On October 21, 2020, the Superintendent of Chesterfield County Public Schools, Dr. Merv Dougherty, recognized Mr. Holden Dorman as the CCPS High School Beginning Teacher of the Year for the 2019-2020 school year. This annual award goes to a new CCPS teacher who stands out in the classroom. Dorman succeeded Midlo French teacher Ms. Hannah Foster, who received the award last year. 

Dorman attended Coker University in South Carolina. While initially studying as a social work major, he changed his major to technical theatre, stemming from his passion for the performing arts. Dorman explains, “I enjoyed learning about all things theatre, and I wanted to share that love. I wanted to see the spark in the students when they realize that they love this and that it brings them happiness.” Following his graduation, Dorman began his career as a teacher in 2019, instructing Theater and Theater Productions at Midlothian High School. In his weekly message, Dr. Shawn Abel shares, “If you have ever observed Mr. Dorman working with his students or developing the sets for our plays, you would not be surprised that he received this special award.” In his first year at Midlo, Dorman worked as the technical director on Midlo’s production of Puffs, War at Home, and Into the Woods, which engaged audiences with a magical set and a captivating plot.

In the classroom, Dorman creates an unmistakable bond with his students. He shares, “Without a doubt my favorite part of the job is the students. Their energy, drive, excitement over all things theatre excites me and motivates me to do the best I can for them. Everything that I come up with or try to do is for them, and I love it. I can come up with some random assignment, and they will either really enjoy it or not and then they give me feedback, and I love that collaboration. They are truly the best part of my job.”

On receiving the 2019-2020 CCPS Beginning Teacher of the Year award, Mr. Dorman feels “honored and humbled.” He explains,” I never thought that I would even get close to winning. I didn’t even know it was a thing until my admin called to tell me that they nominated me. I greatly appreciate everyone who has helped me get to this point, and I am so looking forward to seeing what the future holds.”

Members of the Midlo Theatre Community share the impact that Mr. Dorman has made on them:

Dorman is one of the greatest people I have ever met. There are few teachers who care so deeply about their students, and you can tell that he wants everyone he meets to leave the theater in a better mood than when they came in. He’s always there if you need to hear a dumb joke or a place to vent/cry/scream. Though I’ve never been a student in one of his classes, he’s still made a huge impact on me. -Eden Johnson

He is one of those teachers that you can come to with anything that’s going on in your life. [He] and Mrs. Doan have made the department a really great place to be. Dorman especially is always welcoming newcomers regardless of the amount of experience they may or may not have. He’s just an awesome human being – Anna Grilliot 

He’s always so fun to goof around with. Hanging out with him makes you forget the stress of school, and I think that’s the mark of a great teacher. He’s impacted me by making me more interested in the production side of theatre, and though I haven’t been able to take his class, he’s inspired me to study theatre in college. – Lara Brinkman