Bedford County Public Schools

10/30/2026

This week we are excited to introduce you to some new fresh faces in the Forest Zone this Friday!

Sarah Johnson is the new Library Media Specialist at Otter River Elementary School. She brings 16 years of experience to BCPS. She has always loved learning, and some of her best memories are spending time in her mom’s classroom when she was younger. She was inspired to become a teacher by seeing the joy her mom found in teaching. A fun activity she enjoys with her students is Book Detectives! The students use clues to determine why each book could no longer stay on the shelves. This year she hopes to inspire a love of reading, encourage students to explore new books and ideas, and make the library a place they’re eager to visit.

Bethany McHugh brings 4 years of experience to Forest Elementary School as a special education teacher. She chose to become a teacher because she enjoys helping kids learn, grow, and feel confident. She’s excited for her students to learn through hands-on games and activities that make practicing skills fun. This year, Bethany hopes to create a welcoming classroom where her students feel supported, confident, and excited to learn!

Sarah Merricks is returning to BCPS as a 5th grade teacher at Forest Elementary School this year! She is a graduate of James Madison University and Liberty University. Her favorite sport is basketball.

Heather Hartsook is a 12th-grade English teacher at Jefferson Forest High School. She enjoys historical landmarks and homes, reading, and caring for her pets. She became a teacher because she said her high school teachers made teaching look fun! This year she hopes that her students find that reading can be fun! She wants to encourage those who hate reading to see it from a different perspective. A fun fact about Heather is that she’s been married to her high school sweetheart for 35 years!

Ann Wagoner is new to BCPS and is the ELL teacher at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School. She enjoys walking/hiking, traveling, movie watching, and spending time with family. She chose to become a teacher because she felt called to serve children. A fun fact to share is that when she was a young girl, her parents took her sister and her to an ostrich farm!

Thank you all for choosing BCPS! We are excited to have you!

10/29/2026

Please join us in celebrating Kate Offill as Boonsboro Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year! In her third year of teaching in Bedford County, Kate is a passionate fifth-grade math and science educator. Inspired from an early age by the remarkable teachers who encouraged her to become her best self, she now pays that inspiration forward every day. Kate values the impact she has on her students and strives to build their confidence and empower them to reach their full potential.

Kate also plays an active leadership role within the Boonsboro Elementary community. She serves on the school leadership team, works as the fifth-grade lead teacher, mentors fellow educators, and helps guide the student leadership club to foster strong character and confidence in her students.

Outside of school, Kate enjoys golfing, hiking, and exploring the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thank you, Kate, for generously sharing your time and talents to enrich Bedford County Public Schools!

10/29/2026

Please join us in celebrating Haley Wood as Big Island Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year! Now in her ninth year of teaching, Haley serves as a dedicated fourth- and fifth-grade science and social studies teacher. Her commitment to student success shows in the engaging learning environment she creates every day, inspiring young minds through a love of history, science, and exploration.

Haley is an essential leader within the school community. She generously shares her expertise by mentoring fellow co-workers, hosting partnership students in her classroom, and serving as a key member of the leadership team. Her dedication to continuous improvement shows in her active involvement in STEM, Literacy, and Title 1 committees, as well as her pursuit of professional development courses through UVA and the VLA to strengthen her instruction.

Outside of school, Haley enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan and their two children, Walker and Ryleigh. Whether she is camping, relaxing at the beach, or cheering on the San Francisco 49ers, she brings energy and enthusiasm to everything she does.

Thank you, Haley, for generously sharing your time and talents to enrich Bedford County Public Schools!

10/28/2026

Please join us in celebrating Heidi Overfelt as Bedford Primary School's Teacher of the Year!

Heidi is an extraordinary educator whose positivity, creativity, and genuine passion for learning shine through in everything she does. Each day, she greets children with a warm smile, creating an inviting atmosphere where young learners feel valued and excited to discover new things. As a Library Media Specialist, Heidi consistently goes above and beyond her standard role to create hands-on, interactive, and memorable experiences for her students. Whether she leads engaging STEM activities in the Makerspace, brings history to life for America’s 250th Anniversary, or records and edits videos for “Tucked In Tuesdays,” she embraces every new challenge with an open mind and a positive attitude.

Thank you, Heidi, for generously sharing your time and talents to enrich Bedford County Public Schools!

10/27/2026

With October being Disability Awareness Month, this event was such a powerful reminder of what happens when a community comes together to champion inclusion, unity, and joy.

Thank you to Liberty High School for hosting and making everyone feel so welcome. We also want to give a shoutout to our incredible staff and dedicated volunteers for your time, energy, and enthusiasm. You kept the day running smoothly and cheered on every single participant!

Thank you to Special Olympics for your leadership and partnership in creating opportunities where every individual can shine.
And most importantly, thank you to our athletes! You brought determination and sportsmanship to every event. You showed us all the true meaning of the Special Olympics oath: “Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”

Thank you to everyone who came out to support, cheer, and participate!

Also, a special thank you to SML Civitans for their donations to this event!

10/27/2026

Reminder:

Monday, November 2, 2026, is a Professional Development Day.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026, is a Teacher Work Day/Election Day.

Schools are closed for students.

10/26/2026

Please join us in celebrating Marianne Thurman as Bedford Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year! Marianne is in her 14th year teaching for Bedford County Public Schools and serves as the art teacher for second- through fifth-grade students. She brings art to life through an engaging, hands-on approach that gives her students the freedom to explore their creativity. She enjoys when her students get messy while experimenting with artistic mediums and supplies they may have never experienced before.

Marianne is a vital leader and creative force within the Bedford Elementary community. She has served as team chair, hospitality head, student teacher mentor, and host for numerous practicum students. Her artistic talents enrich the entire school environment through custom murals and backdrops created for school programs. She extends that impact into the broader community by leading students in creating public banners displayed around Centertown, Bedford, each March.

Thank you, Marianne, for generously sharing your time and talents to enrich Bedford County Public Schools!

10/26/2026

Attention BCPS students & families!

Susie G. Gibson Science & Technology Center (600 Edmund Street, Bedford, VA 24523) invites students, families, and businesses to our Open House this coming Thursday, October 29, 2026 from 3–7 PM.

Explore programs in health sciences, trades, technology, and more while meeting instructors and touring our facilities. See our website for full programming options.

Come see what makes SGGSTC a leader in career and technical education. Whether your goal is to enter the workforce, continue your education, or gain valuable skills for life—there’s a program for you!

Attention BCPS students & families!

Susie G. Gibson Science & Technology Center (600 Edmund Street, Bedford, VA 24523) invites students, families, and businesses to our Open House on Thursday, Ocotber 29, 2026 from 3–7 PM.

Explore programs in health sciences, trades, technology, and more while meeting instructors and touring our facilities. See our website for full programming options.

Come see what makes SGGSTC a leader in career and technical education. Whether your goal is to enter the workforce, continue your education, or gain valuable skills for life—there’s a program for you!

10/23/2026

Grades are now updated in PowerSchool, and you can see your student’s report card. Remember, report cards WILL NOT SHOW on the APP. You must use a web browser! If you have questions, feel free to contact the school.

Reminder: There will be no paper interims or report cards sent home with students. If you currently use the Parent Portal, see the instructions below. If you do not, please contact the school office and provide an accurate email address to get your username and password to create an account.

1. Visit the BCPS website: https://bedford.sharpschool.net/
Underneath the Quick Links heading on the left hand side of the page, there is a link to “Parent Portal.” You can also copy the following link: https://bedford.powerschool.com/public/home.html

2. Sign in using your username and password. Again, if you do not have a user name or password, please contact your child’s school and provide an email address to get your username and password to create an account.

Once you’re inside the parent portal, on the left hand side you will be able to click on “Student Reports.”

For Elementary Schools, each grade will be listed for you to click on to view the report card. Secondary Schools will just show one link labeled “Secondary” to view the report card.

10/23/2026

These fresh new faces in BCPS are in the Liberty Zone this Friday!

Justin Smallwood is a brand new 9th grade math teacher at Liberty High School! This year he hopes to provide an engaging and safe space for students to learn about math.

James Sharp is the new HVAC instructor for 11th and 12th graders at Susie G. Gibson Science & Technology Center. This is his first year teaching, but he has 12 years of experience with HVAC. This year, his students will work together to assemble a heat pump to working condition and to evaluate the system’s performance. He chose to become a teacher to help educate the next generation of HVAC Techs. This year, besides having students pass credentials, James wants to instill the values of integrity, hard work, and trust in becoming a good employee.

Monica Aguilar is in her 19th year in education. She will be teaching 6th grade science at Liberty Middle School. Her hope for this school year is that her students will grow in knowledge and develop a love and interest for science. Her hobbies include singing on the praise team at her church, working as a youth leader, and spending time with her family. She loves fall, and all things pumpkin!

Paige Goode is a new 8th grade English teacher at Liberty Middle School. She has 3 years of previous experience. She chose to become a teacher because she’s fallen in love with being a learner. She hopes to encourage her students to believe their voice is powerful and that their choice of what to do with it matters. Through practice in various communication venues, her students will be equipped to know their own voice as one that ought to be heard. A fun fact about Paige is that she just married her college sweetheart, who also teaches 8th grade!

Lillian Lawson is brand new to BCPS as a kindergarten teacher at Bedford Primary School. After Lillian’s first day of kindergarten, she knew she wanted to be a teacher. Her kindergarten teacher inspired her from day one to want to guide young minds. This year, she hopes to build relationships with the kids while keeping them driven to come to school to learn.

Rebecca Travers is another brand new teacher at Bedford Primary School. She is teaching 1st grade this year. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with friends and family. She has wanted to be a teacher ever since she was a little kid. She hopes to impact the next generation of children for good. She is excited to create a classroom that feels safe and welcoming for her students. She hopes to see her students grow not only academically, but also emotionally and relationally.

Thank you all for choosing BCPS! We are excited to have you!