Roselle Cronan, marketing director for the Hillsborough Education Foundation, said she, too, has teachers who come to mind when the question is asked: “Who was your favorite teacher.”
“I actually had several of them, at different stages of my life,” she said.
The first that comes to mind is Miss White, the teacher she had at a Department of Defense school in Germany, where her father was in the military.
“The first year there I was in the second grade,” she said. “We had moved from Puerto Rico, where I was raised, and Spanish was my first language.”
Culture shock came with the move from Puerto Rico to Germany, compounded by a student’s struggle with being “thrown into a class and not knowing a lot of English,” Cronan said.
“Miss White took me under her wing, so I’ll always be grateful for that,” she added. “On the last day of school she gave me this really nice gift and I still have it, years later. It was a children’s cookbook and the recipes are still good. I still use them once in awhile. Granted, it’s gotten beaten up over the years, but I still hold on to it."
Comments like these are common on National Teacher Day (today, May 8) and National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 7-11). But also during the annual naming of the Teacher of the Year at each Hillsborough County public school, which culminates in the naming of one grand district winner, which this year was Yolanda Whitehead Driskell, who teaches at Hillsborough High School.
Finalists for the top honor were Sue Creekmore, a teacher at Kingswood Elementary; Christine Danger, of Robles Elementary; Katy Cortelyou, of Kenly Elementary; and Elisabeth Denisar Babin, of Dowdell Middle School.
- (The full list of the district's honorees is noted below.)
The ideal, Cronan said, would be to recognize every teacher for his or her merits. Short of that, the teachers selected are said to represent all teachers who do their job well.
“The teachers who are nominated [for Teacher of the Year] are selected by their peers,” Cronan said. “It’s an opportunity to recognize people who work really, really hard and come up with inventive ways to make learning better for the students.”
It would be nice to do more, “but it’s a great way to remind the community these folks have an impact on our future,” Cronan added. “These are future leaders the teachers are teaching. These could be entrepreneurs when they grow up, people who will take care of other folks down the road.”
As for Cronan, she said she has had “interesting teachers” along the way, including the teacher she remembers from her senior year, when Cronan took the opportunity to graduate early.
“I had to take the second semester of English during night school,” Cronan said. “We did a lot of writing assignments and I remember this one teacher was a very encouraging person. She said she could picture me writing one day for the Times, in New York or in London, because at the time I wanted to work as a journalist.”
“It's just really cool to have somebody encourage you that way, to make it seem like you could do just about anything if you put your mind to it,” Cronan added. “To recognize you have some degree of talent.”
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"On National Teacher Day, thousands of communities take time to honor their local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education." So notes the National Eduation Association on its Web site, in commemoration of National Teacher Day, which this year is May 8.
It falls on the second day of National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 7-11.
In celebration of teachers, we note below this school year's recipients of the Teacher of the Year award at their respective schools. The annual TOY awards program is run by the Hillsborough Education Foundation.
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HILLSBOROUGH TEACHERS OF THE YEAR 2011-12
(Source: Hillsborough Education Foundation)
School/Site/Center Nominee First Name Nominee Last Name Job Title Adams Middle Denise Kuhling 6th Grade Science Teacher Alafia Elementary Michelle Pena 3rd Grade Teacher Alexander Elementary Lorraine Campolong Reading Res. Teacher Alonso High Scott Hazlett Psychology Teacher Anderson Elementary Pamela Mankowski Kindergarten Teacher Aparicio-Levy Technical Center Deborah R.M. Mosley Medical Technologist Teacher Apollo Beach Elementary Amy Hoath 3rd Grade Teacher Armwood High Kimberly Buechner Math Teacher B.T. Washington Elementary Sonia Harmon Coleman 5th Grade Teacher Bailey Elementary Heather Knab Reading Coach Ballast Point Elementary Natalie Courter 5th Grade Teacher Barrington Middle Greg Lehman Agriscience Teacher Bartels Middle Erin Heilman 6th Grade Geography Teacher Bay Crest Elementary Laura Skene 2nd Grade Teacher Bellamy Elementary Kelly Colucci 5th Grade Teacher Benito Middle Shellie McGlamery 6th Grade Math Teacher Bevis Elementary Rita C. Boyette 5th Grade Teacher Bing Elementary Denise Effertz Media Specialist Blake High Ruth Daley Intensive Reading Teacher Bloomingdale High Heather Hanks English/Journalism Teacher Bowers/Whitley Career Center Utah Lee Floyd, Jr. Teacher Boyette Springs Elementary Danielle Murphy 2nd Grade Teacher Boys Preparatory Academy at Franklin Middle Magnet Troy Vasaturo 6th Grade Geography Teacher Brandon Alternative Education Zandra Floyd ESE Teacher Brandon High Heather Hall Math Teacher Brewster Technical Center Rebecca Davis Pharmacy Tech Teacher Brooker Elementary Michele M. Rudacille Speech/Language Pathologist Broward Elementary Kim Martell 5th Grade Teacher Bryan Elementary Doris Tirado 1st Grade Teacher Bryant Elementary Lois Shell Pre-K Teacher Buchanan Middle Lawana Trimble 6th Grade Math Teacher Buckhorn Elementary Debra A. F. Sae-Tong 5th Grade Teacher Burnett Middle Elida Westerman-Vilardebo Language Arts/Drama Teacher Burney Elementary Kristy Lynn Fisher Math Specialist Burns Middle Andrea M. Peacock Choral Director Cahoon Elementary Magnet Kathryn Edler 2nd Grade Teacher Caminiti ESE Center Dede Cocchiola ESE Teacher Cannella Elementary Don Woodruff 5th Grade Teacher Carrollwood Elementary Jennifer Hense 1st Grade Teacher Carver Center Bruce L. Williams Social Studies Teacher Chamberlain High Mary C. Wilson Chemistry Teacher Chiaramonte Elementary Joanne T. Power 1st Grade Teacher Chiles Elementary Alishia Marsh Kindergarten Teacher Cimino Elementary Daniel Macko P.E. Teacher Citrus Park Elementary Dianna Spitolnick VE Res. Teacher Clair Mel Elementary Jessica Rupp 3rd Grade Teacher Clark Elementary Casie Pease 5th Grade Teacher Claywell Elementary Christine Dunne EELP Teacher Cleveland Elementary Jennifer Tabor Kindergarten Teacher Coleman Middle Jason Gill Math Teacher Collins Elementary Jon Oosterling Music Teacher Colson Elementary Tina L. Chambers 4th Grade Teacher Cork Elementary Barbee Boswell-Buzbee 4th Grade Teacher Corr Elementary Robert O'Neill Music Teacher Crestwood Elementary Holly M. Tabak 4th Grade Teacher Cypress Creek Elementary Susan Demarest Kindergarten Teacher D.W. Waters Career Center Vanessa A. Moorhead Digital Design Teacher Davidsen Middle Gregory J. Campbell Math Teacher Davis Elementary Sandra Maria Guadalupe 5th Grade Teacher Deer Park Elementary Hayley Architetto 2nd Grade Teacher DeSoto Elementary Sherri Alvarez Writing Res Teacher Dickenson Elementary Theresa Bonini P.E. Teacher Doby Elementary Aubrey Hoishik 2nd Grade Teacher Dorothy Thomas School Carla Hill 4th/5th Grade Teacher Dover Elementary Trisha Woods Reading Resource Teacher Dowdell Middle Magnet Elisabeth Denisar Babin 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher Dunbar Elementary Magnet Dianna S. Uva Lead Teacher Durant High Ryan Haczynski Social Studies Teacher East Bay High Stacie Cleary Government/Economics Teacher Edison Elementary Scott V. Valdez 5th Grade Teacher Egypt Lake Elementary Karen Garbutt-Bayack 4th Grade Teacher Eisenhower Middle Tania Villa Reading Coach Erwin Technical Center Hervey Gulledge ABE/GED/ESOL Teacher Essrig Elementary Susie Burkette 1st Grade Teacher Farnell Middle Erin Ruth Aldrich Family Consumer Sciences Teacher FishHawk Creek Elementary Carol Nicely Kindergarten Teacher Folsom Elementary Shanann Young Math Coach Forest Hills Elementary Angel Luis Rodriguez ELL Kindergarten Teacher Foster Elementary Pamela O. Czekaj 1st Grade Teacher Freedom High Roschell Thybulle Chemistry Teacher Frost Elementary Sara Farinas Reading Interv. Spec. Gaither High Danielle de Gregory Psychology/History Teacher Gary Adult Marie Cloutier Counselor Gibsonton Elementary Jessica Sandin Art Teacher Girls Preparatory Academy at Ferrell Middle Magnet Lori Bartholomew 6th Grade Math Teacher Giunta Middle Terrance M. Russ Th.D. 7th Grade Teacher Gorrie Elementary Julie Mitchell 5th Grade Teacher Grady Elementary Jessica Semeyn Anderson 5th Grade Teacher Graham Elementary Tonya L. Mack 5th Grade Teacher Greco Middle Asynith G. Bobo SAL/STEM LA Teacher Hammond Elementary Tina M. Miller 5th Grade Teacher Heritage Elementary Ashley Kay Nader 5th Grade Teacher Hill Middle Codvillia N. N. Webster 8th Grade Math Teacher Hillsborough High Yolanda Whitehead Driskell Algebra Teacher Hillsborough Virtual School Tanya Grinnell Language Arts Teacher Hospital Homebound Pamela R. Glas All Elementary Subjects Hunter's Green Elementary Christina Fallon Garatina 2nd Grade Teacher Ippolito Elementary Shelly Shannon 2nd Grade Teacher Jackson Elementary Erin Erickson Saladino Art Teacher James Elementary Arna Watson 1st Grade Teacher Jefferson High Elizabeth M. Clark English Teacher Jennings Middle Robert Herrington Agriculture Teacher Just Elementary Eric R. Felder Adm. Res. Teacher Kenly Elementary Katy Cortelyou Intensive Reading Teacher Kimbell Elementary Lesley Lynn Math Res. Teacher King High Virginia Hiers Roebuck Math Teacher Kingswood Elementary Sue Creekmore 4th Grade Teacher Knights Elementary Kimberly Dawn Simpson 1st Grade Teacher Lake Magdalene Elementary Katie Lally 2nd Grade Teacher Lanier Elementary Julie Ann Leno 1st Grade Teacher LaVoy ESE Center Michele Young ESE Teacher Learey Technical Center Colleen A. Scharber, LUTCF Job Prep Teacher Lee Elementary Magnet Sonja L. Williams Reading Coach Lennard High Christine Wasylkiw Social Science Teacher Leto High Kathryn Pasley Criminal Justice Teacher Lewis Elementary Heather O'Reilly 5th Grade Math Liberty Middle Jennifer M. DeMik 6th Grade Math Teacher Limona Elementary Christy Harrigan P.E. Teacher Lincoln Elementary Magnet Denine Douglas Kindergarten Teacher Lithia Springs Elementary Cynthia J. Luty 5th Grade Teacher Lockhart Elementary Magnet Shelly Fields EBD Teacher Lomax Elementary Magnet Meghan Ward 3rd Grade Teacher Lopez Elementary Abby Monteiro 4th Grade Teacher Lowry Elementary Theresa Schaffer Seits 5th Grade Teacher Lutz Elementary Terri Burgess 2nd Grade Teacher Mabry Elementary Jessica Strauss 3rd Grade Teacher MacFarlane Park Elementary Magnet Nicole A. Blake 1st Grade Teacher Madison Middle Wendy Tilden Fam Cons Science Teacher Mango Elementary Alison Izzi 3rd Grade Teacher Maniscalco Elementary Jeanette Buntin 5th Grade Teacher Mann Middle Joyce Luciano 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher Marshall Middle Samantha Stephens 8th Grade Teacher Martinez Middle Miriam Cohen Humphrey Family Consumer Sciences Teacher McDonald Elementary Stacy L. Cervone Reading Coach McKitrick Elementary Diane Billman Kindergarten Teacher McLane Middle Darryl Pernell Webb, Jr. 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher Memorial Middle Shannon N. Pilcher 6th Grade Language Arts Teacher Mendenhall Elementary Linda Kniskern Science Resource Teacher Mendez Center JoAnn Dobbs Language Arts/Reading Teacher Metropolitan Ministries Partnership Elementary Wendy Wilson Reading Coach Middleton High Patricia Dodson Biology Teacher Miles Elementary Anna Van Nostrand Writing Resource Teacher Mintz Elementary Jim Szewc 4th Grade Teacher Mitchell Elementary Megan Hogan 4th Grade Teacher Monroe Middle Charles Stepp Language Arts Teacher Morgan Woods Elementary Carissa Brady Science Resource Teacher Mort Elementary Arielle Brouillard 1st Grade Teacher MOSI Partnership Elementary Michael W. Nackers 5th Grade Teacher Muller Elementary Magnet Amanda Newberry Reading Coach Mulrennan Middle Melissa L. Forsythe 6th Grade Math Teacher Nelson Elementary Emily Ballans Media Specialist Newsome High Rick Mobley AP Human Geography Teacher North Tampa Alternative Education Carl Harrell, Jr. Math Teacher Northwest Elementary Eileen Vaglia 1st Grade Teacher Oak Grove Elementary Angela Bunag 3rd Grade Teacher Oak Park Elementary James Ondejko 4th Grade Teacher Orange Grove Middle Magnet Deborah Seto 6th Grade Science/Geography Teacher Palm River Elementary Amber M. Siebold 4th Grade Teacher Pierce Middle Brian K. Noce Math Teacher Pinecrest Elementary Elizabeth Barnes Varying Excep. Teacher Pizzo Elementary April Tidey ESE Teacher Plant City High Larry Baker Algebra Teacher Plant High Nancy Farnsworth Math Teacher Potter Elementary Jason McGregor 4th Grade Teacher Pride Elementary Dena Noubleau 5th Grade Teacher Progress Village Middle Magnet Ardra S. Daniels 8th Grade Language Arts Teacher Rampello Downtown Magnet Sara Cultra-Cole 5th Grade Teacher Randall Middle Anne Chatfield 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher Reddick Elementary Heather A. Sebetzki 4th Grade Teacher Riverhills Elementary Jessica Regan 5th Grade Teacher Riverview Elementary Katherine Anthony 3rd Grade Teacher Riverview High Carol S. Strachan Reading Teacher Robinson Elementary Constance Leann Miller 4th Grade Teacher Robinson High Brenda Lee Wash Math Teacher Robles Elementary Christine Danger Science Res Teacher Rodgers Middle Stacy E. Loeak 8th Grade Science Teacher Roland Park K-8 Magnet Deidre Donovan 5th Grade Teacher Roosevelt Elementary Brenda Quintero 1st Grade Teacher Ruskin Elementary Daniel Ruiz, Jr. 3rd Grade Teacher Schmidt Elementary Elizabeth Houston 4th Grade Teacher Schwarzkopf Elementary Lana Barrows 1st Grade Teacher Seffner Elementary Jessica Savary 1st Grade Teacher Seminole Elementary Cherrin L. Brock 3rd Grade Teacher Sessums Elementary Lucinda T. Buck 1st Grade Teacher Shaw Elementary Jenna Silva 3rd Grade Teacher Sheehy Elementary Nichole Churchwell 4th Grade Teacher Shields Middle Liana Daigle History/Yearbook Teacher Shore Elementary Magnet Linda J. Robles 1st Grade Teacher Sickles High Anthony Leotta Biology Teacher Simmons Career Center Kathleen Moore ESE Teacher Sligh Middle Magnet Rob Kruppa Science Teacher Smith Middle Sandra Galpin 6th Grade Science Teacher South County Career Center Jocelyn Filipek Math Teacher Spoto High Angela Webster Math Teacher Springhead Elementary Amy Stockard-LaPlante Science Resource Teacher Steinbrenner High Kathleen A. Syron Literature/Language Arts Teacher Stewart Middle Magnet Darcy A. Favata 7th Grade Teacher Stowers Elementary Kimberly Urbaniak 5th Grade Teacher Strawberry Crest High Zelda P. Holmes English Teacher Sulphur Springs Elementary Caitlin E. Agnello 4th Grade Teacher Summerfield Crossings Elementary Leslie Worthen 3rd Grade Teacher Summerfield Elementary Christen Henrichs 5th Grade Teacher Symmes Elementary Sara Kincaid 2nd Grade Teacher Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary Christina Zelasko 5th Grade Teacher Tampa Bay Technical High Lauren Walden TV Production/Yearbook Teacher Tampa Palms Elementary Megan Vreeland Kindergarten Teacher Temple Terrace Elementary Margaret B. Smith 2nd Grade Teacher Thonotosassa Elementary Raymond Cella Computer Teacher Tinker Elementary Virginia Vaughn Campbell Media Specialist Tomlin Middle Deanna Jackson Math Teacher Town & Country Elementary Martin F. Sicard Media Specialist Trapnell Elementary Ashli Newman 4th Grade Teacher Turkey Creek Middle Robert Wycka Science/TV Production Teacher Turner Elementary Stacy Summers 3rd Grade Teacher Twin Lakes Elementary Kip Hladych Kindergarten Teacher USF Patel Partnership Tracy Wulf 5th Grade Teacher Valrico Elementary Elizabeth K. Abraham 4th Grade Teacher Van Buren Middle Jacqueline L. Graham 6th Grade Math Teacher Walden Lake Elementary Deborah Gray 4th Grade Teacher Walker Middle Magnet Monica L. Ode 6th Grade Science Teacher Webb Middle John Paul Gambino Math/ESOL Teacher West Shore Elementary Michele Roberts Math/Science Resource Teacher West Tampa Elementary Sarah Jane Kemp 5th Grade Teacher Westchase Elementary Kevin R. Moon 5th Grade Teacher Wharton High Jennifer Simard Reading Coach Williams Middle Magnet Jonathan Droog 8th Grade History Teacher Wilson Elementary Martha Day Genualdi Art Teacher Wilson Middle Courtney Valle 6th Grade Teacher Wimauma Elementary Ryan T. Sealy Kindergarten Teacher Witter Elementary Audra Kondash Kindergarten Teacher Woodbridge Elementary Rebecca Loomis Kindergarten Teacher Yates Elementary Tia Needer Kindergarten Teacher Young Middle Magnet Debra Ann Collins Science Teacher Youth Services James G. Wood Culinary Arts/Job Skills Teacher
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