Meet Our New Nurture. Educate. Inspire. Award Recipients

Alexandria City Public Schools’ (ACPS) Nurture. Educate. Inspire. (NEI) Awards for the fourth and final quarter of the 2025–26 school year, in the category of licensed staff which includes psychologists, diagnosticians, nurses, therapists, counselors, social workers, athletic trainers and technology integration specialists, were presented at the May 21, 2026 Alexandria City School Board meeting. This awards program honors outstanding employees who embody the mission of the school division.

The NEI Award recipients in this category are:

• Stephanie Cruz, social worker at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology.
• Kaitlyn Golden, school social worker at Patrick Henry K-8 School.
• Cathy Guthrie, school librarian at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology. 
• Sheila Wasilewski, school psychologist at John Adams Elementary School. 

Social Worker Stephanie Cruz at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology

Stephanie Cruz came to Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology (Cora Kelly) in 2016 as the school social worker and has led a series of high-impact initiatives that have transformed family engagement, resource access and student attendance at Cora Kelly. Her coordination of community partnerships has resulted in consistent and reliable support for families—including access to food, shoes, clothing and emergency resources—ensuring that no student’s learning is interrupted due to unmet basic needs. 

Cruz designed and executed Cora Kelly’s highly-successful attendance improvement campaign that includes initiatives such as “No Miss November” and "Attendance Spirit Weeks,” as well as providing other attendance incentives and awards. Her ability to track, analyze and respond to attendance data ensures that the school teams act proactively in order to enhance student outcomes. Cruz also builds deep, trusting relationships with students through lunch bunches, skills groups and ongoing social–emotional support. 

Cruz brings extraordinary joy, dependability, care and patience to her work with students, families, staff and the broader community. Her calm, warm demeanor helps families feel supported during challenging moments, and her consistent follow-through builds deep trust with students and adults alike.

School Social Worker Kaitlyn Golden at Patrick Henry K-8 School

In a school of over 1,000 students, Kaitlyn Golden is the staff member at Patrick Henry K-8 School (Patrick Henry) that every student knows. As Patrick Henry’s beloved social worker since 2022, Golden serves as the perfect role model for students and staff alike. She is calm, reliable, communicative, caring and solutions-oriented. 

Golden is said to plant seeds and grow roots. Her approach is one of empowerment as she makes sure that everyone who steps through Patrick Henry’s doors is welcomed with dignity and kindness. She creates attendance incentives, holds lunch bunches, translates documents into all necessary languages, advocates tirelessly and is always willing to troubleshoot an issue. ​

With a passion for gardening, Golden created a sustainability club for middle school students. She has students planting in the spring, learning about water conservation in the fall and maintaining a growing garden year-round. In the summer, her deep connections lead to families taking over the plots, resulting in a community investment in the garden space and the Patrick Henry school. Her positivity, compassion and collaborative spirit uplift everyone around her. Golden is truly a shining star that constantly strives for what is best for the Patrick Henry community.

School Librarian Cathy Guthrie at Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology

Cathy Guthrie is seen as a cornerstone of the Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology (Cora Kelly) community and embodies what it means to nurture, educate and inspire students, staff and families every day. Since joining Cora Kelly in 2018, she has created a welcoming and inclusive library space that serves as a student-centered hub for literacy, creativity and connection as it supports engaging Encore classes, school events, concerts and the newly established Family Engagement Center. 

Guthrie has strengthened Cora Kelly’s literacy efforts through meaningful partnerships with the following organizations: Reading Is Fundamental, Book Buddies and InspireLit, expanding access to books and enriching literacy experiences for students and families. Through close collaboration with the school’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teacher, Guthrie designed engaging, literacy-based STEM experiences that bring learning to life across content areas. She also facilitated two author visits this year, an incredible accomplishment, ensuring that every student in the school received a signed copy of a book to take home. 

As a member of Cora Kelly’s Instructional Council and leader of the Encore team, Guthrie is often up early supporting colleagues, ensuring that systems run smoothly so that everyone is set up for success. She even leads an after-school crochet club that provides students with a creative outlet while building patience, focus and pride. She truly knows students, their interests, strengths and needs and uses that knowledge to build meaningful relationships that ensure every child feels seen, valued and inspired. 

School Psychologist Sheila Wasilewski at John Adams Elementary School

Sheila Wasilewski is an extraordinary Student Support Team (SST) professional whose more than two decades of service with ACPS exemplify the highest standards. She consistently demonstrates exceptional skill, integrity and dedication, earning the admiration and respect of her colleagues, administrators, educators, families and most importantly, the students she serves.

Wasilewski began her career in ACPS as a school psychology intern and officially joined the school division in 2003 as a school psychologist. Her collaborative spirit ensures that students’ needs at John Adams Elementary School are addressed comprehensively and effectively. Through her expert assessments and recommendations, Wasilewski helps educators understand how to unlock student learning potential. She designs and supports interventions that build social-emotional competencies, helping students develop resilience, empathy and problem-solving skills. 

Wasilewski exhibits a deep understanding of how cultural, linguistic and individual differences shape student experiences. As such, she advocates strongly for equity and ensures that all

students have access to supportive and inclusive learning environments. Wasilewski excels at building bridges among families, educators and community partners. She embodies the very best of what it means to be an ACPS school psychologist: a data-informed problem-solver, a compassionate advocate, a trusted consultant and a mentor to others.