Six Years of Honoring Educators, Advocates, & Innovators

Created in 2021, the Early Childhood Champion Awards recognize the early education and childcare providers, preschool teachers, child development specialists, human service providers, healthcare professionals, librarians, policymakers, and advocates who have positively impacted the lives of the NRV’s youngest residents.

Nominations are accepted each spring and are honored at an event each September. The awardees receive a cash prize from the Community Foundation of the New River Valley. Read on to hear what their nominators shared about each of the 18 nominees.

Lynn Hill

Early Care & Education Advocate
GEEP – Giles Early Education Project

With her enormous heart and unwavering dedication, Lynn has profoundly influenced the field of early childhood education in the NRV and around the world. In 1986, she founded Rainbow Riders Childcare Center and later became an instructor in Early Childhood Education at Virginia Tech, where she has mentored countless emerging educators. In retirement, Lynn has been an integral part of Giles Early Education Project (GEEP)’s efforts.

Alexa Gardner

Early Care & Education Professional
Assistant Director & Senior Instructor
Virginia Tech Child Development Center for Learning and Research

Alexa has worked in early childhood education for 22 years. She teaches, supervises, and mentors, everyone from up-and-coming high school students to veteran teachers. In all her work, she garners high praise for her warmth and depth of knowledge. Her nominator said, “Demonstrating consistent professional dedication to both high-quality educational standards and to the needs of reliably running a center is, by its nature, championing early childhood and early childhood education.”

Joselene Bloom

Early Care & Education Professional
Harmon Learning Center

For 40 years, Josie has brought patience, warmth, and excellence
to her classroom. She develops individualized strategies for each child she serves. Every day, Josie somehow finds time to work individually with each of the children in her class. She mentors newer teachers by helping them navigate challenges and grow in confidence. Josie’s reliability, compassion, and deep experience have shaped generations and strengthened the entire community.

Megan Thomas

Internal Medicine and Pediatrics Physician
Community Health Center of the New River Valley

Megan has dedicated her career to improving the health and
well-being of children. Beyond direct patient care, she has actively engaged in community outreach focused on early childhood health and wellness. Megan has led health education programs for children, supported school health and safety initiatives, provided physicals for underserved youth, and mentored future healthcare providers. Through her work, she has positively impacted countless young children and families throughout the NRV.

Marie Shadle

Early Intervention Physical Therapist
Children’s Therapy Concepts

Marie deeply cares about each child she works with – both their progress and how their family as a whole is doing, not just the developmental milestones. She understands that this child and family are part of a community, and she thinks about the long-term happiness and health for them in this context. Marie advocates for her patients when they need special equipment, often reaching out to multiple companies to find a way to get the equipment donated.

2026 Nominees

Genna Bales

Early Care & Education Professional
Giles Health & Family, Kids & Co.

While Genna may be new to the early childhood education system, she has shown growth, maturity, dedication, and a willingness to put in the effort to learn more ways to improve her performance and better the children’s learning environment. Her dedication to teaching and caring for the children in her class is evident daily. Each child in her care is special to Genna, and she creates a special bond with each and is committed to their growth and education.

Sara Bales

Early Care & Education Professional
Giles Health & Family, Kids & Co.

Sara advocates for all the children in her care, but especially those who may need extra time and support to succeed in the classroom setting. She works with teachers to seek additional resources for children who may not be meeting developmental milestones. Sara has grown in her role as a teacher to a program director, and in doing so, has done it with a commitment to helping children learn in the most supportive environment possible.

Candace Bean

New River Community Action (NRCA)
Head Start, Radford

Candace has been in the early childcare field for 10 years. Her nominator describes her as “the most dedicated and loving human working for NRCA Head Start”. She shows up and goes above and beyond for every child and family. When a family was struggling with transportation, mental health, and other issues, Candace jumped in and gave them resources, spent hours creating visuals for them, and was a shoulder for mom to cry on.

Traci Brockway

Early Care & Education Professional
Central United Methodist Preschool

Traci has been dedicated to Radford students for 25 years. She truly embodies the idea that once you are her student, you are always her student. Through the years, Traci adapted as new methods are introduced to our field. She does this with great care, keeping the children’s education a priority. Throughout her
career, Traci has built meaningful relationships with parents, students, and colleagues.

Patricia Cooper

Early Care & Education Professional
Open Arms Child Care Center

Trish constantly pours into her staff and the center to make sure our children are receiving the love, education, and school readiness necessary to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. She sets the tone for her kind and loving staff, who help the children in their care build confidence in learning and socializing. Her nominator, a parent, shared, “Trish’s leadership is unmatched. She displays such poise and grace in a challenging field.”

Katarena Hall

Early Care & Education Professional
The Children’s Nest

Katarena is an outstanding teacher who instills a love of learning in her students. She is always looking for innovative and engaging activities for her class. Katarena is always willing to share these ideas with other teachers. The students in her class are prepared for their next class socially, emotionally, and academically.

Holly Kiser

Early Childhood Coordinator
Floyd County Public Schools

With 18 years of experience in the field, Holly has taken on the Early Childhood Coordinator role in Floyd with energy, expertise, and ideas. She also serves as a classroom teacher and mentor to many. Often, Holly is one of the first people families encounter for their child’s educational future. She has honest, kind, informed conversations with them and puts their minds at ease. The care and expertise Holly demonstrates when working with her children is unmatched.

Katelin Losinger

Early Care & Education Professional
The Children’s Nest

Katelin is a dedicated and compassionate caregiver in the infant room who goes above and beyond to create a safe, nurturing, and loving environment for every child. She builds strong bonds with both the babies and their families, ensuring each child feels secure, supported, and cared for. Katelin’s patience, attentiveness, and genuine passion for early childhood development truly make her a champion for children and families in our community.

Faith Nichols

Early Care & Education Professional
New River Community Action (NRCA)
Head Start, Floyd

Faith is a dedicated advocate for the children and families that she serves. She is always willing to go above and beyond to help a family in need. Faith views the family for who they are and works to help them achieve lifelong goals. She is the voice for children who need extra help. Faith speaks up for what she knows is in the best interest of the child and supports them and their families.

Nicole Payne

Early Care & Education Professional
Giles Health & Family, Kids & Co.

Nicole has been an early childhood educator for over six years, providing a structured, nurturing and safe education experience for the children in her care. She works closely with families to ensure they are part of their child’s experiences in the classroom and keeps parents apprised of their child’s progress and goals. Nicole works hard every day, covers shifts without even being asked, and is always first to step up and volunteer to assist anyone.

Marjorie Quesenberry

Early Care & Education Professional
Director, Rainbow Riders St. Michael’s
Early Head Start, Blacksburg

Margie never lets a child go unseen. No matter how she feels in the moment, if there is a child present, she makes sure they know they’re loved. Margie uses her time at the center to teach children in a constructive yet playful way. Every moment is a teachable moment, from emotional regulation to simple science. Margie has helped students with language barriers and incorporated cultural learning and inclusivity into her teaching style.

Rhonda Simpkins

Early Care & Education Professional
Infant Teacher
The Children’s Nest

Rhonda has worked in early childhood education for 20+ years. A parent nominated her, saying, “Seeing my child practically jump out of my arms and smile at Rhonda every morning warms my heart. Rhonda truly cares about the babies in her care. She has everything down to a science and ensures each child has the best care.”

Erin Spens

Infant Care Nurse
New River Health District

Her nominator shared, “Erin’s dedication to our home visits Baby Care Program is astounding. She is highly dedicated to her families and ensures they have all the resources that they need.” Erin makes sure that each family she works with feels cared for and heard. If issues arise, she ensures that early referral to the appropriate program happens and the clients follow through to have the child seen.