Congratulations to Mrs. Kelly Richardson, the 2025/2026 Phoenix Teacher of the Year. Kelly Richardson graduated from Radford University in May 1994 with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). Immediately after graduation, she began her career with the 27th District Court Service Unit, where she served as a Family Counselor/ Juvenile Probation Officer. She remained in that role until the birth of her first child in September 1999, and dedicated her time to being a stay-at-home mother. In 2012, she returned to the workforce as a substitute teacher with Culpeper County Public Schools. Five years later, she joined Phoenix as a long-term English substitute and quickly realized that this was where she belonged. She has been serving as an English teacher at Phoenix for the last eight years. Her impact on the alternative program is palpable. One colleague put it best: “ I have admired Kelly Richardson’s heart, dedication, and passion for her students. She has an incredible way of making every student feel seen, heard, and valued. Kelly doesn’t just teach, she connects with the kids. She finds ways to reach each student where they are and adapts her lessons to fit their needs and interests. Kelly spends late afternoons perfecting lessons, finding ways to make learning hands-on, engaging, and meaningful. Her classroom is always full of energy, curiosity, and laughter. Students gravitate to her. Not only because she’s an amazing teacher, but because she truly cares about them. Many of our kids see Kelly as a “school mom,” someone they can trust and turn to for advice about school and life. Kelly has a gift for helping students believe in themselves. She takes those who once doubted their abilities and helps them see that they can succeed; that they are capable of more than they ever imagined. Her kindness, patience, and determination inspire everyone around her. She embodies what it means to be a teacher, not just in the classroom, but in the lives she touches every single day.” She has been happily married to her husband, Richard, since October 1998, and together they have three children: Brady, Devon, and Brett. She has volunteered with Young Lives and currently volunteers with the Culpeper Cavaliers. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching sports, and spending time with her family and her two dogs.
