Potomac High History Teacher Praised for His Dedication, Enthusiasm

Sign up for the Woodbridge Patch newsletter!

A Potomac High School history teacher who died on Saturday is being hailed by former students, friends, parents and colleagues for his dedication and enthusiasm.

Leonard J. Valko Jr., 47, passed away at Stafford Hospital, according to an obituary posted on the website of Covenant Funeral Service in Fredericksburg. He taught AP history and the Cambridge program at the Dumfries-area school. He lived in Spotsylvania County and is survived by his wife Kelly and their six children: Kimberly, Kira, Raymond, Gabriella, Jaeden and Cassia.

During his career, he also taught history at Graham Park Middle School in Dumfries.

The Valko family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. this evening at Covenant Funeral Service, at 4801 Jefferson Davis Highway (Route 1) in Frederickburg.

In an online guestbook, those who knew “Lenny” praised him for his buoyant personality and his work as a teacher.

“Lenny touched the hearts and minds of students, parents, and peers in so many ways. It was a blessing to have known him. We will miss him dearly,” one couple wrote.

Several fellow teachers praised him for his heart and enthusiasm. “Lenny was a wonderful man in many ways and it was a pleasure to work with him,” one wrote. “He will be missed greatly.”

One of Valko’s former student at Graham Park Middle School related how the history teacher inspired him to enter teaching himself. “He was always so encouraging and supportive of his students, always asked us how we were and and about our interests. He made every student laugh and lifted everyone’s spirits.”

For more, please click here to view the obituary.