Ms. Schimmoller assists a third grade student with classwork. (Photo courtesy of Chrissy Henderson)

On April 22 The Washington Post announced that long-time Oak Street Elementary third grade teacher Miriam Schimmoller was the winner of the 2025 Teacher of the Year Award – the only teacher across the DMV to win this award. 

Ms. Schimmoller’s career began during her pursuit of her bachelor degree at Cornell University, where she majored in Psychology. This provided her with a different teaching foundation than most teachers. 

“I feel like I come to the job understanding children as opposed to just knowing different subjects,” she explained. “I think it’s knowing the stages of growth that help you be a teacher, and I think that’s really important.” 

After graduating from Cornell in 1986, she pursued her master’s in education at Lehigh University, where her dad was a professor in economics. In fact, it was her father who inspired her to pursue teaching. 

Shortly after finishing her masters, she and her husband moved to Landstuhl, Germany, where he worked as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. In Germany, she began her first job  teaching second grade at a Department of Defense school.

Her husband was later transferred to Fort Hood, and their family moved to Austin, Texas. In Texas, she taught at a private school, began a tutoring program, and raised her children.

“In third grade you focus a lot on ancient civilizations and I think that having been so many different places in my life, I can help my students create a connection and a classroom community where they can all feel comfortable learning and aren’t afraid to make mistakes,” she commented.

Ms. Schimmoller is a proponent of “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Stanford graduate Carol Dweck, a book about how success in school, work, sports, the arts, and almost every area of human endeavor can be dramatically influenced by how we think about our talents and abilities. 

“It’s not to say you’re going to be perfect or get an A on your test, but that power when you grow is huge,” she added.

Ms. Carol Felderman is the reading specialist at Oak Street Elementary and works alongside all the teachers at the school. She wrote an essay focusing on Ms. Schimmoller and commented on her skill in working with students.

“The ability to genuinely understand a child as a learner is an educated instinct that is unique. In a highly competitive area where having the best grades, being number one on the sports team or having the lead in the play seems to be what truly matters, sometimes it’s more than that,” Ms. Felderman wrote. “There are also the children who are not overtly ‘number one.’ It’s the child who needs to listen a bit more and then enter the conversation. It’s the child who is nervous to share, but the teacher who ‘knows the child knows’”.

Every student who has had Ms. Schimmoller remembers their year fondly and her unique classroom traditions. In everything from “morning curiosities” to collecting beanie babies, her students not only feel loved, but feel as though their creative endeavors are fostered. Many students also found comfort and support from Ms. Schimmoller, even after the year in her class.

“When I was 10 years old, the year after I had Ms. Schimmoller, she knit me a beautiful hat while I was in the hospital. I also remember she gave out shells, stuffed animals, and has such a sweet soul,” commented freshman Millie Owens.

Even simple things like her pleasant and welcoming personality and attitude leave an impression on her students.

“Her positive attitude made learning so much easier,” said senior Alex Felgar. 

Not only is Ms. Schimmoller an educator but also a mentor, a cheerleader, and a friend. Her kindness, patience, and passion for teaching has left a lasting mark on every student lucky enough to cross their path. It’s teachers like Ms. Schimmoller who remind us how powerful a caring heart and a love for learning can be.