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 this evening 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.
Teachers and school-related employees were nominated by their individual schools. Wooddell and Gambill, along with award finalists announced this evening, received cash awards and other prizes from event sponsors. In addition, MidFlorida Credit Union, the event’s premiere sponsor, presented a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro to Wooddell.
Judges were representatives from local businesses and organizations and included former award winners and finalists. They reviewed more than 300 nominee applications and did not know nominees’ identities or school where they work. Teacher and School-Related nominees completed an application with categories that included leadership and professional development activities, community and school involvement and teaching style.
Wooddell and Gambill will move on to compete for state Teacher Of The Year and state School-Related Employee Of The Year honors. Polk teachers have an outstanding streak in the state Teacher Of The Year event. Polk has had state finalists in three of the last six years--2004, 2005 and 2008--and five of the last 12 years –1998, 1999, 2004, 2005 and 2008. Polk had state Teachers Of The Year in 2005 (Samuel Bennett, Garner Elementary-Winter Haven) and 1981 (Beth Johnson, Kathleen High-Lakeland).
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.
Wendi Wooddell profile:
Wendi has 27 years experience and is her school’s English department chair. Her motto is: “Students don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Wendi’s students have been decorated with writing and poetry awards and her journalism students produce “The Trident,” Winter Haven High’s respected and celebrated school newspaper. In 1993, the school yearbook was dedicated to her for her caring, love, concern and dedication to students. Wendi makes it a point to learn her students’ interests, she attends their extracurricular events, puts their successes on bulletin boards and lets parents know when their kids have done well. Wendi makes it clear to students that she is on their side. Her students know she is genuinely interested in their lives and she will do everything in her power to ensure that they succeed. Wendi has earned the respect of her school for her organization, time management and support of all teachers. Wendi has held executive positions with the Polk County Council of Teachers of English. Many English teachers have benefited from her sharing of lesson plans and best practices. Wendi has also been a key member of her school’s accreditation committee.
Deanna Gambill profile:
Deanna has 11 years experience and coordinates a multitude of activities that include Family Nights, her school’s partnership with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and pairing students with mentors and reading tutors. She recruits business partners and works with teaching interns and college students volunteering at school. She’s the editor of school newsletters and is the school liaison to social service agencies that assist needy students and their families. Deanna also coordinates student community service projects and developed the school’s highly popular safety patrol. Deanna is part of the fabric of her school’s community. She knows many of her school’s families personally and understands many of the struggles they face. None hit home more so than a recent incident. Close to Christmas, she noticed a normally happy youngster in an unusual down mood. The student was hungry and upset. Deanna learned that the student’s father had lost his job, a single dad with four children, now with no income. She took it upon herself to collect money and presents and brought them to the family’s home just before Christmas Day. This was just one example of her kindness and compassion that she exhibits to her school family every day.
Eight finalists for each award were announced during the evening prior to naming the winners.
Wooddell was named Teacher Of The Year from among the following finalist group:
Elizabeth Ashmore, second grade, Padgett Elementary (Lakeland)
Matthew Blankenship, geography, reading, English, Auburndale High
Tara Cauthen, first grade, Wendell Watson Elementary (Lakeland)
Robert Goff, Jr., world history and geography, Kathleen High (Lakeland)
Kari Groover, kindergarten and first grade, Highlands Grove Elementary (Lakeland)
Judy Thomas, science, Lakeland Highlands Middle
Melanie Tucker, science, Daniel Jenkins Academy (Haines City)
Gambill was named School-Related Employee Of The Year from among the following finalist group:
Brenda Bowen, exceptional student education paraeducator, Winter Haven High
Rani Dickey, secretary and computer operator, Tenoroc High (Lakeland)
Marcia Gray, foodservice manager, Lake Gibson High (Lakeland)
Yvinnie Johnson, exceptional student education paraeducator, Polk Life & Learning (Bartow)
Carla Murphy, physical education paraeducator, Lena Vista Elementary (Auburndale)
Tanya Peavy, secretary, Spessard L. Holland Elementary (Bartow)
Deborah Vernooy, custodian, North Lakeland Elementary
