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Singing teacher's praises
By LETITIA STEIN
Published February 18, 2005
RUSKIN - For a dozen years, music teacher Ellen Kleinschmidt has sung to students at Cypress Creek Elementary. This year, the county listened - and demanded an encore.
Kleinschmidt was named Hillsborough County's Teacher of the Year on Feb. 10. She will represent the district in the statewide Teacher of the Year contest in July.
Kleinschmidt's music program at Cypress Creek serves as a model for the state. She encourages students to perform regularly in school and at community events.
The 51-year-old teacher also is a regular on stage at community theater musicals.
Kleinschmidt's victory marks the second straight year that a teacher from southeast Hillsborough has won. Last year, Mellissa Alonso from Valrico Elementary received the title.
Other finalists from east Hillsborough included Alice Wuckovich of Durant High, Virginia Wong of Tomlin Middle in Plant City and Debbie Minichbauer from Cimino Elementary.
Each finalist received $500, tickets to sports events, restaurant gift certificates and education scholarships. As the winner, Kleinschmidt also won $2,000, a limousine ride to school, a special ring, tickets from Southwest Airlines and other gifts.
[Last modified February 17, 2005, 10:51:04]
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