Alumni Teacher Spotlights

Position

Itinerant Math Interventionist

Awards

• 2019 Osceola Teacher of the Year
• 2020 The Players Make a Mark Award (INK!) 

Best Part of Teaching

“Being a part of a child’s life, even if it is only for 180 days. In my classroom, I always told my students that they are forever my student. At the end of the school year, the students leave with a piece of my heart. Seeing them continue to grow as students and individuals make everything worth it.” 

Position

Wards Creek Elementary, Physical Education Coach

Awards

• Best and Brightest Award

Best Part of Teaching

“Helping a child go from, ‘I can’t do it, I will never get it’ all the way through the process to, ‘I totally get it now’ and watching their face light up with pride from their hard work and determination.”

Position

Ketterlinus Elementary School- 2nd Grade

Awards

• 2020 Ketterlinus Teacher of the Year
• 2019 Ink! Make a Mark Award

Best Part of Teaching

“I believe that teaching is so much more than just academics. I love building and establishing a trusting and safe environment for my students and helping them grow to become leaders in our community.”

Position

Pedro Menendez High School – sophomore World History, Senior IB Contemporary History

Awards

• 2020 Pedro Menendez Rookie Teacher of the Year

Best Part of Teaching

“Cultivating relationships with students and watching them have these ‘ah-ha’ moments. I always tell them that history is a story and that every day we get to learn a little bit more of that story. They get excited to see what happens next, and seeing them grow a love for the subject is so special.”

Position

Otis Mason Elementary School- Behavior Intervention Specialist

Awards

• 2020 Otis Mason Teacher of the Year

Best Part of Teaching

“Building relationships with the students, faculty, and families of Mason and working with them to meet the social & emotional needs of our students.   I strive to give kids a soft place to land, build character, and help them realize their potential as contributing members of our community through Conscious Discipline and the six pillars of Character Counts.”

Position

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind—1st Grade, Deaf Elementary School

Awards

• 2017 FSDB Elementary School Teacher of the Year
• 2009 FSDB Teacher of the Year

Best Part of Teaching

“When students have aha! moments! It is a fulfilling and joyful journey for an educator to contribute to a child's understanding. I love it when former students come back to visit me too!”

Position

John A. Crookshank Elementary School, 3rd Grade

Awards

2020 Crookshank Teacher of the Year

Best Part of Teaching

“Creating bonds with my students. I believe in order to be a successful teacher you need to have a loving and trusting relationship with your students. I love doing problem-based lessons and room transformations. My students are always more willing to make mistakes and grow from them when they know they are supported by myself and their peers.”

Position

Pedro Menendez High School- 9th & 10th Grade English/Honors and Intensive Reading

Awards

• 2019 Ink! Make a Mark Award

Best Part of Teaching

“The relationships with the students. They motivate me and inspire me all the time. Whatever other worry I have going on throughout the day, when I go into my classroom with those kids, those stressors just float away.  Building a rapport with my students is the biggest privilege of teaching.”

Position

Gamble Rogers Middle School- Theater/Musical Theater

Awards

• 2020 Gamble Rogers Teacher of the Year
• 2014 St. Augustine High School Rookie Teacher of the Year

Best Part of Teaching

“Watching students develop into creative, hardworking, educated members of society. Inspiring students to create a dream, paving a path for them, and encouraging them to chase after it. Making good people.”