After waiting six weeks since the three finalists for Lake County Schools Teacher of the Year were announced, the suspense came to an end Saturday evening with Nancy Hunter from Leesburg High gracing the stage at Lake Receptions in Mount Dora as the 2011-2012 titleholder.
The Teachers of the Year Celebration, presented by the Educational Foundation of Lake County, recognized 45 teachers from Lake County Schools that were nominated by their peers to represent their respective schools.
“We’re here tonight to honor our teachers,” said Joe Alexander, President of the Educational Foundation of Lake County. “You are our lifeline to a brighter future.”
From the 45 nominees, a panel of six judges graded the teachers’ applications to narrow the list to three finalists: Stephanie Hauff from East Ridge Middle, Nancy Hunter from Leesburg High and Maurice Simmons from Eustis Heights Elementary. Three judges conducted a site interview with the finalists before arriving at the final choice.
The celebration included a host of speakers, including Jerry Miller from Progress Energy and Lake County School Board Members Debbie Stivender, Tod Howard, Jim Miller and Rosanne Brandeburg. The emcee for the evening was Lake County Sheriff Gary Borders.
“I know I speak on behalf of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and the Educational Foundation of Lake County when I say we appreciate you,” Borders said after introducing the Teachers of the Year.
As anticipation grew for the final selection to be announced, Lake County Schools Superintendent Dr. Susan Moxley and 2010-2011 Teacher of the Year Lori Westphal from Rimes Early Learning & Literacy Center helped set the stage by talking about the importance of the teaching profession and the honor of being selected the District’s Teacher of the Year, which will compete for the state title.
“Teaching is much like gardening,” Dr. Moxley said. “We know there are many skills practices, special materials and resources to be used in producing a beautiful and plentiful garden. We know that each plant is different and needs different levels of sunlight, water or fertilizer. But in the end, the variety of flowers and the vast array of colors, their vibrancy and fragrance sets apart the average garden from the one of great recognition and beauty.”
Dr. Moxley opened the envelope to reveal Hunter’s selection and the crowd of more than 500 erupted with applause. Shortly after the announcement, Dr. Kathy Cantwell, School Administrator from Rimes Early Learning & Literacy Center, transferred the Teacher of the Year Trophy to Bill Miller, Principal at Leesburg High.
With 18 years of teaching experience – three at Leesburg High School – Hunter is currently the Freshmen Foundations Teacher, a nine-week course new to Leesburg High School this year that educates freshmen on how to organize, prepare and plan for life after high school graduation.
The other Teachers of the Year include:
- Cathy Burris, Astatula Elementary
- Mary Rose Dickinson, Beverly Shores Elementary
- Tina Stoer, Carver Middle
- Debra Dvorak, Clermont Elementary
- Jodi Hoadley, Clermont Middle
- Lisa Waterman, Cypress Ridge Elementary
- William Barto, East Ridge High
- Maria Conde, Eustis Elementary
- Stefani Monn, Eustis High
- Karen Flores, Eustis Middle
- Jeanne McDonald, Fruitland Park Elementary
- Laura Smith, Grassy Lake Elementary
- Matthew R. Monczka, Gray Middle
- Katherine Smith, Groveland Elementary
- Susan Vucic, Lake Hills School
- Sherie A. Lindamood, Lake Technical Center
- Lesa Roe, Leesburg Elementary
- Karin Banahan, Lost Lake Elementary
- Jaime Reis-Elbara, Mascotte Elementary
- Carlie Chemidlin, Milestones Community
- Diane Revels, Minneola Elementary
- Gerald (Jerry) Buell, Mount Dora High
- Walter Frisby, Jr., Mount Dora Middle
- Lilly Jenkins, Oak Park Middle
- Julia Juhl, Pine Ridge Elementary
- Michael Alsobrook, Rimes Early Learning & Literacy Center
- Julie Haught, Round Lake Elementary
- Christina Elemen Lees, Sawgrass Bay Elementary
- Trish Purdham, Seminole Springs Elementary
- Fiorella Cleversey, Sorrento Elementary
- Scott Clark, South Lake High
- Nancy Glass, Spring Creek Elementary
- Laura Salmann, Tavares Elementary
- Marcus Herrington, Tavares High
- Kay Hauserman, Tavares Middle
- AnnMarie Mielke, Treadway Elementary
- Linda Parker, Triangle Elementary
- Carol Ann Morris-Smith, Umatilla Elementary
- Gary John Hopcraft, Umatilla High
- Kimberly Frazier, Umatilla Middle
- Susan Rayment, Villages Elementary
- Emily Nelson, Windy Hill Middle
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