The most prestigious honor in the teaching profession in FCPS, the Teacher of the Year Award, is given to one teacher every year, and AP Environmental Science teacher Maureen Goble is one of the finalists for the 2014-15 school year. She has been teaching for 14 years at Lake Braddock.
“This is a huge county and to be chosen as a finalist was quite an honor,” Goble said.

To be eligible for the award, certain requirements must be fulfilled. At least five consecutive years of teaching experience is required, and the teacher must have had a full-time FCPS teaching contract for the last three years. Teachers must also plan to teach next school year, teach students on a regular basis and be aware of and approve the nomination from their school.

Nominations are usually open in November and are due during the middle of January. Each school in the county nominates one teacher. The decision is based on the recommendations of students, parents and administrators. Goble had to send in an application that included a statement of reflection on her teaching and letters of recommendation from principal Dave Thomas; her administrator, Tony Copeland, a parent and a student. When Goble was chosen as a finalist, she had an interview with a panel of administrators at the county level.

The nominees, finalists and winner will be recognized at the FCPS Honors Awards Gala, which will be held this year at the George Mason University Center for the Arts on June 10.

“There are such fantastic teachers here at Lake Braddock and across the county,” Goble said. “I was very proud to be able to represent Lake Braddock in this way.”