News: Heritage's Schlegel Named 2012 Agens Meyer Winner

Heritage’s Schlegel Named 2012 Agnes Meyer Winner

Leesburg (April 5, 2012) - Andrea Schlegel, a social science teacher at Heritage High School, has been named the 2012 recipient of The Washington Post’s Agnes Meyer Outstanding Teacher Award.

This award also serves as Loudoun County’s Teacher of the Year honor.


Schlegel has taught at Heritage since 2007. Before that, she taught at Potomac Falls High School (2002-2005), Fairfax’s West Springfield High School (1998-2002, 2005-2007) and Ellen Glasgow Middle School (1992-98). People from every stage in her teaching career submitted letters of support for Schlegel’s nomination.

Heritage parents Donna Torraca and Mary Colven cited “The Schleg Factor” in their nomination letter for Schlegel. What is “The Schleg Factor”?

“It is the physical embodiment of her energy, humor, kindness, passion, talent, positive attitude, quick wit, intelligence, respect, dedication, commitment, leadership, trust and an interactive style…

“The Schleg Factor also involves memorable and unique ways of doing things. She surprises students with her honesty, respect and compassion from the trivial to significant. At Prom 2011, the theme was ‘Arabian Nights.’ The class wanted a camel, which no one thought could be done. Schleg not only pulled off getting the camel, but posed with it as well…

“The Schleg Factor is not a tangible commodity. Perhaps that is what makes it so special. It takes someone like Andrea Schlegel to exemplify it and share it with all who know her.”
Student testimonials appeared throughout Schlegel’s nomination package.

“I am not sure whether it was what I learned in your class or how I learned it, but you’ve made an impact in my life,” wrote Ted Gulgas, a 2006 Potomac Falls graduate. “I’d like to say ‘Thanks.’ Thanks for being there for me and actually teaching us something interesting about the world. What you’ve taught me in your class has just made greater my interest in the military and travelling the world.”

“From the first day of APUSH (AP U.S. History), you were intense and full of charisma and humor,” wrote Seong Bin Im, a member of Heritage’s Class of 2011. “You really inspired me and turned history into something exhilarating. I barely passed the academic American History in sixth grade, but you truly made me passionate about this subject and I sincerely thank you for allowing me to have a new love for history.”

“Thank you for giving me the confidence to take the next step,” wrote Heritage’s 2010 valedictorian Kamie McGee.

“I want you to know you were a major contributor to my happiness and success at Potomac Falls,” wrote Dylan Rout, a member of the Class of 2006. “We didn’t all only love you as a person, but also as an effective and dedicated teacher. Thank you for all your wisdom.”

“I always knew you were looking out for us academically and personally,” wrote Amy Baumgardner, a member of the Potomac Falls Class of 2005. “I hope to be a teacher… (and) earn the appreciation and love you have earned from us. You are my favorite teacher.”

“The reason I felt so comfortable and at home in your classroom wasn’t the soothing green walls or PowerPoint notes on the Fertile Crescent,” wrote Matt Smith, a 2002 West Springfield graduate. “The real reason was you. Whether or not you know it, you really made me feel important by the way you listened to your students as people rather than as students.”

“I have never been in such an arduous and fast-paced class, but, at the same time, I have never enjoyed a class more,” wrote Kiki Ottenberg a 2007 Potomac Falls graduate. “Your class was the light at the end of my tough day. Thank you for being the best teacher, my friend, a fun-loving role model and the most inspirational and awesome person of my life.”
Colleagues also sung Schlegel’s praises.

“Nine years ago when we were busy interviewing teachers for the opening of Heritage High School, I had the opportunity to interview Andrea Schlegel and did not capitalize on it,” wrote former Heritage Principal Margaret Huckaby. “Five years later, I had a second chance and did not make the same mistake twice…

“When a student enters her classroom for the first time in September, he/she understands immediately that this class might be difficult, but that this teacher has his/her back. Mrs. Schlegel will use that phrase, ‘I will have your back.’ This phrase describes perfectly her ability to support each of her students throughout the school year.”

David Smith, a longtime school administrator in Loudoun and Fairfax counties, hired Schlegel on three different occasions at different points in her career. He wrote he regretted none of these hirings.

“Andrea’s love of students, desire to see them succeed and passion for her work makes her the outstanding educator that she is. She is absolutely relentless in leading her students to success. She understands which students need to be cajoled and which need to be seriously pushed. Andrea instinctively knows how to work with each and every student so that they have the best chance to reach their full potential. She has many approaches and she is skillful with all of them.”

Heritage Social Sciences Chair Richard Segerdahl wrote about Schlegel’s willingness to mentor fellow teachers.

“I have asked her on a number of occasions to help support teachers as they navigate through their first couple years. She has the ideal mixture of motherly instinct and tough love demeanor. Young teachers are naturally drawn to her as they crave her insights on how to work with our most challenging learners.”

Carrie Myers has taught at two schools with Schlegel and noted Schlegel’s mastery of her profession.

“If well done, teaching is one of the most challenging occupations out there. It is not enough to be a master of your discipline; you must also be a psychologist, mentor, parent, inventor, marketer, human relations specialist, motivational speaker and researcher, among others. Andrea Schlegel is all of these things to both her students and fellow teachers.”

Schlegel holds a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in secondary curriculum and instruction from George Mason University. She has been very active in the school community, founding Heritage’s History Honor Society in 2010 and serving as a class sponsor, girls’ tennis coach, SCA co-sponsor, cheerleading coach and junior varsity softball coach.

Past winners of the Agnes Meyer Award for Loudoun County include:
• Linda P. Sheffield, Loudoun County High School (1984)
• Fritz J. Scholz III, Loudoun County High School (1985)
• Shirley G. Lynn, Elementary Gifted Program (1986)
• Harold D. Berry, C.S. Monroe Technology Center (1987)
• Margaret W. Vaughan, Loudoun Valley High School (1988)
• Elizabeth R. Doerken, Sully Elementary (1989)
• Edith J. Middleton, Loudoun County High School (1990)
• Everett W. Sutphin, C.S. Monroe Technology Center (1991)
• Dean T. Drewyer, Loudoun Valley High School (1992)
• Richard T. Gillespie, Loudoun Valley High School (1993)
• Mary V. Young, Loudoun County High School (1994)
• Mary Carol Elgin, C.S. Monroe Technology Center (1995)
• Lee Daniel Kent, Loudoun County High School (1996)
• Laura L. West, Meadowland Elementary (1997)
• Ann S. Haring, Farmwell Station Middle School (1998)
• Elizabeth “Lyle” Skarzinski, Loudoun Valley High School (1999)
• Lora A. Buckman, Meadowland Elementary (2000)
• Betty Hill Rankin, Sterling Middle School (2001)
• Ronald W. Richards, Broad Run High School (2002)
• Rachel P. Newell, Hillside Elementary (2003)
• Douglas M. Dillon, Harper Park Middle School (2004)
• Victoria L. Lascomb, Evergreen Mill Elementary (2005)
• Elizabeth N. Korte, Stone Bridge High School (2006)
• Sue Ann Gleason, Cedar Lane Elementary (2007)
• Patricia Herr, Smart’s Mill Middle School (2008)
• Jim Jenkins, Mountain View Elementary (2009)
• Rhonda Alley, Douglass School (2010)
• Kenneth David Keller, Stone Bridge High School (2011)