Take a bow! You’re one of our quiet community leaders, and you deserve a standing ovation. PAGES 2A-7A
just a few lives.
But isn’t that what really makes a community? It’s not just about the few who are seen every day. It’s also about the many who are quietly lifting others. Thank you to all the unsung heroes in our community. And thank you to the Teachers of the Year. You have the biggest impact on young people’s lives — bigger sometimes than parents’ influence. To learn about what makes you inspired to do your job
well makes me feel reassured that my own children are in good hands. Hopefully, seeing your name in a headline will serve, for now, as a community newspaper version of your red carpet moment. To the readers, thank you for your attention. We hope you enjoy learning about some of the people who make the community special. And thank you to all our advertisers for making it possible. Who else should we be writing about? Email story ideas to Brian McMillan at brian@observerlocal news.com.
CAT BRADLEY PAGE 7A FPC coach Cat Bradley takes a selfie earlier this season with JV soccer players Paisley Billeck and Jocelyn Phillips. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Volunteering is just another way Karen Shoemaker helps her neighbors
‘I’ve always liked to help people, and you can give back in different ways,’ the Christmas Come True volunteer says.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
For Karen Shoemaker, volunteering has always just been another way to help a neighbor in need.
“I’ve always liked to help people, and you can give back in different ways,” Shoemaker said. “That’s the way I was raised: reach out and help, even if it’s nothing more during the day than opening a door for somebody carrying three bags of groceries and two kids trailing along.”
For the last decade, that has meant being Nadine King’s right hand at the nonprofit Christmas Come True.
Shoemaker said she found Christmas Come True after reading a blurb in the paper about King and the nonprofit.
“Since Christmas is my favorite time of year, when I retired I thought, ‘OK, let me check this out,’” she said. “And here I am, still.”
Christmas Come True is almost a year-round operation, Shoemaker said. Flagler County families apply to be part of Christmas Come True online and then are interviewed by volunteers before being added to the nonprofit’s list. Those who make the list fill out a paper for each child in the home, listing their age, clothing sizes, favorite colors and what toys the child wants.
Each child receives a full outfit — socks, shoes, pants, shirts, a hat, underwear — alongside a stocking full of toiletries and the presents. From there, volunteers group the families’ presents together to be picked up ahead of Christmas.
Some of the gifts are donated from outside organizations, and, depite being someone who touts herself
as “not a computer person,” Shoemaker is the one who reaches out to and organizes those donations from other organizations.
Elaine Lajoie, a former Christmas Come True volunteer, considers Shoemaker a close friend. Shoemaker is really an amazing person, she said, with “such a heart.”
“She’s an all-around good person,” Lajoie said. “You’d be hard pressed to find someone who would say anything other than that.”
They grew to be friends while volunteering together, Lajoie said. Shoemaker was the person who kept the group focused, even as they were all having fun together, and even
when things were stressful.
“She’d say, ‘Remember the cause. Remember why you’re doing what you’re doing,’” Lajoie said. It’s a philosophy Lajoie still carries with her, years after hearing it from Shoemaker the first time.
Without Shoemaker’s efforts, fellow volunteer Lisa Ruberg said, Christmas Come True would not have the helmets it receives from Florida’s Arrive Alive program for the bicycles Christmas Come True hands out, or the myriad of book donations it receives, or donations of Salt Life brand merchandise or soccer balls.
The nonprofit would have none
of that if it weren’t for Shoemaker’s efforts, Ruberg said.
“We’re a very grassroots nonprofit,” she said. “So when somebody donates 50 soccer balls, that’s huge.” Ruberg has worked with Shoemaker for four years now. Her contribution to Christmas Come True over the years is “probably in the tens of thousands of dollars,” she said.
“Karen is just one of those people who is a worker bee,” Ruberg said. “You set her to a task, and she’s really, really good at it.”
But Shoemaker is also the person who makes everyone feel welcome, from the new volunteers to the people applying for help, she said.
“She’s extremely dependable,” Ruberg said. “She’s the person that you know you can call.”
For the 2024 Christmas season, Shoemaker said Christmas Come True had received a donation of around 400 books from a nonprofit that isn’t even in Florida.
Helping families at Christmas is especially important to her, Shoemaker said. Some of her fondest memories are during the holiday season. Both sets of her grandparents lived nearby, so Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were always big celebrations.
One of the reasons Shoemaker loves working with Christmas Come True is because of the happiness she said it always brings the families. The families helped can’t afford Christmas for their children, she said, and through Christmas Come True these parents can still give their children presents without having to go further into debt.
Shoemaker said she wishes she could see the looks on the children’s faces on Christmas morning as they open up their new gifts.
“[These] children maybe have never, ever had anything new, all of their own,” she said. “They’ve had hand-me-downs or go without.”
Shoemaker said she can relate to that feeling — her family never had a lot of extra money to go around. Even as an adult, she said, she and her husband often worked two jobs.
“My family never had extra money,” she said. “But we had a decent good life.”
Her favorite part of working with Christmas Come True, she said, is seeing the number of people that will go out of their way to help out, even if it is just to provide one gift for one child in the program. Kindness goes a long way, she said.
“There’s still great, good people in this world,” she said, “spreading kindness, and not just thinking just of themselves.”
Visit christmascometrue.org.
Christmas Come True volunteer Karen Shoemaker says volunteering is just another way she helps her neighbors. Photo by Sierra Williams
Johnson doesn’t let anything stop her from helping rescue animals
‘What is consoling for me is knowing that I’ll give everything to them,’ Caroline Johnson said.
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Helping those in rehabilitation has always been a part of Caroline Johnson’s adult life — but where she used to help human patients in rehab, now she dedicates all her time to helping rehabilitate and re-home rescue animals through her nonprofit, SMART of Flagler County.
Johnson said she was first inspired to go into rehabilitation and mental health care because of her father, who struggled with drug addiction and died when she was just 14. She dedicated her career to helping people in recovery, but was forced to retire from the field after a debilitating car accident in 2008 left her unable to physically do the job anymore. She and her family moved to Palm Coast soon after her accident, she said. Then, in 2009, she adopted her dog Bosco, which inspired her to volunteer at the Flagler Humane Society shelter.
In September 2022 she left her volunteer work at the Flagler Humane Society to begin SMART— Saving Missing Animals Response Team — with the goal of helping local families. The nonprofit is run entirely through Johnson’s dedication and volunteers and foster families.
“I started SMART with the intention of helping, like the lost dogs that
we find that are maybe hit by cars or something,” she said. “So more of the emergencies.”
But in just a matter of weeks SMART began growing. Now, two years later, the nonprofit is undeniably an indispensable part of Flagler County’s animal rescue scene. Johnson answers calls for lost pets,
“My mindset is to just give the dog every chance of survival and rehab.”
JOHNSON, founder of SMART of Flagler County
CAROLINE
STANDING O
injured dogs or cats, and even strays that seem aggressive to others.
SMART doesn’t just return animals to their homes, it will find foster families and new homes for them.
All the animals her nonprofit recovers get a vet checkup, Johnson said, and if they’re injured or are a little people-aggressive at first, she sees to it that the animal gets the medical care and behavioral training it needs.
“My mindset is to just give the dog every chance of survival and rehab,” she said.
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Laura Jenkins said Johnson
“I’ve never met anyone that is as dedicated to these animals as she is.”
ERIN BLAIS, SMART volunteer
is her first phone call when she finds a stray or injured dog while out on patrol.
“She’s just always available and always wants to be there,” Jenkins said.
FCSO Detective and K-9 handler
Annie Lagana said she ensures Johnson’s phone number is included in all the trainees’ introduction booklets. That way, she said, they know to call Johnson about lost or injured dogs any time, day or night.
Lagana met Johnson at many of the county’s local events, and came to know her as a “fellow animal lover and advocate.” Lagana said the community needs to have more of a “team effort” in resolving the stray animal problem in the county.
“That’s where Caroline comes into the picture, because she is 24/7,” Lagana said.
Lagana said she has always been involved with animals in some form, but she’s never seen someone with a way with animals like Johnson has.
“She was definitely blessed with the ability to be able to communicate with and handle animals,” Lagana said.
Part of Johnson’s local notoriety comes from managing the Lost Pets of Palm Coast & Flagler County Facebook page. Johnson said she will post on there for help finding a missing animal or for help Often times, she said, she receives the help she needs within a day,
including donations to help with medical costs. It’s very rewarding and heartfelt, she said, to see the trust the community has in her.
“People are so good,” Johnson said. “Our community is so filled with animal lovers, and they’re so generous and so kind.”
The Facebook page is also the place people contact Johnson about lost pets or strays seen. From there, Johnson will work with her team of volunteers to either find or house the lost pets.
Erin Blais joined the small number of Johnson’s regular foster homes in January, when she took in seven puppies to help Johnson out. A year later, Blais said fostering and helping with SMART events has become a family affair.
Her 10-year-old daughter, she said, wants “to be just like Caroline” when she grows up.
“The woman is just nonstop,” Blais said. “I don’t know how she sleeps or when she sleeps.”
The biggest downside, Blais said, is seeing the dogs come in in all kinds of poor conditions. It can be very draining, but, she said, how can she slow down when Johnson is always giving it her all?
“I see Caroline’s dedication, which inspires me to keep going,” Blais said.
“...I’ve never met anyone that is as dedicated to these animals as she is.”
Johnson said that it is draining and heartbreaking to see the condition of some of the animals she’s called out to rescue, some malnourished, injured or abused. But she is determined — nothing will stand between her and helping an animal in need, regardless of the cost.
“What is consoling for me is knowing that I’ll give everything to them. I’ll do everything that has to be done,” Johnson said. “I won’t euthanize because of what it costs to help them.”
Robyn McAnany has spent 25 years shaping Flagler’s kindergartners
‘That’s my favorite part of kindergarten,’ McAnany said, ‘the amount of growth you see from the time you meet them when they walk in the door, until you tearfully say goodbye.’
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Belle Terre Elementary School’s Robyn McAnany has been teaching kindergarten since 1999 and, in her opinion, it’s the best grade level “by far.”
“They come in not knowing the letters in their own name,” McAnany said. “And they leave reading passages and writing sentences and ready for first grade.”
She just received her 25-year pin, she said. Over the years, McAnany said she’s personally seen how kindergarten has changed — nap times are a thing of the past and the curriculum is much more academic — but what has stayed the same is how much the kids grow.
They’re like sponges, she said. “That’s my favorite part of kindergarten. Just the amount of growth you see from the time you meet them when they walk in the door, until you tearfully say goodbye.”
McAnany started at the city’s Indian Trails K-8 Center and moved to Belle Terre Elementary School when it opened. Her room was dubbed the “the McAnany Monkeys,” a moniker that she has embraced over the years.
“Because kindergartners are a little bit like little monkeys,” she said. McAnany said she tries a variety of educational crafts and projects to get her students excited in learning. When the class learned about Johnny Appleseed — an American pioneer and beloved children’s story — she said the class dried out an apple slice to see how long it took to make an “apple chip.”
Donna Masiello, a fellow BTES
“She’s an amazing person and probably the most inspiring educator I’ve ever met.”
DONNA MASIELLO, teacher
teacher and McAnany’s best friend, said McAnany creates a “magical” space for her students. Each child McAnany teaches feels safe and celebrated, she said.
“She’s an amazing person and probably the most inspiring educator I’ve ever met,” Masiello said. “I’m a better teacher for having known her.”
Masiello said she and McAnany often plan lessons together. McAnany has a way of keeping the lessons “fresh” and the two are always going to book studies and teaching conventions to keep up their skills. Her friend has an ability to make “learning fun and meaningful,” even at that early age, she said.
“A teacher who teaches 20 years and still walks in that room with a smile and is excited to teach — I think that speaks volumes about Robyn,” Masiello said.
Teaching has never became stale for her, McAnany said, because each child is different and on a different level.
“When they come in, you’re trying to help them find their greatest potential, wherever they started, and then knowing where they need to get to to be successful in first grade,” she said. “It can never get stale, there’s just no way. They’re so delightful.”
Both of Cheryl Breckwoldt’s children are McAnany Monkeys, and Breckwoldt herself works with McAnany at BTES as an ESE support facilitator.
McAnany, she said, looks at each individual child and sees their needs and works to fill in the gaps — they’re not just another student passing through her class.
“She looks at them as such an individual,” Breckwoldt said. “She knows how important it is to have that human connection, as opposed to just getting the teaching done.”
One thing McAnany said she tries to focus on is instilling confidence, a love of learning and kindness in each child that comes through her classroom.
“That’s the biggie, to me,” she said, “to get them excited about learning, but even more important, excited about being a kind citizen of the world.”
McAnany said it’s also so rewarding for her to walk through the halls or go around Palm Coast and spot previous “McAnany Monkeys,” her once-students that have grown up.
“That’s the biggie, to me: to get them excited about learning, but even more important, excited about being a kind citizen of the world.”
BTES kindergarten teacher
“I just find such joy in it,” she said. Breckwoldt said McAnany is a part of the family now — she’s in Breckwoldt’s albums for her older son, a former McAnany Monkey, and is working her way into Breckwoldt’s younger son’s albums, too, as he goes through McAnany’s class.
“She’s that first real connection that you get when a child goes to school,” Breckwoldt said.
When people ask her if she would ever tire of teaching 5-year-olds, McAnany said the answer is always
no. “I have the best gig around. I get paid to hang with 5-year-olds,” McAnany said. “It’s so funny and so fun and so fabulous. Sure, it’s exhausting some days, but it keeps you young.” Masiello said she doesn’t think there’s any better way for a child to start their educational career than as a McAnany Monkey.
“She’s doing what she was meant to do,” Masiello said. “It’s not her job, it’s her life.”
SMART founder Caroline Johnson with Diamond, one of the nonprofit’s recent rescues. Photo by Sierra Williams
Robyn McAnany (back row, center) with her McAnany Monkeys 2024-2025 class. Photo by Sierra Williams
ROBYN MCANANY,
Kids4reel
volunteer Deb Marcino is inspired by the children she helps
‘To see the world through the eyes of a child,’ Marcino said, ‘and just to help them feel special or help them feel that they have support — the giveback isn’t any better than that.’
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Deb Marcino said the reason she finds volunteering her time with Flagler Sportfishing Club’s kids4reel program so rewarding is because it’s all about the children.
“The kids are my soft spot,” she said. “It’s really [about] seeing these kids catch their first fish.”
The Flagler Sportfishing Club’s kids4reel program works with teachers to take several kids out from school once a month to teach them about fishing and conservation. Flagler Sportfishing also helps sponsor the program at the schools, providing seed money, fishing rods and reels and each month, the experience of several Sportfishing adult club members to teach the kids about fishing, conservation and working with others.
Jeff Murphy, kids4reel founder, is the reason Marcino, already a member of the Flagler Sportfishing Club, got involved. But now, she said, she receives a lot of joy from helping with the children in
“I
kids4reel.
“I just like to help,” she said.
“I like to give these kids something to look forward to.”
A lot of the children who participate in the program don’t often get out of the house into nature, she said, many of them have never seen a whale or a manatee or dolphins. Not only does kids4reel provide those experiences, she said, but the kids also get a chance to make new friends and find camaraderie with each other.
“That’s really what I love,” Marcino said. “… It just lights them up.”
Murphy said Marcino is “an overall great person who is always helping others” and a “dedicated volunteer” across multiple community groups. She’s not only Flagler Sportfishing Club treasurer, but she is the co-leader of kids4reel and the treasurer of the Country Club Harbor Homeowner’s Association.
For her part, Marcino said the success of kids4reel rests on the shoulders of the team — her part is mostly making sure everyone is taken care of and working well together.
Her friend and fellow Flagler Sportfishing Club member Quinn Bui said Marcino doesn’t give herself enough credit.
“She’s everywhere serving the community and giving and giving and giving,” Bui said. “I couldn’t be prouder and more blessed to be her friend.”
“She’s everywhere serving the community and giving and giving and giving. I couldn’t be prouder and more blessed to be her friend.”
QUINN BUI, Flagler Sportfishing Club member
“Whatever you need, she’s there,” Bui said.
Though her friend will always celebrate the team effort, Bui said, Marcino does a lot of work and deserves the recognition for it.
“She’s always giving 120% of herself to the community,” Bui said.
Helping at kids4reel has inspired Marcino to do more. Recently, Marcino said she has even joined in Flagler Volunteer Service’s Reading Pals program and is waiting for her first session at one of Flagler’s schools.
The best part of spending her time with these children, she said, is seeing them succeed with something they’re struggling with.
just like to help. I like to give these kids something to look forward to.”
DEB MARCINO, kid4reel volunteer and co-leader
Marcino is very passionate about the kids4reel program, Bui said — so much so that her monthly reports on the program to the Flagler Sportfishing Club members often inspire members to donate funds and fishing rods to the cause.
Marcino is always looking for ways to help out, Bui said, whether it’s at the Sportfishing Club, kids4reel or with the HOA. She helps fundraise for the different organizations, organizes food for the kids program and is just generally ready to help with whatever needs to be done. And she never once complains about the work.
“To see the world through the eyes of a child,” she said, “and just to help them feel special or help them feel that they have support — the giveback isn’t any better than that.”
If the children she sees in kids4reel only take away one thing from the experience, Marcino said, she hopes it’s that they believe “anything is possible.”
“There’s a lot to go out and see and do,” Marcino said. “Just go out and make your dreams happen.”
Deb Marcino, the co-leader of kids4reel, said for her, it’s all about helping out local kids. Photo by Sierra Williams
Caregiver and community volunteer Irene Tillghman never stops giving
Tillghman, 80, has spent her life making others happy. ‘I feel happy when I see people happy,’ Tillghman said. ‘It is the best feeling.’
SIERRA WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
Being a caregiver is something Irene Tillghman said she learned from her mother.
“I watched my mother care for everybody,” Tillghman said. Eventually, it became natural for her to do the same.
Throughout her professional and personal life, Tillghman, 80, has sought or volunteered for positions that let her take care of others. For years, she said, she worked at a retirement home as the activities director. She loved that job and the residents — so much so that when several of them died, Tillghman said she felt she had to leave.
Tillghman said she may have gotten too attached to the residents there — to the point she used to joke about doing the work for free.
“How can you get paid to make people happy?” she said. She and her husband, Lee Tillghman, moved to Flagler Beach in 2003. Not long after, she said she joined the first committee of the Flagler Beach Santa Maria Del Mar Catholic Church’s community meals, which she has been working with for close to 15 years now.
Tillghman said for a long time she was one of the community meal cooks and even began taking large portions of soup to elderly members in
“How can you get paid to make people happy?”
IRENE TILLGHMAN, DAV Auxiliary volunteer and adjutant
“She is my righthand person. She deserves some special recognition.”
MARTY FEIDLER, Flagler County DAV Auxiliary commander
the community who couldn’t make it to the meals on their own. To them, she said, she became known as “the soup lady.”
Tillghman’s daughter Lisa Alberta said her mother’s generous and giving nature is a generational affair. Alberta said Tillghman’s mother and Tillghman’s grandfather were the same way — Tillghman’s grandfather even served at soup kitchens, too.
“It’s generation after generation of good blood, good deeds,” Alberta said.
Not only does her mother volunteer in the community, but, Alberta said, Tillghman has been a cornerstone of their family through hard times: holding the family together when Alberta’s nephew died in the Afghanistan war; Tillghman also took care of her daughter, Alberta’s sister, as she was dying of cancer and was the primary caregiver for her own mother when she died.
It was while Tillghman was caring for her dying mother that she became involved with Flagler County’s Disabled American Veterans Chapter 86 and its auxiliary organization. Tillghman said she wandered in to do something for her mother, and ended up in their kitchen, once again helping.
“I guess I was born to be a caretaker,” she said. Flagler County DAV Auxiliary Cmdr. Marty Feidler said Tillghman has now been a part of the DAV Auxiliary for close to a decade.
“She is my right-hand person,” Feidler said. Regardless of her age, she said, Tillghman works hard. “She deserves some special recognition.”
Tillghman said she was eventually appointed to the DAV Auxiliary’s adjutant and spent her time taking on more and more projects: visiting veterans in the hospital and retirement homes, putting together the DAV’s Christmas Trees and holiday boxes; organizing quilts and writing cards.
Her favorite part was visiting with the veterans, she said.
“I put my energy into that part of it,” she said. “It was like being activities director all over again.”
Alberta said her mother’s example is a hard one to live up to, but she’s incredible proud of everything she does in the community and their family.
Her mother never stops giving to others, Alberta said, and is loved by everyone.
“I’m honored to have her as my mom,” Alberta said.
But Tillghman and her husband have had a rough time over the last few years. In October 2022, Lee Tillghman was diagnosed with COVID, she said, which accelerated his dementia diagnosis.
Tillghman said she was forced to step away from her volunteer work to focus on her husband.
“The first year was rough,” she said, “because our life was the DAV and the church.”
Recently, she said, she’s finally hired sitters for her husband so she can return to some of her work at the DAV. She doesn’t cook for the community meals anymore, but she still goes every week to socialize with the people who show up for food, and she still takes the elderly community members their soup.
Despite Tillghman being her husband’s primary caregiver and being “totally dedicated” to his care, Feidler said Tillghman still manages to greatly contribute to both the Auxiliary and Santa Maria Del Mar.
“Anything I need, I know I can count on her,” Feidler said.
Being able to help those around her and to just be around people in the community helps her, too, Tillghman said.
“I feel happy when I see people happy,” she said. “It is the best feeling, seeing someone happy.”
Irene Tillghman with her husband, Lee. Photo by Sierra Williams
STANDING O
Cottle is a firefighter and PCFD’s chaplain, looking for answers
As the fire service suicide rate continues to rise, Chris Cottle wants firefighters to understand it’s OK to need help.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Chris Cottle wears many hats inside the Palm Coast Fire Department.
Besides being a driver engineer, he is the department’s chaplain. He is also a mentor to new drivers. He is on the department’s Confined Space Team and is the Technical Rescue Training lead for the department’s B shift.
The hats don’t always fit together so well. As the department’s chaplain, his job is to provide comfort. As a mentor, sometimes he has to be a little harsh.
“When I’m a mentor, sometimes I’ve got to be harsh to get people to snap in line. As the chaplain, I’ve got to be the spiritual lighthouse,” Cottle said. “They’re almost like opposites. Trying to be the two things for the same person is sometimes difficult.”
He handles all his roles with aplomb and with little fanfare, his lieutenant and his chaplain facilitator say.
“He stays in the background most of the time but deserves the light as much as anyone,” said Lt. Joseph Fajardo, who nominated Cottle for a Standing O.
“He is very passionate about being there for people, which drives the chaplain program,” said Jennifer Fiveash, the department’s battalian chief for training and the facilitator for the chaplain program. “He’s very passionate about being there for others in all of his roles, down to being a dad and a husband.”
As chaplain, Cottle works hand in hand with the department’s Peer Support Team, led by Lt. Eric Robinson, to help the department’s firefighters deal with personal difficulties.
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hi, but they’re stopping by to check on them,” Fiveash said. “They establish relationships, because people are more willing to talk to somebody they have a relationship with. Our firefighters are overwhelmed by the amount of calls they get, the kind of calls, their lack of sleep. Chris makes it his personal responsibility to not miss signs.”
Cottle and his wife, Libby, moved here in 2001 from the Keys where Cottle had managed a marina. In 2002, on Libby’s suggestion, he joined the PCFD as a volunteer firefighter. He was offered a career position two years later.
“I’ve been focusing primarily on mental and spiritual well-being,” Cottle said. “The suicide rate in the fire service (nationally) is catastrophic. It’s been getting worse over the last 10 years, and nobody can really put their finger on why.”
According to a 2018 report from the Ruderman Family Foundation, police and firefighters are at a heightened risk for depression, PTSD and suicide, and police and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.
“We unfortunately have had several attempts and several successful suicides in our department,” Cottle said. “So it’s trying to figure out how we can best serve our members when they’re in that crisis, and get rid of the stigma of weakness of asking for help. You know, the macho gungho stuff, getting rid of all of that and making it where it’s a normal everyday thing to be like, ‘Dude, I am struggling with X, Y or Z and I need some help.’”
Cottle and the department’s peer support team stop by the different stations delivering cups of coffee and visiting with the firefighters.
“They come by just to say
In 2019, he became the department’s first chaplain. He had been approached by a member of the city’s safety team about designing a chaplain program. Cottle spoke to other fire department chaplains, attended conferences and designed a program that would be led a by a community clergy member.
Jerry Forte, the department chief at the time, added an addendum to the job description, “or otherwise appointed by the fire chief,” and named Cottle the new chaplain.
Although he is not a member of the clergy, Cottle has a Southern Baptist background. His father became a pastor after retiring from the Navy. For spiritual guidance, Cottle directs members to clergy aligned with their beliefs.
Members of the department can receive counseling through the Employee Assistance Program. But changing perceptions can be an uphill battle.
“We’re trying to get our people to let their guard down enough to where they can trust the peer support program, they can trust the chaplaincy program,” Cottle said.
“We didn’t have that system coming up, and so it was the suck-it-up-buttercup mentality. (Firefighters) are fixers, and a lot of us have the savior mentality.”
About 20 years ago, Cottle said, he went through a deep dark depression himself where he “contemplated sui-
“He is very passionate about being there for people, which drives the chaplain program.”
JENNIFER FIVEASH, PCFD battalion chief
“(Drive Engineer) Cottle has served this community for over 20 years. Not only serving as our department chaplin, but having a huge role in our department’s mental health care. He stays in the background most of the time but deserves the light as much as anyone. He remains an instructor for the department and helped design the Driver Engineer Mentorship that establishes a base for all of our future drivers and is often called upon by other neighboring departments to test and evaluate their upcoming drivers. He shows leadership, in and out of uniform and I am happy to call him a friend.”
PCFD Lt. JOSEPH FAJARDO, 2024 Standing O
cide on a regular basis” until finally, after a hard conversation with a friend, he sought therapy.
Cottle is now looking into starting a suicide awareness course for fire service.
“I’m learning. I’m going to conferences. I’m going to classes, I’m talking with psychologists and counselors to get information so that I can put it all together,” he said. He is working closely with chaplains in other fire departments around the state. And he’s gotten on a regular Zoom call with fire chaplains nationally.
“We all kind of work together and we’ll say, ‘this is working for us, you can try it.’ We’re trying to fix a broken system, but we don’t really know how it’s broken. So it’s all hands on deck.”
Chris Cottle has been a full-time firefighter with the Palm Coast Fire Department since 2004 and the department's chaplain since 2019. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Bradley has been an assistant girls soccer coach with the Bulldogs for 14 years, spanning the day she got a second chance at life.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
The game just ended, and Cat Bradley, Flagler Palm Coast’s assistant girls soccer coach, pulls out her phone and takes selfies with the players. It’s a routine. Post-game speeches can wait. After every JV and varsity game, the players pose with Coach Cat.
“It’s funny because we made senior boards for the players for Senior Night, and I had a couple girls say, ‘Hey, can I have all your photos?’ And I have all the photos,” Bradley said. Photos as memories have been important to Bradley since that day in the hospital over 11 years ago, just before her liver transplant, when she had two days to live and they still weren’t sure if she would receive a liver in time.
“That’s probably where all that started, because my parents and the people that were visiting me in the ICU, it was, ‘This could be the last
“Cat Bradley is such a positive role model for the girls. She coaches and mentors. She also was an athlete for FPCHS. She’s also had to overcome some personal health adversity.”
ATHLETIC TRAINER RON
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photo.’ I mean, for a couple weeks it was, ‘She’s not going to make it.’ And then I had two days to live, so I just remember everyone taking photos.”
Since then her philosophy has been, “Let’s just take the photo.”
“Why not?” she asks. “You just don’t know. I mean, I love taking photos, and I love the memories that we create. Because a lot of these girls (on JV) will go to varsity, and it’s so fun to look back from freshman year to senior year and see the growth and the personalities.”
Bradley, 33, is the head JV coach and top assistant to veteran varsity coach Pete Hald. She has been a coach with the team for 14 years, beginning when she was a freshman at Jacksonville University. But her relationship with Hald and the soccer program goes back even further. She played soccer for four years for Hald at FPC and was a baby sitter for his children. Still, she looks back and doesn’t know why Hald accepted an assistant coach fresh out of high school.
“I was missing soccer,” Bradley said. “I just reached out to Coach Hald, and he said, ‘Yeah, sure.’ I’m not sure why he said yes.”
Hald is glad he did.
“I trust that she’s going to run (the JV) part of the program,” he said.
“Not that she doesn’t ask me, but I don’t have to worry about them. I can concentrate on the first team.”
Bradley also takes care of the little details, Hald said.
“If I have something that needs to be done, I text her first, like, ‘What do you think about having a team dinner?’ She’ll organize it. Anything I don’t like doing, she does with pleasure. She just goes beyond what is expected.”
That includes taking care of players’ problems.
“If the players have an issue, they sometimes go to her first to work it out. I tell my players, ‘If the issue
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comes to me, heads are going to roll,’” Hald said. “She tries to figure it out so it doesn’t get to that level.”
Bradley has a special relationship with the JV and varsity players. But that doesn’t mean she’s a soft coach. She pushes her players as hard as Hald does.
“Some coaches won’t push us enough. Coach Cat pushes us so we can compete in life,” JV player Malakiyah Neste said. “I just love Coach Cat. She’s the most amazing coach I’ve ever had. Everything she does is for us.”
Jocelyn Phillips said Bradley “brings out the best in us. She’s completely selfless and an amazing person.”
Samantha Burgos, who has been playing soccer for 11 years, since she was 4, said Bradley is her favorite coach in all of that time.
“She pushes you to do what you need to do and what you want to
achieve, and she makes it sound encouraging. She’s a very kind person,” Burgos said.
Bradley, who is a paraprofessional at the school, is not just an advocate for FPC girls soccer; she befriends and supports the student athletes in all of the Bulldogs’ sports. Her favorite color may be purple, but she bleeds Bulldog green.
“She’s big into the social media piece,” Hald said. “She’s always complimenting, not just (the girls soccer players) but every program in the school. She’s always on the sidelines, she’s always going to games.”
“She’s a Bulldog,” Principal Bobby Bossardet said. “You know, she always has been. We’re very proud of her for overcoming the challenges that she’s been facing in life. I think it’s also a good testament to who she is and to have our kids hear her story to help them grow through some adversity.”
FINDING THE POSITIVES
Bradley said people don’t understand what a transplant entails. Since receiving a new liver on April 12, 2013, at the age of 21, she’s undergone over 30 surgeries, including three in 2024. She continues to take medication every day.
“I have a super, super weak immune system,” she said. “I can get sick really easily, but I take medicine (three times a day). If I don’t take those medications, I’m probably going to be readmitted for liver failure.”
Also, her kidneys don’t always cooperate and she has bad arthritis.
“There’s days I wake up and it’s just, ‘Man I’m really, really tired. My body really hurts, but we’re going to get through it.’ Finding the positives are super important, and that’s kind of come with me maturing and getting older, but it’s definitely hard at times.”
Some days she’ll have to wake up at 3 a.m. to get to the hospital for a 5 a.m. appointment and then get to school by 7:30. And if there’s a game that night, she won’t get home until 10 p.m.
“Life is what you make of it,” she said. “Life is really short, and I learned that the hard way when I was literally given a second chance of life. So getting out of bed in the morning can be difficult, but I want to get out of bed. I do it not just for myself, but for the (liver) donor, and for all the people around me that have done so much for me over the years.
“My parents (Charlotte and Jim Bradley) have been amazing, and my boyfriend (FPC teacher Steve Von Glahn) has been with me now through a lot. So now it’s my turn. You’ve got to pay it forward. Being a female coaching girls is so important. When I’m around my players, I just want to do right, I want to do well, I want to do good.”
Pirates sports are a family affair for Brandie, Lance, Zoe and Addie Alred
Zoe and Addie enjoy playing for their mom, who took over the Matanzas girls lacrosse team last year and turned the program around.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Matanzas High School athletics is a family affair for Brandie and Lance Alred and their daughters, Zoe and Addie.
Brandie Alred is the school’s department head for science and teaches honors anatomy and physiology and an AICE course. She also has been the girls golf coach since 2015 and took over the girls lacrosse team last season.
Her husband, Lance, has been officiating wrestling for 14 years and began officiating boys lacrosse last year. He also volunteers to run the “chain gang” for the Pirates’ football games. Zoe and Addie both play two sports. Zoe, a senior, plays golf and lacrosse. Addie, a sophomore, plays volleyball and lacrosse.
Brandie has been involved with both of Zoe’s teams throughout her high school career.
“I think it’s so great having parents who both care and have gotten involved,” Zoe said. “Even my dad, when we first started playing lacrosse, he started picking up the rules and is now a ref for boys lacrosse.”
Brandie helped out the golf team as an assistant coach her first year at the school in 2013-14. The following season she became the head coach. “Zoe had started playing golf, and I wanted her to have a dedicated coach. So I said, ‘I’m going to figure this out,’” Brandie said. “So I applied for the position, and I just learned a little bit every year to get better and better. I play a little bit of golf, but for the most part, I’m a better instructor than I am a player. I made sure that we had a golf pro to help the girls with their swings, and then I worked
on course management. I still tell them to this day, if you really want to work on your swing, then you need to see a golf pro.”
While she knew a little bit about golf before taking over the team, Brandie knew next to nothing when girls lacrosse coach Jeff Goren asked her to be his assistant in 2023 when Zoe was a sophomore on the team.
The following year, Goren stepped down.
With no one stepping in, Brandie volunteered.
“I said, ‘OK, if I’m going to do this, I’m going to go all in.’ So, I made sure I bought some books. I did so much research over the summer, and I told our athletic director that I would be willing to be the lacrosse coach, but if someone better came along, then they were more than welcome to hire them, but I wanted to make sure our girls in our school had somebody.”
Jordan Butler, who just recently stepped down as athletic director, decided to roll the dice and hired her.
“She did a great job with our girls golf team. I saw how she built relationships with those girls, so we gave her an opportunity with girls lacrosse knowing she didn’t know much about the sport at the time,” Butler said.
There wasn’t a lot of pressure.
The team had gone winless for four straight seasons.
But in Brandie Alred’s first year as a coach, the Pirates went 5-9. Their first win of the season came against rival Flagler Palm Coast, a team they had not beaten since 2017.
“She had one year as an assistant coach, and she spent a lot of time learning more about the sport,” Butler said. “With her ability to implement discipline and build relationships, she turned the program around in one year. I don’t think they won multiple games in a season for six or seven years.”
Zoe scored a team-high 49 goals for the Pirates. She said her mother watched a lot of videos to prepare for the season.
“The team dynamic definitely did change,” Zoe said. “The team just had a better relationship overall with
the coaches and with each other. Our drills got better. And it was just like a lot more communication, a lot more trust.”
Said Addie: “You could see that my mom wanted to make our team better and just everyone better, even if they’ve never played the sport before. She loves to have new people come out there.”
At home, the four of them watch lacrosse games on TV.
“It’s definitely something we can bond over which I think is really cool,” Zoe said. “When a game is on the TV, we can all watch it and understand what’s happening. I just think it’s great to have parents, specifically my mom in this case, so involved. She’s at my school, she’s (the adviser) for the Senior Class Board and I’m on the Senior Class Board. So it’s just great to have family so involved who cares and wants to learn.”
Lance is now involved with three sports, wrestling and boys lacrosse as an official and handling the down markers on the football sideline. He also helped the Pirates find a new
“She did a great job with our girls golf team. I saw how she built relationships with those girls, so we gave her an opportunity with girls lacrosse knowing she didn’t know much about the sport at the time.”
JORDAN BUTLER on Brandie Alred
wrestling coach in Dennis Kitko.
“I knew Dennis for over 20 years,” Lance said. “We were both going to
grad school at Florida State. We both wrestled in college. He wrestled at Cornell, and I wrestled at Chattanooga. We had a mutual friend, and we became good friends.”
Kitko was living in Japan at the time, but he was looking to return to the states, and he took the job.
“Lance gave us a lead on a wrestling coach, and it turned out to be a really good one,” Butler said. “Lance is a huge supporter of our school and makes it out to at least one event for every sport we have.”
Addie is rehabbing from ACL surgery but expects to be ready for lacrosse season. She has three more seasons to play for her mom. But Brandie hopes to continue leading the program after both of her daughters graduate.
“I hope to really build a good lacrosse program, and eventually if someone knows more than I do and they want to come in and take it to the next level, I am A-OK with that,” Brandie said. “But I will be here for the long-term, as long as they need me.”
Cat Bradley takes a team picture after a game earlier this season. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas athletics is a family affair for the Alred family (from left): Lance, Zoe, Addie and Brandie. Photo by Brent Woronoff
YOUR TOWN
VCS recognized with District Administration’s Resilience Award
Volusia County Schools has been awarded the 2025 Resilience Award by District Administration, a resource for K-12 district leadership, according to a press release.
The award honors the district’s “exceptional leadership in hurricane preparedness and its commitment to student safety, educational continuity and emergency preparedness,” the press release states. It celebrates the leadership by the Volusia County School Board, Superintendent Carmen Balgobin and the VCS team.
The award highlights Volusia County Schools for: Implementing comprehensive emergency response systems enhancing student safety measures across a diverse school district; maintaining educational continuity during weather-related challenges; building a resilient school community serving more than 60,000 students; leading successful hurricane preparedness and response efforts . The 2025 Resilience Award was presented at the District Administration Superintendents Summit.
Three Starlets perform at Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Three members of the Flagler Palm Coast High School Starlets performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Starlets Captain Brooke Berrios, a senior, was a dancer for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band. Juniors Kaleigh Labazzetta and Mya Wright were flag performers for the Macy’s Great American Marching Band.
“Again, the girls headed to New York City for the week as they learned the parade routine,” Starlets coach Lauren Albert said. “This year was super special since they
were able to be part of the opening act with Billy Porter. Unfortunately, it rained the entire parade which made it for a very cold day. The girls did great.”
As part of their trip, they were able to see the Rockettes at their Christmas Spectacular performance and got a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall, Albert said.
Salty Grass Band to perform at the Ormond Beach Library on Jan. 12
The Salty Grass Band, known for its traditional bluegrass, Americana standards and gospel music, will be performing in the Ormond Beach Library auditorium at 2 p.m. on Jan. 12.
This is a rescheduled performance from September, according to an announcement from the Friends of the Ormond Beach Library.
The Salty Grass Band has performed in local venues in Barberville, Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach. The program, which is free, is sponsored by the Friends of the Ormond Beach Library.
OBPD’s Santa on Patrol wishes community a merry Christmas
Santa and Mrs. Claus spread holiday cheer around Ormond Beach as part of Ormond Beach Police Department’s Santa on Patrol initiative.
OBPD’s Community Outreach officers escorted Santa and Mrs. Claus as they greeted citizens on Dec. 16, Dec. 18 and Dec. 20. This year’s stops included The Childrens House of Ormond Beach, the Coquina Center, the Nova Community Center, Simone’s Salon, SoNapa Grille and Pine Trail Elementary.
The outreach program was first launched in 2014.
Security First unveils vintage fire truck float in Christmas parade
At Ormond Beach’s 33rd annual Home for the holidays parade on Dec. 14, Security First Insurance presented a
float featuring a vintage “toy” fire truck adorned with giant Christmas lights made from recycled 2-liter bottles and topped with a working, lifesize wind-up key. The parade was themed “Santa’s Toyland.” Security First’s new float made its debut along the 1.5-mile parade route, accompanied by over 60 people, including team members and their families, according to a press releas.
“We are thrilled to be part of this wonderful community event,” Melissa Burt DeVriese, president of Security First Insurance, said in the press release.
Matanzas celebrates girls soccer Senior Night with win
The Matanzas girls soccer team celebrated Senior Night with a 7-0 victory over Crescent City on Dec. 19. Seniors Mila Carvajal and Naomi Cordero each scored a goal, while senior Emma Alves had an assist.
Three sophomores scored the other goals: Isabella Hopkins (three goals, one assist), Kaylin Henthorn (two goals) and Sienna Gutierrez (one goal). Freshman Carsyn O’Linn had two assists. Freshman goalie Ella Forbes recorded her fifth clean sheet. The Pirates improved to 7-4. Their next home game is Jan. 9 against DeLand.
FPC’s Mya Wright, Brooke Berrios and Kaleigh Labazzetta performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Courtesy photo
Lora@LoraFickett.com
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
Who is leading the way for your children each day? Here are the best of the best. This fall, each school in Flagler Schools announced a Teacher of the Year. Get to know them in this edition. The district’s overall winner will be announced Monday, Jan. 27.
BRANDY ANDERSON
Anderson has wanted to be a teacher since she was in first grade.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
ndian Trails Middle School
ITeacher of the Year Brandy Anderson remembers her father telling her to do what she loves for a living so she’ll never have to work a day in her life.
For Anderson, that meant teaching, which is what she has wanted to do since she was in first grade.
“My first grade teacher, Mrs. Joy Shannafelt-Kettering was my inspiration,” Anderson said. “My sisters were my first ‘students.’ I used to make them play school since we were 7.”
Anderson has been teaching for 16 years. She currently teaches seventh grade civics at Indian Trails.
She said being nominated for Flagler Schools’ Teacher of the Year and representing ITMS is a “complete honor.”
“One thing I am taking away from this experience is the nomination I share with so many other talented teachers in the district,” she said. “It takes a village to educate children. You all are amazing and play an important role in that responsibility.”
In recommending Anderson for Flagler Schools Teacher of the Year, ITMS Principal Ryan Andrews said she is a dynamic teacher who takes her preparation to the next level.
“She spends hours not only preparing relevant and engaging activities for her students but equally as much time reflecting on what worked and didn’t work so the next lesson can be even better than the last,” Andrews wrote. Anderson said her students keep her motivated.
“No one else can do what we do,” she said. “I show up for them and take that responsibility as their teacher seriously.”
Teaching may be the only job Anderson ever wanted, but during her first year the challenges seemed overwhelming.
“Those were hard days,” she said. “Crying in the parking lot was a daily thing. Teaching
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
JAIME EVERAGE
Gaining students’ trust as a literacy coach for the past three years.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
J
aime Everage’s favorite thing about being a teacher is building relationships. Everage, Buddy Taylor Middle School’s Teacher of the Year, said when students trust you and value your knowledge, they will learn from you. During her first year in college, one of her professors shared this Theodore Roosevelt quote: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
“That has always stuck with me as a sort of guiding principle for how to be the best educator for students,” Everage said.
After teaching middle school English Language Arts for 10 years and freshman English and Reading Inter-
Indian Trails Middle School
in a Title 1 school, I felt I was not equipped for the real life scenarios that were playing out in my classroom, despite
the numerous college courses and teaching credentials I had achieved. I realized relationships are everything in the
“The relationships you build over the school year become meaningful, and they make everything great about waking up in the morning and coming to school.”
BRANDY ANDERSON
classroom. Teaching based off of pedagogy presented in a college coursebook would simply not be enough. That experience gave me the interpersonal skills I needed to be successful throughout the rest of my career.”
When she’s not working, Anderson enjoys running, reading, traveling and spending time with her husband and
4-year-old. But, taking her father’s advice, her “work” is a labor of love.
“My favorite thing about teaching is the kids,” she said. “They are my ‘why.’ The relationships you build over the school year become meaningful, and they make everything great about waking up in the morning and coming to school.”
Buddy Taylor Middle School
“It is amazing to be recognized for the hard work that we all put in as educators especially during a time when we are all so purposefully digging in to help students grow.”
vention for another four years, she has served as a literacy coach for the past three years at BTMS.
“So, the vast majority of my time now is spent mentoring teachers, leading professional development and supporting teachers with instructional practices and data analysis,” she said.
But the principle of building student trust applies to the teachers she works with as well, she said, “because they need to know I am invested in them as people and educators.”
And even though she no longer spends her days teaching in a classroom, she continues to build relationships with students. Her motivation, she said, goes back to her childhood.
“I needed great adults in my
life at times to mold and educate me, and I am so thankful that they did. … I continue to build relationships with students so that they know there is an additional adult that they can trust and turn to when they need support, tutoring, a listening ear or sometimes just a hug and a pat on the back.”
Her guiding principle was cemented during her second year as a teacher when she was teaching eighth grade. She said she had some students with emotional issues.
“One student in particular was having trouble in another teacher’s class and having frequent outbursts,” she said.
“I had a good relationship with the student, so I pulled him aside to talk to him, and I asked him why he was having
trouble with the other teacher, and he indicated that she was too hard on him. I reminded him that I was hard on him as well and that we all have high expectations. He said, ‘Yes, but when you’re hard on me, I know you still love me.’ That reply both broke my heart and forever impacted the way I treated students.”
Everage said she is honored and humbled to be one of the nominees for Flagler Schools’ Teacher of the Year.
“It is amazing to be recognized for the hard work that we all put in as educators especially during a time when we are all so purposefully digging in to help students grow,” Everage said.
Everage says she is a voracious reader who flies through books in her free time. “It’s a bonus,” she said, “if I can read at the beach and soak in the sun.” But her favorite leisure activity, she adds, is spending time with her husband, children, grandchildren and mother.
Buddy Taylor Middle School’s Teacher of the Year Jaime Everage.
Photo by Alexis Miller
JAIME EVERAGE
Belle Terre Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year Nicole Massey. Photo by Alexis Miller
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
NICOLE MASSEY AMANDA SCHULZ
Belle Terre Elementary School
Massey decided to become a teacher 19 years ago after volunteering in her son’s class.
Teachers love when their students have an “aha” moment. For Belle Terre Elementary School Teacher of the Year Nicole Massey, her own aha moment came within her first few years of teaching.
“It was the first time a student called me ‘mom’ by mistake,” she said. “It was then that I fully realized the significant impact we as teachers have on our students. Not only are we responsible for our students’ academic growth and achievement, but their personal development, emotional well-being, and civic engagement as well.”
Massey decided to become a teacher 19 years ago when she volunteered to assist with various activities in her oldest son’s classroom. She has been with Flagler Schools for 16 years, including over four years as a paraprofessional for special needs students and 12 years as an inclusion teacher. She teaches third grade at BTES.
“Everyone has the right to be heard and what we say has importance and value.”
NICOLE MASSEY
Bunnell Elementary School
Bunnell Elementary School’s DavenportSchulz makes second grade an unforgettable experience
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Amanda DavenportSchulz can’t remember her second-grade teacher’s name, but that teacher left such an impression on Schulz that she became a teacher herself — a second grade teacher.
But one takaway she said is that it’s OK to be proud of yourself and celebrate your success.
“I am the kind of person that invites constructive criticism, or feedback, and shies away from praise or commendation,” Massey said. “With this nomination I am learning to accept the recognition and congratulatory statements.”
Massey said she feels both humbled and valued to be nominated for district Teacher of the Year. “I work with the most amazing, highly effective teachers every day. To receive the nomination from those teachers is humbling,” she said.
“Ms. Massey excels in differentiation, tailoring her teaching to meet the diverse needs of her students,” BTES Assistant Principal Sarah E. Ahman wrote in a letter of recommendation to the Flagler Schools Teacher of the year Selection Committee. “She consistently creates an inclusive environment that fosters growth and confidence, allowing each student to feel valued and capable. Her philosophy of addressing the whole student goes beyond academics — she nurtures emotional and social well-being, helping students realize their potential in all aspects of life.”
It goes along with a rule she has in her classroom: “When we speak, we are ‘loud and proud,’” she said. “… Everyone has the right to be heard and what we say has importance and value. Never stop being loud and proud, be heard and know what you have to say is important.”
Outside of teaching, Massey said she loves “spending time with my family and friends, getting comfortable and reading a good thriller novel, playing this week’s Woodoku challenge and taking time to craft with my Cricut.”
“Growing up, we were a very transient family, every year having a new school or two to acclimate to. It always seemed harder to adjust, but in second grade, I had the most amazing teacher,” Schulz said. “… To this day I remember how she made me feel. I was special, we were all special. She was so magical and brought so much joy to my life. I was excited to go to school to see her, I was engaged in learning and did so well that year I was placed in a gifted class the next year. That feeling of second grade is the reason I teach.”
Schulz is Bunnell Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year. Each day she strives to make her second grade classroom as magical as the one she remembers when she was in second grade.
“Having Mrs. Schulz as one’s teacher is truly an experience,” BES Principal Cari E. Presley wrote in her recommendation letter to Flagler Schools’ Teacher of the Year Selection Committee. “She is more than just a fan favorite, she is a teacher that makes a significant life impact on students, and an individual that one will never forget. Every day, you will find Mrs. Schulz greeting her students with warmth and energy as they meet her in the morning. Her students find their teacher almost always in a fun, festive outfit that brings a little extra magic to her second grade classroom.”
Schulz’s outfits are part of her lessons. Some are so creative that her classroom may draw a crowd of observers.
“They didn’t remember the visiting administrators or state staff, but they remembered the worms.”
AMANDA DAVENPORTSCHULZ, BES Teacher of the Year
“I use myself as an activating strategy for what we are learning, through clothes, costumes and props. Even when my classroom is being observed, the focus should be on the students and keeping them engaged,” she said. “These small acts have students from the beginning of my teaching career still reaching out to discuss the time I dressed as soil layers. They didn’t remember the visiting administrators or state staff, but they remembered the worms.”
Presley said that while the classroom environment Schulz creates is impressive enough, her “instruction is exceedingly effective. Her teaching is standards aligned, rigorous and paced in a way that demonstrates her belief in what her students can do, despite their varying needs, levels and abilities.
While many of the students at Bunnell Elementary come from poverty, homelessness and other exterior barriers, she knows her students can achieve great things. She believes in them, and they
therefore believe in themselves.”
Although Schulz does not teach the “advanced” class, Presley wrote, “her students routinely demonstrate standard mastery at one of the highest rates.” Schulz has been teaching for 10 years. She has been with Flagler Schools since 2016. She has taught second grade every year except for last year, when she taught first grade. But this year she was allowed to “loop” with the same class.
“This has been such an amazing experience watching them continue to learn new skills as they grow into soon to be third graders,” she said. In her leisure time, Schulz enjoys reading, food events and exploring vintage/ antique shops with her husband “to see what weird treasure we can bring home to our collection.”
“She is more than just a fan favorite, she is a teacher that makes a significant life impact on students, and an individual that one will never forget.”
CARI E. PRESLEY
Belle Terre Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year Nicole Massey. Photo by Alexis Miller
Bunnell Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year Amanda Davenport-Schulz. Photo by Alexis Miller
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
KIMBERLY AROMANDA
Old Kings Elementary
The second grade teacher is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of the students.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Teaching can be challenging, Kimberly Aromanda admits. But a hug from a former student, a cheerful “Hi, Ms. Aromanda,” or a heartfelt drawing by one of her second graders can brighten her day and remind her what she likes best about her chosen profession.
Aromanda, Old Kings Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year, said becoming a teacher was never a conscious decision she made. It was who she was meant to be.
“In my heart and mind, teaching was always my path,” she said. “I never envisioned myself doing anything else. My goal has always been to instill a love for school in my students, just as I had growing up.”
The joy of teaching, she said, is helping students discover their “yet moments,” the moments when they’ve learned to master something they couldn’t do before.
“I love watching students grow and evolve from the beginning of the year to the end. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the class come together, forming connections and becoming an important part of each other’s lives,” she said. “The relationships they build and the ways they impact one
another make every moment in the classroom truly special.”
Aromanda has been teaching for 25 years. She has been at Old Kings since 2004. Most of that time she taught first grade. She has been teaching second grade for the past two years with a focus on literacy, comprehension, math and writing skills.
“Mrs. Aromanda embodies everything that this award stands for: excellence in teaching, leadership and a deep commitment to the growth and well-being of her students,” Old Kings Elementary School Principal Jessica Fries wrote in her recommendation letter to the Flagler Schools’ Teach of the Year Selection Committee.
Aromanda is a team leader, a role she embraces, Fries said.
“She consistently leads professional development sessions that are thoughtfully aligned with both the specific needs of her colleagues and the overall goals of our school,” Fries said.
Teaching, Aromanda said, is truly a team effort.
“Teachers working together as a team enrich the learning process; teachers and students partnering together foster growth; parents and teachers collaborating make it possible to craft the best learning opportunities for students; (and) administrators supporting and partnering with teachers play a vital role in creating an environment where both educators and students can thrive,” she said.
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
What sets Aromanda apart, Fries said, is her dedication to meeting the diverse needs of her students. That has become more of a priority for Aromanda since schools were shut down because of the pandemic in 2020.
Aromanda said: “That experience profoundly shifted how I approach education. It reshaped my understanding of students’ needs and influenced the way I teach to ensure I meet those evolving needs.”
Being nominated for the district’s Teacher of the Year award fills her with “an overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility,” she said, adding, “It’s an incredible honor to be recognized for doing something I love so deeply.”
In her leisure time, Aromanda enjoys reading and spending quality time with her family.
“One of our favorite activities,” she said, “is playing ‘Guess the Song’ quizzes, though my oldest son and husband are the champions.”
ALLISON CENCEBAUGH
Wadsworth Elementary School
Teaching ESE students has been ‘incredibly rewarding,’ Cencebaugh said.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Allison Cencebaugh taught an inclusion kindergarten class for five years at Wadsworth Elementary School. She integrated the Guy Harvey Foundation STEM standards encompassing marine science literacy and ocean conservation into her lesson plans, and her accomplishments were recognized in a Spotlight at a Flagler County School Board meeting.
This year, she accepted a position in the Behavior Cluster Program teaching Exceptional Student Education students with a focus on Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) and autism.
“The shift has been incredibly rewarding, and I truly enjoy working with these exceptional students,” said Cencebaugh, who is Wadsworth’s Teacher of the Year.
Dr. Kimberli Halliday, Flagler Schools’ director of ESE, wrote in her letter of recommendation to the district’s Teacher of the Year Selection Committee that she has received emails from district and outside legal counsel praising “the quality of Cencebaugh’s Individualized Education Programs, datadriven decision recommendations and undeniable passion for student success.
“Those kinds of accolades do not come often in the
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
COLLEEN WELSH
Rymfire Elementary
Welsh’s passion for teaching helps her overcome her daily challenges. She continues to battle leukemia.
WORONOFF
BRENT
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Elementary school was a struggle for Colleen Welsh.
“I struggled with behavior, academics — especially math — and speech, moving through eight schools and even repeating a grade,” said Welsh, who now teaches elementary school.
Welsh, Rymfire Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year, said everything changed for her when she got into middle school and her English Language Arts teacher became her “Miss Honey” from the Roald Dahl novel “Matilda,” offering kindness and encouragement.
“She transformed school into my safe place, where I began to thrive,” Welsh said. “We stayed in touch through the years, and later, as a substitute teacher, I had the privilege of working alongside her.”
Welsh has been a teacher for 13 years, the past seven at Rymfire, where she currently teaches fifth grade science and social studies.
In his recommendation letter to the district’s Teacher of the Year Selection Committee, Rymfire Principal Travis Lee wrote that Welsh “has a remarkable ability to break
world of ESE and supporting students with significant behavioral challenges,” Halliday wrote.
Cencebaugh said she was “shocked and deeply honored” to be be named Wadsworth’s Teacher of the Year.
“This recognition is one of the highest honors I could imagine, and it holds profound meaning for me,” she said. “Being surrounded by so many exceptional educators on my campus, I feel truly humbled and tremendously grateful for this acknowledgment.”
She said helping her students move from disengagement to an enthusiasm for learning has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her career.
“I firmly believe that the power of knowledge is fundamental to personal growth and
success, and it is a privilege to share this with my students. Inspiring a love for learning is, without a doubt, one of the most fulfilling aspects of teaching,” she said.
One such experience came at the end of a five-year journey mentoring a student with the highest referral rate in the school.
“Through ongoing mentorship and support, (the student’s) behavioral data improved by 87%, and their time spent in school increased by 50%,” Cencebaugh said.
“Additionally, they began participating in afterschool activities, further enhancing their engagement and connection to the school community. Witnessing their transformation — developing a love for school and overcoming personal challenges — has had a profound and lasting impact on their life. This experience highlights the immense power of our profession and the meaningful influence we have in shaping our students’ futures.”
Outside of school, Cencebaugh said she is a huge animal lover and values her time spent with family.
“If there is an animal in need I can’t stray from helping it,” she said. “I am also fortunate enough to have a big family and we are all very close. Time with my family is priceless and something I never take for granted.”
down complex concepts into manageable parts, ensuring that all students can grasp the material. … Colleen’s students consistently achieve remarkable academic outcomes, reflecting her dedication to their learning and growth.”
Welsh has been battling leukemia and each day comes with struggles, she said, but her students and her passion for teaching keep her going.
“Being nominated for District Teacher of the Year fills me with immense gratitude and pride,” Welsh said. “This honor affirms the impact I strive to make and inspires me to continue growing, supporting others and creating meaningful experiences. It’s a powerful reminder that our work as educators truly matters, even in the face of personal challenges.”
Her favorite thing about being a teacher, she said, is having the opportunity to inspire and nurture a love for learning in her students.
“I absolutely love the ‘light bulb’ moments and the ‘aha’ moments when they suddenly understand a concept or idea,” she said. “It’s especially rewarding when they make connections between what we learn in class and their personal lives, as it shows how much their learning resonates with them. Building meaningful relationships with my students and watching them grow both academically and personally is incredibly fulfilling.”
Lee said in addition to being an outstanding teacher, Welsh is a leader on campus serving on Rymfire’s Teacher Leadership Team and Professional Learning Community. When asked what is one piece of wisdom she would share with students, Welsh said it would be to “embrace mistakes and challenges with perseverance. Mistakes are opportunities to learn, and overcoming challenges makes you stronger,” she said. Welsh is active in her church, and before she started her leukemia treatment she was a member of the choir and taught a Sunday school class. She enjoys spending time with close friends. One of her favorite activities, she said, “is walking on the beach looking for sea glass or swimming in the ocean, which helps me relax and connect with nature. I’m also passionate about outdoor activities like tent camping and kayaking, as they allow me to explore new places and enjoy the beauty of the world around me.”
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
DARLA BECK
Imagine School at Town Center
Beck and Stephanie Reyes teach third grade together in a coteacher model.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Darla Beck never wanted to be a teacher.
“I actually have a degree in French,” Beck said. “So everybody was like, ‘You should be a French teacher.’
I said, ‘I don’t want to be a French teacher. I’m going to go into international business or something,’ and then I ended up being a stay-athome mom.”
Beck did work in the corporate world for a time for Citibank. But while raising her children she started substitute teaching to earn extra money, and she discovered she loved it.
“I never thought that I would love teaching, but I just really made connections with the kids,” she said.
Now in her 13th year at Imagine School at Town Center, she is still making connections with her students. Beck is the charter school’s Teacher of the Year.
She is in her 10th year sharing a class as a co-teacher. Beck and Stephanie Reyes teach a third-grade class with 46 students.
“We co-teach (English Language Arts) together at the same time with the whole group,” Beck explained. “Then we pull for small groups. For math, we do two groups. I do a larger group of about 34 and Stephanie does a smaller group that needs some
extra support. For science and social studies, we teach together. We do whole group and then small group.”
Beck and Reyes are in their second year teaching together.
Beck previously shared a class with Colleen Fonte. This is Beck’s first year teaching third grade. Last year, she and Reyes taught fourth grade.
“Ms. Beck has seamlessly managed a dual-classroom model, which has been highly valued by both students and families,” Principal Rachel Spires said.
Beck focuses on developing student character. She and Reyes do several character projects with the class throughout the year.
“Everything that we do, we relate back to character,” Beck said. “Like, do you need to show perseverance in this situation? Do you need to show responsibility? And we even make a struggle time poster where, good productive struggle is an important thing. We know it’s frustrating but as an adult we’re not
always going to be able to get the answer. And so if we don’t learn those coping skills and mechanisms, then as smart as you are or as much information that you have, if you don’t know how to have productive struggle you’re not going to be the most successful version of yourself. And because we teach them how important it is to have self-accountability and responsibility, they really shine academically.”
Spires said Beck brings a calming presence to the classroom.
“Beyond the classroom, she supports her students by guiding them through service-learning projects, teaching the importance of giving back to their community,” Spires said.
Beck has never been a French teacher, but she has used it over the years. She traveled to France. And knowledge of the language has helped in some of her ELA lessons.
“It’s a Latin-based language, so it helps me pass on my knowledge about Greek morphology, Latin-based morphology. It helps to know the word parts,” she said. When she’s not teaching, Beck likes to travel, spend time with her boyfriend, Rodney Harshbarger — who is a music teacher at old Kings Elementary School — watch her younger son, Noah’s soccer games at Matanzas High School and visit her older son, who is a freshman illustration and graphic design major at UCF.
“We are proud of Ms. Beck and her unwavering commitment to our school, students and families,” Spires said.
Kimberly Aromanda. Photo by Alexis Miller
Wadsworth Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year Allison Cencebaugh. Photo by Alexis Miller
Imagine School’s Teacher of the Year Darla Beck. Photo by Alexis Miller
Rymfire Elementary School’s Teacher of the Year Colleen Welsh. Photo by Alexis Miller
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
ASHLEY FORREST
School’s assessment coordinator also coaches softball and is the football team’s No. 1 fan.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
As a softball coach, Ashley Forrest has had a hand in training many utility players — those athletes who play multiple positions.
Matanzas High School
Principal Kristin Bozeman calls Forrest the “ultimate utility player on our leadership team.” Forrest, the Matanzas Teacher of the Year, is the school’s assessment coordinator. But her impact on the school extends far beyond that role.
“Ashley exemplifies the qualities of an exceptional educator — caring, dedicated and patient — while contributing to the academic and personal growth of students and the professional development of her colleagues,” Bozeman wrote in her recommendation letter to Flagler Schools’ Teacher of the Year Selection Committee. “Ashley’s efforts in mentoring new teachers, serving on professional committees and spearheading initiatives such as the Professional Learning Community process illustrate her deep dedication to education and her colleagues’ growth.”
Forrest, who is from Eclectic, Alabama, graduated from Murray State University in Kentucky in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. She has been a teacher for 13
Matanzas High School
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
PHIL DEAUGUSTINO
More than a school counselor: DeAugustino has been a cornerstone of the FPC community.
BRENT WORONOFF
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Flagler Palm Coast High School would not be
‘Florida’s Proudest Campus’ without Mr. Phil DeAugustino,” wrote former FPC Principal Dusty Sims in a letter of recommendation to the Flagler Schools Teacher of the Year Selection Committee.
DeAugustino, FPC’s Teacher of the Year, is by his own admission, not a traditional Teacher of the Year choice. He is a school counselor and department chair. But during his 37 years at FPC, his contributions to the school are lengthy, noted Sims, who is currently Florida Department of Education’s state executive director for School Improvement.
Sims wrote that DeAugustino played a pivotal role in “curriculum alignment” for FPC’s Fire Academy, “a program that stands as a model for the state.” He also was one of the founders of FPC’s International Baccalaureate program and helped develop articulation agreements with nearby colleges and universities to allow students to dual enroll and earn college credits while still in high school, Sims’ letter says.
As a school counselor, DeAugustino’s caseload includes all IB students and
“In middle and high school, I was raised by my granddaddy, and my teachers at school became part of my family.”
ASHLEY FORREST
years across three states and seven school districts. During her first three years at Matanzas, she taught precalculus, Algebra 2 and Algebra 1.
“She worked tirelessly to make challenging mathematical concepts accessible, inspiring confidence in students who previously struggled in the subject,” Bozeman wrote.
Forrest has been the school’s testing coordinator for the past two years. She also serves on the school’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Committee and the Capturing Kids’ Hearts Committee.
“I’ve always approached educating students with building relationships,” she said. “One of my highest evaluation marks is always student rapport. A few years ago when Flagler Schools introduced the Capturing Kids’ Hearts initiative, it was the best (professional learning) that I’ve ever done. It solidified for me that relationships are what truly matter the most.”
She said she developed that belief back when she was in school.
“In middle and high school, I was raised by my granddaddy, and my teachers at school became part of my family,” Forrest said. “The love, support and guidance that
Flagler Palm Coast School
students whose last names fall in the Wal-Z alphabetical range. Before becoming a counselor, he taught psychology and American history. Education seems to be the family business, he said. His wife, Sherry, is a fifth grade teacher at Riverbend Academy in Ormond Beach. Both of his parents were teachers. His mother taught for over 30
years and his father was a hall of fame coach and teacher for 48 years. Two of his brothers are in education, including Steve, FPC’s longtime wrestling coach and athletic director. Aunts, uncles and cousins are educators. One aunt is in her 52nd year as a teacher “and still going strong,” DeAugustino said.
DeAugustino said his favor-
ite part of his job is the diversity of the student population he works with.
“I have students of all levels of ability with a variety of successes and challenges,” he said. “Each day is unique in what we face to meet the students’ needs. Where teachers may develop a lesson plan for the day to follow, we have to be prepared for whatever comes
I received from my teachers became a huge influence in my life. The saying, ‘Be who you needed when you were younger,’ really defines me professionally.”
Her grandaddy reminded her of the importance of those relationships when she called him up years ago after having a difficult day in the classroom.
“I was feeling defeated, I was tired and I was questioning it all,” she said. “At the end of the phone call, my granddaddy finished with this, ‘Your students need you. You can’t give up on them, and at the end of the day, they will not give up on you.’”
Forrest’s school day doesn’t usually end with the dismissal bell. Not only is she an assistant softball coach, her husband, Matt Forrest, is the Pirates’ head football coach. They support each other’s teams and they attend games for all of the sports.
“We truly are each other’s biggest fans,” she said. “I enjoy all of our adventures together from traveling, various sporting events, fishing, golfing, taking our greyhound, Minerva, to Good Times, exploring different restaurants or going out on the boat or on Jeep rides; it’s never boring with him.”
Forrest said she is honored and humbled to be selected as Matanzas’ Teacher of the Year.
“There are so many dedicated and highly regarded teachers at MHS. Just even being on the same ticket with the others who were nominated (for Flagler Schools’ Teacher of the Year), it’s hard to put into words how humbling it actually is. I am grateful to be recognized by my colleagues,” she said.
our way each day. Whether a scheduled meeting, academic need or crisis, school counselors never have a typical day.”
Each day has its challenges, he said, but the rewards are plentiful: seeing a student overcome a difficult situation or celebrate an achievement or simply connecting with them as their advocate.
“Ultimately, the greatest
“Ultimately, the greatest motivator is handing them a diploma after working alongside the students for four years. School counselors love graduation!”
PHIL DEAUGSTINO
motivator is handing them a diploma after working alongside the students for four years. School counselors love graduation! Without a doubt, it is by far the greatest sense of happiness in our jobs,” DeAugustino said.
After 37 years, DeAugustino is well-connected to FPC. His daughter and two sons graduated from FPC. Former students return to enroll their own sons or daughters or to become teachers and colleagues.
“We have many FPC alumni on our current staff. It’s great to be a part of that community,” he said.
DeAugustino said he has been “blessed to have grown up in a great family that provided a blueprint for me and my wife to create a loving family of our own. Professionally, I have been fortunate to always be surrounded by amazing colleagues at Flagler Palm Coast High School. Fellow teachers, guidance counselors, support staff and administrators have mentored me and taught me so much.” In his leisure time, DeAugustino said he loves to exercise and spend time with his wife and kids and now five grandkids.
Matanzas High School’s Teacher of the Year Ashley Forrest. Photo by Alexis Miller
Flagler Palm Coast’s Teacher of the Year Phil DeAugustino. Photo by Alexis Miller
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
AMY PAROLA
iFlagler
When Parola went back to school at age 36, a professor suggested she turn her love of math into a career in math education.
BRENT WORONOFF ASSOCIATE EDITOR
iFlagler Teacher of the Year
Amy Parola teaches sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade math, in addition to three algebra courses, so by eighth grade she has the same students three years in a row.
“I love that I really get to know them and watch them grow from adolescence into their early teen years,” she said. “Watching their growth and transition is my favorite part of being a teacher in my current placement.”
Parola has been teaching for 10 years. She went back to school when she was 36 with the intention of getting certified as a physical therapist assistant. But when she took the required math courses, she remembered that she loved math and was really good at it. Her professor suggested that she pursue a degree in math education.
Parola said being nominated for Flagler Schools’ Teacher of the Year has allowed her to reflect on her career.
“It’s like taking an inventory in a sense,” she said. “There are a lot of things that I am doing well but still plenty of space for growth and improvement.”
iFlagler Principal Erin Quinn
said in her letter of recommendation for Parola’s nomination that she teaches six different math courses simultaneously yet always provides personalized support to help her students succeed.
“She excels in reaching students with a wide range of learning styles and needs,” Quinn wrote. “… She has a unique ability to make learning math both engaging and enjoyable, transforming complex topics into accessible, manageable lessons that her students can grasp with confidence.”
Parola said interacting with her students keeps her motivated.
“Sometimes a conversation with one of them or an interesting response to a question or problem can turn my day around,” she said.
Parola recalled how early in her career she learned to treat each student as an individual.
In her first year of teaching, she said, the talking and socializing in class one afternoon was out of control.
“When I had reached my
“She has a unique ability to make learning math both engaging and enjoyable.”
ERIN QUINN, iFlagler Principal on Teacher of the Year Amy Parola
limits, I impulsively decided to give a short pop quiz,” she said. “I distributed index cards and wrote a few questions on the screen. When I was grading the quizzes later, one of my students had titled the quiz, ‘Punishment Quiz.’ I learned a lesson about allowing the behavior of a few to impact the treatment of the whole group. I never gave another punishment quiz and was careful to make both consequences and rewards individualized and appropriate moving forward.”
Outside of teaching, Parola’s No. 1 passion is scuba diving. She goes diving as much as possible and enjoys many other outdoor activities such as hiking, biking and kayaking. If she could share one piece of wisdom with her students, she said, it would be, “Don’t let perfectionism hold you back.”
“Time is a precious resource, and it’s important to use it wisely,” she said. “Instead of striving for perfection, focus on progress and learning. Experiment with new things, take risks, and embrace failure as an opportunity to grow. By doing so, you’ll discover your passions, talents and true self. Remember, it’s not about being perfect; it’s about being authentic and living a fulfilling life.”
iFlagler’s Teacher of the Year Amy Parola. Photo by Alexis Miller
COMICS
Non Sequitur
Nancy
Mother Goose
The
In the Bleachers
Cornered
Ziggy
Brothers
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You can pick it up for free around your community. Or get it delivered to your driveway every week for just per month with digital. $4.99 for only digital
$6.99
1. Comprehensive local government reporting, with no political agenda
2. Inspiring stories of local triumphs
3. The best local sports coverage in the state, according one of our local high school athletic directors
4. Crossword puzzle and comics!
5. Mike Cavaliere's humor column, now published every other week, alternating with Brian McMillan's "Make Yourself at Home" column
6. Reading print means less doom-scrolling on your phone
7. Multiple editors to give you the accuracy you deserve
8. Awarding winning photographers
9. Find out which local businesses are most committed to reaching you, through their advertisements
10. Letters to the editor, providing the community with a curated opinion page 10 reasons to subscribe
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