During the May council presentations ceremony, Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough- Staggers took the opportunity to recognize all the nominated teachers of the year, as well as Rookie Teachers of the Year. As an educator herself, this presentation of plaques recognizing Homestead and South Dade’s outstanding teachers was especially important to her. As she remarked, “Teachers make every other profession happen. Teachers give their heart, mind, and souls as educators.” She continued,” Teachers are the unsung heroes for our generation and our future.”
Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough -Staggers recognized each of the Teachers of the Year and the plaque recipients from each school as they were called to the front of the dais to be honored to the tune of Simply the Best, by Tina Turner.
Every year, applications for Teacher and principal of the year are distributed to superintendents, eligible institutions, and program coordinators. Once applications are submitted, State selection Committees review the nominees, and the announcements of the finalists are made. The finalists will then travel to Tallahassee for a final interview and the winners are presented in the Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year Roundtable and Gala.
Teachers of the Year
West Homestead K8 Center
Karen Perez-English as Second Language
Claude Chianesse- Rookie ToY, English
Homestead Middle School
Francelene Augustin
Perla Galindo- Rookie ToY, Math Coach
Homestead Senior High
Marhonte Tennial- Science
Miriam Farrel-Gonzalez- Rookie ToY, Special Education
MAST Homestead
Anthony Velasquez-Rookie ToY, English
Laura C. Saunders Elementary
Dr. Catherine McKham- 4th Grade
Ericka Green- Rookie ToY, First Grade
Somerset SOHO
Carill Ruberia
Aydelin Elaya
South Dade Senior High
Shawn Waring- Vocational Arts
Neva King Cooper Educational Center
Florencia Pecorari- Special Education
Migrant Educators:
Homestead Middle School
Alfonso Treto- Title I Migrant Education Program
Laura C. Saunders
Beatriz Vidales - Title I Migrant Education Program
District Office at the Chapman Center
Rachel Salinas Buenos- Title I Migrant Education Program
About the Teacher of the Year Program
The Teacher of the Year Program Mission is to honor and recognize excellence in teaching, support continued learning for all educators and highlight the importance and impact of the profession. Selecting a Teacher of the Year celebrates the thousands of outstanding professional educators in Florida schools.
For more information about the process for selecting Teacher of the Year visit www.fldoe.org