Feb. 10, 2023 Rosen Shingle Creek
School Board of Orange County
Orange County Public Schools Cabinet
Michael Armbruster Deputy Superintendent
Bridget Williams Chief of Staff
Rory Salimbene Acting Chief Facilities Officer
Scott Howat Chief Communications Officer
Doreen Concolino Interim Chief Financial Officer
Roberto Pacheco Chief Operations Officer
Mark Shanoff Interim Chief Information Officer
Kathryn Shuler Chief Academic Officer
Harold Border Chief Strategy Officer
Jennifer Bellinger Minority Achievement Officer
Jose Martinez Chief of High Schools
Patricia LaPace Area Superintendent East Learning Community
Meredith Leftakis Area Superintendent North Learning Community
Rolando Bailey Area Superintendent Southeast Learning Community
Tashanda BrownCannon Area Superintendent Southwest Learning Community
Rahim Jones Area Superintendent West Learning Community
Melanie Stefanowicz Associate Superintendent Career and Technical Education
Robert Bixler Associate Superintendent Curriculum and Digital Learning
Wendy Ivory Associate Superintendent Exceptional Student Education
John Wright Associate Superintendent Innovation Office
Leigh Ann Bradshaw Associate Superintendent Professional Learning Department
Jennifer Sasser Associate Superintendent Research, Accountability and Grants
Greg Moody Associate Superintendent School Choice Services
William Bohn
Associate Superintendent School Transformation Office
James Preusser Senior Executive Director Human Resources
Teresa Jacobs Chair Vicki-Elaine Felder District 5 Karen Castor Dentel District 6 Melissa Byrd District 7 Angie Gallo Vice Chair | District 1 Maria Salamanca District 2 Alicia Farrant District 3 Pam Gould District 4 Maria F. Vazquez SuperintendentProgram Agenda
PROCESSION OF STELLAR AWARDS HONOREES
East River High School Falcon Drumline
Processional Grand Marshals:
Kenya Nelson-Warren, 2021-22 Assistant Principal of the Year
Julie Helton, 2021-22 Principal of the Year
Joy Hamilton, 2021-22 Support Person of the Year
Nancy Welch, 2021-22 Teacher of the Year
CEREMONY OPENING ADDRESS
Nancy Alvarez, WESH 2 News anchor and co-host of The Slice: News from OCPS
Jamie Holmes, Co-host of The Slice: News from OCPS
PRESENTATION OF COLORS AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Edgewater High School Marine Corps JROTC
Nancy Alvarez and Jamie Holmes
WELCOME REMARKS
Teresa Jacobs, OCPS School Board Chair
HONORING STELLAR EMPLOYEES
Michael Armbruster, Deputy Superintendent
DINNER
Wekiva High School Jazz Ensemble
RECOGNITIONS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Honorees, Finalists and Winners
Presented by Chair Teresa Jacobs and Superintendent Maria Vazquez
2022-23 Assistant Principal of the Year Award
2022-23 Principal of the Year Award
2022-23 Support Person of the Year Award
2022-23 Teacher of the Year Award
Mistress & Master of Ceremonies
Nancy Alvarez
Nancy Alvarez is an award-winning anchor of Central Florida’s NBC affiliate WESH 2 News and the co-host of The Slice: News from OCPS, where she tells our amazing faculty, staff and student stories to the district and community.
During her career, she also was an anchor and reporter at WFTV Channel 9 for 11 years and the senior vice president of Community Relations and Equity Impact at Heart of Florida United Way.
As a reporter, Alvarez covered NASA’s space program and its launches and landings in Brevard County. She also reported from the front lines during the 2004 hurricane season after four hurricanes hit Florida in less than two months and on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pulse nightclub tragedy and political events.
Alvarez also was one of the first journalists who traveled to Puerto Rico and reported on the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017. She covered the impact of the Category 5 hurricane on the island and evacuees relocating to Florida.
She returned to Puerto Rico in 2019 and reported on the political unrest that led to the resignation of the country’s Gov. Ricardo Rosselló.
Alvarez is a public speaker who advocates for issues, including domestic violence and the challenges facing schoolchildren with disabilities. She is bilingual, a first-generation Cuban American and lives in Orlando with her husband and two children.
Jamie Holmes
Jamie Holmes, co-host of The Slice: News from OCPS, enjoys sharing school district stories with co-host and friend Nancy Alvarez.
Holmes has more than 25 years of experience as a TV-news anchor and reporter. He worked behind the desk and in the field covering some of the biggest stories in the nation, including the Pulse nightclub massacre, the 2000 presidential election recount and numerous hurricanes and rocket launches.
Holmes’ journalism career began at WSLS Channel 10 in Roanoke, Virginia in 1996. Three years later, he joined WPTV Channel 5 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
After working in South Florida for 12 years, he relocated to Orlando to co-anchor WFTV Channel 9’s morning newscast with Alvarez.
Holmes also owns Top Story Studios, which focuses on telling corporate and nonprofit stories to help build brand loyalty and audience compassion.
CONGRATULATIONS
Assistant Principal of the Year
Finalists
John Miller Meadowbrook Middle
John Miller, assistant principal for instruction at Meadowbrook Middle, is a forward-thinking educator committed to student success.
He is known for his ability to develop meaningful relationships with even the most challenging students. That’s in part because he sees himself in them. As a child, he thrived despite violence and incarceration in his family. He spent many formative years in foster care. Those experiences help him quickly identify early warning indicators for at-risk students.
He has a proven record of success with OCPS, including overseeing learning growth rate gains of greater than 50% in Civics, English Language Arts and Math for English Language Learners.
A collaborator with faculty, staff, parents, students and the community, Miller is described as “relentless” and “proactive.” With a passion for supporting Title I schools and at-risk students during the pandemic, he went into the community to deliver digital devices and Wi-Fi hot spots to students and resources to families.
Miller’s philosophy is: “If I don’t, then who?” He uses his own background and passion for young people to give students a sense of agency and control of their own destiny, no matter their life circumstances.
Marion Campbell Ridgewood Park Elementary
For more than 25 years, Marion Campbell, assistant principal at Ridgewood Park elementary, has been a positive force helping drive OCPS student success.
With his open door and “open ear” policy, Campbell connects teachers, staff and community members to support student success at the highest level. Peers have named him the “Angry Parent Whisperer” because of his keen ability to console even the most irate parent.
He became a Ridgewood Park Tiger for the 2022-23 school year and has already begun making his mark. He has started a boys’ mentoring club at Ridgewood Park to provide positive reinforcement and incentives for male students, and the staff is already seeing a positive shift in student behavior.
Previously, during four years as assistant principal of Wolf Lake Middle, Campbell’s instructional leadership led to PLC gains of 3% in Civics and 8% in eighth-grade Science.
His dedication to student success goes beyond the classroom. Campbell recruited his fraternity, Orlando Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, to gather with teachers and staff to welcome students on the first day of school. The fraternity has also adopted Ridgewood Park this school year.
CONGRATULATIONS
Assistant Principal of the Year
Honorees
Joyce Conley
Whispering Oak Elementary
Joyce Conley is a selfless leader who is committed to the success and wellness of all teachers, staff and students.
Throughout her tenure with OCPS, she has supported her peers beyond the classroom. She also developed her own organization, Alve’ Pro., which provides virtual check-in meetings, coaching and resources for current and aspiring assistant principals.
Student success is Conley’s top priority, and she has developed school-wide events to engage and uplift students. These efforts included starting a multicultural club. School leaders credit the implementation of these and other programs in helping Whispering Oak achieve gains of 9% in English Language Arts, 31% in math and 12% in science during the 2021-22 school year.
Putting in her all for staff, students and parents is a way that she ensures a strong, positive and healthy learning environment for students. She is always visible around campus from assisting in the cafeteria to helping the custodial staff develop a game plan. As a fellow principal said, “Conley is known for never wavering ‘in the face of challenges or adversity.’ In fact, she embraced the chaos and tamed it, bettering all of us in the process.”
Christopher Davis Lake Nona High
John Miller Meadowbrook Middle
Helena Gurgone Palmetto Elementary
Marion Campbell Ridgewood Park Elementary
Clinton Anderson SunRidge Middle
Tameka Hamilton Three Points Elementary
Steven Soubasis Timber Springs Middle
Joyce Conley
Whispering Oak Elementary
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CONGRATULATIONS
Principal of the Year
Finalists
Karen Furno
Avalon Middle
Karen Furno is a strong instructional leader who is committed to excellence and supporting her faculty and staff at Avalon Middle.
Under her leadership, Avalon Middle was the first middle school to be recognized as a United States Department of Education 2021 National Blue Ribbon School since 1989. In addition, Avalon Middle outscored all other schools in the district on the Florida Standards Assessments test during the 2018-19 school year.
Her OCPS career began as an alternative-education teacher at the Wymore Career Education Center in Eatonville more than 30 years ago.
One of Furno’s main goals is building a positive school climate that emphasizes learning, strong relationships, respect and acceptance of diversity. Furno is a hands-on principal who works with her team to continuously evaluate programs and make necessary adjustments that lead students to success.
Her other accomplishments include receiving the Disney Teacheriffic Award and helping Avalon and Chain of Lakes Middle schools become “A-rated” schools in Orange County during her tenure.
Robert Strenth
Prairie Lake Elementary
Robert Strenth is a servant leader who champions his staff and students at Prairie Lake Elementary.
His upbringing has shaped him into the educator he is today. Strenth’s mom was a single parent who didn’t finish high school. They moved frequently, so he grew up without a hometown or extended family. He also struggled with academics.
Strenth decided to become a changemaker after he graduated from high school. He pursued an education career because he wanted to be the teacher he never had as a child.
For more than 20 years, Strenth has strived to ensure all his OCPS students have a promising and successful future. He goes the extra mile by filling in for teachers, answering phone calls at the front desk and providing his assistance in the cafeteria and nurse’s office.
As a principal, Strenth has created a family atmosphere where everyone is accepted. He also has worked with Prairie Lake Elementary teachers and students to increase the school grade from a “C” to a “B” in 2022.
CONGRATULATIONS
Principal of the Year Honorees
Karen Furno
Avalon Middle
Samuel Danner Carver Middle
Kelly Paduano
Timber Creek High
Kelly Paduano is a future-focused leader who implements best practices for the benefit of students and families at Timber Creek High. She is compassionate, demonstrating and emphasizing to her teachers and staff that every child matters.
Recently, she led teachers to increase students’ math proficiency by 51% and boosted the successful completion of accelerated courses to 76% - the highest in Timber Creek history. And last year, Paduano and her team increased the graduation rate from 90.3% to 99%.
Before arriving at Timber Creek High, Paduano worked with Union Park Middle teachers and students as the assistant principal to increase the school grade from a “C” to a “B” in 2010 and 2011.
Paduano’s accolades include the
2020-21 Florida Music Educators Association Administrator of the Year Award;
2016-17 Florida Association of Student Councils Principal of the Year Award; and
2013-14 Orange County Association of School Administrators Principal of the Year Award.
Paul Browning
Corner Lake Middle
Eric Unger
McCoy Elementary
Fredrick Brooks
Orange Center Elementary
Joe Pons
Positive Pathways Transition Center
Robert Strenth
Prairie Lake Elementary
Kathleen Phillips
Sand Lake Elementary
David Webster Gardiner
School Choice
Kelly Paduano
Timber Creek High
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CONGRATULATIONS
Support Person of the Year
Finalists
Amy Ziev ESE Supplemental Services
Facilitating communication between Deaf and hearing individuals has been Amy Ziev’s passion for more than 32 years. In her role as Educational Sign Language Interpreter Coordinator, Ziev connects staff with resources, skill development opportunities and mentorship so they can best support student success. She began working with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing people at the age of 18 and has dedicated her career to improving communication for DHH individuals. Ziev, whose role ranges from helping students in classes to interpreting at meetings, believes communication is the foundation for connecting people. As a founding member of the National Association of Interpreters in Education (NAIE), she also supports other interpreters’ growth. Her flexibility, patience and compassion has played a crucial part in her effectiveness.
Susan Scheuer Freedom High
With almost 20 years of service to ESE students, Susan Scheuer goes beyond the classroom to ensure student success. She spends many hours off campus with students in the Community Based Vocational Education program, which prepares students with hands-on workforce skills. Moving between the bakery and floral department, Scheuer helps students develop knowledge that will help them find work after graduation. Seeing students become independent and advocate for themselves is her daily inspiration. A welcoming face at Freedom High, “Coach Sue” has also served as the Special Olympics coach for more than 15 years. She implemented the Unified Sports program at Freedom High, which brings athletes with and without intellectual disabilities together to train, play and compete. In 2019, Freedom High was recognized as a Unified Champion School with National Banner status, the only OCPS school in the district to achieve this recognition.
CONGRATULATIONS
Jenny Morgan Sally Ride Elementary
For the past four years, Jenny Morgan has served as Parent Engagement Liaison at Sally Ride Elementary, engaging with students, staff and parents to support school involvement. As one of the first school contacts for families and community members, her natural knack for compassion allows Morgan to ensure everyone feels welcome, encouraged and heard. She firmly believes “it takes a village,” and embraces her role within the village. Morgan continuously fosters partnerships in the community and makes families aware of programs and resources available to them. “Blessings in a Backpack’’ is one of many programs that Morgan has brought to the school. The program provides nutritious and healthy snack packs to students throughout the week at school and to take home. Morgan strives daily to ensure she supports student success academically, emotionally and physically with open communication and strong relationships.
Corinne Soares Timber Springs Middle
Leaving the corporate world behind for the past six years, Corinne Soares has been able to apply her creative talents beyond a desk. From creating a “learnscape” to painting murals around campus, her genuine care is felt by students and staff. In her role as school secretary at Timber Springs Middle, Soares enjoys being able to step outside her role and has completed substitute teacher training, so she can cover a class if needed. This is the third time she has been named Support Person of the Year at Timber Springs Middle, and colleagues say she is a “gifted multi-tasker” and “strong contributor” toward the school culture. Soares has taken on numerous initiatives, and has been an integral part of boosting both the beauty and morale on campus, leading the Green School initiative, maintaining a school food pantry and facilitating teacher and staff celebrations.
Alex Rodriguez Vista Pointe Elementary
Alex Rodriguez has worked to build relationships with Spanish-speaking students at Vista Pointe Elementary since the school opened two years ago. After growing up with Spanish-speaking parents, Rodriguez is able to quickly perceive when someone needs translation assistance, and he jumps in to help. In his role as a bilingual paraprofessional, Rodriguez works with first- through fourthgrade students on foundational reading skills to ensure they are on grade level. He finds the students’ dedication and hard work both inspiring and rewarding. Rodriguez performs many roles around campus, including leading the News Crew, overseeing bus dismissal and assisting in the cafeteria. Colleagues admire his ability to manage his many duties all while maintaining a positive attitude and calm demeanor. Outside of work, he is also a student in the Pathways to Teaching program at Rollins College, a partnership with OCPS. The program has opened the door for him to earn his Bachelor of Arts in elementary education, so he can become a certified teacher.
Support Person of the Year Honorees
Jorge Quinonez Acceleration East
Wendy Warren Acceleration West
Tammy Tucker Aloma Elementary
Charles McCoy Alternative Education
Marisol Acevedo Andover Elementary
Wilfedo Torres Apopka Elementary
Lynda Touchton Apopka High
Marah L. Aviles Apopka Memorial Middle
Gwendolyn Newman Arbor Ridge K-8
Robert Showalter Audubon Park School
Edna I. Toledo-Canino Avalon Elementary
Fabiana Diaz Avalon Middle
Alba Mercado de Franco Azalea Park Elementary
Darreyl Williams Baldwin Park Elementary
Claudia March Bay Lake Elementary
Juliana Sena Bay Meadows Elementary
Ruby Robinson Blankner School
Amanda Sprague Bonneville Elementary
Paula Stelmashenko Boone High
Doreen Gossai Bridgewater Middle
Vilma Anci Brookshire Elementary
Yolanda Herrera Camelot Elementary
Anita Pugh Carver Middle
Tamara Priebe Castle Creek Elementary
Keri Bachman Castleview Elementary
Aisha Barber Catalina Elementary
Debra Chaudhry Chain of Lakes Middle
Joshua Arroyo Cheney Elementary
Norma Cortes Chickasaw Elementary
Aolani Allen Citrus Elementary
Claudia Wieselberg Clay Springs Elementary
Nakeisha Covington College Park Middle
Liza Pineiro Colonial High
Katherine Olivera Colonial 9th Grade Center
Karin MacLellan Columbia Elementary
Christopher Moynihan Communications Division
Susan Curtis Conway Elementary
Djuana Riley Conway Middle
Tyler Kalarchian Corner Lake Middle
Michael Bridges Custodial Services
Evangelina Hendy Cypress Creek High
Waleska Colón Pérez Cypress Springs Elementary
Hunter Loud Deerwood Elementary
Patricia Minor Dillard Street Elementary
Madeline King Discovery Middle
Ricardo Martinez Lopez Dommerich Elementary
Clyde Ellington Dover Shores Elementary
Diana Grillasca Dr. Phillips Elementary
Lindsey Okes Dr. Phillips High
Betsy Hughes Dream Lake Elementary
Kristin Keller Eagle Creek Elementary
Theresa Howard Eagle’s Nest Elementary
Luis Payne-Rios East Area Learning Community
Tiffany Santiago East Lake Elementary
Nestor Espina Reinoza East River High
Janice Flowers Eccleston Elementary
Tamara Miller Edgewater High
Zaritza Gotay Ortiz Endeavor Elementary
Leticia Amador Engelwood Elementary
Judith Torres Negron ESE Policy & Procedures
Amy Ziev ESE Supplemental Services
Candace Harris ESE Transition
Suzette Robinson ESTEEM Academy
Marie Guillaume Evans High
Adrian Buie Forsyth Woods Elementary
Patricia Savage Frangus Elementary
Susan Scheuer Freedom High
Cesar Cuevas Freedom Middle
Cheryl Perez Glenridge Middle
Justin Johnson Gotha Middle
Tammy Meeks Hamlin Elementary
Raquel Dawsey Hamlin Middle
Sonia Buonpane Hiawassee Elementary
Xiomara Del Hoyo Hidden Oaks Elementary
Sarah Pace Hillcrest Elementary
Jesus Paz Horizon High
Joanne Lenkel Horizon West Middle
Robin Finnegan Hospital Homebound
Wanda Mitchell Howard Middle
Gregory Ferrell Human Resources
Consuelo Rojas Hungerford Elementary
Gloria Castano Hunter’s Creek Elementary
Nailyan Rivea-Sanchez Hunter’s Creek Middle
Mery Mallqui Independence Elementary
Marilyn Erb ITS Customer Care
David Vasquez ITS Infrastructure
Denise Hardwick-Irvin Ivey Lane Elementary
Amanda Alba John Young Elementary
Anita Emilien Jones High
Camila Gamio Gonzalez Keene’s Crossing Elementary
Stephanie Cox Kelly Park School (K-8)
Amelia Harris Killarney Elementary
Mariano Mergarejo Lake Buena Vista High
Queen McCoy Lake Como School
Cassandra Anderson Lake Gem Elementary
Jennifer Ipina Lake George Elementary
Luis Quinones Lake Nona High
Anne Baez Lake Nona Middle
Andrew Xavier Lake Sybelia Elementary
Rubier Cantillo Borgos Lake Weston Elementary
Beth Hartman Lake Whitney Elementary
John Moore Lakemont Elementary
Zaira Rivera Lakeview Middle
LeeAnn Stoppenbach Lakeville Elementary
Silvia Gonzalez Lancaster Elementary
Elba Acabeo-Ruiz Laureate Park Elementary
Jamie Martinez Lawton Chiles Elementary
Steve Bigenho Legacy Middle
Carmen Perez Liberty Middle
Iris Marquez Quintana Little River Elementary
Stephanie Pierce Lockhart Elementary
Ollie Brown Lockhart Middle
Ray Vanterpool Grounds & Pest Control
Bernardo Santiago Albino Innovation Middle
Laura Welch Lake Silver Elementary
Pierre Ormeus Lovell Elementary
Support Person of the Year Honorees
Regina Harris Magnolia School
Susan Seay Maitland Middle
Julissa Hernández Maxey Elementary
Elizabeth Hunt McCoy Elementary
Rohanie Persad Meadow Woods Elementary
Christine McGivney Meadow Woods Middle
Cynthia Thomas Meadowbrook Middle
Tiffanie Allen Memorial Middle
Nekethia Ricks MetroWest Elementary
Jeanette Colon Sanchez Millennia Elementary
Alisa Webb Millennia Gardens Elementary
Jerel Ross Mollie Ray Elementary
Giovanna Bravo Moss Park Elementary
Marcelo Rivera Northeast Area Maintenance
Gail Holfelder NorthLake Park Community School
Sonia McLaughlin Northwest Area Maintenance
Angela Gibson Oak Hill Elementary
Clara Molina Oak Ridge High
Nijolu Clavier Oakshire Elementary
Christine Chambers-Wallace Ocoee Elementary
Austin Huett Ocoee High
Lena Rigdon Ocoee Middle
Paulo Da Silva OCPS Academic Center for Excellence
Liseth Santos Odyssey Middle
Suzanne Sleeter Olympia High
Terry Williams Orange Center Elementary
Janira Diaz Orange County Virtual School
Cynthia Kennedy OTC - Avalon Campus
James Cohen OTC - East Campus
Phyllis Simmons OTC - Main Campus
Yessica Romero Lemus OTC - South Campus
Jessica Briones OTC - West Campus
Aiesha Jones Orlando Gifted Academy
Andres Robles Orlo Vista Elementary
JannLea Daubert Palm Lake Elementary
Julie Vo Palmetto Elementary
Stephanie Xenias Panther Lake Elementary
Genesis Flores Quiles Pershing School
Magalie Mompoint Phillis Wheatley Elementary
Patrice Haynes Piedmont Lakes Middle
Gladys Gochenour Pinar Elementary
Cassandra Henderson Pine Hills Elementary
Marsha Long Pineloch Elementary
Angela Daley Pinewood Elementary
Melody Davis Positive Pathways Transition Center
Petagay McKnight-Sinclair Prairie Lake Elementary
Marion Cotto Princeton Elementary
Sara Paul Ridgewood Park Elementary
Jeanie Lawrence Riverdale Elementary
Alethea Waite Riverside Elementary
Alex Grovo Roberto Clemente Middle
Davindra Das Robinswood Middle
Florina Mitchell Rock Lake Elementary
Evelyn Johnson Rock Springs Elementary
Joanne Denis Rolling Hills Elementary
Alayah Farley Rosemont Elementary
Miriam Fuentes Sadler Elementary
Jenny Morgan Sally Ride Elementary
Amira Kasseba Sand Lake Elementary
Garyion Jackson Shenandoah Elementary
Martha Rodriguez Shingle Creek Elementary
Tamara Clark Silver Pines Academy
Naderge St. Fleur South Creek Middle
Dorie Cohn Southwest Middle
Yolimar Ayala Southwood Elementary
Carolyn Reddicks Spring Lake Elementary
Claudia Oro Stone Lakes Elementary
Pamela Webb Stonewyck Elementary
Cooper Csillan Summerlake Elementary
Gloria Garcia Sun Blaze Elementary
Laura Saldarriaga SunRidge Elementary
Nancy Falconnier SunRidge Middle
Elbanet Iglesias Flores Sunrise Elementary
Robin Houser-Curry Sunset Park Elementary
Sandra Jaimes Alvarez Sunshine Elementary
Deborah Santana Castro Tangelo Park Elementary
Hallie Flynn Thornebrooke Elementary
Juliana Santamaria Lujan Three Points Elementary
Samuel Nieves Santiago Tildenville Elementary
Lori Robertson Timber Creek High
Dalisa Oulouali Timber Lakes Elementary
Corinne Soares Timber Springs Middle
Samira Flagg Union Park Elementary
Nadine Welsh Union Park Middle
Jorge Madrigal University High
Jeanette Olivencia Ventura Elementary
Janet Salcedo Village Park Elementary
Clenille Medeiros Vista Lakes Elementary
Alex Rodriguez Vista Pointe Elementary
Aixa Ayala Walker Middle
Sherly Sosa Washington Shores Elementary
Armor Evans Washington Shores Primary Learning Center
Sonia Deida Water Spring Elementary
Kimberly Fromentin Water Spring Middle
Melissa Ashman Waterbridge Elementary
Anita Wells Waterford Elementary
Marisa Harrington Wedgefield School
Tami Merriam Wekiva High
Esenidia Rosalba Peña West Creek Elementary
Joanetta Waters West Oaks Elementary
Mirna Sagarese West Orange High
Jose Ramos Galarza Westbrooke Elementary
Marta Argento Westpointe Elementary
Dayanara Cruz Diaz Westridge Middle
Sandra Martinez Wetherbee Elementary
Carmen Rivera Whispering Oak Elementary
Shirley Scott Windermere Elementary
Katherine Condron Windermere High
Ricky Gunness Windy Ridge K-8
Esther Leyva Winegard Elementary
Christine Cedeno Winter Park High
Georgina Fottler Winter Park 9th Grade Center
Sherri Evans Wolf Lake Elementary
Lindsey Hamrick Wolf Lake Middle
Madelin Rodriguez Berrios Wyndham Lakes Elementary
Ineavelle Colon Zellwood Elementary
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CONGRATULATIONS
Teacher of the Year
Finalists
Jessica Sarduy Blankner School
As the teacher running the STEAM lab and Makerspace at Blankner School while also teaching fifth-grade math and science, Jessica Sarduy wears a lot of hats. She has been instrumental in Blankner’s transformation into an Innovation School with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) since 2018. During the pandemic, that focus continued when she ensured students had materials to do at-home projects like creating Florida native gardens. Last year, she secured grants so Blankner students could do projects about the Everglades, resulting in a Gold-level Everglades Champion School recognition. Sarduy, who spoke Basque before learning English, makes sure her lessons are accessible to English-language learners, students with disabilities and gifted learners alike.
Joy Cahow Endeavor Elementary
Since she was a child, Joy Cahow has known she wanted to teach. She was the first in her family to go to college, and she now inspires her own students to do the same. Even during the pandemic, she brought students who were one to two years below grade level up to proficiency in a single year. A leader among her peers, Cahow also has been a supervising teacher to five interns, and has used it as a model of instruction, conflict resolution and relationship building. She is also known for sponsoring a co-curricular group called Positiviti for third- through fifth-graders. Through team-building exercises and a focus on kindness, her program created a major improvement in school culture. She later expanded the program to second graders by sponsoring a group called the Kindness Series.
CONGRATULATIONS
Kerry Hastings
Media Specialist Kerry Hastings has created a culture of reading at Tangelo Park Elementary. Her library is an inspirational, welcoming space. She brings in every class weekly to read together, conduct projects and pick out books. She started a school-wide reading incentive program, hosts parent/child literacy activities at monthly Family Nights, leads a popular weekly Book Club and sponsors the school Battle of the Books program. Her influence also stretches beyond the media center walls. She supports the fourth-grade writing program, works with a student group during the school’s daily extra hour of intensive reading, mentors other teachers and assists with school technology. Her passion and the relationships she nurtures have led to student excitement around reading and learning.
Francisco Cardoza
When Village Park Elementary opened in 2021, Francisco Cardoza jumped right in. In his classroom, students are welcomed with a handshake and a high-five. He infuses motivational chants and songs into his daily instruction and is known for radical classroom transformations, such as turning his room into a NASCAR race track while teaching force and motion. He started the school’s National Elementary Honor Society chapter and Safety Patrol, leads a house, helps run the school’s Amazing Shake initiative – which teaches professional skills to students – and regularly tutors and mentors students. At Village Park Elementary, a majority of the students speak Spanish. As a native Spanish-speaker and former English-language learner, Cardoza offers the same encouragement and high expectations that his own teachers had for him.
Melissa Williams
The children with the most behavioral needs, the unmotivated students and the struggling ones inspire Melissa Williams. At Washington Shores Elementary, she is known for building relationships with some of the most challenging students, even those not in her grade level. Students are sent to her classroom when they need a change of environment, and she works to help them improve their ability to express their needs and respond appropriately. Williams has helped lead her school’s efforts to address students’ post-pandemic social and emotional needs and get children to read in a classroom setting. She models classroom management for other teachers and regularly seeks feedback so she can do even better. Williams has seen her efforts pay off in academic performance, as well as in students’ engagement in school.
Tangelo Park Elementary Village Park Elementary Washington Shores ElementaryTeacher of the Year Honorees
Deanna Naffziger Acceleration East
Given Pineda Acceleration West
Crystal Clark Aloma Elementary
Tawanda Barrington Alternative Education
Lisa Dunn Andover Elementary
Victoria Ahmetaj Apopka Elementary
Sandra Shafer Apopka High
Sasha Wallace Apopka Memorial Middle
Karla Vinson Arbor Ridge K-8
Nancy Demopoulos-Robert Audubon Park School
Shanda Clarke Avalon Elementary
Andrew Macri Avalon Middle
Jillian Costallos Azalea Park Elementary
Natalie McNamara Baldwin Park Elementary
Samantha Luke Bay Lake Elementary
Margaret Buckley Bay Meadows Elementary
Jessica Sarduy Blankner School
Shirica Gulledge Bonneville Elementary
Kelly Mahler Boone High
DiAnna Neilson Bridgewater Middle
Dianne Goodman Brookshire Elementary
Madison Schafer Camelot Elementary
Ronald Bell Carver Middle
Kelly Tyre Castle Creek Elementary
Laura Keshishian Castleview Elementary
Monisha Adrien Catalina Elementary
Lori Shirer-Orduna Chain of Lakes Middle
Kate Brietz Cheney Elementary
Danielle Paz Chickasaw Elementary
Daniel St. Onge Citrus Elementary
Erika Richardson Clay Springs Elementary
Michael Piazza College Park Middle
Jana Adams Colonial High
Danielle Marshall Colonial 9th Grade Center
Arlene Rosa Columbia Elementary
Natalie Nickson Conway Elementary
Angela Burns Conway Middle
Roderick Young Corner Lake Middle
Regan Stapleton Cypress Creek High
Ana Bondi Cypress Springs Elementary
Jennifer Laudano Deerwood Elementary
Andrea Austing Dillard Street Elementary
John Walsh Discovery Middle
Jessica Fratrik Dommerich Elementary
Paolo Pinto Dover Shores Elementary
Camilla Finn Dr. Phillips Elementary
Nicole Nasrallah Dr. Phillips High
Jessica Estes Dream Lake Elementary
Molly Lamar Eagle Creek Elementary
Tiffani Charlton Eagle’s Nest Elementary
Isabel Rivera East Lake Elementary
Marbella Hornik East River High
Briana Jones Eccleston Elementary
Jessica Richardson Edgewater High
Joy Cahow Endeavor Elementary
Aislinn Van Buren Candelario Engelwood Elementary
Joycette Kane ESE Supplemental Services
Monica DiBiase ESE Transition
Tashana Siller ESTEEM Academy
Claribel Rodriguez Evans High
Brenda Gerken Forsyth Woods Elementary
Edwin Berrios Frangus Elementary
Katie Angel Freedom High
Jennifer DeLong Freedom Middle
Christi Hodges Glenridge Middle
Rebecca Brown Gotha Middle
Jordan Bellamy Hamlin Elementary
Mary Ballerino Hamlin Middle
Latricia Wright Hiawassee Elementary
Melissa Silva Hidden Oaks Elementary
Gazamen Brown Hillcrest Elementary
Sherrie Siers Horizon High
Valerie Parrish Horizon West Middle
Laurie Chmielewski Hospital Homebound
John Gates Howard Middle
Kadria Brown Hungerford Elementary
Carol Grodzienski Hunter’s Creek Elementary
Shannon Rokaw Hunter’s Creek Middle
Alexis Martinez Independence Elementary
Stephanie Finnigan Innovation Middle
Leann Winsley Ivey Lane Elementary
Toni Kops Bourekas John Young Elementary
Diana Escandon Moreno Jones High
Isabel Cavaliere Enriquez Keene’s Crossing Elementary
Jennifer Earnest Kelly Park School (K-8)
Linda Lear Killarney Elementary
Keyana Terry Lake Buena Vista High
Keli Gagne Lake Como School
Sandra Ashley Lake Gem Elementary
Michael Holmes Lake George Elementary
William Dennis Rach Lake Nona High
Karen Espino Lake Nona Middle
Lindsey Yeaman Lake Silver Elementary
Danielle Hall Lake Sybelia Elementary
Karla Hammond Lake Weston Elementary
Patricia Sullivan Lake Whitney Elementary
Tracey Romao Lakemont Elementary
Michele Sharrieff Lakeview Middle
Barbara Jacovino Lakeville Elementary
Lizette Donovan Lancaster Elementary
Melissa McCaleb Laureate Park Elementary
Dennis Flores Lawton Chiles Elementary
Michael Boo Legacy Middle
Alicia Reise O’Harrow Liberty Middle
Katie Tighe Little River Elementary
Kayla King Lockhart Elementary
Stephanie Kasper Lockhart Middle
Jennifer Rojas Lovell Elementary
Arleene Garcia Magnolia School
Cynthia Johnson Maitland Middle
Nivia Foster Maxey Elementary
Phelecya Jordan McCoy Elementary
Lena Solano Meadow Woods Elementary
Agatha Galan Meadow Woods Middle
Ronalda Nelson Meadowbrook Middle
Michelle Jones Memorial Middle
Teacher of the Year Honorees
Nancy Sell MetroWest Elementary
Kandace Lewis Millennia Elementary
Dawn Chehab Millennia Gardens Elementary
LaQuanda Fedrick Mollie Ray Elementary
Meghan Whiting Moss Park Elementary
Dagmar Kilp NorthLake Park Community School
Roshan Mohamed Oak Hill Elementary
Vanessa Colon Oak Ridge High
Zuleika Torres Oakshire Elementary
Kimberly Baer Ocoee Elementary
Katherine Rascoe Ocoee High
Dylan Chase Ocoee Middle
Tafadzwa Vingwe OCPS Academic Center for Excellence
Clarence Williams Odyssey Middle
Ashley Phillips Olympia High
Jermaine Lamar Orange Center Elementary
Manal Sohel Orange County Virtual School
Gerardo Casas OTC - Avalon Campus
Rosalind Shell OTC - East Campus
Nelson Pinder OTC - Main Campus
Felix Perez Cortes OTC - South Campus
Robert Harman OTC - West Campus
Alexander Carr Orlando Gifted Academy
Irish Angelica Burrage Orlo Vista Elementary
Rosanne Monroe Palm Lake Elementary
Katie Schwartz Panther Lake Elementary
Maria Ayala Padilla Pershing School
Jamaal West Phillis Wheatley Elementary
Nilsa Santos Rivera Piedmont Lakes Middle
Lynn LaBoone Pinar Elementary
Chiquita Parks-Stewart Pine Hills Elementary
Lisa Guardascione-Wolf Pineloch Elementary
Wanda Green McPherson Pinewood Elementary
Ashley Forystek Positive Pathways Transition Center
Erean Bishara Prairie Lake Elementary
Catherine Mohr Princeton Elementary
Sabrina Sharpe Riverside Elementary
Shondra Wilkerson Roberto Clemente Middle
Nevet Young Robinswood Middle
Shamica Chambers Rock Lake Elementary
Cynthia Nadolny Rock Springs Elementary
Christina Farris Rolling Hills Elementary
Derwyn Bernard Rosemont Elementary
Jeannette Diaz Sadler Elementary
Lusmasnue Alceuis Sally Ride Elementary
Angelo-Michael Maramara Sand Lake Elementary
Robin Simpson Shenandoah Elementary
Erin Smith Palmetto Elementary
Taidesha Shoots Ridgewood Park Elementary
Molly Osgood Riverdale Elementary
Benjo St. Fleur Shingle Creek Elementary
Nicole Horton-Harris Silver Pines Academy
Martha Frazier South Creek Middle
Rene Guity Southwest Middle
Jason Dottavio Southwood Elementary
Joseph Farrand Spring Lake Elementary
Christy Dorman Stone Lakes Elementary
Brenda Maneri Stonewyck Elementary
Heather Berg Summerlake Elementary
Nora Marrero Sun Blaze Elementary
Samantha Bagley SunRidge Elementary
Erin Crosby SunRidge Middle
Norman Mason Sunrise Elementary
Kathleen Ruff Sunset Park Elementary
Ynia Negron Torres Sunshine Elementary
Jennifer Giufre Thornebrooke Elementary
David Maldonado Marrero Three Points Elementary
Anaiz Rosario Tildenville Elementary
Ana Weiser Timber Creek High
Karin Hammond Timber Lakes Elementary
Lismaris Cornier Rosario Timber Springs Middle
Omar McKnight Union Park Elementary
Angelique Avelino Union Park Middle
Sandra Smiley University High
Lisa Morrison Ventura Elementary
Francisco Cardoza Village Park Elementary
Angela Morales Vista Lakes Elementary
Grace M. Garcia Sanchez Vista Pointe Elementary
Kerry Hastings Tangelo Park Elementary
Marta Fernandez Walker Middle
Melissa Williams Washington Shores Elementary
LaTonya Harden Washington Shores Primary Learning Center
Lyannis Nieves Water Spring Elementary
Kassidy Garcia Water Spring Middle
Lyndsey Albertson Waterbridge Elementary
John Guignet Waterford Elementary
Sara Conti Wedgefield School
Tami Martin Wekiva High
Stephanie Honzik West Creek Elementary
T’Oni Richardson West Oaks Elementary
Jerome Naso West Orange High
Sarita L. Johnson Westbrooke Elementary
Shayla King Westpointe Elementary
Lymarie Felix Wetherbee Elementary
Lydia Harry-Williams Whispering Oak Elementary
Beth Stamm Windermere Elementary
Eileen Hannigan Windermere High
Juvidalex Vélez Soto Windy Ridge K-8
Besilda Atienza Winegard Elementary
Bonnie Kurz Winter Park High
Paulette Goenaga Winter Park 9th Grade Center
Mary Block Wolf Lake Elementary
Luther Washington Wolf Lake Middle
Blanca Hincapie Wyndham Lakes Elementary
Michelle Johnson Zellwood Elementary
Whitney Lamb Westridge Middle
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OCPS EEO Non-Discrimination Statement
The School Board of Orange County, Florida, does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by law. The following individuals at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, 445 West Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, attend to compliance matters: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer & Title IX Coordinator: Keshara Cowans; ADA Coordinator: Jay Cardinali; Section 504 Coordinator: Tajuana Lee-Wenze. (407.317.3200).
