Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) announced that Andrew Sheloski, a band teacher at Woodbridge Middle School, and Taryn Wood, a strings teacher at Woodbridge High School, have been honored by the Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA) for their contributions to music education.
According to PWCS, Andrew Sheloski was recognized with the 2025 VMEA Beginning Music Teacher Award for District IX. His efforts include strengthening the band program, enhancing scheduling, and creating engaging musical experiences. Beyond his classroom duties, he supports district-wide programs such as the indoor drumline and the Charles J. Colgan Sr. High School marching band. He is also actively involved in concerts, assessments, and ensemble events.
“Every action we take as educators can ripple outward, impacting students, their families, and their communities,” Sheloski said in a news release by PWCS.
Taryn Wood received the 2025 VMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award for her leadership and long-standing contributions to music education. With over ten years of teaching experience, she has developed a program that consistently achieves high student performance. According to PWCS, she introduced a digital rubric system for auditions that improved feedback and efficiency.
“I am the music educator I am today because of the mentors and teachers I had growing up. They showed me what a great music educator is and what it means to be a teacher,” said Wood in a news release by PWCS.
PWCS is noted as the second largest school division in Virginia and 32nd largest in the nation. It serves over 90,000 students across various educational levels and offers numerous academic specialty programs. The division emphasizes sustainability and family engagement while supporting 174 languages through partnerships with businesses and community organizations. Led by Superintendent Dr. LaTanya D. McDade, PWCS reports a 94.3% on-time graduation rate and over $123 million in scholarships for the class of 2024.
