Standing in the historic Executive Mansion on Tuesday, Blacksburg High School French teacher Jonathan Marye represented Montgomery County Public Schools as the state gathered to honor its most exceptional educators. Marye, who was recently named the Virginia Department of Education Region 6 Teacher of the Year, joined seven other regional finalists for the official announcement of the 2027 Virginia Teacher of the Year.
This ceremony served as a significant recognition of Marye’s impact on the Montgomery County Public Schools community. Known for his ability to transform language learning into a journey of global citizenship, Marye has spent years building bridges between cultures in his classroom.
His path to this prestigious recognition is deeply personal. Having spent part of his childhood in French-speaking countries in Africa, Marye often shares with his students the feeling of being an outsider. He draws on those memories of feeling invisible and disconnected to ensure that every student who enters his classroom feels seen and valued.
Superintendent Dr. Kelly Guempel noted that Marye embodies the school district's mission, combining academic excellence with a unique ability to inspire students to reach their full potential. At Blacksburg High, Marye is celebrated for moving beyond traditional grammar lessons to create interactive experiences that foster curiosity and collaboration.
Beyond his own classroom, Marye serves as a leader for his peers. As the co-lead of the Southwest Virginia World Language Consortium, he works to eliminate the professional isolation often felt by language teachers in rural divisions. His trip to Richmond this week highlighted the importance of world language education and the high caliber of instruction taking place in Montgomery County.