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On a crisp, sunny Wednesday afternoon, state education leaders filled the gymnasium at Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School on April 8, where the school's symphonic band — made up of 7th and 8th grade students — set the tone with several performances before the room was brought to its feet for a surprise that had been carefully kept from one person in the building.
Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Jenna Conway and Secretary of Education Dr. Jeffrey O. Smith joined ACPS Superintendent Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt, School Board Chair Dr. Michelle Rief, and Jefferson-Houston Principal Dr. Adaarema Kelly for a surprise assembly in the gymnasium — one that would end with middle school AVID instructor Deedra Robinson being named the 2027 Virginia Region 4 Teacher of the Year.
Region 4, Northern Virginia, is one of eight VDOE regions covering Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties and their affiliated cities, as well as Fauquier, Culpeper, Frederick, Shenandoah, Warren and several other jurisdictions stretching toward the Shenandoah Valley.
It marks the second consecutive year an ACPS teacher has earned the regional distinction. In March 2025, James K. Polk Elementary School third-grade teacher Sharon Phox was named the Virginia Region 4 Teacher of the Year by then-Virginia Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons in a surprise assembly of her own — recognized for her work supporting English language learners and her 25-year teaching career in Alexandria.
Principal Dr. Adaarema Kelly opened the assembly by thanking the school's symphonic band and its director, Mr. Charles Walt, for setting the mood. "It might be small, but they're mighty," Kelly said of the ensemble.
Conway described Robinson to the crowd before revealing her name, calling her a teacher who "empowers students in our middle school across grades six through eight" and "helps critical skills on organization, collaboration and self-advocacy." She noted Robinson has been doing this work for four decades, is a nationally recognized AVID trainer and presenter who has reached more than 3,000 educators, and has published curriculum resources used across the country.
Robinson was seated on stage throughout the ceremony, unaware she was the subject of Conway's description — until her name was called. Moments after the announcement, her family walked in and took seats in the first couple of rows — her husband carrying a bouquet of roses — drawing an emotional reaction from the room.
Robinson joined Jefferson-Houston as its AVID elective teacher in 2021 and was selected as an AVID national staff developer in 2022 alongside two other ACPS colleagues. In addition to classroom instruction, she mentors elementary AVID teachers and tutors, and has played a key role in implementing the AVID readiness program schoolwide. She has represented Alexandria as a trainer for the Science Community of Practice for more than 25 years and has delivered professional learning sessions to educators from 47 states.
Robinson, who said she was "definitely surprised and honored," traced her calling to a personal experience. "I started when I had to help my little boy Christopher have success in first grade," she said. "Seeing the success that I was able to help him spur me to be able to want to do that for other kids in my classroom, but more importantly, to help other educators have an effect on children across our nation."
She said her five years at Jefferson-Houston have been "the icing on the cake." "We have some of the greatest kids and educators in the United States," Robinson said. "It doesn't get any better than here in Alexandria, here in Virginia."
In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, Kay-Wyatt said the back-to-back regional honors reflect something deeper about the school division. "We are incredibly proud to see one of our teachers recognized by the Virginia Department of Education for the second year in a row," Kay-Wyatt said. "Ms. Deedra Robinson represents the excellence, care and dedication that define ACPS, and we are proud to celebrate the meaningful impact she continues to make on her students and our community."
In the official announcement, Principal Kelly said Robinson's influence extends well beyond her classroom. "Through her leadership in AVID and her deep belief in every student's potential, she has created a culture of excellence, access and opportunity," Kelly said. "She empowers students to see themselves as scholars and leaders, and that is the true mark of an extraordinary educator."
At the assembly, ACPS Chief Academic Officer Dr. Kira Fitz called Robinson "excellent in action," adding that "her students don't just learn, they thrive." In her official statement, Conway framed Robinson's career in broader terms. "Deedra Robinson's decades of service and commitment to empowering students as they begin their postsecondary journey highlight the transformative impact of education," Conway said. "Her work ensures students are prepared not only academically but for a future poised with opportunity."
Robinson added that despite planning to retire at the end of the school year, she still has energy left to serve the community. "I still feel that I have energy left to do some more work to help our community continue to be the best that it can be," she said.
Robinson will now represent Region 4, Northern Virginia, in the statewide Virginia Teacher of the Year selection process — competing for the Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year award, which honors teachers who represent the best in teaching across the Commonwealth.
The surprise ceremony came hours before ACPS hosts the state's Commonwealth Listening Tour session Wednesday evening at Alexandria City High School's Minnie Howard Campus, where Conway and Smith are scheduled to hear from students, families and community members about the state of public education.
