Prince Edward County High School Special Education teacher Amesia Stokes has been selected as the January Teacher of the Month. 

Stokes is the department chairman for the Special Education Department. 

Among her numerous duties are creating individualized education plans to facilitate student success in the general education classroom, collaborating with general education teachers, supporting students on her caseload, attending child study meetings, reviewing IEPs for compliance, assigning and monitoring special education caseloads and serving as mentor for new special education teachers.

She also prepares both special and general education students for SOL tests.

A large part of her job involves collaboration with students, parents, general education teachers, other special education teachers, paraprofessionals and administrators to help students accomplish post-secondary goals.

Stokes is a prominent member of the senior class sponsors.

Her senior class responsibilities include planning the class trip and the senior picnic, along with assisting with graduation. “I really enjoy working with the seniors,” she said. 

    Stokes has a BS in Criminal Justice and an MS in Education, with a concentration in Curriculum and Instruction. 

Originally from Cumberland, she now resides in Prince Edward County with her husband and three children. This is her eleventh year at PECHS. In her spare time, she loves to go on vacation. 

“Spending quality time with my family is really important,” she said.

    Stokes admits that all of her duties are challenging, especially considering all of the regulations of special education, but she loves every minute of it. The most rewarding part of her job is seeing her students succeed. 

“When students are successful, I know I have done well,” she said.

Principal Zoltan Kerestely is highly complimentary of Stokes. “She is an awesome teacher,” he said. “She is always looking out for the best interests of her students and the school.  She is a hard worker, and I greatly appreciate her work.”

Stokes received flowers, balloons and a VIP parking space for the month of January.