MCPS is proud to announce that Beverly Woody, a sixth grade U.S. history teacher at Martinsville Middle School, has been selected as the district’s Teacher of the Year!
“Beverly Woody is an outstanding educator and professional,” said MCPS Superintendent Dr. Zebedee Talley. “She has the ability to teach students in a manner that they love and understand while also being an accomplished author and community volunteer. Our district is proud to have her represent our educational staff as Teacher of the Year!”
Woody was selected as the Martinsville Middle School’s teacher of the year following a vote by her colleagues. She went on to earn the district-wide title through a rigorous selection process by an impartial review committee which evaluated each school’s honoree based on resumes, letters of support, teaching philosophies, and other materials.
“Mrs. Woody is a truly remarkable educator who exemplifies what it means to be a dedicated teacher,” said MMS Principal Ama Waller. “Her passion for history is infectious, and she brings this enthusiasm into her classroom with engaging and innovative teaching methods. But what truly sets Mrs. Woody apart is her genuine care for her students. She holds them to high academic standards while nurturing their character and integrity.”
Principal Waller shared how Woody’s dedication extends beyond the classroom. For example, she once drove over an hour to celebrate the adoption of a former foster student. She also starts every school year with hand-written letters to her students, sharing personal memories and expressing her excitement for the months ahead.
Woody’s journey to becoming an educator is as inspiring as her work in the classroom. A Patrick County, VA, native, Woody dreamed of teaching from an early age but initially believed that her dream was beyond her reach. With limited resources and no access to transportation, she followed in her parents’ footsteps and began working in a textile mill just two days after graduating high school. She recalled crying tears of sadness when the foreman called to offer her the job.
When Woody was 35 years old, the mill closed. Woody seized the opportunity to change her path. She enrolled at Patrick & Henry Community College through the Trade Readjustment Act, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in paralegal studies. For the next 15 years she worked as a deputy clerk in Virginia’s circuit court system, earning her bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University by attending classes at their satellite campus at P&HCC on nights and weekends.
In 2015 at the age of 50, Woody finally decided to follow her lifelong dream of teaching. She enrolled in Regent University’s Career Switcher program and earned her teacher licensure and master’s in education while working as a long-term substitute in Franklin County. In 2021, Martinsville City Public Schools welcomed her as a full-time teacher, marking the culmination of a remarkable story of perseverance and achievement.
In just a few years, Woody has left an indelible mark on Martinsville Middle School. The Geography Bee she created during her first year continues to grow annually. She founded the school’s Speech and Debate Team, which has participated in public debates at the Martinsville-Henry County Heritage Museum and plans to host a mock trial there later this year. As Student Council Association advisor, Woody organized a town hall meeting and grade-level primary elections to give students a deeper understanding of the electoral process.
Woody’s contributions extend beyond her role as a teacher. She is the author of Patrick Pioneers Part One, a book on Patrick County’s history, and appeared in the PBS documentary Rock Castle Home. She serves as regent of the Patrick Henry National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and is actively involved in local heritage organizations. Woody has also earned recognition from community groups, including the Ford-Stewart VFW Post 4637 and the Colonel George Waller Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
“I feel so honored to have been chosen by my peers to be the MMS Teacher of the Year because my coworkers are truly the cream of the crop!” Woody said. “I feel doubly blessed to have been chosen to represent the district.”
The other teachers selected by their peers as their school’s Teacher of the Year are:
· Ashlee Cook, VPI-4 teacher for Clearview Early Learning Center
· Kelly Williams, third grade teacher at Patrick Henry Elementary School
· Jasmine Hall, first grade teacher at Albert Harris Elementary School
· Jeremy Scott, math teacher at Martinsville High School
Martinsville City Public Schools congratulates Mrs. Woody and all of our teachers of the year. Passionate and dedicated teachers like these are not only an asset to our district, but to our entire community.