2022 Early Childhood Champions
First Steps recognizes individuals and teams serving young children and families through the Early Childhood Champion Awards. We select five award recipients overall, including three honorees, one runner-up, and one early childhood champion of the year. Each receives a cash prize made possible by the Community Foundation. Check out the 2022 awardees and nominees below.
2022 Early Childhood Champion of the Year
Shannon Marshall Mury
Shannon is a mentor teacher at the Virginia Tech Child Development Center for Learning & Research. Five people nominated her. Her supervisor said: “Shannon’s dedication to the children, families, her colleagues and our program in its entirety is both inspiring and invigorating.”
“Winning this award means so much to me. I am proud of the work we do as early childhood educators and hope to inspire future educators to enter this very important field,” said Shannon. “The work we do lays the foundation for how a child learns throughout their lives.”
2022 Runner-Up & Honorees

Runner-up: Bonnie Graham
Bonnie is a Professor and the Program Head of Human Services and Early Childhood Education at New River Community College. Her colleague said: “For her entire career, Bonnie has been a passionate advocate for early childhood education and for those who choose this important profession.”

Honoree: Bonnie Caldwell & Ben Rowan
Bonnie and Ben were team teachers at Rainbow Riders Childcare Center Knollwood. This team received two nominations, with a Rainbow Riders administrator saying: “Bonnie and Ben were two of the greatest collaborators I’ve ever seen. They had a magical synergy. They could bounce ideas off each other weaving the children’s emerging interests and parent inputs as well.”

Honoree: Chelsea Naughton Sharlow
Chelsea is the Director of Heart N Hand Early Learning Center and received nine nominations. A friend said: “Chelsea loves the kids she works with. You can truly see how much she cares for every student in the building.” A colleague said, “Chelsea is always there for her teachers in her building!”

Honoree: Judy Shelor
Judy is the Center Director of Valley Interfaith Child Care Center. She received four nominations. A former board member said: “Judy is an advocate for all children. She creates a loving and nurturing environment for the children and the staff. ”
2022 Nominees












