Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) has announced that four of its teachers have been awarded the 2025 R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence. These educators will receive nearly $50,000 in professional development grants from the Community Foundation for a Greater Richmond and the R.E.B. Foundation.
According to CCPS, Amber Kuper, an art teacher at L.C. Bird High School with 22 years of experience, was awarded $15,000. She plans to study the historical and modern artistic exchanges between Japan and France by visiting locations such as the Louvre, Claude Monet’s gardens, Mount Fuji, and UNESCO World Heritage sites to inspire her students.
Annwyn Long, a first-grade teacher at Alberta Smith Elementary with 34 years of experience, received $9,700. Long intends to research American quilting traditions and guide students in creating a collaborative school quilt that integrates heritage, math, and creativity.
Bryan Sheetz, a turf management teacher at Thomas Dale High School with 23 years of teaching experience, won $14,300. He aims to visit sports facilities nationwide and attend professional conferences to learn best practices in turf management to bring back to his students.
Jenifer Williams, a kindergarten teacher at Enon Elementary with 32 years of experience, earned $10,000 for travel to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.
CCPS also reported that five additional Chesterfield County teachers were named R.E.B. finalists and each received $1,000: Kenzie Clark, Alysse Cullinan, Alison Graham, Melissa Ligh, and Sarah Petty. These awards recognize the teachers’ dedication and innovation in their classrooms with projects ranging from art and language studies to cultural exploration and practical skill development.
Chesterfield County Public Schools serves over 64,000 students across 67 schools with a budget of $1 billion. The district boasts full accreditation and reports a 91% on-time graduation rate with approximately 4,700 graduates annually who earn millions in scholarship awards. The district includes seven National Blue Ribbon Schools among other accolades. Governed by a five-member School Board, CCPS follows the strategic plan “Imagine Beyond Tomorrow” aimed at promoting lifelong learning and preparing college- and career-ready graduates.
