Six Finalists for 2013 Brevard Teacher of the Year
VIERA – The names of six outstanding educators who have been selected as finalists for BPS 2013 Teacher of the Year have been announced.
The finalists – three elementary and three secondary school educators – were selected from the 90 Teachers of the Year from each of the district schools and education service center areas. These individuals will now contend for the honor of being named Brevard 2013 Teacher of the Year.
“These six exceptional teachers represent the talent and dedication illustrated by teachers throughout the district” said Superintendent, Dr. Brian Binggeli. “When you read their nominations for this award—made by colleagues—you can’t help but see the passion that these individuals bring to providing children with the highest quality education possible,” he continued. “My congratulations go to each one of them for earning this recognition!”
The 2013 BPS Teacher of the Year will be chosen by a committee comprised of education, business and civic leaders in a formal selection process and will be announced in ceremonies at the ABC Awards Gala on Jan. 23. The winner will be Brevard’s representative in the state’s 2013 Teacher of the Year competition and be the recipient of more than $3,000 in cash and prizes. Finalists for the 2013 BPS Teacher of the Year are listed below in alphabetical order.
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Joanna DiPeppe – Satellite High School
A National Board Certified teacher, Joanna DiPeppe, has been with BPS for 12 years, all of them at Satellite High where she teaches AP English and Composition. “As part of Satellite High School’s community, she does an outstanding job supporting her students and her colleagues in their endeavors,” Principal Mark Elliott expressed. “Ms. DiPeppe’s dedication reaches beyond the classroom,” he continued. |
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Susan French- Sherwood Elementary
Susan French
has been teaching in Brevard for 23 years and has been at Sherwood for
the last nine. Currently she is a sixth grade classroom teacher.
Principal Cindy Wilson had this to say about French’s nomination, “She
has the characteristics that are necessary to be a great teacher: she
inspires students to do their best; she creates a community within and
outside her classroom; and she loves to learn and share new ideas.”
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Debra Milliken – Oak Pak Elementary
Now in her 20th
year of teaching, Debra Milliken has been at Oak Park since 2009 and
currently teaches third grade. In his letter of recommendation,
Principal Ron Dedmon said, “Mrs. Milliken is a strong force in
education! Her dedication, cooperation and commitment to students are
commendable. I strongly endorse Mrs. Milliken to represent the District
as our Teacher of the Year!”
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Jason Schack – Melbourne High School
Jason
Schack, a PE teacher at Melbourne High, has been with the District for
nine years; all but one in his current Location. James Willcoxon,
principal of Melbourne High said this of Schack, “In my opinion, Jason
Schack is a truly outstanding educator and role model for all students.
He is a shining example of what a great teacher should represent each
and every day with his students and colleagues.”
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Amber Thibedeau – Sunrise Elementary
A
nine year veteran teacher, Amber Thibedeau has been at Sunrise
Elementary since it opened six years ago. She is the Title I Science
Teacher at the school. “Amber is one of the true professionals, which
every administrator would like to have on their team,” said Principal
Barry Pichard. “Amber is a leader by example, very enthusiastic and
excited about her students and her responsibilities.”
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Jill Whitacre-West Shore Jr./Sr. High
Jill
Whitacre, a seventh grade math teacher at West Shore for two years, has
been employed with the District for the past 12. In a his letter of
recommendation, Principal Rick Fleming begins, “Every once in a while in
our profession, someone comes along that has a special gift for
teaching and learning, and inspiring others to do the things they
thought they never could. Here at West Shore, that special person is
Jill Whitacre.”
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Listed below are the names of the all of the 2013 BPS Teacher of the Year candidates:
SCHOOL
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FIRST NAME
|
LAST NAME
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Andersen, Hans Christian, Elementary
|
Christine
|
Beck
|
Apollo Elementary
|
Michelle
|
Tucci-Gulbrand
|
Astronaut High
|
Kim
|
Hall
|
Atlantis Elementary
|
Michille
|
Hefelfinger
|
Audubon Elementary
|
Jennifer
|
Tonhauser
|
Bayside High
|
Christine
|
Barbuto
|
Cambridge Elementary
|
Lupe
|
Stephens
|
Cape View Elementary
|
Pamela
|
Smith
|
Carroll, Lewis, Elementary
|
Stefanie
|
Diegelman
|
Central Area Adult Education
|
Bruce
|
Pearce
|
Central Middle
|
Miranda
|
Korpas
|
Challenger 7 Elementary
|
Michael
|
Mugge
|
Clearlake Middle
|
Diahann
|
Shaw
|
Cocoa Beach Jr./ Sr. High
|
Jeri
|
Laufenberg
|
Cocoa High
|
Sara
|
Wyrick
|
Columbia Elementary
|
Vivaldo
|
Hays
|
Coquina Elementary
|
Sharon
|
McDowell
|
Croton Elementary
|
Kathy
|
Bartyczak
|
DeLaura Middle
|
Lisa
|
Bruno
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Discovery Elementary
|
Mary
|
Wouters
|
Dr. W. J. Creel Elementary
|
Anita
|
Campbell
|
Eau Gallie High
|
Emily
|
Toriak
|
Edgewood Jr./Sr High
|
Laura
|
Robbins
|
Endeavour Elementary
|
Karen
|
Coppola
|
Enterprise Elementary
|
LeeAnne
|
Herold
|
Exceptional Student Education
|
Karen
|
Williams
|
Fairglen Elementary
|
Kimberly
|
Haggard
|
Freedom 7 Elementary School of International Studies
|
Payne
|
Thomas
|
Gardendale Elementary Magnet
|
Rhonda
|
Ripperger
|
Gemini Elementary
|
Holly
|
Hays
|
Golfview Elementary Magnet
|
Lorri
|
Benjamin
|
Harbor City Elementary
|
Tiffany
|
Letawa
|
Heritage High
|
Enrique
|
Luna
|
Holland, Spessard , Elementary
|
Judy
|
Vizzini
|
Hoover, Herbert C. Middle
|
Crystal
|
Golinello
|
Imperial Estates Elementary
|
Magi
|
Sizemore
|
Indialantic Elementary
|
Kimberly
|
Donovan
|
Jackson, Andrew Middle
|
Kyle
|
Hess
|
Jefferson, Thomas, Middle
|
Peggi
|
DeRoy
|
Johnson, L.B.
|
Tammy
|
Greene
|
Jupiter Elementary
|
Jamie
|
Versluis
|
Kennedy, John F., Middle
|
Jolette
|
McDonald
|
Lockmar Elementary
|
Brittani
|
Bluhnm
|
Longleaf Elementary
|
Kristie
|
Pederquist
|
Madison, James, Middle
|
Joyce
|
Smolik
|
Manatee Elementary
|
Aulakh
|
Pamela
|
McAuliffe, Christa, Elementary
|
Attah
|
Tikili
|
McNair, Ronald, Magnet Middle
|
Maria
|
Diaz
|
Meadowlane Intermediate
|
Kimberly
|
Herring
|
Meadowlane Primary
|
Bridget
|
Braun
|
Melbourne High
|
Jason
|
Schack
|
Merritt Island High
|
Amy
|
Finney
|
MILA Elementary
|
Janet
|
Eastman
|
Mims Elementary
|
Jamie
|
Reynolds
|
Oak Park Elementary
|
Debra
|
Milliken
|
Ocean Breeze Elementary
|
Kate
|
McDaniel
|
Palm Bay Elementary
|
Sally
|
White
|
Palm Bay High
|
Jasmin
|
Baez
|
Pinewood Elementary
|
Michelle
|
Lang
|
Port Malabar Elementary
|
James
|
Harding
|
Quest Elementary
|
Jamie
|
Slentz
|
Riverview School
|
Zorica
|
Simic
|
Riviera Elementary
|
Theresa
|
Chase
|
Rockledge High
|
Leslie
|
Shinault
|
Roosevelt Elementary
|
Holly
|
Schumann-Grubb
|
Roy Allen Elementary
|
Kathleen
|
Giannasi
|
Sabal Elementary
|
Lee
|
Taylor
|
Satellite High
|
Joanna
|
DiPeppe
|
Saturn Elementary
|
Brooke
|
Hotaling
|
Sculptor Charter School
|
Maria
|
Tyson
|
Sea Park Elementary
|
Maria
|
Clifford
|
Sherwood Elementary
|
Susan
|
French
|
South Lake Elementary
|
Anthony
|
Colucci
|
Southwest Middle
|
Keith
|
Merrell
|
Space Coast Jr./Sr. High
|
Milagros "Milly"
|
Sessions
|
Stevenson, Robert Louis, Elementary
|
Alison
|
Fletcher
|
Stone Middle
|
Melissa
|
Grabowski
|
Sunrise Elementary
|
Amber
|
Thibedeau
|
Suntree Elementary
|
Amy
|
Imka
|
Surfside Elementary
|
Tew
|
Sandy
|
Titusville High
|
Thomas
|
Hietpas
|
Tropical Elementary
|
Mary
|
Hoffman
|
Turner Sr., John F. Elementary
|
Cindy
|
Carlson
|
University Park Elementary
|
MaryEllen
|
Sorensen
|
Viera High
|
Kate
|
Howick
|
Virtual Instruction Secondary
|
Cindy
|
Dean
|
West Melbourne Elementary School For Science
|
Ashley
|
Skeen
|
West Shore Jr/Sr High
|
Jill
|
Whitacre
|
Westside Elementary
|
Cindy
|
Roach
|
Williams, Ralph M.Jr., Elementary
|
Marie
|
Sichler
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