Ashley Nicole Blackwell, a kindergarten teacher at Cumberland County Elementary School, was recently awarded Region 8 Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).

Cumberland County Public Schools (CUCPS) administration surprised Blackwell during a school assembly held Sept. 6 in the elementary school gymnasium. In order to make the announcement unexpected for Blackwell, Superintendent Dr. Amy Griffin said the assembly was formed under the ruse of introducing Cumberland County Elementary School students to a program meant to reward positive behavior called Duke Bucks.

Dr. Kent Dickey, superintendent of finance and operations for VDOE, spoke during the assembly and presented Blackwell with a certificate for her being Region 8 Teacher of the Year.

The packet Blackwell received from the assembly included a certificate from VDOE and a letter from the Governor’s Office commending her for her service.

VDOE awards teachers at each of the commonwealth’s eight regions. These teachers are qualified for Virginia’s Teacher of the Year.

The Virginia Teacher of the Year, initially scheduled for last Friday, Sept. 14, was postponed due to tropical cyclone Florence and is expected to be rescheduled at a later date.

“It was a pleasure to represent the state superintendent in recognizing Ms. Blackwell as the Region 8 Virginia Teacher of the Year,” Dickey said in a statement. “She epitomizes the dedication of the commonwealth’s teachers by ensuring that her students have access to great books and using technology to expand her students’ horizons so they experience the connections between learning and opportunity.”

Blackwell, a native of Cumberland, attended Longwood University for undergraduate and graduate school and received a Master’s of Science Degree.

She has been instrumental in coordinating four successful Scholastic Book Fairs, a news release from CUCPS announced, where the funds raised were used to purchase books and materials for classrooms.

Blackwell has also coached softball, soccer and volleyball for the division, been a mentor teacher, a member of the Virginia Tiered Systems of Supports (VTSS) committee, served on the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) committee, provided professional development for other staff members, assisted with the Duke Pride events and served on the division Social Committee.

Blackwell is also active in the community, volunteering for organizations that include the Cumberland County Christmas Mother, the Cumberland Food Pantry, and Impact Virginia.

In addition, she has served as a teacher and assistant director for Fitzgerald Memorial Baptist Church.

Blackwell has taught in the school division since 2011.

“Ashley is very deserving of this honor and will represent Cumberland County Public Schools and Region 8 as a true champion for children,” Griffin said in a statement. “She is beloved by her students, their families, and her colleagues because of the caring and loving relationships that she cultivates within her classroom, the school, and in the community. We are all very proud that Ashley was chosen and look forward to seeing how her influence not only continues to shape the future of the children in her classroom but throughout the region, state, and beyond!