Governor Scott Recognizes Educators with the Governor’s Shine Award

During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized seven outstanding educators with the Governor’s Shine Award. The Shine Award is presented to teachers and administrators in Florida who make significant contributions to the field of education. Five of the seven teachers honored today are 2017 district teachers of the year.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to present these outstanding educators with the Governor’s Shine Award today and thank them for their commitment to ensuring students reach their full potential. The educators honored today represent the thousands of great teachers around the state who are dedicated to preparing students for college and a future career.”
The following educators were presented with the Governor’s Shine Award:
Rudy Diaz, Miami-Dade County – Rudy Diaz teaches TV Production Media at South Miami Senior High School. With 30 years teaching experience, Diaz has been at his current school for 26 of them. Diaz has won three Emmy Awards for his expertise in editing, camera and producing, and is the 2017 Miami-Dade County District Teacher of the Year.
Lisa Gault, Bradford County – Lisa Gault is a veteran teacher with 33 years’ experience and teaches Adult Special Needs Transition at the Bradford-Union Technical Center. Gault is a member of the Bradford Education Foundation and the 2017 Bradford County District Teacher of the Year.
Felecia L. King, Hillsborough County – Felecia King teaches fourth grade English/ Language Arts at Lockhart Elementary Magnet School in Hillsborough County. King is the 2008-09 Ida S. Baker Teacher of the Year, 2014-15 Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year, member of the High Impact Teacher Corps and Leadership Florida, Education Class III.
Anne Jones, Dixie County – Anne Jones is an Instructional/Reading Coach at Ruth Raines Middle School in Dixie County. Jones has 21 years’ teaching experience and is the 2017 Dixie County District Teacher of the Year.
Nardi Routten, Indian River County – Nardi Routten has been an educator for 20 years and teaches fourth grade at Chester A. Moore Elementary School in Indian River County. Routten is the 2015 Milken Educator Award winner; member of the Teacher Leader Fellowship 2016; member of Leadership Florida, Education Class II; and is currently working on her second Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.
Timothy Stevens, Putnam County – With eight years’ experience, Tim Stevens teaches fifth grade English/Language Arts and Social Studies at Ochwilla Elementary School in Putnam County. Stevens is a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Council and is the 2017 Putnam County District Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Karen P. Welch, Gilchrist County – Karen Welch teaches Intensive Reading and Intensive Language Arts at Bell High School in Gilchrist County. An experienced educator with 18 years’ experience, Dr. Welch was a district finalist for the 2009 Middle School Reading Teacher of the Year and is the 2017 Gilchrist District Teacher of the Year.