Woolridge Elementary School

Shell Langston exemplifies what it means to be a transformative art educator. With three degrees in art, her extensive knowledge shines through in every lesson. With intentionality and heart, she treats her art room as more than just a place to create — it is a sanctuary offering students a space to feel calm, seen and supported. Her lessons consistently go beyond surface-level creativity, pushing students to think critically about art and their role as makers and thinkers. She holds high expectations, never underestimating her students because of their age. For the districtwide Fine Arts Festival, she designed a breathtaking collaborative mural where every student in the school created a unique feather. She then arranged over 600 feathers to form multiple pairs of vibrant wings, creating an interactive mural that students and their families could pose with. It was a beautiful symbol of community, individuality and shared creativity — exactly the kind of experience she is known for fostering.

Erin Smith brings 17 years of experience and a heart full of passion to her role as an adaptive art teacher. With a deep commitment to her students, she works with children with a wide variety of needs including autism, neurological differences, nonverbal communication, visual and hearing impairments, Down syndrome and other health challenges. She meets each student exactly where they are, helping them express themselves and thrive through creating art. Her impact extends beyond her own classroom because she is a dedicated mentor, sharing her expertise with other educators through professional development sessions across central Virginia and at Virginia Art Education Association conferences. What truly sets her apart is her unwavering commitment to ensuring every student has access to meaningful art experiences. Passionate, innovative and deeply devoted, she travels to multiple schools every week to make sure no student misses out.

An outstanding teacher and department chair, Shannon Sissokho displays leadership and guidance not only for visual art teachers but for performing and theater as well. She has built up the Specialty Center for the Arts while facilitating her own students to create meaningful art. She models what it is to be a leader every day and takes care of students and staff in our community. She has led the Thomas Dale department with vision, dedication and a genuine passion for the arts. She is the very definition of a tireless educator: dedicated not only to her students but also to the continual growth of our visual arts program and the districtwide arts community. She doesn’t just teach art — she builds the foundation for its longevity. She even helped organize a collaborative community artwork presented to the Board of Supervisors, highlighting the power of art as civic engagement. She brings energy, empathy and innovation into everything she touches.

Zoe Brinson is a hard-working and wonderful art teacher. She designs engaging lessons that produce a cross-disciplinary academic experience and always makes sure that student work is on display. In the past two years, she has brought incredible energy, creativity and passion to Thomas Dale High. Her ability to inspire students, foster a love for the arts and create an inclusive, engaging learning environment has made a profound impact on students and staff alike. She exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated and innovative educator.