2023 Stellar Awards Program

Feb. 10, 2023 Rosen Shingle Creek

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

Maria F. Vazquez Superintendent

Orange County Public Schools Cabinet Michael Armbruster Deputy Superintendent

Bridget Williams Chief of Staff

Mark Shanoff

Interim Chief Information Officer

Kathryn Shuler

Rory Salimbene

Chief Academic Officer

Scott Howat

Chief Strategy Officer

Acting Chief Facilities Officer Chief Communications Officer

Doreen Concolino

Harold Border

Jennifer Bellinger

Minority Achievement Officer

Jose Martinez

Interim Chief Financial Officer

Chief of High Schools

Roberto Pacheco

Patricia LaPace

Chief Operations Officer

Area Superintendent East Learning Community

Meredith Leftakis

Area Superintendent North Learning Community

Rolando Bailey

Area Superintendent Southeast Learning Community

Tashanda BrownCannon

Robert Bixler

Associate Superintendent Curriculum and Digital Learning

Wendy Ivory

Associate Superintendent School Choice Services

John Wright

Associate Superintendent School Transformation Office

Leigh Ann Bradshaw

Senior Executive Director Human Resources

Associate Superintendent Innovation Office

Rahim Jones

Associate Superintendent Professional Learning Department

Melanie Stefanowicz

Associate Superintendent Career and Technical Education

Greg Moody

Associate Superintendent Exceptional Student Education

Area Superintendent Southwest Learning Community Area Superintendent West Learning Community

Jennifer Sasser

Associate Superintendent Research, Accountability and Grants

William Bohn

James Preusser

Program 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

Jamie Holmes

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.

Jamie Holmes, co-host of The Slice: News from OCPS, enjoys sharing school district stories with co-host and friend Nancy Alvarez.

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.

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.

Assistant

CONGRATULA

Principal of the Year

Finalists

John Miller

Marion Campbell

Meadowbrook Middle

Ridgewood Park Elementary

John Miller, assistant principal for instruction at Meadowbrook Middle, is a forward-thinking educator committed to student success.

For more than 25 years, Marion Campbell, assistant principal at Ridgewood Park elementary, has been a positive force helping drive OCPS 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.

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.

ATIONS 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.”

Assistant Principal of the Year Honorees 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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Principal

CONGRATULA

of the Year Finalists Karen Furno Avalon Middle

Robert Strenth

Prairie Lake Elementary

Karen Furno is a strong instructional leader who is committed to excellence and supporting her faculty and staff at Avalon Middle.

Robert Strenth is a servant leader who champions his staff and students at Prairie Lake Elementary.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ATIONS

Principal of the Year Honorees Karen Furno

Avalon Middle

Samuel Danner

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.

Carver Middle

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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Support

CONGRATU

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.

TULATIONS 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

Claudia March

Bay Lake Elementary

Juliana Sena

Acceleration West

Bay Meadows Elementary

Tammy Tucker

Ruby Robinson

Aloma Elementary

Charles McCoy

Amanda Sprague

Nakeisha Covington

Ricardo Martinez Lopez

Paula Stelmashenko

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

Madeline King

Discovery Middle

Marisol Acevedo Wilfedo Torres

Claudia Wieselberg

Patricia Minor

Dillard Street Elementary

Clay Springs Elementary

Bonneville Elementary

Apopka Elementary

Aolani Allen

Citrus Elementary

Hunter Loud

Deerwood Elementary

Blankner School

Alternative Education

Andover Elementary

Norma Cortes

Chickasaw Elementary

Boone High

Doreen Gossai

Bridgewater Middle

Vilma Anci

College Park Middle

Liza Pineiro

Colonial High

Katherine Olivera

Colonial 9th Grade Center

Karin MacLellan

Brookshire Elementary

Columbia Elementary

Yolanda Herrera

Christopher Moynihan

Camelot Elementary

Anita Pugh

Carver Middle

Tamara Priebe

Castle Creek Elementary

Keri Bachman

Communications Division

Susan Curtis

Conway Elementary

Djuana Riley

Conway Middle

Tyler Kalarchian

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

Castleview Elementary

Corner Lake Middle

Aisha Barber

Michael Bridges Custodial Services

East Lake Elementary

Debra Chaudhry

Evangelina Hendy

Nestor Espina Reinoza

Catalina Elementary

Chain of Lakes Middle

Joshua Arroyo

Cheney Elementary

Cypress Creek High

Waleska Colón Pérez

Cypress Springs Elementary

East Area Learning Community

Tiffany Santiago

East River High

Janice Flowers

Eccleston Elementary

Tamara Miller

Tammy Meeks

Marilyn Erb

Andrew Xavier

Edgewater High

Hamlin Elementary

ITS Customer Care

Lake Sybelia Elementary

Zaritza Gotay Ortiz

Raquel Dawsey

David Vasquez

Rubier Cantillo Borgos

Sonia Buonpane

Denise Hardwick-Irvin

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

Hamlin Middle

Hiawassee Elementary

Xiomara Del Hoyo

ITS Infrastructure

Ivey Lane Elementary

Amanda Alba

Hidden Oaks Elementary

John Young Elementary

Sarah Pace

Anita Emilien

Hillcrest Elementary

Jesus Paz

Horizon High

Joanne Lenkel

Horizon West Middle

Robin Finnegan

LeeAnn Stoppenbach

Stephanie Cox

Kelly Park School (K-8)

Amelia Harris

Adrian Buie

Wanda Mitchell

Mariano Mergarejo

Patricia Savage

Gregory Ferrell

Susan Scheuer Freedom High

Cesar Cuevas

Elba Acabeo-Ruiz

Laureate Park Elementary

Jamie Martinez

Human Resources

Lake Como School

Queen McCoy

Steve Bigenho

Consuelo Rojas

Cassandra Anderson

Carmen Perez

Jennifer Ipina

Iris Marquez Quintana

Hungerford Elementary

Gloria Castano

Lake Gem Elementary

Lake George Elementary

Cheryl Perez

Nailyan Rivea-Sanchez

Luis Quinones

Hunter’s Creek Middle

Mery Mallqui

Gotha Middle

Independence Elementary

Ray Vanterpool

Bernardo Santiago Albino

Grounds & Pest Control

Silvia Gonzalez

Lancaster Elementary

Lawton Chiles Elementary

Hunter’s Creek Elementary

Justin Johnson

Lakeville Elementary

Lake Buena Vista High

Freedom Middle

Glenridge Middle

Zaira Rivera

Camila Gamio Gonzalez

Keene’s Crossing Elementary

Killarney Elementary

Frangus Elementary

John Moore

Lakemont Elementary

Lakeview Middle

Hospital Homebound

Howard Middle

Beth Hartman

Lake Whitney Elementary

Jones High

Evans High

Forsyth Woods Elementary

Lake Weston Elementary

Innovation Middle

Lake Nona High

Anne Baez

Lake Nona Middle

Laura Welch

Lake Silver Elementary

Legacy Middle

Liberty Middle

Little River Elementary

Stephanie Pierce

Lockhart Elementary

Ollie Brown

Lockhart Middle

Pierre Ormeus

Lovell Elementary

Support Person of the Year Honorees Regina Harris

Magnolia School

Susan Seay

Maitland Middle

Julissa Hernández Maxey Elementary

Elizabeth Hunt

Gail Holfelder

NorthLake Park Community School

Sonia McLaughlin

James Cohen

OTC - East Campus

Phyllis Simmons

Northwest Area Maintenance

OTC - Main Campus

Angela Gibson

Yessica Romero Lemus

Oak Hill Elementary

Clara Molina

OTC - South Campus

Jessica Briones

McCoy Elementary

Oak Ridge High

OTC - West Campus

Rohanie Persad

Nijolu Clavier

Aiesha Jones

Meadow Woods Elementary

Oakshire Elementary

Christine McGivney

Christine Chambers-Wallace

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

Ocoee Elementary

Austin Huett Ocoee High

Lena Rigdon Ocoee Middle

Paulo Da Silva

OCPS Academic Center for Excellence

Liseth Santos

Odyssey Middle

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

Suzanne Sleeter

Phillis Wheatley Elementary

Terry Williams

Piedmont Lakes Middle

Olympia High

Orange Center Elementary

Janira Diaz

Orange County Virtual School

Cynthia Kennedy

OTC - Avalon Campus

Patrice Haynes

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

Nancy Falconnier

Jenny Morgan

Elbanet Iglesias Flores

Sadler Elementary

Sally Ride Elementary

Amira Kasseba

SunRidge Middle

Sunrise Elementary

Robin Houser-Curry

Sand Lake Elementary

Sunset Park Elementary

Garyion Jackson

Sandra Jaimes Alvarez

Martha Rodriguez

Deborah Santana Castro

Shenandoah Elementary

Shingle Creek Elementary

Tamara Clark

Sunshine Elementary

Tangelo Park Elementary

Hallie Flynn

Silver Pines Academy

Thornebrooke Elementary

Naderge St. Fleur

Juliana Santamaria Lujan

South Creek Middle

Dorie Cohn

Southwest Middle

Yolimar Ayala

Southwood Elementary

Carolyn Reddicks

Spring Lake Elementary

Claudia Oro

Three Points Elementary

Samuel Nieves Santiago Tildenville Elementary

Lori Robertson

Timber Creek High

Dalisa Oulouali

Timber Lakes Elementary

Corinne Soares

Stone Lakes Elementary

Timber Springs Middle

Pamela Webb

Samira Flagg

Stonewyck Elementary

Cooper Csillan

Union Park Elementary

Nadine Welsh

Summerlake Elementary

Union Park Middle

Gloria Garcia

Jorge Madrigal

Sun Blaze Elementary

Laura Saldarriaga

SunRidge Elementary

University High

Jeanette Olivencia Ventura Elementary

Janet Salcedo

Village Park Elementary

Clenille Medeiros

Jose Ramos Galarza

Westbrooke Elementary

Marta Argento

Vista Lakes Elementary

Westpointe Elementary

Alex Rodriguez

Dayanara Cruz Diaz

Vista Pointe Elementary

Aixa Ayala

Walker Middle

Sherly Sosa

Washington Shores Elementary

Armor Evans

Washington Shores Primary Learning Center

Sonia Deida

Water Spring Elementary

Westridge Middle

Sandra Martinez

Wetherbee Elementary

Carmen Rivera

Whispering Oak Elementary

Shirley Scott

Windermere Elementary

Katherine Condron Windermere High

Ricky Gunness

Kimberly Fromentin

Windy Ridge K-8

Melissa Ashman

Winegard Elementary

Water Spring Middle

Waterbridge Elementary

Anita Wells

Waterford Elementary

Esther Leyva

Christine Cedeno Winter Park High

Georgina Fottler

Marisa Harrington

Winter Park 9th Grade Center

Tami Merriam

Wolf Lake Elementary

Wedgefield School

Wekiva High

Esenidia Rosalba Peña West Creek Elementary

Joanetta Waters

West Oaks Elementary

Mirna Sagarese

West Orange High

Sherri Evans

Lindsey Hamrick Wolf Lake Middle

Madelin Rodriguez Berrios Wyndham Lakes Elementary

Ineavelle Colon

Zellwood Elementary

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Teacher

CONGRATU

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.

TULATIONS Kerry Hastings

Tangelo Park Elementary 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 Village Park Elementary

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

Washington Shores Elementary 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.

Teacher of the Year Honorees Deanna Naffziger Acceleration East

Given Pineda

Samantha Luke

Chickasaw Elementary

Margaret Buckley

Daniel St. Onge

Acceleration West

Bay Meadows Elementary

Crystal Clark

Jessica Sarduy

Aloma Elementary

Tawanda Barrington

Danielle Paz

Bay Lake Elementary

Blankner School

Shirica Gulledge

Citrus Elementary

Erika Richardson

Clay Springs Elementary

Michael Piazza

John Walsh

Discovery Middle

Jessica Fratrik

Dommerich Elementary

Paolo Pinto

Dover Shores Elementary

Camilla Finn

Alternative Education

Bonneville Elementary

College Park Middle

Dr. Phillips Elementary

Lisa Dunn

Kelly Mahler

Jana Adams

Nicole Nasrallah

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

Boone High

DiAnna Neilson

Bridgewater Middle

Dianne Goodman

Brookshire Elementary

Madison Schafer

Colonial High

Danielle Marshall

Colonial 9th Grade Center

Arlene Rosa

Columbia Elementary

Natalie Nickson

Camelot Elementary

Conway Elementary

Ronald Bell

Angela Burns

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

Dr. Phillips High

Jessica Estes

Dream Lake Elementary

Molly Lamar

Eagle Creek Elementary

Tiffani Charlton

Eagle’s Nest Elementary

Isabel Rivera

Conway Middle

East Lake Elementary

Roderick Young

Marbella Hornik

Corner Lake Middle

Regan Stapleton

East River High

Briana Jones

Cypress Creek High

Eccleston Elementary

Ana Bondi

Jessica Richardson

Cypress Springs Elementary

Jennifer Laudano

Edgewater High

Joy Cahow

Deerwood Elementary

Endeavor Elementary

Andrea Austing

Aislinn Van Buren Candelario

Dillard Street Elementary

Engelwood Elementary

Joycette Kane

ESE Supplemental Services

Monica DiBiase

Sherrie Siers Horizon High

Valerie Parrish

ESE Transition

Horizon West Middle

Tashana Siller

Laurie Chmielewski

ESTEEM Academy

Claribel Rodriguez Evans High

Brenda Gerken

Forsyth Woods Elementary

Edwin Berrios

Frangus Elementary

Katie Angel

Freedom High

Jennifer DeLong

Hospital Homebound

John Gates

Carol Grodzienski

Hunter’s Creek Elementary

Shannon Rokaw

Hunter’s Creek Middle

Alexis Martinez

Stephanie Finnigan

Jordan Bellamy

Alicia Reise O’Harrow

Michael Holmes

William Dennis Rach

Christi Hodges

Gotha Middle

Sandra Ashley

Lake Gem Elementary

Kadria Brown

Hungerford Elementary

Innovation Middle

Leann Winsley

Ivey Lane Elementary

Toni Kops Bourekas

Stephanie Kasper

Lindsey Yeaman Danielle Hall

Arleene Garcia

Karla Hammond

Cynthia Johnson

Lake Sybelia Elementary

Lake Weston Elementary

Patricia Sullivan

Gazamen Brown

Hillcrest Elementary

Linda Lear

Killarney Elementary

Nivia Foster

Tracey Romao

Phelecya Jordan

Isabel Cavaliere Enriquez Jennifer Earnest

Maitland Middle

Maxey Elementary

Latricia Wright

Kelly Park School (K-8)

Magnolia School

Lake Whitney Elementary

Michele Sharrieff

Melissa Silva

Jennifer Rojas

Lovell Elementary

Diana Escandon Moreno

Hidden Oaks Elementary

Lockhart Middle

Lake Silver Elementary

Mary Ballerino

Keene’s Crossing Elementary

Kayla King

Karen Espino

Lake Nona Middle

Lakemont Elementary

Hiawassee Elementary

Katie Tighe

Little River Elementary

Lockhart Elementary

John Young Elementary

Jones High

Liberty Middle

Lake Nona High

Hamlin Elementary

Hamlin Middle

Michael Boo

Legacy Middle

Lake George Elementary

Independence Elementary

Rebecca Brown

Keli Gagne

Dennis Flores

Lawton Chiles Elementary

Lake Como School

Howard Middle

Freedom Middle

Glenridge Middle

Keyana Terry

Lake Buena Vista High

Lakeview Middle

Barbara Jacovino

Lakeville Elementary

Lizette Donovan

McCoy Elementary

Lena Solano

Meadow Woods Elementary

Agatha Galan

Meadow Woods Middle

Ronalda Nelson

Lancaster Elementary

Meadowbrook Middle

Melissa McCaleb

Michelle Jones

Laureate Park Elementary

Memorial Middle

Teacher of the Year Honorees Nancy Sell

Clarence Williams Odyssey Middle

Panther Lake Elementary

Kandace Lewis

Ashley Phillips

Maria Ayala Padilla

MetroWest Elementary

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

Olympia High

Jermaine Lamar

Orange Center Elementary

Manal Sohel

Orange County Virtual School

Gerardo Casas

Kimberly Baer

Robert Harman

OTC - West Campus

Alexander Carr

Orlando Gifted Academy

Katherine Rascoe

Irish Angelica Burrage Orlo Vista Elementary

Dylan Chase Ocoee Middle

Tafadzwa Vingwe

OCPS Academic Center for Excellence

Lynn LaBoone

Lisa Guardascione-Wolf

Ocoee Elementary

Ocoee High

Shamica Chambers

Nelson Pinder

OTC - South Campus

Rosanne Monroe Palm Lake Elementary Erin Smith Palmetto Elementary

Nevet Young

Nilsa Santos Rivera

Piedmont Lakes Middle

Chiquita Parks-Stewart

Felix Perez Cortes

Shondra Wilkerson

Roberto Clemente Middle

Robinswood Middle

Rosalind Shell

OTC - East Campus

Vanessa Colon Zuleika Torres

Jamaal West

Sabrina Sharpe

Riverside Elementary

Phillis Wheatley Elementary

Pinar Elementary

OTC - Main Campus

Oakshire Elementary

Pershing School

OTC - Avalon Campus

Oak Hill Elementary

Oak Ridge High

Katie Schwartz

Pine Hills Elementary

Pineloch Elementary

Wanda Green McPherson

Rock Lake Elementary

Cynthia Nadolny

Rock Springs Elementary

Christina Farris

Rolling Hills Elementary

Derwyn Bernard

Rosemont Elementary

Jeannette Diaz

Pinewood Elementary

Sadler Elementary

Ashley Forystek

Lusmasnue Alceuis

Positive Pathways Transition Center

Erean Bishara

Prairie Lake Elementary

Sally Ride Elementary

Angelo-Michael Maramara Sand Lake Elementary

Robin Simpson

Catherine Mohr

Shenandoah Elementary

Taidesha Shoots

Shingle Creek Elementary

Princeton Elementary

Ridgewood Park Elementary

Molly Osgood

Riverdale Elementary

Benjo St. Fleur

Nicole Horton-Harris Silver Pines Academy

Martha Frazier

Jennifer Giufre

South Creek Middle

Thornebrooke Elementary

Rene Guity

David Maldonado Marrero

Southwest Middle

Jason Dottavio

Southwood Elementary

Joseph Farrand

Spring Lake Elementary

Christy Dorman

Three Points Elementary

Anaiz Rosario

Tildenville Elementary

Ana Weiser

Timber Creek High

Karin Hammond

Stone Lakes Elementary

Timber Lakes Elementary

Brenda Maneri

Lismaris Cornier Rosario

Stonewyck Elementary

Heather Berg

Timber Springs Middle

Omar McKnight

Summerlake Elementary

Union Park Elementary

Nora Marrero

Angelique Avelino

Sun Blaze Elementary

Samantha Bagley

SunRidge Elementary

Erin Crosby

SunRidge Middle

Norman Mason

Sunrise Elementary

Kathleen Ruff

Union Park Middle

Sandra Smiley University High

Lisa Morrison

Ventura Elementary

Francisco Cardoza

Village Park Elementary

Angela Morales

Sunset Park Elementary

Vista Lakes Elementary

Ynia Negron Torres

Grace M. Garcia Sanchez

Sunshine Elementary

Kerry Hastings

Tangelo Park Elementary

Vista Pointe Elementary

Marta Fernandez Walker Middle

Melissa Williams

Washington Shores Elementary

LaTonya Harden

Lymarie Felix

Wetherbee Elementary

Lydia Harry-Williams

Washington Shores Primary Learning Center

Whispering Oak Elementary

Lyannis Nieves

Windermere Elementary

Water Spring Elementary

Kassidy Garcia

Water Spring Middle

Lyndsey Albertson

Waterbridge Elementary

Beth Stamm

Eileen Hannigan Windermere High

Juvidalex Vélez Soto Windy Ridge K-8

Besilda Atienza

John Guignet

Winegard Elementary

Sara Conti

Winter Park High

Tami Martin

Winter Park 9th Grade Center

Stephanie Honzik

Wolf Lake Elementary

Waterford Elementary

Wedgefield School

Wekiva High

West Creek Elementary

T’Oni Richardson

West Oaks Elementary

Bonnie Kurz

Paulette Goenaga Mary Block

Luther Washington Wolf Lake Middle

Blanca Hincapie

Jerome Naso

Wyndham Lakes Elementary

Sarita L. Johnson

Zellwood Elementary

West Orange High

Westbrooke Elementary

Shayla King

Westpointe Elementary

Whitney Lamb

Westridge Middle

Michelle Johnson

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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).