FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2019

Contact: Christie Clarke
Director of School & Community Relations
Phone: 804-469-4190
Email: cclarke@dcpsnet.org

Dinwiddie Public Schools Teacher of the Year
Latrice Johnson

Dinwiddie, Va. — Latrice Johnson, Biology Teacher, at Dinwiddie High School, is the 2020 Dinwiddie Public School Division Teacher of the Year. Johnson’s career has spanned more than 14 years in Dinwiddie Public Schools working at Dinwiddie Middle School and Dinwiddie High
School. Johnson grew up in Dinwiddie County and graduated from Dinwiddie High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia and her master’s degree from Virginia State University.

While her original plans were to work in a laboratory, Mrs. Johnson was encouraged by a church member to consider the teaching profession. After she was offered a position at Dinwiddie Middle School, the rest is what she calls “educator” history. When describing her teaching philosophy, she believes “a great educator continues to be a student at all times because there will always be a new strategy or solution that can benefit your students.” Mrs. Johnson feels that she has made a difference because a few students decided to pursue a science related career. She said, “I know at these points that I have done my part in planting a seed and nurturing it and have the privilege to see how well it grows.”

Dinwiddie High Science Department Chair, Tequila Ranson, wrote in her letter of recommendation, “She has the ability to teach and reach all students especially those in an inclusive setting. She is dedicated to the education profession. I admire her ability to revise her instructional methods to fit the needs of her students.”

Annually, each Dinwiddie school selects a Teacher of the Year. The division Teacher of the Year is selected from those honorees. Johnson’s nomination will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education, which will select 8 regional Teachers of the Year from across the state.

The School Board will honor the following Teachers of the Year at the May 14 regular meeting:

Dinwiddie High School – Latrice Johnson – Biology Teacher
Dinwiddie Middle School – Kimberly Roselle – CTE/Business Applications Teacher
Dinwiddie Elementary – Danette Irvin – Reading Interventionist
Midway Elementary – Jessica Childress – Reading Interventionist
Southside Elementary – Bridgette Hurt – Library Media Specialist
Sunnyside Elementary – Kathryn Matthews – Exceptional Education Teacher
Sutherland Elementary – Tracy Hayes – Second Grade Teacher