Big congratulations to Hallie Chewning, 5th-grade teacher at Burlington Elementary, for earning the Education Impact award this June! Hallie is more than just a teacher; she’s a trail guide helping her students cross the “Grand Canyon” between elementary and middle school with confidence.

For over a decade, Marie Levine has brought creativity, passion, and heartfelt connections to her classroom, inspiring students to express themselves and color outside the lines. 🎨

Congratulations to Jamie Nichols, William Byrd Middle School’s dedicated math teacher and head girls track coach, for earning the April Education Impact Award! 🌟

With the steady increase in autism prevalence in the United States, special education teachers are becoming an even more crucial part of our educational system. That’s where an exceptional selection for March’s Education Impact Award stands out.

LTC(R) Matthew Payne earns the Education Impact award for February. He serves as the senior army instructor for JROTC for Bedford County, teaching out of the Susie G Gibson Science and Tech Center.

Brookville High has long been a battleground for the role of arts in education. But here, the arts have emerged victorious.

Second-year teachers are usually still finding their footing in the challenging field of education.

Do you know an educator who goes the extra mile? Nominate them for the 2025-2026 WSLS Education Impact Award!

Kindergarten teacher Ryan Clifton is the WSLS Blue Eagle Credit Union Education Impact Award November honoree. Clifton teaches at Natural Bridge Elementary school

Northside 8th grade English teacher Lauren Burgess is the October recipient of the Education Impact Award. She along with her school recieve 250 dollars each courtesy of Blue Eagle Credit Union and WSLS-TV.

Blacksburg High School PE/health teacher Madison Webb is the September recipient of the Education Impact Award.

Agricultural Science teacher and Horticulture specialist Cassie Long is the WSLS-10 Blue Eagle Credit Union Education Impact award recipient for August, 2025.

Education Impact Award Official Contest Rules

Music teacher Christopher Badgett is July Education Impact award winner.

This month, we’re honoring an English teacher who “brings learning to life.”

At Rich Acres Elementary School in Henry County, 5th-grade teacher Mrs. Ashley Adams has a palpable ‘connection’ with her students.

William Byrd German Teacher Mrs. Debbie Williams-Arthur is the April recipient of the April Education Impact Award.

The Hidden Valley Principal is the WSLS/Blue Eagle Credit Union Education Impact Award recipient for March.

Rhodes earns February's Education Impact award from WSLS-10 and Blue Eagle Credit Union

Chrystal Shawn is January's Education Impact Award Recipient from Blue Eagle Credit Union

Awarded by Blue Eagle Credit Union--Bryce Vandenberg has been called a 'miracle worker' by those who nominated him.

Mrs. Courtney May, Art Teacher at Central Academy Middle in Botetourt County, is the Blue Eagle Credit Union/WSLS November Education Impact Award winner for her tireless dedication to her students and furthering the arts in the County.

When a stream of administrative types is headed to your classroom with a purpose, it might be bad news. Not this time!

This month’s Education Impact Award winner shows that learning shouldn’t just be limited to the classroom.

This month’s Education Impact Award winner has a passion for pets, and she brings that inside of the classroom with her.

Kit Prillaman created a program that helps students with dyslexia and dysgraphia.

Do you know an educator who goes the extra mile? Nominate them for the 2024-2025 WSLS Education Impact Award!

Education Impact Award Official Contest Rules

Fifth-grade teacher Gregory Souder at Dublin Elementary School is the next Education Impact Award Winner.

Our next Education Impact Award Winner has been in the education profession for more than 30 years, helping his students become stronger musicians.

Imagine working at the same school you attended as a student. Not only does our next Education Impact Award recipient teach, but he also coached varsity basketball in Giles County.

April's Education Impact Award winner has a unique way to make sure students learn about math. She uses treats as motivation.

Moir Hill has been in the education field for over 60 years and is February's Education Impact Award winner.

English Language Learner Teacher Dawn Custalow cannot believe she won the Education Impact Award. "I am very touched," Custalow said. She was touched and surprised to be named January's Education Impact Award Winner. "I had no idea about this," Custalow said. Custalow said she always wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. She attended Bridgewater College and later earned her master's in education at Virginia Tech. Custalow did post graduate work overseas. "I was in the university world in the Czech Republic, so I did some post graduate training there as well," Custalow said. Custalow's love for teaching brought her back to Virginia.

Sydney Hepler, a second-grade teacher out of the Covington area, loves her students.

Teacher who worked for 32 years gets recognition for the award.

Lord Botetourt High School graduate Paul Craft was shocked when he learned he won the Education Impact Award.

Tami Oliver, the Education Impact Award recipient for September, loves to help children feel special when getting extra assistance in the classroom.

WSLS 10 is starting the Education Impact Award Series highlighting great teachers in our area the public nominates.