Polk County Public Schools, Community
For the third year in a row, this invitation-only event will be broadcast live over a variety of cable and fiber optic television channels and websites. They are: Polk County School Board Television (Bright House Networks channel 614, Comcast channel 7, Verizon FiOS channel 45), PGTV, the county commission channel (Bright House channel 622, Comcast channel 5, Verizon FiOS channel 20), the school district’s www.polk-fl.net website and the county commission’s www.polk-county.net. Tune in to the event at 7:30 p.m.
Click here for a Nomination Packet for Teacher of the Year. (PDF)
Click here for a Nomination Packet for Teacher of the Year. (Word)
Click here for a Nomination Packet for School-Related Employee of the Year. (PDF)
Click here for a Nomination Packet for School-Related Employee of the Year. (Word)
ESE
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary
Linda is a magnet for other teachers to brainstorm, ask for advice or seek suggestions. Other teachers gravitate to her for expertise. Her specialty is making the connection with the hard to reach student. People have described her interaction with students as magical. Linda is able to see a student’s potential beyond their struggles or difficulties. If she notices that a student is uneasy about a new situation, she will do everything in her power to put them at ease. She will arrive 45 minutes earlier than her scheduled time, meet them at the bus and car line, take them to the cafeteria for breakfast and then to the classroom if that will make them more comfortable. When she notices children nervous about the transition to the lunch room, she will join them for lunch. No one asks her to do these things. These are just a few examples of how she exceeds all expectations and goes above and beyond, all in the name of advocating and supporting her students. “Learning For All – Whatever It Takes” is a popular educational mantra. To Linda, this is not just a catchy phrase or slogan but it is ingrained into her philosophy and attitude.
ESOL paraeducator
Haines City High/International Baccalaureate
Fritz’s specialty is with Haitian students and the Haitian community. He acts as an important bridge between home and schools for Haitian students. Fritz will assist with making medical appointments for families and helps with immigration issues. He helps families by finding adult literacy classes and helping family members fill out job applications. He works with the most unfortunate of his school’s population and instills a sense of pride and belonging to these students. He is a father figure to many and is a mentor and mediator. Students seek out his advice and approval. Fritz is a key organizer with Haines City High’s ESOL Parent Night. Fritz works hard to advocate and empower families whose first language is not English. In 2010, he received an award for Exemplary Service Award from the school district’s ESOL Parent Advisory Committee. Fritz established an English-language tutoring program at his church and rebuilds donated computers and gives them to families unable to afford their own.
Click here for a list of past Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year Winners