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Who will be Teacher of the Year?

By TIMES STAFF
Published January 18, 2007

On Feb. 3 at the Hernando High Performing Arts Center, the Hernando County Education Foundation will, for the 17th year, recognize a Teacher of the Year. Previous years have proved it's difficult to choose from the field of 20 teachers, one from each school. Kathleen Reitz, the foundation director, said, "The selection committee is in awe of classroom operations - how teachers have a handle on classroom management."

In December, each school chose one teacher as its representative. The nominees were observed at work. Candidates are full-time teachers, guidance counselors, media specialists or speech pathologists, with at least three years in the district. While qualifying is easy, winning is anything but.

The committee decision comes the evening of Feb. 3. By tradition, the Teacher of the Year 2005-2006, Susan Gemmati of Fox Chapel, will speak. Students from her school will present entertainment.

It's a social event with a program after dinner.

According to Reitz, Hernando County is known nationally for its recognition of teachers. "Most districts don't have the budget. Without the foundation, we wouldn't. This is important," said Reitz.

Carolyn Mountain, then executive secretary for the district, helped put the Education Foundation together and became its first director. "A classy lady who set a standard that has continued for the county. She's one of those unsung folks who, if not for her, we wouldn't have the benefits we do," Reitz said.

Teacher of the Year comes with a $500 award. The winner can compete at the regional and state levels. Hernando County's first Teacher of the Year (1989), Lorraine McLain, still teaches second grade at Brooksville Elementary.

Tickets to the event are $15 adults, $7 students. The social and dinner start at 5:30 p.m., followed at 7 by the program. The Performing Arts Center is at 700 Bell Ave. For information, call Reitz at 797-7029.

Elizabeth Barckmann Korn

Brooksville Elementary

Korn has taught kindergarten for nine years, all in Hernando County. She said, "My philosophy is to guide children toward a love of learning, strong self-esteem, self-sufficiency and kindness toward others."

Debbye Warrell

Challenger K-8

Warrell is a media specialist and has spent 31/2 of her 18 years in education working in the county. Warrell said, "We must create a passion and excitement within ourselves so we can pass our love of reading on to our students and make it their passion."

Rosemarie Maiorini

Chocachatti Elementary

This third-grade teacher has been at it for nine years, all in the district. Her specialty is general education with gifted inclusion. Said Maiorini, "My goal is to create a vibrant, risk-free environment for students and parents, where learning is always fun and meaningful."

Jennifer D. Sisco

Deltona Elementary

Sisco teaches fourth-grade elementary education with general and exceptional ed students. She has taught for three years in the district. "Each child should be nurtured, and their learning facilitated to assist them in achieving their inner potential."

Donna M. MacDonald,

Eastside Elementary

MacDonald teaches first-grade language arts, writing, spelling and science. McDonald has taught 11 of 12 years in the county. She said, "Every child can learn. ... Once that light is turned on, their learning can grow every day."

Tammy Creek

J.D. Floyd Elementary

Creek teaches physical education to K-5 and has taught for 18 years, seven in the county, and said: "Learning is a critical balance of mind and body in which physical education is an integral part of the overall development of every student."

Tisha Sermons

Moton Elementary

Sermons teaches math and science to kindergarten through second grade and has spent her 71/2-year teaching career in the district. She said, "Educational success lies within the mind of a student and the heart of a teacher."

Bobbi-Jean Fremer

Pine Grove Elementary

Fremer teaches first grade at Pine Grove and has spent her eight-year teaching career in the district. She said, "My primary goal is to instill a love of learning in my students while teaching them skills needed to become successful, responsible citizens."

Denise Ferranto

Spring Hill Elementary

Ferranto teaches Grade 2 and has worked five years in Hernando. "My philosophy is to provide my students with tools necessary to be tolerant in this culturally diverse society, and have a greater knowledge and compassion for the world around them."

Jennifer Soccorso

Suncoast Elementary

Soccorso teaches fourth grade at Suncoast, and has spent her five-year career in the district. She said, "Teaching is a calling that empowers children to learn and become productive and insightful thinkers."

Glenda Vasquez

Westside Elementary

Vasquez, a first-grade teacher who has spent her entire 31-year teaching career in the county, said: "Learning is a lifelong journey encompassing not only academics, but life-enriching skills such as kindness, patience, tolerance, communication and respect."

Jason Yungmann

Fox Chapel Middle

Yungmann, who teaches eighth-grade American history with all 10 years of his career in Hernando, said: "Each day embark with your students on a new journey, enable them to see the real world and show them how faith helps through difficult times."

Walter Moore III, D.S.

Parrott Middle

Moore teaches eighth-grade math and has spent three of his 12 years as a teacher in Hernando County. He said, "Education is the transitional link to life's success, a venture of discovery by teacher, parent, and student to determine one's place in society."

Luz Arcila Bauzo

Powell Middle

Bauzo teaches Spanish and has been working eight years, all in the district. She said: "While using a positive attitude along with a passion for teaching, I captivate students' interest and motivate their desire to learn, regardless of their learning level or style."

Roxanne Campbell

West Hernando Middle

Campbell, who teaches graphic arts, and has spent 11 of her 25 teaching years in Hernando County, said: "I know to inspire a student to want to create is a blessing to me and one that is truly a gift from above."

Angela Kennedy

Central High

Kennedy, who teaches English and has six years with the district, said: "Students' opinions and thoughts need to be validated; respecting them as individuals approaching adulthood significantly affects the extent to which they allow me to facilitate their growth."

Howard L. Thomas

Hernando High

Thomas teaches gas engine repair and has spent 18 of 28 teaching years in the district. He said, "Teaching is about providing students with the knowledge, skills and desire to become lifelong learners and self-supporting citizens."

Lisa Rae Dickinson

F.W. Springstead High

Dickinson teaches marine science and biology and has taught for 22 years, all in Hernando. She said, "Every student is capable of reaching their potential. It is my responsibility to encourage, support and reinforce each student's effort to achieve this goal."

Richard J. Kasm

Star Education Center

Kasm teaches reading and social science, and has taught 41/2 years in Hernando County and 10 in the U.S. Army. He said: "Show the kids that the door to success is not always closed, but the lubricating effect of knowledge will make it easier to open."

Lori Erickson

Nature Coast Technical

Erickson, who teaches theater arts and has taught for 131/2 years, with more than four in Hernando, said: "My objective is to ignite an exploration of culture, history, language, science, art, and literature while encouraging students to embrace challenge."

[Last modified January 18, 2007, 06:51:17]