Aisha Farooq, Janelle Ali’s pre-K classroom helper at Dogwood Elementary School, works with students on a project involving construction paper. The students calmly rip, cut, and glue their paper together to create a picture with the torn pieces.

This isn’t Aisha’s first time working with Janelle. Janelle was also Aisha’s special education preschool teacher in 2005 at Clearview Elementary School. Fast-forward nearly two decades and the duo now collaborate daily as colleagues. Read more about Aisha’s experience from the Secondary Transition to Employment Program (STEP) to full-time employee on the Employee Blog.

FCPS students received 30 national awards through the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards. FCPS students were recognized for original art and writing with one American Visions Medal, eight Gold Medals, 20 Silver Medals, and two portfolio Honorable Mentions.

Exceptional employees from across Fairfax County Public Schools were recognized at the FCPS Honors event held Wednesday, June 12. Sponsored by Educate Fairfax, the 2024 celebration was hosted at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts.

This blog was written by Anna Claire Sheehan, a recent graduate of Oakton High School. Anna Claire interned in the FCPS Office of Communications in the final weeks of her senior year. Read about what she learned.