February 2, 2024 Rosen Shingle Creek
Dear Stellar Award honorees and guests: Welcome to the 2024 Stellar Awards! I am thrilled to celebrate alongside you as we recognize more than 500 stellar members of our Orange County Public Schools family this evening. The OCPS Stellar Awards honors outstanding educators and district and school support personnel who exemplify the standards we strive for in supporting all our students. Your unwavering support of our schoolchildren and belief in public education is why we are able to change lives and lead our students to success. As a school district, we provide our nearly 208,000 students with the tools they need to walk across the stage to receive their diploma and continue their education after they graduate from high school. Please use this recognition as a springboard to expand on your ideas to lead and mentor others at OCPS. Congratulations again to our 2024 Stellar Awards honorees, finalists and soon to-be-named winners. We cannot succeed without your hard work and dedication to OCPS and our students. Tonight is your night to shine! Sincerely,
Maria F. Vazquez, Ed.D. Superintendent Orange County Public Schools
School Board of Orange County
Teresa Jacobs Chair
Angie Gallo Vice Chair | District 1
Maria Salamanca District 2
Alicia Farrant District 3
Pam Gould District 4
Vicki-Elaine Felder District 5
Karen Castor Dentel District 6
Melissa Byrd District 7
Orange County Public Schools Cabinet Michael Armbruster Deputy Superintendent, Division of Learning Bridget Williams Deputy Superintendent, Executive Services Robert Bixler Chief of Staff Rory Salimbene Chief Facilities Officer
Scott Howat Chief Communications Officer
Tashanda Brown-Cannon Chief Academic Officer
Doreen Concolino Chief Financial Officer
Harold Border Division of Strategy
Roberto Pacheco Chief Operations Officer
Amy Envall General Counsel
Maurice Draggon Chief Information Officer
John Palmerini Deputy General Counsel
Kathryn Shuler Chief Schools Officer
Ceremony Program PROCESSION OF STELLAR AWARD HONOREES Led by Windermere High School Winter Guard
WELCOME REMARKS Nancy Alvarez, WESH 2 News anchor and co-host of Mondays with Maria
DINNER SERVICE Music performance by the Dr. Phillips High Jazz Quartet
HONOREE AND FINALIST RECOGNITIONS AND WINNER ANNOUNCEMENTS Remarks by Chair Teresa Jacobs and Superintendent Maria Vazquez Spoken-word performance by Cypress Creek High School Theatre Program 2023-2024 Principal of the Year 2023-2024 Assistant Principal of the Year 2023-2024 Support Person of the Year 2023-2024 Teacher of the Year
A Special Thank You MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES NANCY ALVAREZ We are honored and grateful to once again have Nancy Alvarez as a part of the Stellar Awards! This year marks her sixth consecutive year of serving as the Stellar Awards’ mistress of ceremonies. Nancy and her husband Chris are Orlando residents and proud OCPS parents with a daughter at Hillcrest Elementary and son at Howard Middle. Nancy has always gone the extra mile to support OCPS by serving as PTA President at Hillcrest Elementary from 2020 to 2023, supporting the Foundation for Orange County Public Schools, hosting the annual OCPS Super Scholars event, and co-hosting Mondays with Maria, Superintendent Maria Vazquez’s weekly YouTube program. Nancy is a news anchor with Central Florida’s NBC affiliate WESH Channel 2. She was previously 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. Thank you, Nancy, for all you do to support Orange County Public Schools!
We would like to thank our Host Sponsor, Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando, and the following individuals who have contributed to tonight’s event: Kris Kahn Cypress Creek High Robert Strenth 2022-2023 Principal of the Year
Matthew Malhiot Dr. Phillips High
John Miller 2022-2023 Assistant Principal of the Year
Marc Kolodinsky Windermere High
Alex Rodriguez 2022-2023 Support Person of the Year
Francisco Cardoza 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year
P R I N C I PA L O Becky Watson East River High
OCPS alumna Becky Watson’s educational path shaped her life and career. “I did everything the hard way as a student. Neither one of my parents graduated from high school so it was really important to me to break that cycle,” said the East River High principal. “I had a teacher in high school who was incredibly supportive. Every time I tried to give up, every time I tried to do things that would keep me from finishing high school, she refused.” That educator inspired her to become a teacher. Becky leads by example, from doing pushups in the Red Zone on Friday nights to playing UNO with students at lunch. She makes employees and students feel loved and supported by attending many events, even out of town. Becky’s schools show vast reductions in staff turnover and have a positive climate.
Melanie Simmons Rock Lake Elementary
Melanie Simmons is known for helping struggling schools achieve their potential. Most recently, she helped move Rock Lake Elementary from a D to a B and an unofficial A in 20222023 by removing student barriers and building staff capacity. “I believe that it is my role to ensure that each teacher is treated as the person that they came in to be, to pull from them all of the greatness that lies within them, even if they don’t see that greatness,” she said. She is inspired when she sees her teachers grow in their teaching skills and when she sees children grow in self-confidence. A major focus of her work has been building school culture and empowering teachers. She has also added fine arts and science to Rock Lake, resulting in better engagement and student performance.
OF THE YEAR Lyle Heinz
Apopka High
William Tovine BETA
Alyson Muse
Castle Creek Elementary
Jackie Ramsey Dr. Phillips High
Becky Watson East River High
Monica Emery Gotha Middle
Lindsey Smestad Sadler Elementary
Lindsey Smestad is a passionate principal who has made Sadler Elementary a place of joy for students and teachers. Sadler is the district elementary school with the highest percentage of English Language Learners, who hail from 20 countries and speak eight different languages. “Embracing the different cultures and the uniqueness that everyone brings, I think that helps build a community, which then lends itself to collaboration,” she said. Lindsey has created a safe and inclusive learning environment for students and a supportive, collaborative workplace for teachers and staff. “Our staff goes above and beyond all of the time, and it’s all for our students,” she said. She has led Sadler Elementary to its highest school grade since the Florida Standards Assessment began in 2015. Her staff is united behind her in their goal of creating lifelong learners.
Elizabeth Theis
Hospital Homebound
Mark Wieckowski Killarney Elementary
Nathan Hay
Lake Silver Elementary
Meigan Rivera
Lake Weston Elementary
Pamela Crabb
Lake Whitney Elementary
Karl Fox
Lakemont Elementary
Fredrick Brooks
Orange Center Elementary
Faythia Brown-Carpenter Palmetto Elementary
Melanie Simmons
Rock Lake Elementary
Lindsey Smestad Sadler Elementary
Delaine Bender
Summerlake Elementary
Amy McHale
SunRidge Middle
Isolda Antonio Fisher Union Park Middle
Danielle Arbelaez-Willis Waterford Elementary
Matthew Pritts
Wedgefield School
Thank You to our sponsors GALAXY SPONSOR
AURORA SPONSOR
COMET SPONSOR
METEOR SPONSORS
HOST SPONSOR
PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR
GALAXY SPONSOR
We salute and celebrate all the 2024 OCPS Stellar Addition Award Honorees.
Financial Full Page Ad
Federally Insured by NCUA
AdditionFi.com
ASSISTANT PRINC Adriene Anderson Pineloch Elementary
Since starting out as a substitute teacher 20 years ago, Adriene Anderson has been drawn to leading and encouraging students. This past year, she was part of a team at Pineloch Elementary that helped ensure fifth graders all had outfits for their class dance. She described seeing one student all dressed up: “Looking in the mirror, looking at himself, realizing that I am someone and someone believes in me…it made a difference. And I was just excited to be a part of that difference-making in his life.” Adriene focuses on making effective academic improvements, especially in the areas of math and science. At Ivey Lane Elementary, she helped launch the Mini Black Nurses Program, the first of its kind in the district. One of Adriene’s strengths has been in engaging families and community partners to supercharge learning.
Charisse Hurdle
Rolling Hills Elementary
While at both Rolling Hills Elementary and in her previous role as assistant principal at Riverside Elementary, Charisse Hurdle has focused on improving teaching. A former juvenile probation officer, Charisse said she noticed “a troubling correlation between a lack of education and young children’s involvement in the juvenile justice system. I knew that in order to break that cycle, I would need to provide a safe space for students to learn, build relationships with adults, and feel like their unique skills and abilities are accepted.” She has demonstrated leadership skills and an ability to help transform low-performing, fragile schools. At Riverside, she had a key role in the school’s increase from a low D to a high C. She also volunteers her time developing future leaders in an after-school mentoring program for her school’s fifth-grade girls.
CIPAL OF THE YEAR Kanishia West Apopka High
Danielle Brancato
Baldwin Park Elementary
Ashley Glover
Citrus Elementary
Eboni Montenegro
Dover Shores Elementary
Chastity Pelham Jones High
Ima McCray
Juvenile Detention Center
Bridget Bresk Windermere High
In nearly 20 years as an administrator, Bridget Bresk has been guided by the philosophy that every student is valued. When she helped open Lake Buena Vista High as assistant principal, she conducted home visits to welcome students. “We entered with this idea that there’s a place for you here,” she said. When the school opened, she brought counselors out to find students who weren’t seeking help. With an intense focus on helping individual students by partnering with families and counselors, she helped the school achieve a 93% graduation rate. “When you see your kids out there afterwards, and you hear what they’re doing, it just makes it that much more amazing that you knew you were a part of it. You push them to where they need to be.”
Alisa Hambrick
Lake Como School
Carmen Dottavio
Lake George Elementary
Cristina Mrozek
Lakeville Elementary
Wendy Lee
Magnolia School
Vaughnsha Thompson Maitland Middle
LaQuanda Fedrick
Mollie Ray Elementary
Adriene Anderson Pineloch Elementary
Autherene Leighvard Pinewood Elementary
Charisse Hurdle
Rolling Hills Elementary
Rebecca Young
Rosemont Elementary
Holly Watts
Sally Ride Elementary
Faye Roman
Stonewyck Elementary
Kimberly Allen Jackson Walker Middle
Emilio Vitulli
Westridge Middle
Bridget Bresk
Windermere High
B:8.25"
AURORA SPONSOR T:8"
T:8"
Together, we are stronger. Healthier futures start with strong leaders. Cigna HealthcareSM is proud to support the Orange County Public Schools and we congratulate the nominees and winners of this year’s Stellar Awards. Together, we can work to build a healthier community, body and mind.
All Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group. The Cigna name, logo, and other Cigna marks are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. 960227 a 12/23 © 2023 Cigna Healthcare. Some content provided under license.
COMET SPONSOR
PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR Excellent Customer Service
Our company knows the importance of doing what is right and what is best for the families we serve. Your parents will be taken care of with our customer first approach to service.
We are proud to have served Orange County Public Schools for more than 15 years and look forward to our continued partnership for years to come!
Spring
Fall
Cigna Full Page Ad
Seniors
Congratulations Congratulations to all the to all the honorees!
Cap & Gown
Class Group
honorees!
www.erniemorris.com | 800-457-2745 Proud Sponsor of the Stellar Awards salesteam@erniemorris.com Proud Sponsor of the Stellar Awards
For almost 100 years, Strawbridge Studios has provided pictures and yearbooks to schools throughout the country. ~Honest value never fails. -J.E. Strawbridge~
www.strawbridge.net
FL17810
Providing furniture solutions for allfurniture environments Providing solutions www.erniemorris.com | 800-457-2745 for all environments salesteam@erniemorris.com
SUPPORT PERS Andrea Teixeira da Silveira Endeavor Elementary
Proficient in Portuguese and English, Andrea Teixeira da Silveira is a bridge narrowing the language barrier between English Language Learners and their teachers at Endeavor Elementary. “I work with students who don’t speak English so my biggest reward is to be able to see these students participate for the first time inside the classroom and to be able to witness how much confidence they gain.” She was inspired to become a paraprofessional after seeing her daughter’s experiences as an English Language Learner in school. An acknowledged leader at school, Andrea helps plan multicultural events and assists in the cafeteria as well as with arrival and dismissal. She also works to increase both parental involvement and support for English Language Learners. “I care about public education because public education is the foundation of a fair and equitable society,” she said.
Rina Santiago Evans High
Besides managing finances as the external bookkeeper at Evans High, Rina Santiago is a compassionate advocate for students. She encourages youth overcoming personal obstacles to succeed academically. She has become indispensable, consulting daily with multiple colleagues to see how she can best assist. Rina also goes the extra mile to reduce truancy by conducting weekly home visits and calling parents. Last year, Rina and fellow staff members visited more than 1,500 families and made 1,000 phone calls. “We go knocking on their doors and we tell the parents how grateful we are that their kid is at our school,” she said. “Parents even say, ‘Oh my God, you took the time to come here and tell us that.’ And we leave with their parents being so excited.” As a result, Evans High saw an 87% improvement in attendance and/or grades among struggling students.
ON O F TH E YEAR Tatiana Cozzo
Tara Quintal
Bonnie Kelly
Hunter’s Creek Middle
ITS Southeast Region
Union Park Elementary
Tatiana Cozzo’s heart belongs to the students of Hunter’s Creek Middle. She started out as a Portuguese-speaking bilingual paraprofessional helping students acquire English language skills about 2 ½ years ago and even as she has transitioned to her current role as the school’s secretary, she has continued to provide emotional support and serve as a “safe adult” for students. “Hunter’s Creek has this culture that the student comes first, always,” she said. “So we are all there for the students – from the custodians to the secretary to the front office.” Described as the foundation of the school, Tatiana is now studying to become a school counselor. She helps parents, particularly those in the Brazilian community, learn how to volunteer and navigate OCPS. “People struggle a lot when they come here to understand the school system,” Tatiana said. “So I love being the connection between the parents of the school.”
Senior Technology Support Representative Tara Quintal takes pride in ensuring our school district’s IT systems work properly. “There are so many different roles here. That’s what gets me excited about going to work - going to see what they’re doing and making sure that they can do what they need to do,” she said. “When people are frustrated with their technology, I love being the person who can walk in and make it better for them.” In addition to schools and departments, she supports the Assistive Technology team. She helps students learn as independently as possible, such as a blind student who uses software to compose music and another who attends classes through the use of a robotic device. Highly effective and empathetic, Tara is frequently requested by schools and work sites. She is a leader among her peers.
For more than nine years, Bonnie Kelly has ensured the well-being of Union Park Elementary students as program assistant in the health clinic. “If you have a student that needs something – let’s say their lips are chapped or they’re hungry – it’s hard for them to sit in a classroom and focus,” she said. “So if I can take care of that and send them back to the classroom ready to learn, that’s what makes me happy.” But her impact extends far beyond student health. Bonnie is the glue that holds the school together. Recognizing that students’ basic needs must be met for them to succeed in the classroom, she reached out to Operation Warm, which provided every student with brand-new winter coats and shoes. She also organizes food donations, plans staff morale events and works to strengthen relationships with committed Union Park Elementary community partners.
SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR HONOREES Gloria Corredor Acceleration East
Cynthia Perez Blankner School
Heidi Santiago Perez Colonial High
Joanna Rafiq Dr. Phillips Elementary
Leah Fambrough Acceleration West
Lynaida Berrios Capo Bonneville Elementary
Patricia Gonzalez Colonial 9th Grade Center
Debbie Hobbs Dr. Phillips High
Sarah Giesler Aloma Elementary
Jamie Longmire Boone High
Mary Ann Mann Columbia Elementary
Shelia Colon Cancela Dream Lake Elementary
Ladaisha Dawkins Alternative Education
Jaime Villanueva Bridgewater Middle
Grisellys Lopez Aponte Conway Elementary
Beatrice Villanueva Eagle Creek Elementary
Michelle Gonzalez Andover Elementary
Gabriella Suarez Brookshire Elementary
Nelida Colina Conway Middle
Andrea Miranda Eagle’s Nest Elementary
Marilyn Sims Apopka Elementary
Exor F. Torres Camelot Elementary
Erica Reese Corner Lake Middle
Charles Thew II East Lake Elementary
Milagros Cevallos Apopka High
Jennifier Collier Carver Middle
Kacie Hough East River High
Evangelina Gardon Apopka Memorial Middle
Wanda Orellano Castle Creek Elementary
Yanisi Franco Curriculum and Digital Learning
Linda Kuhl Arbor Ridge K-8
Ivan Gaines Castleview Elementary
Lydia Hobbs Audubon Park School
Rita Young Catalina Elementary
Ivonne Olmeda Avalon Elementary
Eileen Strickland Chain of Lakes Middle
Carolina Lopez Avalon Middle
Joshua Arroyo Cheney Elementary
Haydenisse “Heidy” Heredia Azalea Park Elementary
Johana Carrillo Oriquin Chickasaw Elementary
Angela Gallego Baldwin Park Elementary
Alyce Young Citrus Elementary
Suzanne Fagan Bay Lake Elementary
Christine Muchow Clay Springs Elementary
Douglas Highfield Bay Meadows Elementary
Claudia Taylor College Park Middle
Jesus Marrero Cypress Creek High Tammie Hall Cypress Springs Elementary Dawn Azzarito Deerwood Elementary Chris McGee, Jr. Dillard Street Elementary Schenika Cooke Discovery Middle Demond Murphy District Police Kimberly Musante Dommerich Elementary Jessica Nunez Dover Shores Elementary
Julius Miles Eccleston Elementary William Stratton Edgewater High Andrea Teixeira da Silveira Endeavor Elementary Sheynid Rojas Engelwood Elementary Dorshea Redhead ESE Policy & Procedures Jill Woodham ESE Special Programs Melanie Thorner ESE Supplemental Services Dalondis Braunskill ESE Transition Karla Buckles ESTEEM Academy
SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR HONOREES Rina Santiago Evans High
Johnny Lai Horizon High
Tara Quintal ITS Southeast Region
Antoinette Dolvin Lake Weston Elementary
Jon Belanger Facilities Service Maintenance
Danielle Gutierrez Horizon West Middle
Angelo Levrano ITS Southwest Region
Sahra Musa Lake Whitney Elementary
Rhonda Judd Hospital Homebound
Shaqunna Morris Ivey Lane Elementary
Alex Cruz Colon Lakemont Elementary
Denise Sevigny Howard Middle
Gisela Soto John Young Elementary
Maria D. Santiago Lakeview Middle
Abraham Dossiere Human Resources
Latrina Wilcox-Hill Jones High
Shannese Anderson Lakeville Elementary
Alicia Haynes Hungerford Elementary
Maridith D’Amico Keene’s Crossing Elementary
Wisguy Joseph Lancaster Elementary
Lianna Robles Hunter’s Creek Elementary
Stephane Paul Kelly Park School
Gladys Fitzherbert Laureate Park Elementary
Tatiana Cozzo Hunter’s Creek Middle
Rosanna Rocha Killarney Elementary
Sabrina De Jesus Lawton Chiles Elementary
Marien Ortega Independence Elementary
Jacinda Rodriguez Lake Buena Vista High
Diego Gonzalez Escobar Legacy Middle
Michelle Pacheco Innovation Middle
Kayla Vazquez Lake Como School
Mariluz Richiez Liberty Middle
Ivette Rivera Ferrufino ITS Business Office
Yolanda Martinez Lake Gem Elementary
Jacqueline Arnaiz Little River Elementary
Jessica Ledesma Mestre ITS Customer Care
Elizabeth Tamayo Lake George Elementary
Branden Montalvo Lockhart Elementary
Vincent Boothe ITS East Region
Lisa Wilcox Lake Nona High
Keliah Peterson Lockhart Middle
Michael Claud ITS Infrastructure
Virginia Weil Lake Nona Middle
Alicia Mellano Lovell Elementary
Efrain Vazquez ITS Network
Jolene West Lake Silver Elementary
Charles Benedetti Magnolia School
Robert Harvey ITS North Region
Ligia Martinez Lake Sybelia Elementary
Chester Wharton Maintenance Logistics
Keila Garcia Food and Nutrition Services Leiam Diaz Forsyth Woods Elementary Abbycee Williams Frangus Elementary Robert Caraballo Freedom High Estevan Torres Freedom Middle Dorothy Rowden Glenridge Middle Cindy Jones Gotha Middle Loan Ngo Grounds, Landscaping & Pest Control Roxana Ramirez Hamlin Elementary James Rodriguez Hamlin Middle Jose Cruz Hiawassee Elementary Nicole Kyhos Hidden Oaks Elementary Nayira Ortega Hillcrest Elementary
SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR HONOREES Paul Merizalde Chavez Maitland Middle
Judith Hamilton Oak Ridge High
Sanopeia Stevenson-Smith Maxey Elementary
Keysha Sepulveda Rodriguez Oakshire Elementary
Laurimar Hernandez McCoy Elementary Mayra De Jesus Meadow Woods Elementary Nelson Maldonado Meadow Woods Middle Sara Johnson Meadowbrook Middle Marie A. Brown Memorial Middle Taz Zamjahn MetroWest Elementary Ciara Collado Millennia Elementary Rubin Fairo Millennia Gardens Elementary Netisha Thornelant Mollie Ray Elementary Elena Barahona Moss Park Elementary Serena Virzi NorthLake Park Community School Ingried Carattini Northwest Area Maintenance Cora Curry Oak Hill Elementary
Racha Bawab Orange Technical College West Campus
Brittney Oliver Princeton Elementary
Laura Hirata Orlando Gifted Academy
Gledys Galban-Carrion Professional Learning Department
Ruby Ingram Ocoee Elementary
Martha Cross-Alta Orlo Vista Elementary
Tralaynia Gibbs Ridgewood Park Elementary
Kimberly Tersegno Ocoee High
Maria Laura De Mello Kotscho Palm Lake Elementary
Tammy Elliott Risk Management
Annette Ruth Ocoee Middle
Ivonne Le Hardy Palmetto Elementary
Marisol Velasquez Rodriguez Riverdale Elementary
Ed Love Panther Lake Elementary
Tiffany Theophile Riverside Elementary
Robert Robinson Odyssey Middle
Victoria Kline Pershing School
Anacelia Andrews Roberto Clemente Middle
Jai Baijnauth Olympia High
Virgil Reddick III Phillis Wheatley Elementary
Thomas Lugo Robinswood Middle
Kiyada Moton Orange Center Elementary
Julie McNair Piedmont Lakes Middle
Errol A. Austin, Jr. Rock Lake Elementary
Ana Lugo Orange County Virtual
Florence Balarinho Pinar Elementary
Denise Hoffstead Rock Springs Elementary
Milagros Dominquez Orange Technical College Avalon Campus
LaToya Beauford Pine Hills Elementary
Fanta Smith Rolling Hills Elementary
Karla Rentas Diaz Pineloch Elementary
Paul James Rosemont Elementary
Lucila Rosado Pinewood Elementary
Maria Flores Sadler Elementary
Nataly Gallego Orange Technical College Main Campus
Yolanda Irizarry Positive Pathways Transition Center
Yahaira McCullough Sally Ride Elementary
Magaly Rivera Orange Technical College South Campus
Melissa Chinelly Prairie Lake Elementary
Mervyn Samuels OCPS Academic Center for Excellence
Margarita Carrion Hernandez Orange Technical College East Campus
Nicole Escobar Ortiz Sand Lake Elementary
SUPPORT PERSON OF THE YEAR HONOREES Megan Lovett Shenandoah Elementary
Ana Miranda Camacho Sunshine Elementary
Jean Bellamour Shingle Creek Elementary
Elizabeth Lockey Tangelo Park Elementary
Jaquan Williams Silver Pines Academy
Kiara Lee Thornebrooke Elementary
Yvonne Rosado South Area Maintenance
Odalys Gomez Three Points Elementary
Zenaida Arguelles South Creek Middle
Frank Bresk Tildenville Elementary
Fabiola Turriago Southwest Middle
Janette Martinez Timber Creek High
Margarita Rodriguez Southwood Elementary
Geralynn Esposito Timber Lakes Elementary
Maria Guillen Spring Lake Elementary
Janira Arroyo Timber Springs Middle
Robin Sarber Stone Lakes Elementary
Bonnie Kelly Union Park Elementary
Jennifer Walker Stonewyck Elementary
Carrie Walker Union Park Middle
Janet White Summerlake Elementary
Christina Larsen University High
Karen Czarniecki Sun Blaze Elementary
Cindy Arias Ventura Elementary
Elizabeth Arendt SunRidge Elementary
Jose Huertas Village Park Elementary
Emily Hart SunRidge Middle
Magaly Escobar Vista Lakes Elementary
Jair Garces Sunrise Elementary
Rebeca Escalona Vista Pointe Elementary
Asmaa Elhadad Sunset Park Elementary
Luz Ramos Walker Middle
Buffy Harp-Poole Washington Shores Elementary LaShameka Jones Washington Shores Primary Learning Center Beth Ruby Water Spring Elementary Alicia Nellans Water Spring Middle Robecca Brooks Waterbridge Elementary Evelyn Rodriguez Waterford Elementary Laura Pacheco Lopez Wedgefield School Jessica Lefkowitz Wekiva High Noemi Nieves West Creek Elementary Donna Quintana West Oaks Elementary Rajh Brijbasu West Orange High Dee Rochon Westbrooke Elementary Taz Zamjahn Westpointe Elementary Cathy Hewes Westridge Middle Maria Cuevas Wetherbee Elementary
Connsuela Feeney Whispering Oak Elementary Lisa Coultoff Windermere Elementary Karen Ramirez Toro Windermere High Priscila De Freitas Windy Ridge K-8 Yodiliz Zavala Morales Winegard Elementary Lula Cannon Winter Park High Angela Barton Winter Park 9th Grade Center Gene Nobles Wolf Lake Elementary Daniela Viridiana Villeda Camacho Wolf Lake Middle Stephanie Melendez Mendez Wyndham Lakes Elementary Angela Smith Zellwood Elementary
TEACHER O Deborah Parsons
Kathryn Gunter
Deborah Parsons has created a loving and accepting environment in her K-5 music classroom. “One of my core beliefs as a music educator is that music is for everybody,” she said. For three years, she has put together an ESE Inclusion concert, with support roles played by Lake Silver Elementary gifted students and those in her before- and afterschool music enrichment group. “It was lovely to see those kids get to be on stage in the spotlight, and everybody else got to cheer for them,” she added. She works with the middle- and high-school music teachers in the school’s feeder pattern to connect through music and build each other’s programs. Deborah is involved in organizing seasonal celebrations, cultural performances and a collaborative mural. She is also chair of the committee that runs the Elementary All-County Honors Concert, one of OCPS’ largest AllCounty events.
Media Specialist Kathryn Gunter has made the Media Center the heart of Lovell Elementary by creating a vibrant and evolving library program. Under her management, book circulation has increased, and the library has grown into a place for research, academic centers, Makerspace, STEM and more. She aims to help younger students learn through play. Her older students learn through projects based on topics such as national parks. “It’s all about, for me, those moments where I know kids have learned something new and they’re excited about it. You see the passion in their eyes and they want to come to school because of that,” she said. She leads student groups, including Safety Patrol, National Elementary Honor Society, student council and book, journalism and STEM clubs. She also runs an academic-tutoring program that supports at-risk students.
Lake Silver Elementary
Lovell Elementary
F THE YEAR Jacqueline Russell
Sara Hudson
Vanessa McMillion
Meadowbrook Middle
Prairie Lake Elementary
Washington Shores Elementary
A teacher leader with 15 years of experience, Jacqueline Russell’s innovative teaching methods and her stimulating and inclusive sixthgrade math-classroom environment light a fire in the souls of many Meadowbrook Middle students. “Math became something that I really wanted to teach these students because I struggled with it. So I want to give it to them in a way that they wouldn’t struggle, that they wouldn’t be stressed about it,” she said. That includes using rap music to help students learn the steps to problems. Beyond the classroom, she initiated the “Young Girls on the Move” mentoring program and supports colleagues in delivering quality math instruction. “We protect students, we support them. We encourage them, we inspire them. We build character. We love them. We nurse them. We do so much for our students because we love what we do. I love what I do.”
Sara Hudson creates a welcoming environment in and beyond her fifth-grade English Language Arts classroom at Prairie Lake Elementary. In her 11 years as a teacher, she has developed deep relationships with students and families that last. “In my classroom, I say I don’t just enroll a student, I enroll their entire family,” she said. “We hung out on Wednesdays and went to the park and did relay races. I got a chance to get to know the parents and the families and the kids. And they get to see that I’m a person as well.” She creates a culture of high expectations and expects students to set goals. She also transforms her room into student-inspired locations such as the jungle and an operating room. “When you put the energy, and you put the time into it, it can truly change the trajectory of a child’s life. And you won’t even know.”
For 28 years, Dean of Discipline and Science Coach Vanessa McMillion has felt joy from seeing a concept click with a child. She said it takes support to succeed. “I’ve had some great administrators, great leaders, people who have helped to hone my own skills and challenge me to grow at OCPS,” she said. “I think you want to be where you’re not just having an impact but where they have an impact on you as well.” She advocates for student needs outside her Washington Shores Elementary classroom and connects her teaching to future-focused technology, such as robotics. As the teacher leader in science, she blends mentoring, innovation, collaboration and advocacy. And she said she is still learning. “Every year, teaching is new. You’re never bored. You never get the same kids so you always have to try to innovate to meet their needs.”
TEACHER OF THE YEAR HONOREES Amanda Dean Acceleration East
Bryan Burckle Bay Lake Elementary
Denae Colwell Chickasaw Elementary
Nery Sanchez Discovery Middle
Doug Katutis Acceleration West
Jessie Fiffick Bay Meadows Elementary
Ilda Spurgeon Citrus Elementary
Ashley Robbins Dommerich Elementary
Alexandra Clarke Aloma Elementary
Lisa Nieves Blankner School
Brandy Winterrowd Clay Springs Elementary
Kathryn Milton Dover Shores Elementary
Chris Kunze Alternative Education
Brandon Norman Bonneville Elementary
Kristy Hurst College Park Middle
Christian Hepler Dr. Phillips Elementary
Jacqueline Rivera Andover Elementary
Jennifer Hilley Boone High
Christina Torres Colonial High
Afiya Smith Dr. Phillips High
Jessica St. Gelais Apopka Elementary
Caroline Wong Bridgewater Middle
Aimee Havrilesko Colonial 9th Grade Center
Mary Beeman-Griffith Dream Lake Elementary
Lara Brennan Apopka High
Kristin Cooper Otto Brookshire Elementary
Gary Edwards Columbia Elementary
Jean Heredia Eagle Creek Elementary
Laura Donlon Apopka Memorial Middle
Nicole Shaw Camelot Elementary
Taina Y. Ortiz Rodriguez Conway Elementary
Erica Lawrence Eagle’s Nest Elementary
Sean Nagy Arbor Ridge K-8
Tammie Jordan Carver Middle
Shannon Santiago Conway Middle
Becky Thomas East Lake Elementary
Elizabeth Register Audubon Park School
Julie Aguiriano Castle Creek Elementary
Michelle de Sousa Corner Lake Middle
Jamie Judson Smith East River High
Joseph Brown Avalon Elementary
Nicole Freeman Castleview Elementary
Rebecca Valente Cypress Creek High
Victoria McFarley Eccleston Elementary
Jessica Lucas Avalon Middle
Kay-Andrew Gayle Catalina Elementary
Lisa Almonte Cypress Springs Elementary
Alexa Corbo Edgewater High
Amber Pressly Azalea Park Elementary
Daniel Davis, Jr. Chain of Lakes Middle
Almary Benitez Deerwood Elementary
Parvin Giraldo Endeavor Elementary
Jennifer Sullivan Baldwin Park Elementary
Audrey Wallace Cheney Elementary
Alexandria Hempstead Dillard Street Elementary
Xiomara Perez Engelwood Elementary
TEACHER OF THE YEAR HONOREES Heather Whalen ESE Policy & Procedures
Reginald King Hidden Oaks Elementary
Roberto Mendez Keene’s Crossing Elementary
Gail Chambers Lakeview Middle
Nell Akoon ESE Supplemental Services
Kathleen Palasz Hillcrest Elementary
Chareika Parrish Kelly Park School
Carla Maxwell Lakeville Elementary
Daniel Robinson ESE Transition
Darlene Brown Horizon High
Nikki Middleton Killarney Elementary
Rina Carey Lancaster Elementary
Michelle Crawford ESTEEM Academy
Brad Boland Horizon West Middle
Dariana Hidalgo Lake Buena Vista High
Tiffany Ong Laureate Park Elementary
Melshaun Randolph Evans High
Rachel Maloney Hospital Homebound
Jennifer Zwolinski Lake Como School
Marjorie Jones Lawton Chiles Elementary
Nelmari Fehl Forsyth Woods Elementary
Latisha Lee Howard Middle
Deborah Stancil Lake Gem Elementary
Franchesca Yearby Legacy Middle
Micah Sarita Frangus Elementary
Kristal DeClou Hungerford Elementary
Melissa Montijo-Rosado Lake George Elementary
Natalie Gonzalez-Vazquez Liberty Middle
Michael Hellmund Freedom High
Julie DuBois Hunter’s Creek Elementary
Alexander Botchen Lake Nona High
Erin Moore Little River Elementary
Kassandra Cruz Freedom Middle
Angela DeLuca Limose Hunter’s Creek Middle
Katherine Bayona Lake Nona Middle
Adrianne Nelson Lockhart Elementary
Mariela Rojas Glenridge Middle
Mallory Benedict Independence Elementary
Deborah Parsons Lake Silver Elementary
Larissa Smith Lockhart Middle
Joshua Arunakul Gotha Middle
Matthew Fox Innovation Middle
Rachael Hodges Lake Sybelia Elementary
Kathryn Gunter Lovell Elementary
Charlene Xu Hamlin Elementary
Karina Burgos Ivey Lane Elementary
Carmen Espinoza Lake Weston Elementary
Amber Conti Magnolia School
Amy Wacksman Hamlin Middle
Narmy Rodriguez John Young Elementary
Eileen Warder Lake Whitney Elementary
Angel FitzPatrick Maitland Middle
Ashlee Woods Hiawassee Elementary
Nicole Blackmon Jones High
Noel Volence Lakemont Elementary
Sinya Wilson Maxey Elementary
TEACHER OF THE YEAR HONOREES Chentella Graham McCoy Elementary
Ashley Dillon-Verneau Ocoee Elementary
Jordan Potrzeba Meadow Woods Elementary
Amy Anderson Ocoee High
Mabeliz Rivera Meadow Woods Middle
Arin Crowell Ocoee Middle
Jacqueline Russell Meadowbrook Middle
JaMia Weaver OCPS Academic Center for Excellence
John Buckley Palm Lake Elementary
Madalen Abuaram Odyssey Middle
Jesse Hariton Palmetto Elementary
John Puchein Olympia High
Christie Jewell Panther Lake Elementary
Sharon Bullard Orange Center Elementary
Toni Vincent Pershing School
Stephanie Bivins McCormick Orange County Virtual
Janice Redding Phillis Wheatley Elementary
Tiphonie Reid Memorial Middle Cris Collazo MetroWest Elementary Megan Toledo Millennia Elementary Krystle Loftin Millennia Gardens Elementary Debra Nobles Mollie Ray Elementary Amy Beaudet Moss Park Elementary Amanda Francis NorthLake Park Community School Roslyn Coddette Rogers Oak Hill Elementary Danny Young Oak Ridge High Alina Prisacariu Oakshire Elementary
Yolanda Duarte Orange Technical College Avalon Campus Michael “Andy” Weeks Orange Technical College East Campus
Ellen Logue Orange Technical College West Campus Zhen Cybulski Orlando Gifted Academy MegAnn Lego Orlo Vista Elementary
Shanavia Swasey Piedmont Lakes Middle Monica Perry Pinar Elementary Naomi Chapman Pine Hills Elementary
Geisa Dennis Orange Technical College Main Campus
Sophia Rodriguez-Phillips Pineloch Elementary
Zulma Cintron Alamo Orange Technical College South Campus
LaNell Tate Pinewood Elementary Ana-Alicia Myers Positive Pathways Transition Center
Sara Hudson Prairie Lake Elementary Debra Brown Princeton Elementary Keneisha Monroe Ridgewood Park Elementary Naomi Montilla Riverdale Elementary Tricia Boutwell Riverside Elementary Jennifer Longbrake Roberto Clemente Middle Sadinaz Madar-St.Clair Robinswood Middle Latequa Strachan Rock Lake Elementary Brittany Child Rock Springs Elementary Rachel Flash Rolling Hills Elementary Rodney Wallace Rosemont Elementary Stephanie Hernandez Sadler Elementary Sulmari Torres Sally Ride Elementary Jeri Conner Sand Lake Elementary Natalie Showalter Shenandoah Elementary
TEACHER OF THE YEAR HONOREES Sean Salazar Shingle Creek Elementary
Tameshia Brown-Griffin Tangelo Park Elementary
Matthew Owens Silver Pines Academy
Alison Long Thornebrooke Elementary
Erin Kessler South Creek Middle
Brittany Anderson Three Points Elementary
John Jacobs Southwest Middle
Esther Londoño-Scott Tildenville Elementary
Coral Torres Southwood Elementary
Michelle Ann Moran Timber Creek High
Lauren George Spring Lake Elementary
Kelly Tourné Timber Lakes Elementary
Amy Guenthner Stone Lakes Elementary
Stacie Albee Timber Springs Middle
Darlene Grande Stonewyck Elementary
Constance Malanga Union Park Elementary
Maria Notrem Summerlake Elementary
Angela Yowler Union Park Middle
Travis Alvarez Sun Blaze Elementary
Alex Mendez University High
Roseann Ndisi SunRidge Elementary
Maria Burgos Ventura Elementary
Melissa Breaud SunRidge Middle
Ricardo Aviles Village Park Elementary
Bradley Waltz Sunrise Elementary
Steffanie Yopp Vista Lakes Elementary
Jacqueline Hool Sunset Park Elementary
Nayda Nieves Vista Pointe Elementary
Charlene Barbieri Sunshine Elementary
Theresa Fernandez Walker Middle
Vanessa McMillion Washington Shores Elementary Wilchris Ortiz Guerra Washington Shores Primary Learning Center Michelle Reeves Water Spring Elementary Angela Meechin Water Spring Middle Sabrina Lopez Rodriguez Waterbridge Elementary Jeannette Soto Rosario Waterford Elementary Kristin Johnson Wedgefield School Michael McKee Wekiva High Emma Harmon West Creek Elementary Deborah Wegener West Oaks Elementary Priscilla Long West Orange High Sonia Haynes Westbrooke Elementary Olga Maria Marrero Westpointe Elementary Craig Bonawandt Westridge Middle
Vanessa Rivera Wetherbee Elementary Clara Rivera Whispering Oak Elementary Ninabeth Frank Windermere Elementary Brittany Brockmeier Windermere High Robbi Lucas Windy Ridge K-8 Lissette Piedra Winegard Elementary Whitney Norton Winter Park High Danielle Exposito Winter Park 9th Grade Center Beverly Torrance Wolf Lake Elementary Kelly Green Wolf Lake Middle Lillian Rivera Wyndham Lakes Elementary Deanna Lucas Zellwood Elementary
METEOR SPONSORS Your OCPS Award Winning Newsletter Provider
INNOVATOR. SUSTAINABILITY LEADER. PARTNER OF CHOICE.
LightbulbPR
2 0 2 3
F L
O R I
D A’ S
T O TA
O
ER
G
Y
A
N
A T
T H
L U
T I O N S
P R O V I D
E R
We look forward to sharing this special evening with you and celebrating all you do to make our schools stellar.
SO
To learn more, visit OUC.com.
info@lightbulbpr.com
R
As we look ahead to a cleaner, greener future, OUC is investing today for tomorrow – by demonstrating a clear, continuous commitment to solar energy, electrification, energy efficiency and affordability, and sustainability. At the same time, we’re leveraging new technologies and diversifying our portfolio with renewable energy to meet our goal of net-zero carbon emissions – positioning OUC for success as the partner of choice on the road to a better community and a better world.
INCREASED ENGAGEMENT
E
’S
E N
AT
L
W
U
C
L
D
Lightbulb Congratulations PR STELLAR AWARD 1/2 Page WINNERS Ad
–
C
E
N
A TR
METEOR SPONSORS A Proud Supporter of OCPS for 33 Years.
Design. Culture. Values.
Thank You for joining us
#OCPSStellar 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).