Hatfield Elementary teacher honored with VFW award

Hatfield Elementary second-grade teacher Jennifer Birdsell has been awarded the Smart/Maher VFW National Citizenship Education Teacher of the Year Award at the district level. 
 

As a district-level recipient, Ms. Birdsell will now advance to compete for the state-level Teacher of the Year distinction presented by the Veterans of Foreign Wars. This prestigious recognition honors educators who foster civic responsibility, flag etiquette and patriotism in their classrooms.

“This award is especially meaningful to me because it highlights the importance of teaching students to be productive citizens, patriotic Americans, and good people,” said Ms. Birdsell. “It also honors the Veterans and Service members who sacrificed for our freedoms and recognizes them as the heroes they truly are. I’m humbled to be acknowledged for lifting them up and instilling these values in my students.”

Ms. Birdsell was nominated for the award by Amy Wahl, an ECSE paraprofessional at Hatfield Elementary and a Roanoke VFW auxiliary member.

“I feel absolutely honored to have been nominated and am elated to receive this award,” Ms. Birdsell shared. “I’m excited to continue moving forward in the process.”