Wednesday, February 1, 2012

The Education Foundation of Martin County is making preparations for the Education Foundation of Martin County's Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration.  On Friday, February 17, three teachers out of a group of 22 nominees who have been selected by peers at the elementary, middle and high school levels will receive recognition at the Education Foundation of Martin County's Teacher of the Year Awards Celebration, presented by Publix. This event will take place at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center.

Competition is intense to win the coveted distinction of Teacher of the Year.  Once a teacher has been nominated, each one must submit a comprehensive written portfolio and participate in an intensive interview process. It's a competition that is willingly entered.

"We want to recognize the dedication and commitment of our teachers," says Lisa Rhodes, Executive Director, Education Foundation of Martin County.  "This celebration awards exemplary teaching," says Russ Reaver, Board President of Education Foundation of Martin County and District Manager of Publix Supermarkets. "The Education Foundation of Martin County and Publix want to reward exceptional teaching by recognizing those who are so devoted to our students and community," adds Reaver.

School spirit abounds at this festive event as everyone cheers, dances, and struts to the beat of specially selected music as each nominee ascends to the stage in anticipation.

Of the three teachers chosen at the elementary, middle and high school levels, one will receive the ultimate distinction of Martin County Teacher of the Year. This district winner will then represent the Martin County School District in the competition to become the Florida Department of Education's Teacher of the Year.

For more information contact Lisa Rhodes, Executive Director, Education Foundation of Martin County at (772) 215-0075, or by e-mail at LRhodes@educationfoundationmc.org. School sites and candidates are listed below.

The Education Foundation of Martin County (EFMC) is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), community investment organization comprised of business leaders, community volunteers, and school officials with the common goal of enriching and enhancing the quality of education for students and educators in Martin County's public schools. For more information, visit www.educationfoundationmc.org.

Candidate	School Site
Mark Matluck	Anderson Middle School
Chuck Lindsay	Bessey Creek Elementary
Lani Bartsch	Challenger School
Danny Rendell	Citrus Grove Elementary School
Kristine Ernst	Crystal Lake Elementary School
Amy Baehr	Felix A. Williams Elementary School
Kelly Coleman	Hidden Oaks Middle School
Missy O’Connor	Hobe Sound Elementary School
Tavares Nottage	Indiantown Middle School
Brian Hayden	J.D. Parker School of Science, Math & Technology
Christine Henderson	Jensen Beach Elementary School
Hans Heinz	Jensen Beach High School
Shaun Southwick	Martin County High School
Leslie Lynch	Murray Middle School
Martha Saum	Palm City Elementary School
Shannon Pretorius	Pinewood Elementary School
Christine Mesorana	Port Salerno Elementary School
Joni Vosburg	SeaWind Elementary School
Stella Boland	South Fork High School
Elaine Kaufman	Spectrum Jr./Sr. High School
Michael Mahoney	Stuart Middle School
Teri Koehler	WarfieldElementary School