Schools in Flagler County have selected their Teacher of the Year for 2011! We take great pride in recognizing these individuals who make a difference in the lives of our students. We want to congratulate the following outstanding teachers who have been chosen by their peers to represent their school! Agatha Lee, Belle Terre Elementary School; Heather Doutrick, Rymfire Elementary School; Debra Breeding, Bunnell Elementary School; Beverly Thompson, Wadsworth Elementary School; Joan Blasingame, Old Kings Elementary School; Christina Miller, Buddy Taylor Middle School; Cara Cronk, Indian Trails Middle School; Louise Wolfe, Matanzas High School; Jim Pignatiello, Flagler Palm Coast High School; Brian Tuttle, Pathways Alternative School and Maureen Stowell, Flagler Technical Institute (Adult and Community Education)
 

Each year schools are asked to choose one teacher to represent their school as the Teacher of the Year. The teacher must have a minimum of 3 years teaching experience and exemplify the characteristics of a master teacher. They are chosen based on their student’s growth and their willingness to go above and beyond simply lecturing students. These teachers have high expectations for student achievement, student engagement, and work to continually build a positive rapport with their students and parents. The staff members at each school nominate their choice for Teacher of the Year and list the reasons why they feel their nominee is the best. The final results lie in the hands of the administration – it is a tough decision, because Flagler is known for having excellent teachers.

Flagler County will select the District Teacher of the Year on January 13, 2011 at the Flagler Auditorium Dennis Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center. The winning teacher will go on to compete in the Florida Department of Education-Macy’s Teacher of the Year Program. Our teacher will compete with nominees throughout the state of Florida who have demonstrated a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in all students. Flagler County School District has three teachers who were awarded the Region II Crown Finalist in the state competition. These top notch teachers include Libby Kuleski (1989-1990), Flagler Palm Coast High School (recently retired), Lorna Moshetti (1994-1995), Buddy Taylor Middle School, now a Media Center Specialist at Flagler Palm Coast High School and Diane Tomko (2007-2008), at Flagler Palm Coast High School.
 

The selection process for the state competition is comprehensive! Criteria includes the teacher’s philosophy of education and how that is aligned to their practice, professional development activities completed during the past five years, their impact on student learning and their leadership with students parents and within their school and district. We want to all congratulate our winners and wish them well in the upcoming events!