March 17, 2025
Mrs. Kimberly Beales, Prince George High School marketing and entrepreneurship teacher and the school’s DECA organization sponsor, has been selected as Prince George County Public Schools’ 2025 Division Teacher of the Year during a special ceremony at the Prince George County School Board regular business meeting on Monday, March 17, 2025.
SEE MORE PHOTOS: PGCPS on Flickr
A familiar face in the halls of Prince George High School, Mrs. Beales prepares students for life beyond the classroom through her marketing, fashion marketing, and entrepreneurship courses within the school’s career and technical education program. Teaching at the high school since 2008, Mrs. Beales is known for inspiring her students through engaging lessons, hands-on experiences, and mentorship both in class and with student members of the school’s DECA club.
In addition to teaching multiple sections of CTE-focused courses, she also serves as the school’s DECA club sponsor. Her leadership through this program supports students as they aspire to become the world’s next generation of business and community leaders. Mrs. Beales prepares club members for competitions, and she finds particular joy in the enthusiasm of her students as they answer the call to support community events. During a school year, DECA students volunteer their time to staff events, including orientation nights, back-to-school nights, course planning nights, and the 2023 Virginia School Boards Association Southside Region Networking Forum at Middle Road Elementary School, among countless others.
Mrs. Beales has also supported the high school’s popular DECA Fashion Show, which showcases student creativity through the medium of clothing, along with building lifelong skills, including collaboration and teamwork. The show, approaching nearly 20 years of dazzling audiences, regularly draws hundreds to the school, becoming a must-see event annually at the high school.
“Being named Teacher of the Year is truly humbling and an incredible honor,” Mrs. Beales said. “Teaching is not an individual effort—it is a collaborative journey that thrives on the support, inspiration, and shared dedication of colleagues, staff, and students. This recognition is a reflection of the incredible students I have the privilege to teach and the outstanding educators I work alongside, who continuously push me to grow and innovate. I am grateful to be part of a community that values learning, creativity, and student success, and I share this honor with all those who make our classrooms a place of growth and opportunity.”
“Mrs. Kimberly Beales epitomizes all qualities of Teacher of the Year,” Mr. Matthew McAllister, Prince George High School Principal, said. She is the expert in her field, collaborates with everyone, connects with the community-at-large, shows leadership and is quite engaging. She teaches all students in marketing and entrepreneurship courses, and actively welcomes students with a variety of interests and backgrounds, including students with disabilities, to her classes, ensuring all her students have a seamless learning experience. Beyond the classroom, she runs a highly successful DECA club that competes and wins at the highest levels of the state and nation. Her measure of success goes beyond their accomplishments at these competitions, rather she takes pride in her DECA students being routinely asked to assist with numerous community events, such as the Prince George community breakfast, back-to-school nights, and many more.”
“Prince George High School is proud to call Mrs. Beales our Teacher of the Year. Our county would be well represented with her as our district teacher of the year, and she would represent us well in the state teacher of the year process,” Mr. McAllister closed.
When asked what inspired her to become an educator and supporting the children of our community, Mrs. Beales reflected on her pathway from the retail world to the classroom.
"I didn’t take the traditional path into teaching—I was a career switcher from the retail industry, working as an operational manager and fashion event marketing manager," Mrs. Beales shared. "After staying home with my children for a few years, I found the need to return to work. A close friend, who had taught alongside me in a high school Bible fellowship class, asked if I had ever thought about teaching. I kind of laughed and said, 'Well, my mother has insisted I should be a teacher since the moment I started my retail career.'
Mrs. Beales continued, "Of course, my younger self was convinced she was wrong. But when a fashion marketing position opened at Prince George High School, I gave it a chance, and from the moment I stepped into the classroom, it never felt like work. Teaching allows me to share my passion for fashion and marketing while hopefully inspiring my students to find their own passions and pursue their dreams. As it turns out, Mom knew best."
"I am proud to celebrate Mrs. Kimberly Beales and each of our Teachers of the Year honorees this year for the incredible contributions to our entire school division," Dr. Wayne Lyle, PGCPS Division Superintendent, said. "One of my first experiences when arriving in Prince George was touring the high school and visiting Mrs. Beales' fashion marketing class. Her warmth and passion for teaching was evident throughout her interactions with students as they worked on projects. She is always involved in the school community, most prominently through the high school's DECA program. Mrs. Beales showcases her ability to be an inspiring mentor to the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs. Throughout the year, she helps students prepare for competitions while supporting community service initiatives within their school and beyond, giving her time and energy to serve her students. It is with great pleasure to honor Mrs. Beales as Division PGCPS' Teacher of the Year and thank her for being a shining example of what it means to have students as her true north every day."
"The Prince George County School Board extends its congratulations to our division teacher of the year, Mrs. Kim Beales, on earning this deserving award," Robert E.L. Eley, III, Prince George County School Board Chair, said. "For years, I have seen first-hand the impact Mrs. Beales has on the students in her classes and participating in DECA. Her positive impact on Prince George High School shines through in the countless letters of recommendation Mrs. Beales received from staff and former students. We are fortunate as a community to have teachers like Mrs. Beales and all of our Teacher of the Year award recipients who genuinely represent the values of PGCPS, putting the children first and inspiring them to be their best every day. We thank you for all you do for our community."
Annually, PGCPS' schools and support facilities select their Teacher and Support Employee of the Year following a nomination and selection process in late winter. These individuals are then entered for potential selection as the division's Teacher and Support Employee of the Year later in the spring. During the Monday, March 17, 2025, Prince George School Board meeting, the following teachers and instructional team members were recognized as Teachers of the Year at their respective locations:
- Jennifer Bowen, Fourth Grade Teacher, L.L. Beazley Elementary School
- Lamoni Lee, Learning Specialist, D.A. Harrison Elementary School
- Elizabeth Holcomb, Fifth Grade Teacher, Middle Road Elementary School
- Andrea Rankin, Kindergarten Teacher, North Elementary School
- Chantell Mae, Fifth Grade Teacher, South Elementary School
- Kenya Grissett, Health and PE Teacher, Prince George Education Center
- John Pasigay, 7th Grade Mathematics Teacher, J.E.J. Moore Middle School
- Keeley Stoneberg, Health and PE Teacher, N.B. Clements Junior High School
- Kimberly Beales, Marketing & Entrepreneurship Teacher & DECA Sponsor, Prince George High School
These individuals will also be recognized during the division’s annual Royal Recognition Reception at Prince George High School on Thursday, May 15, 2025, a special event that celebrates the talented individuals who support the children of Prince George County and our community.
Prince George County Public Schools invites everyone to learn more about our Teacher of the Year award recipients by visiting the district’s website and reading profiles showcasing each educator. They can be found by clicking HERE.