Fluvanna Teacher of the Year 2017- Russell Jennings

PRESS RELEASE – MAY 10, 2017

Fluvanna County Public Schools is pleased to announce Mr. Russell Jennings has been named 2016-17 Division Teacher of the Year. He was chosen for this honor by a committee of administrators and staff who considered five teachers nominated by each school.

Mr. Jennings was recognized by the School Board at its May 10 meeting. This is the seventh year that Fluvanna County Public Schools has recognized “Teachers of the Year.”

Mr. Chuck Winkler, Superintendent, remarked, “I am very proud of these individuals and all they represent. We are fortunate in Fluvanna to have such dedicated teachers and staff that place our children first each and every day. It is always a pleasure to be able to recognize them, even if just in a small way, for all they do.”

When Fluvanna reinstated the agriculture program in 2013, Mr. Jennings was brought on board. He is always willing to help others and truly loves his job. He was instrumental in revitalizing the agriculture program. He brought back the Future Farmers of America (FFA) student organization and chaperones trips to the National Convention. Mr. Jennings can frequently be found at the High School on nights and weekends, making apple butter, demonstrating the sauerkraut process, and conducting plant sales in the greenhouse. His colleagues say, “He has grown the program phenomenally and engaged students who otherwise may not fine their niche.”

Mr. Jennings is a native of Hillsville, Virginia, where he graduated from Carroll County High School. He earned his Associate’s degree from New River Community College. His Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Education is from Virginia Polytechnic and State University. He has seventeen years of teaching experience. He has been in Fluvanna for four years and previously taught Agriculture at Louisa County High School. He is active in a number of organizations including: Virginia Association of Agriculture Educators, Future Farmers of America, 4th degree Free Mason, and 3rd degree Knight of Columbus. He is the owner of Jennings Christmas Tree Lot.

He is married to Ann Jennings who is an English Teacher at Fluvanna County High School. The couple resides in Lake Monticello.

The School Board also recognized the four other school-level Teachers of the Year for 2016-2017:
West Central Primary – Robin McKay, Special Education Lead Teacher Kindergarten
Central Elementary School – Denise Avant, Second Grade Teacher
Carysbrook Elementary School – Benita Jackson-Grooms- Fourth Grade Teacher
Fluvanna Middle School – Marcus Carter, School Counselor

Previous recipients of the division-level Teacher of the Year honor include:
2016- Ms. Theresa Scruggs, FMS Language Arts
2015- Ms. Virginia Staton, FMS Language Arts
2014- Ms. Karen Feathers, FMS Special Education
2013- Ms. Lori Hoffman, FCHS Mathematics
2012- Mr. David Small, FCHS TV Production and Leadership
2011- Ms. Victoria Zavadsky, FCHS English

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