During a Florida Cabinet meeting, Governor Rick Scott today recognized four outstanding Florida 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. [Read more…] about Gov. Scott Recognizes Four Florida Educators with the Governor’s Shine Award
Governor's Shine Award
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.
Gov. Scott Recognizes Seven 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. The educators honored today are 2017 District Teachers of the Year.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to present these seven educators with the Governor’s Shine Award today. These outstanding teachers have been recognized by their communities for their commitment to student achievement and I applaud their dedication to educating the future leaders of our state. We will continue to fight for Florida’s great educators and students to ensure they have the resources they need to be successful.”
The following educators were presented with the Governor’s Shine Awards:
Jessica Hooker, Leon County – Jessica Hooker has taught second and third grade at Springwood Elementary School for nine years and is currently the school’s mathematics instructional coach. Jessica is the 2017 Leon County District Teacher of the Year.
Lisa Kelley, Florida State University Schools – Lisa Kelly is currently the Academic Dean for grades 6-8 at Florida State University Schools. She has 19 years’ experience as an educator and formerly taught physical education to students in grades K-5. Lisa is the 2017 Florida State University Schools Teacher of the Year.
Jennifer Lee, Liberty County – Jennifer Lee has taught kindergarten and special education at W.R. Tolar School for the past 11 years. She is the 2017 Liberty County District Teacher of the Year.
Peter MacWilliam, Jefferson County – Peter MacWilliam has more than 25 years’ experience as an educator and currently teaches Spanish for students in grades 6-12 at Jefferson County – A Somerset School. Peter holds National Board Certification in World Languages Spanish and is the 2017 Jefferson County District Teacher of the Year.
Lauralee Mitchell, Wakulla County – Lauralee Mitchell has been teaching at Shadeville Elementary eight years, where she is currently teaching first grade. Lauralee is the 2017 Wakulla County District Teacher of the Year and was recognized with Macy’s “Magic of Giving Back” award at the 2017 Teacher of the Year gala.
Natasha Pennycuff, Franklin County – Natasha Pennycuff teaches first grade at the Franklin County School where she has worked for four years. Natasha is the 2017 Franklin County District Teacher of the Year.
Cindy Vega, Madison County – Cindy Vega has taught first grade for seven years and served as a mentor for first-year teachers at Madison County Central School. Cindy is the 2017 Madison County District Teacher of the Year.
Gov. Scott Recognizes Four Educators with the Governor’s Shine Award
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized four 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. The educators honored today were recognized for their commitment to student success and to furthering their professional skills.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to present these four educators with the Governor’s Shine Award today for their commitment to the success of Florida students. I’d like to thank these educators and all of the teachers and administrators throughout the state who go above and beyond to prepare our students for higher education and a great career.”
The following educators were presented with the Governor’s Shine Awards:
Evangeline Aguirre, Palm Beach County – Dr. Evangeline Aguirre has been teaching for 25 years and is the ESOL intensive reading and English teacher at Palm Beach Central High School. She is the 2017 District Teacher of the Year, 2017 TESOL Outstanding Educator Awardee, and the 2016 Florida Reading Association High School Reading Teacher of the Year.
Diana Huff, Duval County – Diana Huff teaches fifth grade reading, writing and social studies at Fort Caroline Elementary School in Jacksonville. Now in her 20th year of teaching, Huff was nominated for the Fishman Prize and graduated from the High Impact Teacher Corps in 2017.
Justine Jackson, Sarasota County – Justine Jackson teaches middle school intensive language arts at Sarasota Middle School. She is the 2015-16 Sarasota Middle School Reading Teacher of the year, the 2015-16 Sarasota Reading Council’s Middle School Literacy Teacher of the Year, and the 2016 Florida Reading Association’s Middle School Literacy Teacher of the Year.
Leigh Ann Norris, Hamilton County – A 20 year teaching veteran, Leigh Ann Norris has been at Central Hamilton Elementary School for the past 13 years, where she teaches reading, math, science and history. Her accomplishments include being named the 2013 Hamilton County District Teacher of the Year and graduating from the High Impact Teacher Corps in 2017.
Governor Rick Scott Recognizes Three Educators with Governor’s Shine Award
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized three 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. The educators honored today were recognized for their commitment to student success and to furthering their professional skills.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to present these three educators with the Shine Award today. Every day, Florida’s teachers go above and beyond to educate Florida’s students so they are prepared for higher education and careers. I applaud these educators for their dedication to ensuring the success of Florida’s future leaders.”
The following educators were presented with the Governor’s Shine Awards:
Demetria Clemons, Leon County – Clemons is principal of Sealey Elementary School in Tallahassee. Clemons is in her first year as a member of the Commissioner’s Leadership Academy, and in 2013 Clemons was recognized as Leon County School’s Joe Glick Administrator of the Year.
Lukas Hefty, Pinellas County – Hefty has been an educator for 11 years and is currently the Engineering Program Coordinator at Douglas L. Jamerson Elementary School in St. Petersburg. In January 2017, he was honored by the Milken Family Foundation for his work in developing the school’s nationally recognized STEM curriculum.
Brandon Wright, Hernando County – Wright teaches Advanced Placement (AP) Micro/Macroeconomics, AP U.S. Government, International Baccalaureate Economics and Economics with Financial Literacy at F. W. Springstead High School in Brooksville. He is the 2016 Hernando County District Teacher of the Year.
Governor Rick Scott Recognizes Eight Educators with the Governor’s Shine Award
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized eight 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. The teachers honored today were recognized for their commitment to student success.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to present these eight educators with the Shine Award today. Great teachers help ensure our students are prepared for higher education and careers. I’d like to thank these teachers and educators around the state for their impact on today’s students and generations of students to come.”
The following educators were presented with the Governor’s Shine Awards:
Antonio Alves, Manatee County – Alves teaches mathematics and geometry at Lincoln Memorial Middle School and is a member of the High Impact Teacher Corps.
Matthew Burton, Broward County – Burton is a fourth grade teacher at Oakland Park Elementary School. He was the 2017 Oakland Park Elementary Teacher of the Year and is a member of the High Impact Teacher Corps.
Khea Davis, Sarasota County – Davis teaches English and Creative Writing at Booker High School and is the 2017 Sarasota County Teacher of the Year.
Vicki Forte, Putnam County – Forte teaches mathematics to seventh and eighth grade students at George C. Miller Middle School. She was the 2015 Miller Middle School Teacher of the Year and is a member of the High Impact Teacher Corps.
Dr. Wilhelmenia Jacobs, Palm Beach County – Jacobs is the AVID teacher for students in grades 6-8 at Lake Shore Middle School and is a member of the High Impact Teacher Corps.
Yolanda Pittman Martin, Hillsborough County – Pittman Martin teaches fourth grade English and Language Arts at Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School and is a member of the High Impact Teacher Corps.
Susan Rodriguez, Pasco County – Rodriguez is a fifth grade English and Language Arts teacher at Pasco Elementary School and is a member of the High Impact Teacher Corps.
Benjo St. Fleur, Orange County – St. Fleur is a fourth grade teacher at Shingle Creek Elementary School and is a member of the High Impact Teacher Corps.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
Governor Rick Scott Recognizes Eight Educators with the Governor’s Shine Award
During a meeting of the Florida Cabinet today, Governor Rick Scott recognized eight 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. In recognition of Celebrate Literacy Week, Florida! all the educators honored today are 2017 District Teachers of the Year and teach language arts.
Governor Rick Scott said, “I am proud to present these eight educators with the Governor’s Shine Award today. These outstanding teachers go above and beyond to educate students in our state. I applaud these educators for their dedication to helping our students learn and ensure they are prepared for higher education and careers.”
The following educators were presented with the Governor’s Shine Awards:
Sarah Dobes, Pinellas County – Dobes is the 2017 Pinellas County Teacher of the Year. She teaches language arts and English Honors to eighth grade students at East Lake Middle School.
Kristi Imhof, Escambia County – Imhof is the 2017 Escambia County Teacher of the Year. She teaches seventh grade language arts at Ransom Middle School.
Maryann Kelly, Collier County – Kelly is the 2017 Collier County Teacher of the Year. She teaches ninth grade Writing, Intensive Reading and tenth grade English at Gulf Coast High School.
Rachel Moree, Indian River County – Moree is the 2017 Indian River County Teacher of the Year. She taught eighth grade English Language Arts at Storm Grove Middle School.
Susan Perkins, Sumter County – Perkins is the 2017 Sumter County Teacher of the Year. She teaches Reading at South Sumter High School.
Teryl Sampson, Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind – Sampson is the 2017 Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind Teacher of the Year. She teaches language arts and social studies to hearing impaired students at the Deaf Middle School.
Precious Symonette, Miami-Dade County – Symonette is the 2017 Miami-Dade County Teacher of the Year and one of five finalists for 2017 Florida Teacher of the Year. She teaches creative writing at Miami Norland Senior High School.
Charlotte Wadsworth, Okaloosa County – Wadsworth is the 2017 Okaloosa County Teacher of the Year. She teaches tenth grade English and English Honors at Baker School.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
