You can always see her smiling when you walk into her classroom, constantly ready to tackle her lessons, cracking jokes and having fun, as well as teaching her students to be the best they can be with every instrument they play.

With her undeniable love for music and teaching, she starts every class with her upbeat positive energy that fills the room along with a “go get them” attitude constantly pushing her students to try new things.

From her fun exercises and games to her serious get down to business lessons, her class is definitely not one students dread going to.  

Angela Ammerman, Annandale High School’s orchestra director has worked extremely hard throughout the year and is loved by many students. All of her dedication to the school will not go un recognized this year, as she was recently announced to be a 2017 Washington Post Teacher of the Year Nominee.

Out of the total of 22 high schools, 3 secondary schools, 23 middle schools, and 196 elementary schools Ammerman was recognized as the number one teacher in Fairfax county.

“I know what phenomenal educators we have in this county, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent those great educators in this category,” Ammerman said.

Ammerman has been recognized for her innovative and successful teaching methods, as well as her passion and dedication to music education and every single student that she instructs.

“It feels so wonderful to have been selected as the FCPS 2017 Washington Post Teacher of the Year Nominee!  I love teaching in this county so much and to be recognized in this way is such a great honor, “ Ammerman said.

Ammeran found out that she had been nominated when she received a call from the Fairfax County Awards office.

“I did not expect it at all! I was just thrilled for another opportunity to show off the great things we are doing at Annandale High School and in the Annandale Orchestra program,” Ammerman said.

Ammerman’s students were just as thrilled as she was when they found out. They were told the news when they returned from spring break and were extremely happy for her. When Ammerman walked into her classroom the day after spring break she was greeted by a whole group of students who had been waiting for her, they all shouted “congratulations” and gave her many hugs.

“My students are truly the reason I was given this recognition, they have promoted me in so many ways and are always nominating me for these awards,” Ammerman said.

Ammerman has great relations with many of her students as they thoroughly enjoy the way she teaches and instructs her lessons.

”She is a great teacher who goes above and beyond everyday to help her students, I definitely think she deserved to be nominated,” sophomore orchestra student Kora Coker said.

Many students find her different teaching methods and the way she approaches her exercises to be very helpful as they practice and improve on their skills.

“Whenever we’re learning how to play a song with a particularly difficult rhythm, she likes to have us make up song lyrics to the tune of the rhythm” Coker said. “ It’s a different method, but I find that it really helps me to understand certain music, it’s also one of my favorite parts of her teaching”

Ammerman says that as she continues in her teaching career she wants to continue to work hard with her students and garner additional opportunities for them.  

“This recognition is a great reminder for me to continue to work even harder and to always strive for greatness,” Ammerman said.

There are many great opportunities coming up for the orchestra program as the year continues.

One exciting upcoming event is a premier performance of a piece of music by Tony-Award winning composer Jeff Marx. Jeff Marx commissioned an arrangement just for Annandale High School’s orchestra of his song, featured on Glee “You Have More Friends Than You Know” and it will be performed at their upcoming concert on May 25th.

“This opportunity has been absolutely incredible and we are truly honored to be the first orchestra to perform this piece,” Ammerman said.