Diallo receives $15,000 and chance to
compete for statewide Teacher of the Year

Superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools Alberto M. Carvalho, Florida Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart, 2019 Teacher of the Year Finalist Molly Winters Diallo and Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School Principal Christopher Shinn celebrate in Diallo’s classroom with her students shortly after Commissioner Stewart made the announcement.

Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart today surprised Molly Winters Diallo in her classroom with a check for $15,000 and the news that she is one of five Teacher of the Year finalists. The statewide Teacher of the Year will be announced at the annual Florida Teacher of the Year Gala July 13 in Orlando. Each district’s Teacher of the Year will receive $10,000, and the state winner will receive a total of $20,000.

“Congratulations to Molly Winters Diallo on being selected as one of five 2019 Teacher of the Year finalists,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “Throughout her career, Diallo has focused on continual professional growth and, as a result, her students’ performance has consistently been among the best in her district. Her passion for teaching and helping her students reach their full potential is evident. It is truly an honor to recognize her today and reward her for her hard work and dedication.”

Diallo began teaching at Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School in 2009, the year it was founded. She serves as the Social Sciences Department Chair and teaches Honors U.S. History, Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology and AP Human Geography. Since the inception of the U.S. History end-of-course assessment, her students’ pass rate has averaged 90 percent, with last year’s rate being 98 percent. In each of the other courses, her students’ pass rate has exceeded the global mean pass rate, and her students have made significant individual gains. As a department chair and an instructional leader, Diallo mentors new teachers and collaborates with fellow faculty members to improve students’ learning experiences.

Diallo has been recognized by the Bezos Family Foundation and Stanford University for her innovative approaches and rigorous instruction; served as an AP reader for CollegeBoard; worked with the district’s Division of Social Sciences to develop the district’s U.S. History curriculum; and attained National Board Certification.

This year’s five finalists were chosen from more than 198,700 public school teachers throughout the state. After each school district selects its Teacher of the Year, a selection committee representing teachers, principals, parents and the business community reviews each district application on the basis of outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional development, philosophy of teaching, and outstanding school and community service.

The Florida Teacher of the Year Program is made possible by generous sponsors: Florida Prepaid, State Farm, Florida Blue, Telemundo, Helios Education Foundation, Wells Fargo, Publix, Florida Power and Light Company, Florida Lottery, Gulf Power and Herff Jones.

For more about the Florida Teacher of the Year program, please visit Florida Teachers Lead.

For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit fldoe.org.