MANASSAS, Va. — A Manassas Park Middle School math teacher got a big surprise during a school assembly on Thursday. Darnell Greene was named Regional Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Department of Education.
"Mr. Greene is an exemplary educator who has dedicated his life's work to teaching," said Manassas Park Middle School Principal Kip Gansneder Tuttle. "He possesses an innate ability to inspire and guide students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve their very best."
Greene has served as a teacher, mentor, and coach for more than 21 years. He wanted to be a teacher from a young age. After a challenging start to high school, his life forever changed when the new varsity football coach met with him and asked if he wanted to make a positive difference in the world. That meeting was the beginning of Greene's journey in helping positively shape the future of Manassas Park Middle School students by sharing his stories and experiences.
"Virginia is blessed with outstanding educators," said Superintendent of Public Instruction Lisa Coons. "Mr. Greene challenges middle school math students every day by giving them real world math problems, mentors students as a track coach, and has mentored many new teachers in Manassas Park. I am honored I could come celebrate Mr. Greene with the leaders, colleagues, and students in Manassas Park as well as recognize him with this well-deserved award."
Greene had a word of advice for his fellow teachers after the award ceremony.
"Just keep at it. Keep with your faith and belief. You are changing and going to have an impact on the future generations. Don't give up," he said.
All eight regional Teacher of the Year winners are nominees for the 2025 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year Award. The final Virginia Teacher of the Year Award will be announced later this spring.
RELATED: 'The Oscar of teaching' | Alexandria City High School English teacher recognized with national award
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.