2006 Chesapeake Teacher of the Year

Elizabeth Thompson Harris

Elizabeth Harris, an eleventh-grade U.S. History teacher, received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Old Dominion University. She has served as a debate coach and teacher mentor. Currently she sponsors school essay contest entries, serves as co-advisor the Model UN Club, and is a member of the Virginia Council for the Social Studies, World Affiars Council and Virginia Historical Society. Elizabeth enjoys opera, theater, reading and piano. She resides in Portsmouth with her husband, David, and has two adult daughters, Christina, who resides in Atlanta, and Chandra, who resides in Virginia Beach. Mrs. Harris has twenty-eight years of teaching experience, five of which have been in Chesapeake.

2005 - 2006 Elementary Teacher of the Year

Lisa Yvonne Young Lynch

Lisa Lynch, a fifth-grade special education teacher, received her bachelor’s degree from Hampton University and her master’s degree from Regent University. She has served as special education department chairperson, IEP Online trainer, SOL Testing coordinator’s assistant, School Improvement Planning Team member and Closing the Achievement Gap trainer. Currently she sponsors a student outreach project for an Army Reserve Unit stationed in Iraq, serves on the Principal’s Advisory Committee, provides mentoring to students and faculty members, participates on the Remembrance and Hospitality Committees, and is a member of the NEA, CEA, and E. W. Chittum and Northern Shores Elementary Schools’ PTA. Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, eating out and shopping. She resides in Suffolk with her husband, George, and children, Taylor, Jada and Mya. Mrs. Lynch has eleven years of teaching experience, ten of which have been in Chesapeake.

2005 - 2006 Secondary Teacher of the Year

Kenneth Brian Porter

Kenneth Brian Porter, a special education teacher, received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia. He has served as a chess coach. Currently he is a math tutor and SOL remediation teacher, serves as the special education department and Child Study Committee chairperson, and is a member of the DAFT Team. Brian enjoys fishing and the outdoors. He resides in Chesapeake with his wife, Megan, and their child, Taylor. Mr. Porter has eight years of teaching experience, all of which have been in Chesapeake.