Nathaniel Provencio, 2017 Washington Post Principal of the Year, speaks with students as the wait in line for breakfast at Minnieville Elementary School on Thursday, April 6, 2017 in Woodbridge, Virginia. (Pete Marovich/For The Washington Post)
There are many dedicated and outstanding educators in the Washington region’s schools. Here are the 2017 finalists for Washington Post Teacher of the Year and Washington Post Principal of the Year.
Each of the finalists was chosen by the respective local school system, the D.C. Public Charter School Board or a panel of educators and community leaders with expertise in the private school community.
The two winners were chosen by a selection committee of individuals who represent teachers, administrators and parents. The winners each receive a $7,500 prize.
Finalists for 2017 Washington Post Principal of the Year Award
Peter Balas: Mount Vernon Community School, Alexandria City
Jean Marie Hofstetter: Davidsonville Elementary School, Anne Arundel County
Bridget Loft: Swanson Middle School, Arlington County
Zachary Seawell: Calvert Middle School, Calvert County
Wilhelmina S. Pugh: Malcolm Elementary School, Charles County
Anna Hickman: Ingenuity Prep, D.C. Public Charter School
Renee Miller: Keene Mill Elementary School, Fairfax County
Troy Todd: Running Brook Elementary School, Howard County
John G. Gabriel: John Champe High School, Loudoun County
Jennifer Lowndes: Rock Creek Forest Elementary, Montgomery County
Denise Dunn: Ridgecrest Elementary School, Prince George’s County
Nathaniel Provencio (winner): Minnieville Elementary School, Prince William County
Jennifer Gilman: Hollywood Elementary School, St. Mary’s County
Andrew Grider: Rodney E. Thompson Middle School, Stafford County
Finalists for 2017 Washington Post Teacher of the Year Award
Laura Koss: Matthew Maury Elementary School, Alexandria City
Sharon Mattoon: Solley Elementary School, Anne Arundel County
Michelle Cottrell-Williams: Wakefield High School, Arlington County
Devin Page: Northern Middle School, Calvert County
Kelly Lundeen: Dr. James Craik Elementary School, Charles County
Tara Allen: Thurgood Marshall Academy, D.C. Public Charter School
Angela Ammerman: Annandale High School, Fairfax County
Lisa Allan: Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, Falls Church
Kim Matthias: Cedar Lee Middle School, Fauquier County
Kelli Betts Smith: Centerville Elementary School, Frederick County
Quillian Haralson: Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, D.C. private school
Maddy Halbach: Applications and Research Laboratory, Howard County
Kathleen Thompson: Stone Bridge High School, Loudoun County
Amy Keen: Jennie Dean Elementary School, Manassas City
Carrie Reardon: Manassas Park Middle School, Manassas Park
Sean Pang (winner): Rockville High School, Montgomery County
Maria Wood: William W. Hall Academy, Prince George’s County
Rebecca Kronthal: Martin Luther King Elementary School, Prince William County
Mary Jane Selph: Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center, St. Mary’s County
Nicole Sutton: Kate Waller Barrett Elementary School, Stafford County
Dawn Harding: Washington Episcopal School, Bethesda private school
(A previous version of this list incorrectly identified the private school where Quillian Haralson teaches. It is Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School, not Georgetown Preparatory School. This list has been updated.)
— Washington Post staff