Jules Irvin-Rooney of J.R. Tucker High School and Amy Harnsberger of Glen Allen High School pose after receiving the 2026 R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence, earning grants of $13,200 and $15,000, respectively, to pursue educational and artistic experiences in New York City, England, Atlanta and Scotland.
HENRICO, Va., Nov. 6, 2026 — Two Henrico County Public Schools educators have received a combined $28,200 in grants through the 2026 R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence, recognizing their contributions to classroom instruction and their commitment to enriching students’ learning experiences.
Jules Irvin-Rooney of J.R. Tucker High School and Amy Harnsberger of Glen Allen High School were selected by the Community Foundation and R.E.B. Foundation for the awards, which provide grants of up to $15,000 to outstanding Richmond-area teachers to pursue professional and educational experiences that can benefit their students.
The educators were surprised with the announcements Friday morning in their respective classrooms. Henrico County Public Schools Superintendent Amy Cashwell, school administrators, colleagues and family members joined in celebrating the achievements.
Irvin-Rooney, an English teacher for 11th- and 12th-grade students at J.R. Tucker High School, received $13,200 to explore innovative approaches to writing, argument, debate and performance.
Her planned travels include New York City, where she intends to observe debate programs at local schools and learn from the NYC Urban Debate League. She will then visit England, conducting further research and learning from institutions in Oxford, London and Cambridge.
International perspectives have been a regular feature of Irvin-Rooney’s teaching. Her classes have travelled to Ireland, Scotland, Spain and Portugal, as well as major cities across the United States.
One of her nominators was a student who credited her teaching and encouragement with helping them win a Scholastic Art and Writing National Gold Medal.
Irvin-Rooney, who also serves as a co-department chair and founded the Writing Center at J.R. Tucker, described the recognition as both an honour and an opportunity to continue influencing students’ lives.
“It’s an amazing feeling, it’s joy. It’s an honor and a privilege to be with the future every single day,” she said.
She added that working with new students each year gives her an opportunity to make a positive difference in their personal and academic journeys.
“I get to meet 145 new kids every year, and hopefully inspire them in some little, teeny, tiny way to be a small dot in their journey. To hear I was able to make a difference, it’s overwhelming,” Irvin-Rooney said.
Harnsberger, an art teacher at Glen Allen High School, received $15,000 to study the history and cultural significance of quilting, an art form that has strong connections to generations of women in her family.
Her plans include attending QuiltCon, described in the announcement as the world’s largest modern quilting event, in Atlanta before travelling to Scotland. There, she intends to undertake research and participate in a residency at a visual arts studio.
The experience is expected to influence her classroom teaching and activities with the Gardening Club, which she sponsors at Glen Allen High School.
Harnsberger views art and gardening as complementary interests, and hopes to use her research and experiences to strengthen the connection between artistic expression and the natural environment in her students’ learning.
Describing her reaction to the surprise announcement, Harnsberger said the recognition was an unforgettable experience and expressed gratitude to those who joined in celebrating her achievement.
“This truly feels like the experience of a lifetime,” she said.
She recalled seeing her mother, husband, colleagues and principal enter the classroom to celebrate the award, describing the moment as deeply meaningful.
“I’m just over the moon. I feel so grateful for this opportunity,” Harnsberger said.
Three other Henrico County Public Schools educators were named runners-up in this year’s awards. They are Connor Dolson of L. Douglas Wilder Middle School, Megan Mattax of Henrico High School and Kelly Smith of Hungary Creek Middle School.
The R.E.B. Awards for Teaching Excellence are presented annually by the Community Foundation and R.E.B. Foundation to recognise Richmond-area educators whose classroom instruction has made a distinction in their students’ educational experiences.
More information about the awards is available on the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond website.
