VDOE names Darnell Greene, Manassas Park math teacher, as Region 4 Teacher of the Year

Darnell Greene, an eighth-grade mathematics teacher at Manassas Park City Schools’ Manassas Park Middle School, has been named the 2025 Virginia Regional Teacher of the Year (Region 4) by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Greene has served as a teacher, mentor, and coach for more than 21 years.

“Virginia is blessed with outstanding educators,” said Lisa Coons, Superintendent of Public Instruction, who came to Manassas Park to present the award to Mr. Greene last month.“Mr. Greene challenges middle school math students every day by giving them real world math problems, mentors students as a track coach, and has mentored many new teachers in Mannassas Park.”

Greene wanted to be a teacher from a young age. After a challenging start to high school, his life forever changed when the new varsity football coach met with him and asked if he wanted to make a positive difference in the world. That meeting was the beginning of Greene’s journey in helping positively shape the future of Manassas Park Middle School students by sharing his stories and experiences.

Greene makes meaningful connections with students, parents, and his peers every day. His passion for fostering a love of learning is evident in the classroom. Greene creates an inclusive and stimulating environment that encourages his students to make connections to the world around them, making math come alive for all.

Greene strives to collaborate, guide, and positively impact his fellow colleagues. He currently serves as Manassas Park Middle School’s Math Department Chair, is a member of the Middle School Leadership Team, and has been a Mentor Teacher since 2015. He is also a member of the Manassas Park Education Association and the National Education Association.

A leader inside and outside of the classroom, Greene is a Board member for the non-profit organization, Children Empowered by Love, whose mission is to uplift the self-esteem and broaden the life’s vision of “at-risk” children in foster care settings, orphanages, homeless shelters, and refugee households—domestically and abroad.

His successful leadership extends to the teams he coaches. While Greene was serving as its assistant coach, the Manassas Park Middle School boys basketball team won the regional championship in 2016. As the head coach, he led the school’s girls basketball team to win the sectional championship in 2017.

The profound impact he has had on his community and the students and peers he works with every day led Greene to be named the Manassas Park Middle School Teacher of the Year and the Manassas Park City Schools Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.

“Mr. Greene is an exemplary educator who has dedicated his life’s work to teaching,” said Manassas Park Middle School Principal Kip Gansneder Tuttle. “He possesses an innate ability to inspire and guide students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve their very best.”

Greene received his bachelor’s in mathematics in 2002 and his bachelor’s in education and minor in economics in 2003 from Villanova University. He earned his master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Phoenix in 2010.

The announcement of Greene’s nomination coincided with a surprise visit from Superintendent Coons and Manassas Park Superintendent Melissa Saunders. Greene and the seven other regional Teachers of the Year will join a Teacher Advisory Council, helping elevate the voices and perspectives of all Virginia teachers on VDOE’s work.