Polk County Public Schools
The following school district employees have been nominated by their schools for the 2009 Polk County Public Schools Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year Awards. The school-related award honors employees in support roles such as paraeducators, secretaries, food service, custodial, transportation and other responsibilities.
A Teacher of the Year and a School-Related Employee of the Year for the entire county will be announced during the Teacher And School-Related Employee Of The Year Banquet on February 12, 2009 at the Lakeland Center. The two winners will be announced among sixteen finalists (eight finalists each for Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee). Finalists and winners receive cash and other prizes from banquet sponsors.
Community members from local organizations and businesses judge nominee applications. Judges do not know nominees’ identities or the school where they work. Teacher of the Year and School-Related nominees completed an application with categories that included leadership and professional development activities, community and school involvement and teaching style.
Combined, Teacher of the Year and School-Related nominees have 2,527 years of experience. The average experience for both Teacher of the Year and School-Related nominees is 11 years. The most experienced Teacher of the Year nominee has 39 years experience. The most experienced School-Related nominee has 33 years experience.
Nominees are listed by school locations. Teachers are listed first with grades taught or instructional responsibility followed by school-related employees listed with their areas of responsibility.
Alturas Elementary: Mary Deal, kindergarten; Wendy Swearingen, substitute.
Auburndale Central Elementary: Karie Schenkenberg, grade five; Lisa Bamberg, foodservice.
Auburndale High: Jennifer Mills, history; Anita Boatner, secretary.
Boswell Elementary: Lindsey McDowell, grade three; Connie Wieber, paraeducator.
Caldwell Elementary: Heather Watkins, grade two; Mandy Mulford, paraeducator.
East Area Adult & Community: Kelly Darnell, business; Angel Torres, custodian.
Lena Vista Elementary: Charlie Huntley, grade four; Kay Jester, secretary.
Stambaugh Middle: Alanna Redd, language arts; Elizabeth Vergara, paraeducator;
Bartow Elementary: Terry Mullis, physical education; Robert Wilkinson, custodian;
Bartow High/IB/Summerlin Academy: Ann McCarty, biology; Jackie Prevatt, computer lab manager.
Bartow Middle: Nicole Maassen, history; Melissa Hicks, paraeducator.
Compass Middle: Kaprilla Jennings, reading; Dawn O’Neal, secretary/terminal operator.
District Office: David Yates, instructional television manager (school-related nominee).
Floral Avenue Elementary: Kimberly Langston, kindergarten; Karen Spoerlin, terminal operator.
Gause Academy: Vernon Forsett, physical education; Pearlie Bell, custodian.
Gibbons Street Elementary: Sandra Seale, exceptional student education; Rosa Rivera, paraeducator.
Polk Life and Learning: William Wolfe, exceptional student education; Ethel Smith, nurse.
Polk Regional Detention Center: Alfred Bretz, grades six to eight.
Stephens Elementary: Lania Davis, exceptional student education; Lynn Collins, lab manager.
Union Academy: Carole Marler, English; Theresa Tillman, terminal operator.
Davenport School of the Arts: Kimberly Best, grade three; Lisa Dudney, paraeducator.
Horizons Elementary: Desiree Anderson, grade two; Andre Horton, custodian.
Loughman Oaks Elementary: Amanda Murray, library media specialist; Gail Vickery, secretary.
Ridge Community High: Laquieria Nottage, guidance counselor; Lisa Jackson, paraeducator;
Dundee Elementary: Dru Gainey, grade four; Paul Feacher, custodian.
Dundee Ridge Middle: Joan Ayala, language arts; Margaret Forston, foodservice.
Eagle Lake Elementary: Joan Lutz, art; Ruth Thornhill, paraeducator.
Lake Region High: Robin Knitt, language arts; Deana Tirado, custodian.
Pinewood Elementary: Meghan Starling, grade four; Esther Hackenberger, foodservice.
Oscar J. Pope Elementary: Linda L. Smith, reading; Karen Green, reading tutor.
Snively Elementary: Kelly Bracey, grade five; Jason Mosely, paraeducator.
Fort Meade Middle-Senior: Dean Hess, chemistry; Maxine Jules, custodian.
Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary (Lewis campus): Elisa Ochoa, grade three; Sheila Roberts, secretary/terminal operator.
Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary (Woodbury campus): Beth Mills, grade five; Heather Pierce, paraeducator;
Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary: Maybelle Parker, grade five; Leona Downing, paraeducator;
Frostproof Elementary: Karen Thompson, grade one; Deanna Norris, secretary.
Frostproof Middle-Senior: Deanna Jaroszeski, history; Elvia Espinoza, secretary.
Alta Vista Elementary: Barbara Langford, grade three; Sheri Stokes, paraeducator.
Bethune Academy: Mary Ann Baker, reading; Wendy Dennis, substitute;
Boone Middle: Audrey Gelin, language arts; Charles Newbold, paraeducator.
Daniel Jenkins Academy of Technology: Heidi Lawhorn, mathematics; JoAnn Cassidy, paraeducator.
Eastside Elementary: Lucinda Perkins, grade three; Linda Jones, foodservice.
Haines City High/IB: Deborah Ford, English; Camelia Benitez, paraeducator.
Sandhill Elementary: Catherine Plum, library media specialist; Tracy Walling, secretary.
Highland City Elementary: Keli Keyes, grade two; Judy Thomas, secretary.
Karen M. Siegel Academy: Sandra Harper, science; Kim McDermaid, network manager.
Lake Alfred-Addair Middle: Angel Meroni, band; Dawn Cuyler-Hollis, terminal operator.
Lake Alfred Elementary: Lakisha Scott, grade one; Sherry Gary, paraeducator.
McLaughlin Middle And Fine Arts Academy: Gay Hlas, language arts; Nancy Kersey, secretary.
Roosevelt Academy: William Garrett, mathematics; Carolyn Spicer, paraeducator.
Spook Hill Elementary: Carrie Bilancio, grade one; Jennifer Baker, paraeducator.
Blake Academy: Sherry Cribbs, reading; Gwenolyn Murray, custodian.
Carlton Palmore Elementary: Rebekah Eckman, exceptional student education; Holly Ehlers, custodian.
Churchwell Elementary: Kristan Fowler, Title I facilitator; Sandra Letchworth, foodservice.
Cleveland Court Elementary: Christina Ward, grade one; Yvonne Folds, foodservice.
Combee Elementary: Betty Wright, grade five; Cheryl Eastabrooks, secretary.
Countywide ESE: Jennifer Potts, physical education; Vickie Hall, secretary.
Crystal Lake Elementary: Michelle Casper, exceptional student education; Twilla Hunt, paraeducator.
Crystal Lake Middle: Matthew Lasseter, history/economics; Lillian Daniels, foodservice;
Dixieland Elementary: Beth Dawson, reading; Cindy Wickham, foodservice.
Doris Sanders Learning Center: Madonna Peace, exceptional student education; Mary Lewis, paraeducator.
Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary: Ashley Menetre, grade two; Kathy Waters, custodian.
George Jenkins High: Andy Baker, economics; Nancy Norgard, secretary.
Griffin Elementary: Elaine Yaw, kindergarten; Dawn Sorrell, lab manager.
Highlands Grove Elementary: Sharon Nance, grade five; Sue Callahan, foodservice.
Harrison Arts Center: Chad Brady, music; Marcia Heath, secretary.
Jesse Keen Elementary: Robin Collins, grade four; Norma Clark, paraeducator.
Kathleen Elementary: Antionette Kirby, kindergarten.
Kathleen High: Kyle Carlton, agriculture; Ruby Lewis, paraeducator.
Kathleen Middle: Amandra Condra, language arts; Paulette Hall, secretary.
Lake Gibson High: Elvira Randall, library media specialist; Patricia Young, custodian.
Lake Gibson Middle: Patsy Castles, language arts/reading; Pedro Dulanto, custodian.
Lakeland High: Allen Cleveland, English; Linda Newbolt, secretary.
Lakeland Highlands Middle: Mark Jones, science; Shain Barringer, paraeducator.
Lakeland Teen Parent: Emma Lawson, reading/business; Jacqueline Bates, paraeducator.
Lawton Chiles Middle: Michelle DiGioia, mathematics; Kem Moore, paraeducator.
Lincoln Avenue Academy: Jan May, grade five; Erlinda McFarlane, paraeducator.
Medulla Elementary: Sarah Sesser, kindergarten; Cathy Henderson, paraeducator.
North Lakeland Elementary: Brandy Polly, exceptional student education; Kathy Wise, secretary/terminal operator.
Padgett Elementary: Tracy Flowers, reading; Azalea Fonseca-Guadalupe, paraeducator.
Philip O’Brien Elementary: Christopher Murray, grade one; MaryAnne Thompson, paraeducator.
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary: Kerren Bickerton, reading; Debra Taranova, custodian.
Rochelle School of the Arts: Alison Crane, grade two; Sandra Piper, secretary.
Scott Lake Elementary: Cynthia Jones, kindergarten; Shirley Ann Davis, custodian.
Sikes Elementary: Donna Hendershot, grade three; Dorinda Razabdouski, secretary;
Sleepy Hill Elementary: Ron Kaufmann, Jr., physical education; James Ellison, Jr., custodian.
Sleepy Hill Middle: Jessica Wright, English; Sharon Flynn, paraeducator.
Socrum Elementary: Jaton McGrath, grade three; Randall Williamson, custodian.
Southwest Elementary: Latricia Gibson, music; Mose Jackson, custodian.
Southwest Middle: Janet Valentine, mathematics; Francisco Chirino, custodian.
Tenoroc High: Michael Thompson, computer science; Rose Sawyer, custodian.
Traviss Career Center: June Minerva, guidance counselor; Toni Johnston, terminal operator.
Valleyview Elementary: Kimberly Overholt, exceptional student education; Pamela Davies, paraeducator.
Wendell Watson Elementary: Robin Everage, kindergarten; Cassie Meldau, custodian.
West Area Adult School: Beth Athans, exceptional student education; Sherry Bigelow, terminal operator.
Winston Elementary: Bill Dean, grade five; Darron Branton, custodian.
Kingsford Elementary: Saralyn Smith, library media specialist; Layne Mayo, custodian.
Mulberry High: Helen Maffett, reading; Larry Bradford, custodian;
Mulberry Middle: Damian Cruz, social studies; Evelyn Lawhorn, custodian.
New Horizons: William Leonard, youth assistant (school-related nominee).
Purcell Elementary: Ruth Teets, reading; Claudia Sandoval del Valle, paraeducator;
Lake Marion Creek Elementary: Robert Hay, Title I facilitator; Orlando Torres, custodian.
Laurel Elementary: Vivian Socorro, kindergarten; Sandra Collazo, terminal operator.
Palmetto Elementary: Ivelisse Phillips, kindergarten; Dagmar Aponte, custodian.
Polk City Elementary: Diane Archibee, kindergarten; Sunnie Parkins, terminal operator.
Brigham Academy: Michelle Hunter, grade five; Cheryl Hopkins, lab manager.
Chain of Lakes Elementary: Peggy Hunt, grade five; Cindy Sumner, foodservice.
Denison Middle: William Healy II, science; Edna Smith, foodservice.
Elbert Elementary: Sheila Carroll, grade five; Eva Villareal, custodian.
Garden Grove Elementary: Wanda Miles, kindergarten; Regina Johnson, custodian.
Garner Elementary: Bernadette Alkhatib, grade three; Robin Perry, secretary.
Inwood Elementary: Patricia Karash, grade four; Robbie Richardson, paraeducator.
Jewett Middle: Judy Fitzgerald, geography; Elaine Powell, foodservice.
Jewett School of the Arts: Kevin Ounan, grade five; Cheryl Petko, secretary.
Lake Shipp Elementary: Linda Hayes, kindergarten; Vickie Smith, secretary.
Ridge Career Center: Edward Pratt, electrical; Albert Smith, foodservice.
Wahneta Elementary: Miranda Skinner, grade three; Olga Romero, secretary.
Westwood Middle: Joan Turner, reading; Lori Dixon, secretary.
Winter Haven High: Victor Chandler, calculus; Jacqueline Johnson, foodservice.
