Laura Coppler has been a science teacher for 13 years and said she has always been a science nerd. Her father was always out in the garden during her childhood, and she said her fourth-grade teacher was the first teacher to ignite her interest in science. Coppler teaches science at Elizabeth Davis Middle School, where she has been for the last four years and where she was chosen as Teacher of the Year. She previously taught at Matoaca Middle School. “I always wanted to get back into the classroom and try to encourage students to love learning and love science…

Carver Middle School’s Teacher of the Year loves numbers, which is fitting, as she teaches seventh-grade math. LaToya Daniels originally majored in accounting, but she decided to follow her heart to work with kids. Daniels has been teaching for 16 years and has been at Carver for four. Her mother, who teaches in Emporia, was an inspiration to her, Daniels said. She is an advocate for hands-on and discovery learning, and said her classroom is not just about worksheets and Chromebooks. She prefers that her students “touch and do” because she believes students learn best by doing. “When the kids…

Earlier this year, Lisa Coffey was named C.C. Wells Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year, but she is no stranger to the award, as this is her third time being honored. She has won twice at Wells and once at Matoaca Elementary. Coffey grew up in Chesterfield County and has been teaching locally for 24 years. She also taught at Salem Middle and Bird High schools. In addition, she has traveled throughout the county as an itinerant teacher. She got choked up talking about the award. “I’ve been so many places, and to be honored every different place that I’ve…

Heather Russell recently received an award for her commitment to STEAM. (Danielle Ozbat photo) When Heather Russell was asked to be the STEAM lead at her school, she didn’t know what STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) was. After doing her research, the Ecoff Elementary School teacher realized she’d been doing hands-on learning so she accepted the role. Once the position of STEAM resource teacher opened up, she jumped on it because hands-on learning is her passion. Russell’s passion recently led to her being named the Virginia elementary school technology education teacher of the year by the Virginia Technology Engineering…

Stephen Hackett is pumped up about being the new principal at Carver College and Career Academy. He called it a huge honor and responsibility and is loving every second. Hackett said he is most looking forward to working with the students, staff and community and seeing a noticeable change in the student experience. One of his goals is to build a connection with Carver’s roots, and he said he wants every student to be extremely proud of the school’s history. The building opened in 1948 for black students as Carver High School, and it closed in 1970. It later was…

Kim Rice teaches at Enon Elementary School. (Danielle Ozbat) For 25 years, Kim Rice’s focus was teaching third-, fourth- and fifth-graders at Enon Elementary School until Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics came along. After hearing about the program, Rice began doing STEAM activities in her homeroom and Science Club. She made the jump to being a STEAM resource teacher once she realized it was good for students. She now teaches kindergarten through fifth grade and said the younger kids keep her on her toes. Rice said the students communicate and have to work within a group, which is a…