The Washington Post announced the winners and finalists of the 2024 Teacher and Principal of the Year Awards. For more than 40 years, The Post has presented this annual honor to recognize excellence in school leadership and to highlight community leaders who are dedicated to improving educational outcomes of students in the Washington metropolitan area. The standout educators were nominated by their school systems and communities for their exceptional work and unwavering commitment to their students.
The Post’s 2023 Teacher of the Year is Laura Senturia.
Laura Senturia has made her mark on Colin Powell Elementary School since it opened in 2003. Her constant dedication to her fourth grade students, fellow teachers and passion for her community is evident in her work and in her leadership roles both inside the school and far beyond the classroom.
Senturia leaves no stone unturned, collaborating with other teachers, specialists, school administrators, and county staff to ensure that she is the best possible advocate for her students. Her commitment to providing an exemplary educational experience is evident in the high praise she receives from her students and community at large. Her reputation for championing hands-on learning, and her coordination of fundraising events to ensure all students can attend educational field trips to locations like Jamestown, Yorktown and the Baltimore Aquarium, exhibits how she goes the extra mile to ensure students receive an enriching experience both in and outside of the classroom.
Senturia believes that relationships are her foundation for instilling in students a desire to learn and achieve. By creating a bond with students and creating a true student-centered classroom, she consistently encourages her students to lift one another up and to see themselves as meaningful contributors to the community and greater world.
Read more about Laura Senturia’s work at Colin Powell Elementary.
The Post’s 2023 Principal of the Year is Dr. Zadia Gadsden
During Dr. Zadia Gadsden’s 20 years as principal of Takoma Park Elementary School, she has cemented herself as a leader and an innovator, collaborating with fellow teachers and administrators to create enriching programs for her students, like enhanced math and STEM curricula.
Dr. Gadsden’s motto is “every child, every day,” evidenced by the success she has brought to her school and community, creating a book club that has increased reading achievement for its participants.
Dr. Gadsden is the longest serving principal in the Montgomery Blair cluster of schools, located in Montgomery County, serving on various planning teams to ensure the wider student and faculty body is aligned on various indicators of success. Her involvement in the classroom and community is remarkable, and she is a true trailblazer when it comes to educational innovation and making school a safe, comforting environment for all the students.
Read about Dr. Gadsen’s work at Takoma Park Elementary.
Both honorees will receive a $7500 monetary award, profile in The Washington Post, feature spot in a half page Washington Post advertisement and a signature trophy.
The Post also recognized 32 teacher and principal finalists, listed below:
2023 Teacher of the Year finalists:
Tosin Adetoro, Oak Street Elementary School
NiLa Austin, Ida B. Wells Middle School
Andrew Bango, Arcola Elementary School
Dhanel Brown, Weems Elementary School
Danielle Day, Washington-Liberty High School
Christopher Forney, Winston Churchill High School
Darnell Greene, Manassas Park Middle School
Amanda Hazlehurst, Auburn Middle School
Tiffany Lee-Clarke, Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School
Wendie Newcamp, Theodore G. Davis Middle School
Samantha Novak, Center City Public Charter School–Brightwood
Shannon Park, Calvert County Public Schools
Peter Ricciuti, Rock Creek School
Kathy Sheehan, Leonardtown Middle School
Jeanette Swank, Ellicott Mills Middle School
Jenny Taylor, Grafton Village Elementary School
Kapria Wynn, Friendship Public Charter Schools: Ideal Academy
2023 Principal of the Year Finalists:
April Cage, Garfield Elementary School
Jasibi Crews, Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology
Bryan Daniels, The Children’s Guild DC Public Charter School
Nikisha Diehl, Mercer Middle School
Jeffrey DiRenzo, Park Hall Elementary School
Kristie Edwards, Randle Highlands Elementary School
Zadia Gadsden, Takoma Park Elementary School
Catharina Genove, Montessori Public School of Arlington
Dr. Laura Goldzung, R.C. Haydon Elementary School
Lisamarie Kane, Osbourn Park High School
Pam Kasulke, Calvert County Public Schools
Dr. Joelle Miller, Centennial High School
Brian Raska, Hartwood Elementary School
Janine Smith, Thurmont Middle School
John Snowdy, Friendship Public Charter Schools: Ideal Academy
Erica Williams, Benjamin Stoddert Middle School
