PHOTO CREDIT: ERIN DONNER, NICK & ERIN PHOTOGRAPHY
T he most important superheroes
don’t wear capes; they stand in
front of a whiteboard teaching our
children topics from the ABC’s to
quadratic equations. Teachers empower
our children and play a meaningful role in
their lives.

Washington FAMILY is honoring DMV
area teachers with our Teachers of the Year
issue! We asked our readers to nominate an
extraordinary and influential local teacher
to be recognized for this honor. After a
stream of nominations and over 2,000
votes, we have selected 12 remarkable
teachers. With an array of backgrounds and
specialties, each of our winners embody
the passion, devotion and selflessness that
make for a great educator. We are excited
to share their stories with you. Meet our
Teachers of the Year!
Thank you to our sponsor, Lakeshore Learning.

10 August 2017 washingtonFAMILY.com



TEACHERS
OF THE
YEAR PHOTO CREDIT: ERIN DONNER, NICK & ERIN PHOTOGRAPHY
MARISSA LOLLIE
I think
Pre-K parents
should relax and
enjoy their
children. Preschoolers
don’t need
homework or flash
card drills,
they need
meaningful interactions
and plenty of
time to play
and explore.

Why do you think
teachers are important?
I think teachers are
important because we
have the power to help
shape a child’s perception
about learning, not just in
the classroom, but for the
rest of their lives.

What is the single best
piece of advice you
can give parents of
preschoolers? I think Pre-K parents
should relax and enjoy
their children. Preschoolers
don’t need homework or
PRE-K TEACHER AT
MERRITT ACADEMY IN
FAIRFAX, VA
NOMINATED BY:
GRETA D.

“Marissa Lollie
takes her job as
a teacher and
educator seriously.

Marissa creates
positive experiences
for the children
in her classroom
and ensures that
her classroom and
activities are ready
each day.

fl ash card drills, they need
meaningful interactions
and plenty of time to play
and explore.

What makes you excited
to go into your school
each day?
I’m always excited to
come to work to see my
kids. They usually have
stories about things that
happened to them since
the last time we met, or
things they’re excited
about. I enjoy getting that
glimpse into their lives.

What are three things
you use in your
classroom everyday and
could never live without?
Music, an open mind and
caffeine. What advice would you
give to aspiring teachers?
First, be organized — you
have to be. Second, enjoy
the kids. If you don’t, it’s
Any project that
Marissa is given’s
she goes above and
beyond to ensure
that the children are
receiving the highest
quality education.

She takes the most
diffi cult children and
makes sure that she
provides them with a
positive environment
that promotes their
growth in social and
emotional health. She
connects personally
with each of the
children and gives
each child individual
attention daily.

pointless to be there.

Do you have any tried
and trusted ideas or
activities for motivating
students? Young children are
motivated by fun, so I try
to make every day fun
and interesting. What
is considered “fun” or
“interesting” is based
on the interests of the
children, so it changes
often. How can parents and
teachers work together
to empower and engage
children? When parents and
teachers communicate
with each other, and when
parents get involved in
the school, I think it shows
the child that education
is important. A parent is
a child’s fi rst role model.

If they respect education,
their child will too.

Her classroom is
always neat and
organized and
inviting to parents
and children. Parents
are always requesting
that their child
be placed in her
classroom. Marissa
serves as a role model
to other teachers in
the program.”
SPONSORED BY:
washingtonFAMILY.com August 2017
11