On Thursday, January 30, school and district leaders announced Westwood Middle School Math Teacher Brittany Irvin as the 2026 Danville Public Schools (DPS) Teacher of the Year.
Irvin, a 14-year teaching veteran, has a Bachelor of Science degree from Longwood University and a Gifted Education certification.
In 2011, Irvin began her teaching career at DPS teaching middle school mathematics. Currently, she teaches advanced/honors Algebra 1 and 2.
At Westwood, in addition to leading her team, she serves as the Mentor Teacher lead, a Teacher Leader, and the Math Department Chair. She was the recipient of the Virginia Middle School Teacher Corp grant in the 2017-2018 and 2023-2024 school years.
In the community, Irvin has been a team lead for Relay for Life, a packer at God’s Storehouse, and a volunteer
at the Danville Area Humane Society.
“Ms. Irvin’s ability to uplift, encourage, and guide students to academic success not only positions our learners to flourish in middle school, but also puts students on a trajectory to thrive in high school and postsecondary endeavors,” Westwood Principal LaTonya Simmons said. “At Westwood Middle School, we are so proud to celebrate Ms. Irvin and her outstanding contributions to professional and academic excellence!”
As an educator, Irvin believes in building relationships with her students. Each year, she greets her students by welcoming them to “the family.” She frequently supports her students outside the classroom in their extracurriculars, whether they are school-sponsored or not. As a teacher mentor, she observes lessons, opens her classroom to new teachers, regularly checks in with her colleagues, and offers advice.
Irvin says being named Teacher of the Year is “an honor and honestly a bit humbling.”
“It feels great to know that the work I put in is making a difference for my students and the school community,” Irvin said. “This isn’t just my achievement though- it’s a reflection of all of the support I’ve gotten from my colleagues, students, and families. I’m really grateful and excited to keep doing what I love!”
Irvin will serve as the district’s nomination for the 2026 Mary V. Bicouvaris Virginia Teacher of the Year.
“I am incredibly proud of Ms. Irvin,” DPS Superintendent Dr. Angela Hairston said. “She goes above and beyond to support students both inside and outside the classroom. Her passion for teaching shines through in the smiles of her students. We are truly honored to have her as part of the DPS family!”