RHS biology teacher Jeff Brown (third from left) is the 2026 Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year for Region 7. He is pictured with (from left) VDOE Chief of Staff Dr. Jeremy Raley, RCPS school board member Amanda Winter, RHS Principal Adam Simpson, RCPS Superintendent Adam Joyce, Assistant Superintendent Melissa McDaniel and School Board Chair Gloria Boyd.
Heather Bell
Jeff Brown, a biology teacher at Radford High School, thought he was in the gymnasium Friday for an assembly to celebrate winter and spring athletics, but was surprised to find the assembly was in his honor.
Brown has been named the 2026 Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year for Region 7 by the Virginia Department of Education. Brown and the other seven Regional Teachers of the Year are now nominees for the 2026 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year Award. The final Virginia Teacher of the Year Award will be announced in early May. Earlier this year, Brown was named Teacher of the Year for Radford High School and was subsequently chosen as the Radford City Public Schools district-wide Teacher of the Year.
Brown has been a teacher at Radford High for 28 years and has mentored many students along the way. He said during Friday’s ceremony he feels blessed to have worked with the fellow teachers, staff, administrators and students of the city.
“God’s blessed me for 28 years,” Brown said. “This is a very special place. It’s awesome.”
His administrators say they feel fortunate to have him as a Radford educator.
“Jeff Brown is everything that we look for in a teacher,” said Radford High School Principal Adam Simpson. “He is passionate and extremely knowledgeable about his content, he cares deeply for his students as individuals, and he makes learning interesting and fun. His colleagues describe him as kind, friendly, inspiring, fun, enthusiastic, genuine, caring, generous, energetic, thoughtful, engaging, and selfless. The words of praise could go on and on, but the gist is he is a phenomenal teacher and an even better human being. He is certainly worthy of being named the Region Seven Teacher of the Year and our students are blessed to have him in their lives.”
“Mr. Brown lives out his core teaching philosophy of making each student feel valued and welcomed in his classroom,” said RCPS Superintendent Adam Joyce. “It is his goal to make sure students want to return to class every day, even if they aren’t thrilled about topics like protein synthesis. Mr. Brown also emphasizes the importance of inclusion and his commitment to closing achievement gaps among students. His classes are engaging and meaningful, fostering an environment where students feel valued, supported, and excited to learn.”
Brown was presented with the Region Seven award at the school assembly by Virginia Department of Education Chief of Staff Dr. Jeremy Raley and Executive Director Dr. Christine Harris.
“Jeff Brown’s dedication to his students and his craft exemplifies the qualities that make great teachers. His ability to engage and inspire students, combined with his passion for fostering a positive learning environment, sets him apart as a leader in education,” said Emily Anne Gullickson, Acting State Superintendent. “The Virginia Department of Education is proud to recognize him as the 2026 Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year for Region 7. His work is a testament to the profound impact that Virginia teachers can have on the lives of their students, families, and communities.”
Brown received a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management from Virginia Tech and a bachelor’s degree in biology – educational license from Radford University. He and the seven other regional Teachers of the Year will join a Teacher Advisory Council, helping elevate the voices and perspectives of all Virginia teachers on VDOE’s work.
