Jefferson Middle School Minority Achievement Coordinator Tim Cotman (now Equity and Excellence Coordinator) has been named the Region 4 Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Department of Education. The surprise announcement was made by Virginia Secretary of Education Atif Qarni at Jefferson’s eighth grade assembly this morning. Cotman is Arlington Public Schools 2018 Teacher of the Year and one of eight teachers in the state selected as a 2019 Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year. (Read the VDOE release here)

Cotman was unavailable for the announcement due to the birth of his daughter at approximately 5:30 a.m. this morning, but Jefferson staff arranged to FaceTime him into the festivities to hear the news from the Secretary, and to enjoy the cheers and congratulations from the Jefferson students and staff during the assembly.

The regional teachers were selected from among 132 candidates nominated by school divisions in each of the state’s eight superintendents’ regions. The candidates submitted portfolios highlighting their accomplishments, educational philosophies and community activities.

A panel, including classroom teachers, representatives of professional and educational associations and the business community reviewed the portfolios and selected each of the eight regional teachers of the year.

Next week, the same panel will interview each of the eight regional teachers to select the 2019 Virginia Teacher of the Year. The decision will be announced on September 14 during a ceremony in Richmond.

The 2019 Virginia Teacher of the Year will be the commonwealth’s nominee in the National Teacher of the Year Program.