Chesterfield County Teacher of the Year
High School Teacher of the Year

James Myers teaches advanced engineering and manufacturing at the Career and Technical Center @ Hull. A career switcher, James said he realized that he gravitated to teaching throughout his 25-year career in business by mentoring young colleagues, coaching field hockey and working with Boy Scouts. He began teaching in Chesterfield County Public Schools in 2023 after working as a performance engineer, product development engineer, operations manager and vice president within the manufacturing industry.

Brian Russell, principal of the Career and Technical Center, said, “James Myers demonstrates the insight and professionalism of a seasoned educator despite only a few years in education. He understands the big picture and the delicate ecosystem of students, programs, business partners and the wider Career and Technical Center community and continuously works to improve opportunities for his students. He is always willing to support his colleagues and contributes as a coach and PLC lead. He also serves as chair of the Brightpoint Community College Educational Foundation board and vice president of the Virginia Technology and Engineering Education Association. His industry experience strengthens his advanced engineering and manufacturing curriculum.”

James wrote this about his philosophy of teaching, “During my professional career, teaching or mentoring was equal parts direction and experience. … In the classroom, I work to give students the same opportunity. … The challenge … is that the hectic pace and chaos associated with real-world manufacturing is best learned by experiencing it. Trying to simulate that in the classroom … is not easily done. To generate real-world experiences and connections embedded within the curriculum, I created manufacturing simulations … [which] are a highlight of the class for me, my co-teachers and my students. It is an opportunity for students to put in practice the learned elements of manufacturing and experiment with new concepts. It embodies what I try to do as a teacher: provide the knowledge of processes and practices and allow students an environment to experience and master them.”

Middle School Teacher of the Year

Terrance Gregory is the band director at Falling Creek Middle. Since he joined the school in 2024, the band program has grown from 75 students to 120.

Quincy Waller, principal of Falling Creek Middle, said, “Terrance Gregory is pure sunshine at Falling Creek Middle. He’s constantly bringing the spirit between pep rallies, music in the hallways and the pep band at sporting events. Students love him because he builds authentic relationships with them. … He is kind to everyone. … He’s an incredible teacher and co-worker, who is reflective and is constantly working on improving his craft. Terrance often stays late mentoring and working with students to help them improve their musicianship. He is a true asset to our school.”

Terrance wrote this about his philosophy of teaching, “My band students come with a wide range of experiences. … Students regularly hear phrases such as “trust the process,” “mistakes are how we learn” and “practice makes you better, not perfect.” I also remind them, “I can’t believe in you more than you believe in yourself,” a phrase they often repeat back to me and to one another. … Moments like this show me that students are internalizing the mindset we practice daily. Mistakes are treated as expected and necessary, creating a learning setting where students feel safe taking risks and improving. … Through band, students learn responsibility, perseverance, teamwork and pride in their growth.”

Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Elizabeth Talley is a school counselor at Davis Elementary. She worked in marketing and public relations before feeling called to public education and earning a master’s degree in counselor education. She has worked in Chesterfield County Public Schools since 2022.

About her work, Elizabeth wrote, “Serving as an educator in Chesterfield County Public Schools is both an honor and a responsibility. Through intentional instruction, collaborative leadership and lifelong learning, I remain committed to supporting the whole child and empowering the next generation of leaders — ensuring every student feels seen, supported and capable of shaping a better future. … I am committed to building bridges between students, families and the community. By addressing barriers to attendance, fostering mentorship and creating leadership opportunities, I work to ensure every student has access to the support needed to succeed.”

Dr. Kenya Batts, principal of Davis Elementary, said, “Elizabeth Talley goes above and beyond her job as a counselor. The students and staff trust her completely. She is a safe space for everyone to be heard with compassion. She is dedicated, kind and works tirelessly for our school. Her love for students is evident in everything she does. She cares for each student as if they are her own. Students are always seeking her out and happy to see her visit their classroom. Elizabeth is a special gift to the Davis community, and we are lucky to have her!”