Evening of Excellence 2024: Teacher of the Year

Teacher of the Year

January 22, 2024 | 6:30 p.m.

Mahaffey Theater LIVE AND VIRTUAL EVENT EVENINGOFEXCELLENCE.ORG

It is with great pride that the Pinellas County Schools community comes together to celebrate the 2024 Teachers of the Year. Amazing teachers change the lives of the scholars in their classrooms across this district.

Remarkable teachers who educate students and prepare them for college, career and life are those who listen, motivate and mentor through their lessons every day. They dive deep into their content and provide engaging experiences that ignite imagination, critical thinking and learning for all their students. Everyone can recall the teacher who believed in us, who encouraged us to pursue our dreams and taught us how to overcome adversity.

The impact an amazing teacher can have on a student and family is infinite.

I invite our entire community to honor the teachers of Pinellas County Schools at our Evening of Excellence on Monday, January 22 at the Mahaffey Theater.

While only one educator will be named the district Teacher of the Year, all of the nominees are exemplars of the teaching profession.

Thank you to Pinellas Education Foundation for hosting such an inspiring event and providing more than 37 years of support and resources to the teachers, students, families and communities of Pinellas County Schools.

Sincerely,

Kevin K. Hendrick Superintendent Pinellas County Schools

Congratulations

to all of the standout Pinellas County Schools teachers who will be celebrated at the 2024 Evening of Excellence!

All of these nominees were selected as Teacher of the Year at their respective schools.

• TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES 2024 • Dana Porte Anona Elementary Jillian Ford Azalea Elementary Nicholas Pedevillano Azalea Middle Rebecca Maphet Bardmoor Elementary Vivian Kelley Bauder Elementary Kyle Fischer Bay Point Elementary Troy White Bay Point Middle Kristin Jennings Bay Vista Fundamental Elementary JoAnn Lind Bayside High Nicole Hinton-Ruoff Bear Creek Elementary Karen Kellogg Belcher Elementary Carly Deal Belleair Elementary Jennifer Harding Blanton Elementary Michael Gauthier Boca Ciega High Shannon Livingston Brooker Creek Elementary Tamara Williams-Walters Calvin Hunsinger Exceptional Student Education Center Seana Benedict Campbell Park Elementary Peter Scalia Carwise Middle Erin Raineri Clearview Adult Education Center Irene Bachmann Clearwater Adult Education Center Deanna Barthel Clearwater Fundamental Middle Kylie Aliberto Clearwater High Heather Boylan Countryside High Lynette Jones Cross Bayou Elementary Jennifer Cocio Curlew Creek Elementary Emily Arends Curtis Fundamental Elementary

Karen Tubergen Cypress Woods Elementary Pamela Douglas Disston Academy Kris Tweed Douglas L. Jamerson, Jr. Elementary Diane Thomssen Dunedin Elementary Cara-Lyn Mullholand Dunedin High Justin Russell Dunedin Highland Middle Taycora Canfield East Lake High Karin David East Lake Middle Susan Boulay Educational Alternative Services Nicole Masi Eisenhower Elementary Ashley Morelli Elisa Nelson Elementary Jenna Mosher Fairmount Park Elementary Tiffany Rossiter Forest Lakes Elementary Cara Coughlin Frontier Elementary Jodi Berrian Fuguitt Elementary Yvette Poth Garrison-Jones Elementary Debbie Georgia-Stein Gibbs High Meghan Starnes Gulf Beaches Elementary Magnet Allison Hackett Gulfport Elementary Nicole Sackett High Point Elementary Taylor Martins Highland Lakes Elementary Shoshana August Hollins High Kimberly Kearney James B. Sanderlin K-8 IB World Donna Jo East John Hopkins Middle Joseph Smolek John M. Sexton Elementary Tawny Baird Kings Highway Elementary Magnet Rachel Hart Lake St. George Elementary

Beth Carter Lakeview Fundamental Elementary Bruce Hewitt Lakewood Community Lisa Metts Lakewood Elementary Erin Fitzgerald Largo High Olivia Crawford Largo Middle Tara McClintick Lealman Avenue Elementary Ransom Cook Lealman Innovation Academy Erin Ornot Leila G. Davis Elementary Aida Gonzalez Lynch Elementary Laura Mosall Madeira Beach Fundamental K-8 Christine Eells Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary Naomi Middlebrooks Maximo Elementary Erin Frazier McMullen-Booth Elementary Adrienne Wood Meadowlawn Middle Shelly Levitsky Melrose Elementary Brittany McCrea Midtown Academy Donna Conte Mildred Helms Elementary Veronica Vergara Morgan Fitzgerald Middle Stacey Golliner Mount Vernon Elementary Chelsea Craft New Heights Elementary Yvette McNiece Nina Harris Exeptional Student Education Center Barbara Paetzold North Shore Elementary Joseph Havelka Northeast High Jordan Bryan Northwest Elementary Brittany Gagne Oak Grove Middle Lisa LeColst Oakhurst Elementary

Erica Anderson Oldsmar Elementary Heather Williamson Condit Orange Grove Elementary Michele Copello Osceola Fundamental High Benjamin Kackley Osceola Middle Bridget Hollenbeck Ozona Elementary Autumn Lunin Palm Harbor Middle Lisa Bitting Palm Harbor University High Phoebe Waller Pasadena Fundamental Elementary Athina Panagiotopoulos Paul B. Stephens Exceptional Student Education Center Amy Viegas Perkins Elementary Blair Duffy Pinellas Central Elementary Edward Van Riper Pinellas Gulf Coast Academy Joseph Sullivan Pinellas High Innovation Dolores Applegarth Pinellas Park Elementary Elizabeth Hall Pinellas Park High Maryoris McBride Pinellas Park Middle Rebecca Begnaud Pinellas Secondary Marianne Shaffer Pinellas Technical College-Clearwater Tenise Crum Pinellas Technical College-St. Petersburg Angela Williamson Pinellas Virtual Jennifer Janecek Plumb Elementary Sadra Bostick Ponce de Leon Elementary Allison Hornbeck Richard L. Sanders Exceptional Student Education Center Kelsey Carvajal Richard O. Jacobson Technical High at Seminole Janine Courchene Ridgecrest Elementary

Cherie Cross Safety Harbor Elementary Annette Salgado Safety Harbor Middle Jing Wang-McPherson Safety Harbor Middle Jennifer Pack San Jose Elementary Kristin Campbell Sandy Lane Elementary Thomas Wade Sawgrass Lake Elementary Maureen Schuler Seminole Elementary Gerard Madrinan Seminole High Heidi Payne Seminole Middle Jodie Snyder Seventy-Fourth Street Elementary Lauren Frederick Shore Acres Elementary Heather Sullivan Skycrest Elementary Sarah Durspek Skyview Elementary Paola "Stacie" Bruce Southern Oak Elementary Ashlie Flanigan St. Petersburg High Adam Moravick Starkey Elementary Katherine Hill Sunset Hills Elementary Aimee Sparkman Sutherland Elementary Ipapanti Kapsalakis Tarpon Springs Elementary Teresa "Terry" Bodolay Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary Katherine Henges Tarpon Springs High Brenda Viana Tarpon Springs Middle Jacqueline Harding Thurgood Marshall Fundamental Middle Cole Pierce Tyrone Middle Michelle Scarangella Walsingham Elementary Tammy Wilkes Westgate Elementary Dorian Garcia Woodlawn Elementary

Teacher of the Year Finalists 2024

Deanna Barthel

Lisa Bitting

Clearwater Fundamental Middle

Palm Harbor University High

“I want my students to know that no matter what, there is someone in their lives cheering them on and working to help them succeed. I will know that I have made a positive impact on their lives if they leave my classroom with confidence in themselves to do hard things.”

“I believe a classroom doesn't need four walls.

A classroom can be any place where there is mutual respect between people that allows knowledge to flow. I have a huge passion to reach as many students as possible with a smile, a kind word, and many ways of learning.”

Sadra Bostick Ponce de Leon Elementary

“I want my students to see mistakes as opportunities for growth, to face challenges with perseverance, and to understand change requires time. I want them to embrace tolerance and radiate kindness towards themselves and others. I want them to be confident and know they are capable of great things.”

Kristin Campbell Sandy Lane Elementary

“I aim for my scholars and their families to sense my dedication, know my love, and draw strength from my unwavering belief in their potential.

My goal is to equip them with vital socio-emotional skills for academic and life challenges.”

Karin David East Lake Middle “I want students to return in 10 years and say, “In your classroom, I know I mattered.” While I want them to remember important skills and fun dynamics, my actions should be impactful, memorable, and life changing. I hope they remember that small matters have enormous importance.”

Pinellas Education Foundation’s annual Evening of Excellence is more than just an event; it’s a heartfelt tribute to those who invest their time, passion, and resources into shaping the future.

Imagine an evening with the spotlight on everyday heroes in our classrooms – teachers who go above and beyond to nurture young minds.

This awards ceremony, held at the beautiful Mahaffey Theater in St. Petersburg, features 131 Teacher of the Year nominees from each school and the top 10 finalists competing to receive the prestigious 2024 Pinellas County Schools’ Teacher of the Year title.

We want to express our sincere gratitude to all our teachers and congratulate those who have been nominated. Please join us in honoring the selfless commitment of these educators as we appreciate the countless hours spent, the innovative lessons crafted and the dedication they each hold to unlocking potential within each student.

Be a part of our Evening of Excellence – where we showcase excellence in education and celebrate Pinellas County Teachers for all they do to increase student achievement.

Debbie Georgia-Stein

Kristin Jennings

Gibbs High

Bay Vista Fundamental Elementary

“I want my students to learn to love learning and to question everything.

I want them to become independent and successful in whatever they decide to do in life. I want to build their confidence so they will be willing to take on any challenge.”

“I want to leave an impact that will last a lifetime.

I want my students to remember that hard work and effort make you successful in life. I want them to never give up, believe in themselves, always try their best, and know that I will always be there for them.”

Gerard Madrinan

Naomi Middlebrooks

Cole Pierce

Seminole High

Maximo Elementary

Tyrone Middle

“Being a classroom teacher means having the opportunity to change students’ lives for the better. It’s an exhilarating mission that has never felt like a job. My hope is to inspire them to work hard at what they do, believe in themselves and love the process of getting up each morning.”

“My goal for my students is to foster lasting independence and confidence. My vision for them is to transition from fifth grade with newfound bravery as they navigate new experiences, equipped with the skills needed to maintain organization, advocate, and problem solve.”

“Being a classroom teacher means building strong positive relationships, providing students a safe learning space to take chances and make mistakes, and providing students with meaningful learning experiences to shape them into successful scholars and citizens.”

The Emerging Teacher of the Year Award recognizes teachers in their second or third year who are making an impact. Congratulations to Dr. Amanda Daniels, Palm Harbor University High School and Katrina Carpenter, Mt. Vernon Elementary School.

With gratitude,

Tash Elwyn Chair, Board of Directors Pinellas Education Foundation

Kim Jowell CEO, Pinellas Education Foundation

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

About Pinellas Education Foundation Pinellas Education Foundation is a nationally recognized, dynamic non-profit organization committed to transforming students’ lives, empowering them to achieve their full potential, and providing teachers with the resources they need to excel in the classroom. Through innovative initiatives, a strategic partnership with Pinellas County Schools, and collaboration with community partners, we work tirelessly to accelerate educational achievement for all students.

With a comprehensive approach to education, our programs cover the bookends of learning, beginning with an emphasis on early literacy all the way through the intricate pathways of college and career readiness. Improving outcomes, especially for students with the greatest achievement gaps, is pivotal to our work. Our commitment to quality education spans the entire spectrum, and we are constantly evolving to address the ever-changing needs of students and teachers.

We strive to create a community where education is a priority – where every student has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, and every teacher has the resources and support they need. To learn more, visit pinellaseducation.org.

To learn more about Pinellas Education Foundation, please visit pinellaseducation.org

Astro Skate Family Fun Center City of Clearwater Creative Contractors Duggan Cooley & David Martinez-Cooley Great Bay Distributors Hancock Whitney Bank Nova Southeastern University Pinellas Community Foundation Regions Bank St. Petersburg College MEDIA SPONSOR

Visit EveningofExcellence.org to learn more. This is a ticketless event. Join us at the Mahaffey Theater or watch the livestream at 6:30 p.m. on January 22.