Heather Jones, who has taught Family and Consumer Sciences at Sandburg Middle School since 2012, has been named the 2019 National Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS). Sandburg Middle School is a Fairfax County public school.

Jones was recognized for her use of cutting-edge methods, techniques, and activities to provide stimulus and visibility to family and consumer sciences. In addition to teaching Family and Consumer Sciences at Sandburg, she is department chair for FCS and Career and Technical Education; mentors a first-year teacher; and advises the school’s FCCLA chapter, Real Food for Kids culinary teams, and Crafty Cooks after-school club.  

“Heather is the consummate FCS technology professional who creates excitement that increases followers in the field regardless of teaching arenas,” says Pegi Wright, president of the Virginia Affiliate of AAFCS. “She is credited for doubling student enrollment in the FCS Department. With 18 percent of her students having special needs and another 38 percent receiving free and reduced lunch, her success stems from technological expertise and subject matter knowledge that afford teaching the curriculum in a variety of ways to meet the needs of each student.”

Sandburg principal Darwin Barker agrees that Jones’ teaching skills engage all of her students. “Heather is a dynamic educator, with an excellent grasp of how students learn, skillfully capturing their interests,” he explains. “She seamlessly integrates sewing and culinary activities, while incorporating 21st-century skills into her instructional practices…Heather works to raise the awareness about career and technical education competencies, preparing students for a promising future. She exhibits patience and tact, while serving as a mentor for students and novice teachers. Ms. Jones recently collaborated with our librarian to secure grant funds to produce videos for a school cooking channel, showcasing our students' culinary talents.”

As part of Fairfax County Public Schools’ partnership with Real Food for Kids, Jones and her students participate in that organization's annual Culinary Challenge. Her middle school students competed against culinary students and received the Gold Star Award for their Black Bean Burger with Mock Guac and Kale Apple Salad.

Helen Fuqua, a specialist in Family and Consumer Sciences and Related Clusters with the Virginia Department of Education, has worked with Jones for 12 years.  She states, “Her ability to build strong collaborative relationships is a definite strength. Heather built a strong family and consumer sciences program at Carl Sandburg Middle School. Because of her engaging FCS classes, student demand for the courses grew, creating the need for a second FCS teacher.”

Prior to joining the staff at Sandburg, Jones taught at Hayfield Secondary School; served as a grants manager at Appleseed Foundation, Inc.; was an associate extension agent for 4-H Youth Development with Virginia Cooperative Extension; and served as a public relations and marketing specialist at AAFCS Headquarters.

A graduate of the University of North Alabama with a bachelor of science in human environmental sciences, Jones earned her master’s in education in youth and family education from Penn State University and is working on her master’s in education at George Mason University.