Joann Hamidullah, an instructional assistant at Hurt Park Elementary School, was named Roanoke City Public Schools’ (RCPS) Teacher of the Year during the annual celebration held at The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center on Thursday, April 30. The event celebrated all school and departments’ Support Staff Members of the Year and included naming the three finalists:
Support staff of the Year: Joann Hamidullah, Hurt Park Elementary School, Special Education Instructional Assistant, 2nd Place Finalist: Lynette Akers, Lucy Addison Middle School, Special Education Instructional Assistant; 3rd Place Finalist: Natasha Guess, Westside Elementary School, Teaching Assistant
Superintendent Dr. Verletta White commended all nominees for what they do to support RCPS’ students and school/department communities. “Your work reminds us why we do what we do,” she said. “We remain anchored in our purpose of knowing our students by name, need, and strength — and you make that purpose real, every single day, in ways that don’t always make the headlines but never go unnoticed. A great school runs because of people who care. People who go the extra mile without being asked, who show up every day because they believe in what we’re building together, who believe in our students. I see that in you.”
A committee composed of Roanoke City Public Schools division leaders and employees reviewed the Teacher of the Year nominations and selected the finalists and the RCPS Support Staff of the Year. The three finalists stood out to our judges for their adaptability and the extent to which they have supported the students in their buildings.
Ms. Hamidullah, also known as “Ms. H” to her school community, serves as an instructional assistant at Hurt Park Elementary School. There, she works in Mrs. Tiffany Austin’s self-contained special education classroom, where she runs small groups, provides individualized behavioral support, and more. The judges remarked that Ms. H clearly makes a noticeable, positive impact on students and staff alike. She has served as an instructional assistant for 14 years across two schools, moving to Hurt Park in 2019 to continue her work with Mrs. Austin. While her students may need additional time and support, one of her nominators wrote, Ms. H never lowers standards and brings out the best in her students.
Furthermore, her sharp wit and smile support her colleagues even on the toughest of days. Ms. H is a graduate of RCPS; her children attended RCPS; she is a former Roanoke Central Council PTA president; and her husband supports RCPS athletics. She understands the power of public education, and, as one nominator wrote: “She is the person who steps in before anyone asks, the person who sees what needs to be done and does it, and the person who consistently places students at the center of every decision and action.”
Ms. Hamidullah received $1,000 from the Support Staff of the Year sponsor, Trane. She will represent RCPS for consideration of the Virginia Department of Education’s Recognizing Inspiring School Employees (RISE) Award. Other sponsors included second-place sponsor Pinnacle Financial Partners and third-place sponsor ESS.
