York Avenue Elementary autistic support teacher Brianna Vandegrift has won the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Teacher of the Year Award from local VFW Post 32 in Lansdale.
This award is given to teachers who represent the best of their communities, inspiring students to be better every day. Teachers should promote civic responsibility, and encourage their students to be active community members.
“Brianna is one of the most caring, committed, and focused educators I have had the pleasure to know. Her classroom is warm, respectful, and welcoming to all,” said Dipa Richardson, Principal of York Avenue Elementary. “Brianna is the type of educator who will do whatever it takes to understand the realities and complex needs of all her students, including her culturally and linguistically diverse students. Families, including our language learners, feel comfortable speaking with her and know her to be a champion for all students. York Avenue is lucky to have her!”
VFW annually recognizes the nation’s top classroom elementary, junior high, and high school teachers through the Teacher of the Year awards program. Local Post winners may be submitted for the District, State, and National awards contests.