By Maddy Eubank, FCHS journalism student
This year’s Fluvanna County High School (FCHS) teacher of the year actually gave up classroom teaching for a few years to oversee something that most students fear: testing. For the past 23 years, Angie Blevins has been working in the Fluvanna County school system, with 18 of those years as a math teacher. But she gave it all up to take on the demanding job of FCHS Testing Coordinator in 2014.
Before working in Fluvanna, Blevins taught middle school math and algebra in Madison County from 1990-1996. Her interest in math began early, as she worked as a math tutor even before she graduated from high school.
Now, as testing coordinator, Blevins helps teachers prepare for tests, oversees the very complicated testing schedule each year, and helps administer tests to students. Some of those tests include the learner’s permit test, the PSAT, SAT, AP tests, and the career and technical education tests.
“The best part of my job is seeing students work hard and reach their goals,” Blevins said. “For some students, testing is not easy. I have to work with those students and get them to believe in themselves and pass the tests that they need.” She added that her job is detail-oriented and that she has to be very organized to keep track of it all.
Blevins learned she had been selected teacher of the year on May 2. “There are so many good teachers in our school that could have been nominated for this honor. I am proud that I was chosen, but I am also proud to work with the teachers and students of our school,” she said.
