Dinwiddie Public Schools Teacher of the Year
Jenney Walters

Dinwiddie, Va. — Jenney Walters, Third Grade Teacher, at Midway Elementary School, is the 2021 Dinwiddie Public School Division Teacher of the Year. Walters’ career has spanned more than 24 years with 22 of those teaching third grade at Midway Elementary. Walters grew up in Dinwiddie County and graduated from Dinwiddie High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Longwood College.

Jenney’s grandmother, Marion Folke, taught at Midway and was widely considered one of the best in the school’s history. The family roots run deep at Midway for her family. In addition, both of her parents, Jack and Barbara Bennett attended from first grade through twelfth grade, Mrs. Walters and her four siblings attended Midway as did their children. Her grandmother, as well as several of her teachers, had a major impact on her decision to pursue a teaching position
at the school.

When describing her teaching philosophy, Mrs. Walters wants to “create a learning environment that is so engaging and enriching that students do not want it to end.” She also added “while being an educator has shown me that not all children learn the same, or at the same rate, working with exceptional education children has taught me that all students are capable of achieving as long as the teacher is willing to deviate from planned strategies when necessary.”

A colleague wrote in her letter of recommendation for Walters, “Jenney is often one of the first to accept a challenge and take it on head first. I could not have asked for a better mentor or co-teacher. One of the most important lessons I learned from her was that giving up is not an option. Every child can be successful, and it is our job to adapt and figure out ways to help them get there.” Another colleague wrote, “She is that teacher that students will remember for a lifetime. She is a teacher with a vision.”

Annually, each Dinwiddie school selects a Teacher of the Year. The division Teacher of the Year is selected from those honorees. Walters’ nomination will be submitted to the Virginia Department of Education, which will select 8 regional Teachers of the Year from across the state.

The School Board will honor the following Teachers of the Year from each school at a future board meeting:

Dinwiddie Elementary – Amanda Spencer – Kindergarten Teacher
Midway Elementary – Jenney Walters – Third Grade Teacher
Southside Elementary – Tametria Bland – Bright Stars Teacher
Sunnyside Elementary – Tina Moore – First Grade Teacher
Sutherland Elementary – Katy Butorac – Third Grade Teacher
Dinwiddie Middle School – Jennifer Lambirth – Exceptional Education Teacher
Dinwiddie High School – Roberta Morgan – Math Teacher