Kelly Short-Fuller, a science teacher at Churchland High School, was named the Portsmouth Public Schools (PPS) 2026 Citywide Teacher of the Year. Short-Fuller received the honor at the division’s Teacher of the Year celebration, which was held Tuesday night and highlighted all 22 teachers of the year in PPS.
For the past 22 years, Short-Fuller has worked in the division. She serves as the science department chair and leadership team member at Churchland, where she has been vital in her contributions to the Health Science Academy. She is also a new teacher mentor at the school. Her passion, though, remains in teaching her students.
“As a teacher, it is my responsibility to know who my learners are, what kinds of knowledge and experience they bring to my classroom…I can provide the scaffolding they need to build connections between what they already know and the new understandings they seek to create,” she wrote in her application. “I want my students to know that they are valued members of our classroom community, and I want to teach each of them what they need to continue to grow in my classroom… Students should continue to embrace their curiosity, challenge themselves, and know that they are capable of achieving great things. Each student brings unique strengths to our community, and together, we can create a brighter future.”
Kelly-Short will now represent Portsmouth as she moves on to the regional competition.