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Henrico High School psychology teacher Gregory Patrick Lyndaker is one of eight finalists for the Virginia Teacher of the Year award.
Lyndaker, who teaches advanced placement and international baccalaureate psychology, was surprised at school Thursday morning with the news that he had been named the Teacher of the Year for Virginia's Region 1, which stretches from Goochland to Sussex and includes 15 counties and cities in Central Virginia.
“It’s amazing,” said Lyndaker, who said he expects the award to be a motivator. “I always enjoy sports and it’s almost like this is one of those things that pushes you to the next level. You start getting named a top teacher – or in any profession or area – you want to up your game, you want to make yourself better.”
Lyndaker said he wants his students to leave Henrico with “… a love of learning. Whether it’s psychology, math, science, whatever they’re going to go on to, just instilling in them the idea that it’s good to learn, find new things and always continue to grow.”
He said the award “shows where we are as a school division and here at Henrico in particular, that we continue to innovate. It will push us to continue to innovate more and continue to find new ways to teach our kids.”
A panel, including classroom teachers, representatives of professional and educational associations, and the business community reviewed portfolios of teachers statewide who were nominated by school divisions and selected the eight regional teachers of the year. Next month, the panel will interview each of the eight teachers to select the 2020 Virginia Teacher of the Year. Its decision will be announced Oct. 7 during a ceremony at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond.
Last year's Virginia Teacher of the Year, Rodney A. Robinson of Richmond, later was named the National Teacher of the Year.
“We can never do enough to celebrate the commonwealth’s outstanding teachers and the passion they bring to preparing young Virginians for success in school and beyond,” Gov. Ralph Northam said. “All of the educators selected today as 2020 Virginia Regional Teachers of the Year are recognized by their colleagues and school divisions as the best of the best.”
Lyndaker has taught at Henrico High School since 2013. He is originally from Watertown, N.Y., attended Utica College, and is an alumnus of the State University of New York College at Potsdam. Before joining the Henrico High School faculty, Lyndaker taught at a middle school in upstate New York and at the Virginia Home for Boys and Girls.
