schools named two of its best the principal and teacher of the year.
School Board Chair Michelle Rief and Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt presented the awards to Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School Principal Suzanne M. Hess and James K. Polk Elementary School third-grade teacher Sharon Phox.
Rief said that Hess excels at creating a welcome environment for her students.
“Her demonstration of an unwavering commitment to maintaining a continuous and open dialog within the school community is vital to the environment she fosters where everyone feels heard and valued,” Rief said.
Hess started her career as a teacher in ACPS 25 years ago and has been the principal at Naomi L. Brooks, since it was renamed in 2021.
“I started my journey in ACPs 25 years ago as a teacher, and so to come full circle and to win principal of the year, it means a lot to me,” Hess said.
If Phox’s name seems familiar, it’s because she was recently named Virginia regional teacher of the year.
What’s her secret to connecting with kids?
“Every year on the first day of school, I look into every child’s eyes,” Phox told us. “I’m looking for their soul, I’m looking for their potential, I’m looking for excitement, I’m looking for something. I’m looking for their gifts, and throughout the first week of school, I start to see things in them.”
Phox added, “I’m tough, but I love them so much, and they know so they always give me their best, and when they don’t it’s okay. I just accept whatever they have, whatever they bring, however they are, and we make it work.”
