A. R. Ware Elementary School first-grade teacher Karen Grady has been named the 2026 Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year for Region 5 by the Virginia Department of Education.
Grady has been a teacher and a mentor for 25 years.
“We are excited to honor Mrs. Grady on being named a Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year. As a first-grade teacher, Mrs. Grady ensures students have a strong literacy foundation. She has gone through extensive training to provide the best reading instruction for her students, and she even partners with the local firefighters to bring the Firefighters in Literacy program into her classroom. This partnership allows students to have additional supports as they learn to read, and Mrs. Grady also volunteers with the fire department to support their needs. We are thrilled to honor an educational and community leader today,” Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons said.
Over the past 25 years, Grady has embraced the challenges of teaching with resilience and enthusiasm. She takes pride in providing hands-on learning experiences that make education enjoyable and impactful for her students. As a first-grade teacher, she works tirelessly to ensure every student succeeds academically. She proactively researches new teaching strategies and techniques to engage her students and continuously seeks innovative ways to enhance her teaching. She often tutors students after school, ensuring they receive the extra help they need to succeed.
“Karen Grady brings her ‘A’ game to her students each and every day. One of Karen’s greatest talents is her ability to transfer the responsibility for learning to her students. She has high expectations for everyone, and as a result her students experience tremendous growth over the course of a school year. Teachers are our greatest asset in Staunton City Schools, and I can’t think of a better representative,” said Staunton City Schools Superintendent Garett Smith.
Grady also devotes significant time to finding and developing activities that benefit her first-grade team. She regularly collaborates with her colleagues, sharing materials, ideas and resources to enhance the learning experience, and firmly believes that teacher teamwork is critical for professional growth and fostering a supportive and enriching student environment. Beyond teaching, Grady has a deep commitment to community service and is actively involved with two local fire companies, dedicating countless hours to volunteering and fundraising.
She is an active member of the Staunton Education Association, Virginia Education, and the National Education Association. Grady received a bachelor’s degree in education with a psychology concentration from Bridgewater College.
“Karen possesses a rare combination of passion, creativity, instructional knowledge, and genuine care for her students. She doesn’t just teach; she inspires. I have witnessed firsthand how she creates a dynamic and engaging learning environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed,” said A. R. Ware Elementary Principal William Brown.
The announcement of Grady’s nomination coincided with a surprise visit from Superintendent Coons, VDOE Chief of Staff Jeremy Raley, and VDOE Chief Information Officer Dave Myers. Grady and the seven other regional Teachers of the Year will join a Teacher Advisory Council to help elevate the voices and perspectives of all Virginia teachers on VDOE’s work.
All eight Regional Teachers of the Year are nominees for the 2026 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year Award. The final Virginia Teacher of the Year Award will be announced in early May.
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Ware Elementary teacher Karen Grady named Staunton Schools’ 2025 Teacher of the Year
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Rebecca Barnabi
