2012-13 Teacher of the Year: A List of Finalist Contenders

Who will get surprise visits this week at work, signifying their selection as finalists for the 2013 Teacher of the Year award in Hillsborough County?

The selections will come from the list below (see who earned the honor at your neighborhood school).

According to Roselle Cronan, marketing manager for the Hillsborough Education Foundation, "surprise patrols" are set to visit schools Jan. 18 to announce this year's Teacher of the Year finalists.

• See Video Shows How Educator Learns She Is a Finalist for 2012 Teacher of the Year

• See 

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What To Know About Hillsborough's Teacher Of The Year Program

• The annual Teacher of the Year Award program starts with nominees at each of Hillsborough’s public schools, which leads to the selection of one top teacher at each school.

• In turn, those teachers become the nominees for the district’s list of finalists.

• “All schools in the district are invited to nominate one teacher at their site whom they feel is the most well-rounded and professional,” according to a notice posted on the Hillsborough Education Foundation website. “Finalists are selected by a district committee and individually interviewed. One winner is then selected for the prestigious honor of being named Hillsborough County’s Teacher of the Year.”

• The district’s top teacher goes on to compete for Florida State Teacher of the Year.

• The state’s top teacher then enters the national Teacher of the Year contest.

• Yolanda Whitehead Driskell, a teacher at Hillsborough High School, was named the 2012 Teacher of the Year.

• Cynthia Folsom Crim, a teacher at Palm River Elementary, was named the 2011 Teacher of the Year.

• Emily Marrero, a teacher at Philip Shore Elementary School, earned the honor in 2010.

• Cleveland Elementary School teacher Megan Allen in 2009 won not only Hillsborough’s Teacher of the Year award, but also advanced as a finalist in the National Teacher of the Year contest by earning the state’s top-teacher title.

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2013 Teachers of the Year at Hillsborough Public Schools

School Nominee First Name Nominee Last Name Job Title Adams Middle Heidi A. Gomez ESE Teacher Alafia Elementary Kathy E. Mulvihill 3rd Grade Teacher Alexander Elementary Laura K. Johnson 2nd Grade Teacher Alonso High Tricia Weber Hope Teacher Anderson Elementary Lindsey N. Schenker 4th Grade Teacher Aparicio-Levy Technical Center Enrique J. Claro Nunez ESOL Teacher Apollo Beach Elementary Stacie Seal 4th Grade Teacher Armwood High Denise Silver Science Teacher B.T. Washington Elementary Dakota Rosa 1st Grade Teacher Bailey Elementary Kelly Brocato Math Resource Teacher Ballast Point Elementary Deborah   Scott 3rd Grade Teacher Barrington Middle Brittany M. Jones  6th Grade Math Teacher Bartels Middle Jamie E. King 8th Grade Math Teacher Bay Crest Elementary Andrea Marie Sprehe 3rd Grade Teacher Bellamy Elementary Kimberlee C. Stache 3rd Grade Teacher Benito Middle Charmaine Jones 7th Grade Civics Teacher Bevis Elementary Judy Haney 5th Grade Teacher Bing Elementary Toy Richardson 4th Grade Teacher Blake High Victoria R. Heiser Social Studies Teacher & Dept Head Bloomingdale High Anthony J. Pendino, Jr. Math Teacher Bowers/Whitley Career Center Margie G. Maye Business Technology Instructor Boyette Springs Elementary Ruth Garcia 4th Grade Teacher Boys Preparatory Academy at Franklin Middle Magnet Jennifer A. Williams Science Teacher Brandon Alternative Zandra Floyd VE/ESE Teacher Brandon High Brian Krautter Instructor/Dept Head/Swim Coach Brewster Technical Center Marlene Keefe Early Childhood Education Instructor Brooker Elementary Donna Sawyer 4th Grade Teacher Broward Elementary Irma Luna Kindergarten Teacher  (Doesn't want her first name used in program) Bryan Elementary Sheila M. Rypkema 4th Grade Teacher Bryant Elementary Betty Trascritti Music Teacher Buchanan Middle Lisa N. Quinn 6th Grade Teacher Buckhorn Elementary Margaret H. Busby Physical Education Teacher Burnett Middle Patricia Banks-Holbert 6th Grade World History Teacher Burney Elementary Dulcie Citek-Gary ESE Teacher Burns Middle Michael D. Williams 7th Grade Science Teacher Cahoon Elementary Magnet Jessica Ellis 1st Grade Teacher Caminiti ESE Center Deborah D. Widen ESE/InD Teacher Cannella Elementary Sheri E. Rodriguez Math Resource Teacher Carrollwood Elementary Brian Cunningham 2nd Grade Teacher Carver Center Shanon Bowen English EBD Teacher Chamberlain High Jackie Stewart Art Teacher Chiaramonte Elementary Sandy Kirkner Media Specialist Chiles Elementary Shannon Seavey 5th Grade Teacher Cimino Elementary Elizabeth Sanchez 5th Grade Teacher Citrus Park Elementary Judy Shargaa ESE Teacher Clair Mel Elementary Lisa Antonija Cappucci 3rd Grade Teacher Clark Elementary Enid Miranda 2nd Grade Teacher Claywell Elementary Sharon S. Smith 1st Grade Teacher Cleveland Elementary Nicole A. Zamora Science Resource Teacher Coleman Middle Jennifer R. Miller Math Teacher, SAL Collins Elementary Karen Wilson 3rd Grade Teacher Colson Elementary Kimberly Conrad 3rd Grade Teacher Cork Elementary Trina E. Miller 2nd Grade Teacher Corr Elementary    Antonio Hernandez Art Teacher Crestwood Elementary Nathaniel Strawbridge Music Teacher Cypress Creek Elementary Ann Elliott Williford Kindergarten Teacher Davidsen Middle Shane W. Heath Art Educator Davis Elementary                Sandra Guadalupe 5th Grade Teacher Deer Park Elementary Melissa Austin 4th Grade Teacher DeSoto Elementary Sabrina Ruiz K-5 Reading Coach Dickenson Elementary Maybelly Pabon 2nd Grade Teacher Doby Elementary David Albritton Computer Education Dorothy Thomas Ryan M. Otto Science Teacher Dover Elementary Ninfa Rodriguez 2nd Grade Teacher Dowdell Middle Magnet Wade Martin Reading Teacher Dunbar Elementary Magnet Rachel Buchanan Math Resource Teacher Durant High Deirdre A. Justice Social Studies Teacher East Bay High Rebecca Rouch Science Teacher Edison Elementary Vanity Roker 3rd Grade Teacher Egypt Lake Elementary Tracy Gonzalez 3rd Grade Teacher Eisenhower Middle Robin L. Hawk 6th Grade Science Teacher Erwin Technical Center Alice Murphy Medical Assisting Instructor Essrig Elementary Christie Marie Fojaco Kindergarten Teacher Farnell Middle Jennifer H. Thomas Math Teacher  FishHawk Creek Elementary Jane Norsworthy Farkas 2nd Grade Teacher Folsom Elementary Erika Easdale 4th Grade Teacher Forest Hills Elementary Larry L. White   3rd Grade Teacher Foster Elementary Natasha Jacobs Kindergarten Teacher Freedom High William Andrew Tillman Economics Teacher Frost Elementary Jenna Osman 5th Grade Teacher Gaither High Jean Cattoi Science Teacher Gary Adult Karen Steen English Teacher Gibsonton Elementary Phyllis Cruz-Ginorio 1st Grade Teacher Girls Preparatory Academy at Ferrell Middle Magnet Ellen M. Truskowski Magnet Lead Teacher Giunta Middle Trevor Harada 8th Grade Math Teacher Gorrie Elementary Nicholas Catania 5th Grade Teacher Grady Elementary Maureen A. Weathers 3rd Grade Teacher Graham Elementary Martha M. Cobb VE Teacher Greco Middle Keeney Hayes STEM Science Teacher - SAL Hammond Elementary Vicki Elam Anderson 4th Grade Teacher Heritage Elementary Kaila Wiseman 3rd Grade Teacher Hill Middle Matthew  Galime  Teacher - Math Hillsborough High Cecilia Boyce English Teacher Hospital/Homebound Lori Green Teacher/Case Manager Hunter's Green Elementary Jessica Landers 3rd Grade Teacher Ippolito Elementary Ahira J. Torres Kindergarten Teacher Jackson Elementary Barbara Sanders Knox Math Coach/Resource James Elementary      Jeffrey Allan Cooley 3rd Grade Teacher Jefferson High Christina Fuller English/Reading Teacher Jennings Middle Nina Scaglione Resource Teacher Just Elementary                 Shelly D. Gray Writing Resource Teacher Kenly Elementary Shannon Johnson 5th Grade Teacher Kimbell Elementary Zemenaye Belda 3rd Grade Teacher King High Dakeyan C. Graham Band/Orchestra Director Kingswood Elementary Kenneth Weber 4th Grade Teacher Knights Elementary Dana Moore 5th Grade Teacher Lake Magdalene Elementary Joanne Hainz Kindergarten Teacher Lanier Elementary Kyla Bailey Music Teacher LaVoy ESE Center Betty Anozier-Trader ESE Teacher Learey Technical Center Janeel Shulmister Dept Chair/Instructor Lee Elementary Magnet Bonnie E. Taylor 4th Grade Teacher Lennard High Erin Elsberry Agriscience Teacher Leto High Christopher   Collins Math Teacher Lewis Elementary Julie Fleming 2nd Grade Teacher Liberty Middle Bonnie Coleman Fuhrmeister 8th Grade Teacher Limona Elementary Dawn Kossow 1st Grade Teacher Lincoln Elementary Magnet Nicole Marie Rees 3rd Grade Teacher Lithia Springs Elementary Stacie Hall 4th Grade Teacher Lockhart Elementary Magnet Jessica Addington Magnet Lead Lomax Elementary Magnet Rhonda Hurst Media Specialist Lopez Elementary Dawn Firestine 3rd Grade Teacher Lopez ESE Center Sara Schwanzl ESE Teacher Lowry Elementary Mark D. Raynor Physical Education Teacher Lutz Elementary Ann Lowery 1st Grade Teacher Mabry Elementary Matthew D. Maines Music Teacher MacFarlane Park Elementary Magnet       Jason C. Roberts Physical Education Teacher Madison Middle Leiann Norman Reading Teacher Mango Elementary Elise Kelly-Becker 4th Grade Teacher Maniscalco Elementary Katie Hall 2nd Grade Teacher Mann Middle David Middleton 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher Marshall Middle Valencia Jackson VE/ESE Specialist Martinez Middle Betsy Dillon Math SAL Teacher McDonald Elementary Heidi Smith Kindergarten Teacher McKitrick Elementary Alicia Q. Hunter-Davis Music Specialist McLane Middle Julie B. Justin Teacher Memorial Middle Aesha Bailey Physical Education Teacher Mendenhall Elementary Barbara Barnes Kindergarten Teacher Mendez Center Tania S. Drotleff EBD Teacher Metropolitan Ministries Partnership Elementary Patti Ferlita 5th Grade Teacher Middleton High Courtney A. Nickel English Teacher/Journalism Advisor Miles Elementary Jocelyn D. Bell 5th Grade Teacher Mintz Elementary Kelsys Batista 4th Grade Teacher Mitchell Elementary Kathy  Hill 2nd Grade Teacher Monroe Middle Luciana Y. Jenkins Teacher - Math Morgan Woods Elementary Wanda Maldonado-Gonzalez 5th Grade Teacher Mort Elementary Amber MacDonald 5th Grade Teacher MOSI Partnership Elementary Andrea Evans 5th Grade Teacher Muller Elementary Magnet Lauren Sturlaugson 4th Grade Teacher Mulrennan Middle Jonathan Watson Teacher/Subject Area Leader Social Studies Nelson Elementary Carole A. Pearce Music Specialist Newsome High Carolyn Ruth Nixon English Teacher North Tampa Alternative Belma Ozdemir Integrated Science Teacher Northwest Elementary Jill M. Kennedy 1st Grade Teacher Oak Grove Elementary Ronja Renae Smith 2nd Grade Teacher Oak Park Elementary Loundy Bennett 4th Grade Teacher Orange Grove Middle Magnet Jody Chandler Visual Art Teacher Palm River Elementary Rachel McBride Kindergarten Teacher Pierce Middle Julian Sabina Science Teacher Pinecrest Elementary Arvie Hidalgo ESE Teacher Pizzo Elementary Kimberly Connell Academic Intervention Specialist Plant City High Bonnie Dukes Powell History Teacher Plant High Ann Glenn Economics/Research Teacher Potter Elementary Michele Douglas VE Teacher Pride Elementary Jill   James EELP Teacher Progress Village Middle Magnet Kinsey Keding 7th Grade Science Teacher Rampello Downtown Magnet Rhonda Worley 1st Grade Teacher Randall Middle Carolyn Stafford Science Teacher Reddick Elementary Brandon Gogue 4th Grade Teacher Riverhills Elementary Chantelle Fletcher 5th Grade Teacher Riverview Elementary Maggie Weaver Kindergarten Teacher Riverview High Hilton Barber Driver's Education Teacher Robinson Elementary Sherry Allen Reading Coach Robinson High Melissa Mousseau Social Studies Teacher Robles Elementary Adam Kloper Math Resource Teacher Rodgers Middle Jeanne Terry-Byrd Reading Teacher Roland Park K-8 Magnet Stephanie Gentry Burns 8th Grade Science Teacher Roosevelt Elementary Ernesta S. Chicklowski Music Teacher Ruskin Elementary Joy Vega 2nd Grade Teacher Schmidt Elementary Susan M. Carmichael Speech/Language Pathologist Schwarzkopf Elementary Susanne M. Shrewsbury 5th Grade Teacher Seffner Elementary Susan Conley 4th Grade Teacher Seminole Elementary Sarah Wright 3rd Grade Teacher Sessums Elementary Mary Anne Dutra Speech/Language Pathologist Shaw Elementary Shikina V. Wright 3rd Grade Teacher Sheehy Elementary Liza Marie Baisi Kindergarten Teacher Shields Middle              Brittney Dawn Seabury Teacher - Science Shore Elementary Magnet Jennifer Speirs-Robinson 5th Grade Teacher Sickles High Cindy Robinson Social Studies Teacher & Dept Chair Simmons Career Center Jennifer Grover English Teacher Simmons ESE Center Maria Calderon-Gulke ESE Teacher Sligh Middle Magnet Ciciler S. Russ  AVID Coordiantor/Elective Teacher Smith Middle Kristen M. Prentice 8th Grade Math Teacher South County Career Center Melissa Jean Brown Reading Teacher Spoto High Cassandra Mattison English Teacher/Dept Head & Writing Resource Teacher Springhead Elementary Barbara Kern 3rd Grade Teacher Steinbrenner High James Flaskamp English Teacher Stewart Middle Magnet Michael Stritar 8th Grade Algebra Teacher Stowers Elementary Tracy Scott Kindergarten Teacher Strawberry Crest High Robin Schwarz American Sign Language Teacher Sulphur Springs Elementary Raul Garcia Behavior Specialist Summerfield Crossings Elementary Laura D. Lopez Kindergarten Teacher Summerfield Elementary Danielle Benedict Kindergarten Teacher Symmes Elementary Nancy Russell 2nd Grade Teacher Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary Jennifer Williams Brathwaite Writing Resource Teacher Tampa Bay Technical High James A. Mitchell Diesel Instructor Tampa Palms Elementary Kathleen Ciccarello Kindergarten Teacher Temple Terrace Elementary Jamie L. Roberts 5th Grade Teacher Thonotosassa Elementary Katherine Godshall 2nd Grade Teacher Tinker Elementary Yolundra P. Whitehead 5th Grade Teacher Tomlin Middle Brooke Eisenbach 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher Town & Country Elementary Joyce J. Vosburgh 4th Grade Teacher Trapnell Elementary Gloria Hasting 5th Grade Teacher Turkey Creek Middle Greta Smith 6th Grade World History Teacher Turner Elementary Cynthia L. Quinta 5th Grade Teacher Twin Lakes Elementary Tammy Crutchfield 3rd Grade Teacher USF Patel Partnership Andrea Jones-Lang Kindergarten Teacher Valrico Elementary Julie Sparks 4th Grade Teacher Van Buren Middle Trinicia S. Brinson 7th Grade Math Teacher Walden Lake Elementary Sarah E. Schafer 4th Grade Teacher Walker Middle Magnet Brian (Mick) Mosher ESE Teacher Waters Career Center Denise Ford English/Reading Teacher Webb Middle Krista L. Fielder Reading Resource Teacher West Shore Elementary Terri Lane Reading Writing Resource West Tampa Elementary Jason Rabe Physical Education Teacher Westchase Elementary Jennifer Moon 5th Grade Teacher Wharton High Barbara Woolley French Teacher & Department Head Williams Middle Magnet Brian L. Nanns 7th Grade Business Education Teacher Willis Peters ESE Center Peggy Smith ESE Teacher Wilson Elementary Faye Lefler Cook 5th Grade Teacher Wilson Middle Timothy Fox Orchestra Teacher Wimauma Elementary Karen Carroll 5th Grade Teacher Witter Elementary Christopher J. Bell 3rd Grade Teacher Woodbridge Elementary Shelly Garcia 1st Grade Teacher Yates Elementary Mechelle A. Williams 3rd Grade Teacher Young Middle Magnet Krysta Porteus Math SAL & Teacher Youth Services Matthew Franklin Social Studies Teacher Source: Hillsborough Education Foundation