RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A high school English and journalism teacher out of Roanoke County was named the next Virginia Teacher of the Year.
On Wednesday, May 7, amid National Teacher Appreciation Week, Gov. Glenn Youngkin formally announced the 2026 Virginia Teacher of the Year.
The winning teacher was selected from eight regional finalists. Those finalists, according to the Virginia Department of Education, are as follows:
- Rachel Tate, Goochland County Public Schools
- Deana Hubbell, Isle of Wight County Public Schools
- James Eckelston, Gloucester County Public Schools
- Sharon Phox, Alexandria County Public Schools
- Karen Grady, Staunton City Public Schools
- Matthew Neale, Roanoke County Public Schools
- Jeff Brown, Radford City Public Schools
- Charles Motter, Cumberland County Public Schools
When Youngkin took to the podium, he first offered his gratitude to Virginia’s teachers…