Employees across Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) have been recognized for their contributions in September 2025 through the FCPS Cares program. The initiative allows community members to acknowledge staff who demonstrate dedication and support within the school system.
Kristopher Bunch from Woodson IT received commendation for his ongoing service to the school. Richard Chinn of Nancy Sprague Technology Center stated, “Kris has been providing superior to our school for many years. He is incredibly responsive to requests and always makes it a point to touch base in person to go over things, and explains things in an easily understandable manner. Kris also goes the extra mile…rather than just ‘closing out a ticket’, many times he has proposed other solutions and allowed for a collaborative effort to find the best solution.”
At Burke Elementary School, teacher Essie Carter and instructional assistant Maurilia Roman were acknowledged by Ashley Enright of Burke Middle School: “Huge shout-out to Burke teacher Essie Carter and Instructional Assistant, Maurilia Roman!Their collaboration and dedication in navigating and addressing challenging behaviors have made a meaningful impact. Their teamwork, patience, and commitment to student success truly exemplify what it means to support one another and our students.”
Burke Middle School’s Emilie Fagot and Em Quinlan were also highlighted by Enright: “I want to highlight Burke Middle School teacher Emilie Fagot and IA, Em Quinlan, for designing a creative and engaging Project-Based Learning (PBL) lesson! Their innovative approach sparked curiosity and encouraged meaningful student participation. Thank you for bringing learning to life in such a dynamic way!”
Ingrid Garrett of Fort Hunt Elementary was praised by vKay Von Kolnitz: “Ingrid has been an incredible force the past two years. She consistently comes to collaborative team meetings prepared and curious, always wanting what is best for her students’ learning and engagement. Her enthusiasm for embracing new curriculum and teaching strategies is infectious and a true testament to her commitment to professional growth. She seamlessly integrates every subject area lesson into a student-relevant context, ensuring students understand the ‘why’ of the learning. She is a wonderful colleague, always ready to engage and support her peers.Beyond her work these past two years, Ingrid has a remarkable backstory. She was one of a group of specialized teachers selected from their home countries to come to the United States and teach in Fairfax County Public Schools through the Participate Learning program. Ingrid originates from Barbados and taught for 30 years prior to coming to Fort Hunt Elementary School. Her cultural responsiveness in the classroom is a model for us all. She shares her experiences from Barbados, and creates a safe environment for students to share their own, which together creates a truly inclusive and culturally rich environment for her students. Her dedication also extends to building strong relationships with parents, which enhances the vibrancy of the entire Fort Hunt community. This approach, combined with her dedication, means that every single student in her class grows and makes progress. She never lets a student leave her classroom at a lower level than where they started. Her students don’t just learn; they thrive under her care. For all these reasons, and so many more, Ingrid Garrett is an outstanding candidate for Fox of the Week.”
Barbara Adams at Mount Eagle Elementary was commended by Ashley Christopher: “You can’t think of Mount Eagle without thinking of Barb Adams! She has been part of the Mount Eagle family for over 30 years.Barb is dependable, dedicated, and always put students and families first. She is kind, friendly, and approachable. Barb goes above and beyond to support both colleagues and students. She is also an amazing cook! Her potluck contributions are famous around here-if Barb makes if, you know you want to try it!But what truly makes her story so amazing is the connection her entire family shares with Mount Eagle. Her husband, Larry, once worked here and helped shape the community we know today. Her children, Parker and Madison, both attended Mount Eagle—and now, Madison continues the legacy by working alongside us! Their journey is a beautiful reflection of how Mount Eagle is more than just a school.We are so grateful for her continued commitment, her generous spirit, and all she brings to our school. Mount Eagle is stronger, warmer, and more connected because of her.”
Community members interested in recognizing FCPS employees can submit nominations on their submission page or review previous recognitions online.
