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'Easy to look good when you have great kids'
By DONNA WINCHESTER, Times Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG -- Forgive Robin Ladd for not thinking she could be named teacher of the year. She was sure judges had picked the worst possible date to watch her teach math at Seminole High School -- "Senior Skip Day." Her seniors didn't have to come to class, and how could an almost-empty classroom impress anybody? But her students knew the day was important to their teacher, and not a one skipped. She breathed a sigh of relief that morning and sailed through the evaluation with a smile, knowing she had her students' support. That kind of dedication to her students -- and theirs to her -- was rewarded Thursday night when she was named Outstanding Educator of 2003 for Pinellas County at a Tropicana Field gala. About 650 attended. "It's easy to look good when you have great kids," she said. Ladd scored highest in the category of inspiring students to performance at higher levels. Teachers who scored highest in other categories were Malla Kolhoff of Palm Harbor University High for commitment to children and families; Jackie Marn of Countryside High for being an ambassador of the profession; Connie Dierking of Curtis Fundamental School for commitment to improvement of the profession; and Becky Bride of Palm Harbor University High for creativity and innovation. Ladd, 42, who teaches precalculus, algebra II and liberal arts mathematics at Seminole High School, was one of 118 teachers nominated this year. "Students entering Mrs. Ladd's classroom can sense her excitement as each class begins," wrote assistant principal Craig Thompson in his nomination letter. "She loves teaching her subject so much that she practically dances around the room." A firm believer that an educator should always be prepared, Ladd was caught off guard by the announcement. "I knew some of the teachers who were nominated," she said. "They're amazing people. To be singled out is both humbling and overwhelming." The Pinellas County Education Foundation hosted Thursday's reception and banquet with help from 30 corporate sponsors. Rather than recognizing a select few, the event was a celebration of all teachers, superintendent Howard Hinesley said in his remarks. The evening began with a reception, followed by dinner. Entertainment included the Pinellas County Teachers All-Star Jazz Band and a vocal tribute to the educators from three Seminole High students. The district revamped the Outstanding Educator program two years ago to honor more teachers. Instead of recognizing 20 semifinalists at a luncheon, it now pays homage to all educators nominated by administrators, teachers and students in one of five categories. The field was narrowed until each of the five categories had a winner, and one of them -- Ladd -- was named the overall teacher of the year. An educator for 10 years, Ladd was voted Pinellas County secondary mathematics teacher of the year for 2001-02 and has been a master teacher in a summer program sponsored by the National Science Foundation. She has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Minnesota at Moorhead and a master's degree in curriculum instruction from the Citadel Military College in South Carolina. Nancy Fannon, choral director at Seminole High, also was a finalist in this year's competition. She was thrilled that her co-worker garnered the top award. "I'm so excited for her," she said. "I'm glad someone from Seminole High School got to be teacher of the year." The five category winners received cash awards and $1,000 scholarships from Nova University. Additionally, Ladd received a ring from Denny Kollmeyer and Associates, an Apple computer and a limousine ride to school today. Ladd will represent Pinellas in the state teacher of the year competition in March.
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