Fellow teachers and school administrators praised Marilyn Pazanese's strong commitment and her talents as an educator.
By LOGAN NEILL
Published February 22, 2004
Marilyn Pazanese, a fourth-grade teacher at Suncoast Elementary School for the past five years, was named Hernando County's 2003-04 Teacher of the Year during a ceremony Saturday night at the Hernando High School Performing Arts Center.
One of 19 finalists for the honor, Pazanese was the top choice by the Hernando Education Foundation, which sponsors the annual event.
In addition to winning a cash prize of $600 from the foundation, Pazanese will represent the county in the state Teacher of the Year competition in April.
Earlier this year, Pazanese was selected by a committee of fellow teachers and administrators at her school who praised her commitment and talents as an educator in a narrative submitted to the foundation.
"In the eyes of students she makes learning fun, and in the eyes of her peers she permeates a love of teaching," the Suncoast selection committee wrote.
Pazanese, who has a degree in elementary education from St. Leo University, spent several years as substitute first-grade teacher at Notre Dame Interparochial School in Spring Hill before accepting a teaching position at Suncoast Elementary in 1999.
In addition to her teaching role, she is active with the school's advisory council and serves as fourth-grade team leader.
Other finalists for Hernando Teacher of the Year included: Lizan Alleyne, Springstead High; Barbara Michelle Billingsly, Deltona Elementary; Bonnie Brockoff, J.D. Floyd Elementary; Lori Bruno, Chocachatti Elementary; Kandyce Callaghan, Nature Coast Technical; Cindy DesLaurier, Central High; Mark Frazier, Parrott Middle; Penelope Lespinasse, Hernando High; Susan Moglia, West Hernando Middle; Helen Myers, Brooksville Elementary; Bridget Osborne, STAR Education Center; Scott Piesik, Pine Grove Elementary; Patti Pittman, Westside Elementary; Norma Sampson, Eastside Elementary; Adela Sanchez, Moton Elementary; Sharon Twyman, Spring Hill Elementary; Beth Varn, Powell Middle, and Susan Ward, Fox Chapel Middle.
