Melissa Porfirio, Virginia Teacher of the Year

First grade teacher Melissa Porfirio, an alumna of George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development, was named Virginia's 2014 Teacher of the Year and is one of four finalists for the 2014 National Teacher of the Year award. Photos by Evan Cantwell/George Mason University

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Melissa Porfirio

First grade teacher Melissa Porfirio, an alumna of George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development, Virginia 2014 Teacher of the Year and is one of four finalists for the 2014 National Teacher of the Year award. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Creative Services/George Mason University

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