Alan Skubal, a teacher at Cool Spring Elementary School, has been named as the Virginia Association for the Gifted 2025-2026 Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted from Region IV. Mr. Skubal was selected from numerous extremely qualified candidates, and his credentials, experience and recommendations earned him the highest evaluation by the selection committee.
“I appreciate the support I have received from my administration, the gifted office, my colleagues and the parents in nurturing our high ability learners,” said Mr. Skubal. “It takes a team to provide what these students need, whether it’s evaluating them for whole grade acceleration, providing a differentiated curriculum, or enriching their current content when they already show mastery.”
In a letter from the association’s Executive Director, Karen Duby, Mr. Skubal was told, “Your dedication and productivity in the field of gifted education provide a model for excellent curriculum, instruction, and services. The association hopes that by recognizing your top performance standards, this will inspire other educators and, as a result, improve education for the gifted in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
“We are proud to see Mr. Skubal recognized as the Region IV Outstanding Teacher of the Gifted,” said Dr. Ashley Ellis, LCPS Chief Academic Officer. “This award is a testament to his commitment to ensuring our gifted students are challenged, supported and inspired to reach their full potential.”
“Mr. Skubal is passionate about supporting the needs of our high-ability and gifted learners,” said Chris Cadwell, Principal of Cool Spring Elementary School. “His thoughtful collaboration with teachers and use of real-time data and feedback have been instrumental in providing ongoing meaningful academic enrichment opportunities for our students.”
Mr. Skubal will be recognized in the fall at a conference at Virginia Union University. For more information about the Virginia Association for the Gifted, visit their website.