Polk County Public Schools
Wendi Wooddell, an English and journalism teacher at Winter Haven High and Deanna Gambill, a paraeducator at Lakeland’s Crystal Lake Elementary took top honors February 25 at the Polk County Public Schools 2010 Teacher Of The Year and School-Related Employee Of The Year event held at The Lakeland Center.
Wooddell was named 2010 Teacher Of The Year and Gambill was named 2010 School-Related Employee Of The Year before more than 1,000 teachers, staff members, community members, event sponsors and guests. The School-Related award is for paraeducators, secretaries, maintenance, foodservice, transportation and others in support roles. Click here to read profiles of Wooddell and Gambill.
Wendi and Deanna were among 16 finalists announced at the event before eventually being named for the top awards. Eight finalists each were announced for Teacher Of The Year and School-Related Employee Of The Year. Wooddell and Gambill and the 14 finalists received cash and other prizes from event sponsors.
More than 230 applications were submitted for the awards by individual schools. Judges were representatives from local businesses and organizations and included former award winners and finalists. Judges reviewed applications and did not know nominees’ identities or school where they work. Visit http://www.polk-fl.net/news/newsreleases/020410.htm for a complete list of nominees.
Winners and finalists were judged the best based on criteria that included leadership and professional development activities, community and school involvement and teaching style.
The Polk County Public Schools are the largest employer in Polk County with more than 13,000 employees. Nearly 7,000 are employed as teachers.
Elizabeth Ashmore, second grade, 4 years experience
Padgett Elementary (Lakeland)
Although Elizabeth is a relatively new teacher with four years experience, she already has earned prestigious certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. She goes by the motto, “A good teacher is like a candle. It consumes itself to light the way for others.” After students have left her class and move onto other grades, they are frequent visitors back to her classroom—showing Elizabeth new books they are reading or sharing their report cards. One of Elizabeth’s greatest moments was when a student entered her class speaking zero words in English and with a disability. Elizabeth worked with this student and in a year’s time this student was not only speaking English but winning science fair awards and competing in the districtwide academic tourney.
Matthew Blankenship, geography, reading and English, 4 years experience
Auburndale High
Matthew has won Teacher Leadership Awards at his school for three consecutive years. Matthew’s goal is to make his students’ time in his class to be the best part of their day. He believes a “one size fits all approach” does not apply to teaching and he makes it a point to adjust his teaching method according to student ability, learning style and motivation level. Matthew enthusiastically engages both students and staff in dialogue that extends their thinking, challenges them and encourages them to be innovative and creative. He is a leader in facilitating his school’s teacher professional development.
Tara Cauthen, first grade, 10 years experience
Wendell Watson Elementary (Lakeland)
Tara sets high, but attainable standards for her students. If a class reaches its goal of learning 600 new words in a month, she will extend the goal to 700, 800 and even upward to 1,000. Learning in her class is an adventure. They have camp-outs where learning comes complete with tents, hot dogs and Smores. When her students read the Chronicles of Narnia, her students travelled to this mythical place wearing costumes and the classroom was covered with artificial snow. At the end of the school year, Tara gives parents a photo album and compact disc portfolio showcasing their child’s work. She is technology savvy and this has been recognized by the school district’s technology department who seek her out to assist with new projects and implementations.
Robert Goff, Jr., world history and geography, 3 years experience
Kathleen High (Lakeland)
Robert has a positive message for parents, students and peers. He can take an upset parent and turn around a negative conversation into a positive outcome. Robert’s answer to the question, “What are you preparing students for?” is this: “I am preparing them for greatness.” Robert reviewed school data and noticed a need and started a group mentoring the lowest achieving male students. His greatest moment in education occurred at the end of the last school year when a student unexpectedly got up in front of his classmates and emotionally thanked Robert for putting him on the path to success. Before Robert took this student under his wing, this student had few positive influences in his life. There was not a dry eye in the classroom that day.
Kari Groover, kindergarten, 17 years experience
Highlands Grove Elementary (Lakeland)
Kari’s students say, “ School is the greatest place to be.” She is a teacher who turns “I can’t” into “I can.” Her kindergarteners learn reading and writing through the development of scrapbooks that they compile throughout the year. The grand finale is when the kindergarteners read the scrapbooks to their mothers on Mother’s Day. Other teachers have adapted her scrapbook concept to assist in the learning of reading and writing. Kari’s students are also involved in the community, preparing snacks and writing cards for the Volunteers In Service To The Elderly program. Her students are also pen pals with students in Jamaica sharing communications back and forth and learning about each other.
Judy Thomas, science, 28 years experience
Lakeland Highlands Middle
Judy goes the extra mile in making parent contact and being available to help students before and after her assigned schedule. Although she is a veteran teacher, she is constantly seeking professional development by taking classes and learning new scientific methods and procedures from science-related businesses. Judy sets high expectations from her students and holds them accountable. She is a faithful attendee to school sporting events and performances. Judy raises student interest by learning each student’s learning style and adapting. Her energetic, real-life demonstrations of chemistry and physics keep students enthralled and asking for more.
Melanie Tucker, science, 17 years experience
Daniel Jenkins Academy (Haines City)
Melanie has earned prestigious certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Her students do not learn about environmental science just through reading about it in a book or watching videos. She makes the learning practical and real. Melanie started her school’s butterfly garden and rain collection projects. She expanded the school recycling program to allow homes without community recycling programs to bring their items to school. She formed partnerships with the Florida Aquarium, Mote Marine Institute, Sea World and Discovery Cove to bring real-world learning of environmental science to her students. Melanie organizes fundraisers and obtains scholarships for students not able to afford field trips to these science centers.
Brenda Bowen, exceptional student education paraeducator, 19 years experience
Winter Haven High
Brenda does things for her school beyond the scope of her responsibilities. If she notices a place where help is needed, she’ll pitch in without being asked. A testament to her dedication was when a student made a special trip back to school after graduation to thank her. While the student was enrolled, Brenda refused to give in to the student’s objections to do his school work. She prodded, pushed and cajoled this student to achieve despite his stubbornness and negativity. He came to school after graduation, went to the front office and asked to speak to Brenda. At this emotional meeting, he told her: “No matter how angry I got or how much I complained or was annoyed, you never gave up. You encouraged me, I love you and I never would have gotten this diploma without you.”
Rani Dickey, secretary and computer operator, 11 years experience
Tenoroc High (Lakeland)
Rani had the daunting task of being a secretary at a first-year school. She expertly and single-handedly organized more than 1,000 student folders that came to her in various states of completion. Rani was responsible for developing and implementing efficient and effective systems that the new school utilized to get off the ground smoothly. Her organization is admired by school and district staff. The systems she put in place more than a year ago are still in place today. Rani makes it a point to get to know students personally and understand their needs. She informs administrators about matters of concern and initiates solutions. When she became aware that a particular student had no cold weather clothing, she brought clothing from her home to assist the student.
Marcia Gray, foodservice manager, 20 years experience
Lake Gibson High (Lakeland)
Marcia manages her school’s dining hall but her impact is felt all over the school. She helps out with FFA banquets and her work supports the school’s athletic teams. She provides job training for special needs students and assists with the school’s culinary arts instruction. Marcia is involved with Lake Gibson’s recycling club and she provides support to the school’s charitable efforts— including the fight against cancer and helping needy families during the holidays. Marcia’s been recognized for expertly providing meals while her school was a hurricane shelter during Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the numerous hurricanes of 2004.
Yvinnie Johnson, exceptional student education paraeducator, 3 years experience
Polk Life And Learning (Bartow)
Yvinnie readily accepts an unexpected situation and turns it into a teaching moment and pleasurable learning experience for special needs students. She uses a grandmother approach to work with students. She used this approach with two students with low self-esteem and short attention spans. Over time, with her special touch, these students gained confidence and exceeded expectations. They even became school leaders through her nurturing personality. Yvinnie helped them to gain valuable work experience and eventually obtain employment after graduation. She is also a volunteer coach with Special Olympics.
Carla Murphy, physical education paraeducator, 14 years experience
Lena Vista Elementary (Auburndale)
Carla is a physical education paraeducator who takes on extra duties whenever needed. She arrives early and prepares the dining room for breakfast. She directs traffic afterschool and works in the school office when they are shorthanded. Carla was a school PTO president and planned the school’s Relay For Life event in the fight against cancer. Carla is an active high school volunteer involved with the athletic booster club and chaperoning events. One of her priorities is providing teenagers with safe and productive activities. She organizes scavenger hunts, game nights, beach days and sports nights to keep teenagers in positive environments.
Tanya Peavy, secretary, 17 years experience
Spessard L. Holland Elementary (Bartow)
Tanya puts customer service first. Her positive attitude enhances the school environment and she has excellent communication skills with students, parents, staff and community members. No job is too big or small for her. She expertly fills in as a substitute in the medical clinic and Tanya has also organized a student council at her previous school. Compassion is her passion. In 2005, she worked to help and raise funds for Hurricane Katrina victims that had been displaced to a Texas school. Tanya has also distributed food and presents to needy families during the holidays.
Deborah Vernooy, custodian, 23 years experience
North Lakeland Elementary
Deborah has received the “Care And Commitment,” “Promotion Achievement” and “Time To Shine Award” from the Maintenance Department. She goes the extra mile for her school, taking on responsibilities that are not always her own. She comes to her school late at night or on weekends when there is an emergency. Deborah expertly handles all aspects of school functions and volunteers time reading to students or helping in the dining room. When she was up against a tight deadline to get four new classrooms ready before the start of the school, she recruited her husband, her son and two of her son’s friends to assist. Their reward for helping out? A well-cooked dinner for the four of them.
