The Rockingham Educational Foundation, Inc. (REFI) and Rockingham County Public Schools (RCPS) have named Mrs. Dana Roderick the 2025 Lucy F. Simms Educator of the Year. As the selected individual for the county, Mrs. Roderick will now be eligible for regional and state selection of the 2025 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year, which will be held through the Virginia Department of Education. Each year, REFI selects one educator from the “Teachers of the Year” identified from the 24 schools in Rockingham County.
Currently the librarian at Cub Run Elementary School, Mrs. Roderick has taught for a total of 23 years, 13 in Rockingham County Public Schools. She states, “Teaching is a work of heart that encompasses knowledge of child development, with focus on empathy, differentiation, and inclusive, play-based learning where reading serves as a foundation for all learning.”
The award is named in memory of Lucy Francis Simms, a teacher born a slave in 1855 who started teaching at age 17 and taught for 56 years in Rockingham County and Harrisonburg City. As advocates for preserving the legacy of Lucy F. Simms and excellence in education, the BotkinRose Law Firm and Atlantic Union Bank sponsored this event. $1000 was awarded to Mrs. Roderick during the ceremony.
During the ceremony, all Rockingham County Teachers of the Year were recognized as follows:
High Schools:
Becky Harris, Broadway High School; Math.
Jim Beachy, East Rockingham High School; Chemistry.
Rebekka Lindsay, Massanutten Technical Center; Health Career Instructor.
Tara Mancini, Spotswood High School; Special Education.
Megan Shephard, Turner Ashby High School; Social Studies.
Middle Schools:
Dewie Arey, Elkton Middle School; Reading Specialist.
Sarah Beth Taylor, J. Frank Hillyard Middle School; Art
Kristen Horn, Montevideo Middle School; Agriculture.
Jennifer Miller, Wilbur S. Pence Middle School; 7th Grade Life Science
Elementary Schools:
Dana Roderick Cub Run Elementary School; Librarian
Abby Phillips, Elkton Elementary School; 1st Grade.
Anita Ritchie, Fulks Run Elementary School; 3rd Grade.
Alyssa Green, John C. Myers Elementary School; 1st Grade.
Elizabeth Gillenwater, John Wayland Elementary School; Special Education
Mary Ryder, Lacey Spring Elementary School; 2nd Grade
Heather Kirkland, Linville-Edom Elementary School; School Counselor
Kim Boyers, McGaheysville Elementary School; Early Childhood Special Education.
Brooke Jamison, Mountain View Elementary School; First Grade.
Katie Hylton Ottobine Elementary School; Second Grade.
Abby Wampler, Peak View Elementary; ELL Teacher
Ashlie Bare, Plains Elementary School; Special Education.
Grace Boyd, Pleasant Valley Elementary School; Pre-Kindergarten
Amy Kreider, River Bend Elementary; Special Education
Courtney Judd, South River Elementary School; Pre-Kindergarten