Marguerite B. Young Awards

Marguerite B Young Award Winners 2023, info in post.

At the June 5th Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) School Board meeting, three FCPS employees were recognized as the recipients of the 2023 Marguerite B. Young Excellence in Education Awards sponsored by the Fredericksburg Branch NAACP. Sarah Cook, a Math Coach at Lafayette Elementary School received the Teacher’s Award. Mary Anderson, the Guidance and Attendance Administrative Assistant at Lafayette Elementary School received the Support Staff’s Award. Sediqa Baher, a Preschool School Paraprofessional for the FCPS Preschool Programs, received the Paraprofessional’s Award. The Awards were presented to the recipients by Xavier Richardson, a Member of the Fredericksburg Branch NAACP. Mrs. Marguerite B. Young, a retired FCPS educator and the award honoree, was also in attendance to congratulate the award winners.

The Fredericksburg Branch NAACP is very supportive of the Fredericksburg City Public School’s (FCPS) goal of ensuring that each child is able to learn to his/her fullest potential and to recognize the importance of teachers and staff in the academic success of those students. To recognize, encourage, and support excellence in FCPS teachers and staff, the Branch is sponsoring the Fredericksburg Branch NAACP Marguerite B. Young Excellence in Education Awards. Ms. Young has served the school system as a high school and middle school teacher, high school assistant principal, elementary school principal, middles school principal, and the Instructional Director of Education. Mrs. Young always exhibited a strong sense of professional excellence that positively impacted thousands of students and hundreds of faculty and staff members. Mrs. Young’s legacy has ensured that all students, regardless of their backgrounds and learning abilities, have the best opportunity to succeed – even spearheading supplemental academic enrichment programs such as the REACH Tutorial Program. Mrs. Young was also the catalyst for the founding of The Partnership for Academic Excellence.

Mrs. Young always championed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in FCPS relative to its students, staff, and community. Long before the term “DEI” was coined, she was tirelessly advocating for the principles of the NAACP and equality for all within the schools at every level. Certainly, our local school system benefitted greatly from her wisdom and expertise as it transitioned into a desegregated system in the late 1960’s.

Nominations are received from FCPS colleagues. One teacher, paraprofessional, and support staff member are selected annually to receive a cash award and plaque from The Fredericksburg Branch NAACP. The recipients of the awards will be recognized for demonstration of the ideals and educational principles of Mrs. Young.

The criteria for selection are modeled on Mrs. Young’s ideals and legacy as measured by the candidate’s:

· The recipient must be a FCPS employee for at least three years by the end of the current school year.

· Belief that every child can learn and is valued

· Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as it relates to FCPS students, staff, and community

· Engagement in community outreach and service

· Strong support of FCPS families and parents

· Efforts beyond the call of duty of her/his role

· Commitment to the well-being of fellow colleagues

· Loyal support of FCPS student programs and activities

The 2022 recipients of this award were Alice Cobey (James Monroe librarian), Robyn Wilson (Walker-Grant paraprofessional), and Marco Padilla (Walker-Grant support staff). Please enjoy a gallery of the 2023 recipients getting their award below.