Teacher & School-Related Employee of the Year
This annual awards program honors approximately 240 outstanding employees from across the district. Along with 12 finalists, the winners receive cash awards and other prizes from event sponsors.
Judges include community members from local organizations and businesses, as well as past winners and finalists. Judges review the applications without knowledge of applicant names or schools. Judging criteria includes leadership and professional development activities, community and school involvement, and teaching style.
Each year, the Florida Department of Education names a Florida Teacher of the Year, choosing an educator who has “demonstrated a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.” The Florida School-Related Employee of the Year award recognizes outstanding education support personnel for contributions to their schools and communities. Both of Polk’s winners move on to compete for the state titles.
Maude Graham — 2021 Teacher of the Year
Graham teaches English language arts and social studies at Rosabelle W. Blake Academy in Lakeland. She became an orphan at a young age, with both of her parents passing away by the time she was 9. She struggled in school with reading but felt a desire to pursue a career as a teacher.
“I learned that teachers were progressing me, because I was young and fragile, wide-eyed, eager to learn, and very obedient,” Graham said. “Knowing this, I always wanted to become the teacher who taught students who struggled as I had. I always dreamt of teaching students reading strategies, no matter the circumstances that stood in their way.”
Graham, who has served in the Army National Guard, credits her military service with providing her valuable skills for becoming a teacher.
Her students learn through hands-on reading and writing activities, scavenger hunts, rope climbing excursions, and other engaging lessons. She shares her life story with various groups, serves as a mentor, organizes parent/teacher events, and spearheads a leadership program for third- through fifth-graders called “Leader in Me.”
Lisa Gill— 2021 School-Related Employee of the Year
Gill is a paraeducator who coordinates many parent involvement activities at Jesse Keen Elementary in Lakeland. She is known for making home visits whenever necessary and oversees the school’s weekend backpack distribution program to make sure students have enough to eat.
No matter what crisis is taking place, Gill is ready to act. Following Hurricane Irma, she worked with a local church to create a food and supply bank at the school. She also helped arrange housing through local agencies for families whose homes were damaged during the storm.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Gill has offered to help wherever she is needed, such as organizing her school’s device distribution program, so students could get internet-accessible devices for online learning.
2021 Honorees
Teachers of the Year are listed first followed by
School-Related Employees of the Year
Alturas
Alturas Elementary – TOY: Lenora Hodson; SRE: Carole Martin
Auburndale
Auburndale Central Elementary – TOY: Nikki Gonzalez; SRE: Sunnie Parkins
Auburndale Senior High – TOY: Rosalie White; SRE: Amalia Diaz
Clarence Boswell Elementary – TOY: Lisa Meyer; SRE: Sabrina Reel
East Area Adult School – TOY: Ana-Maria Galbis; SRE: Allison Crutchfield
Jere L. Stambaugh Middle – TOY: Patricia Kowalske; SRE: Theresa Coake
Lena Vista Elementary – TOY: Kristin Allen; SRE: Pamela Elrod
Walter Caldwell Elementary – TOY: Cassandra Willis; SRE: William Mclin
Bartow
Bartow Elementary Academy – TOY: Rebecca Bullard; SRE: Brenda Bottoms
Bartow Middle – TOY: Lauren Kenney; SRE: Linda Griggs
Bartow Senior High/IB/Summerlin – TOY: Raschelle Devore; SRE: Melissa Davis
Floral Avenue Elementary – TOY: Paula Edelson; SRE: Annette Nunez
Gause Academy of Leadership – TOY: Keith Worth; SRE: Michelle Osborn
James E. Stephens Elementary – TOY: Jessica Gilbert; SRE: Jennifer Hooper
Jean O’Dell Learning Center – TOY: Mary Ann Luciano; SRE: Jean Marie Mcbroom
Spessard L. Holland Elementary – TOY: Kerry Villeneuve; SRE: Jessica Berrios
Union Academy – TOY: Kimberly Motta; SRE: Charles Luster
Davenport
Citrus Ridge: A Civics Academy – TOY: Christi Egor; SRE: Frances Span
Davenport Elementary – TOY: Tracey Robbins; SRE: Marisol Olivencia
Davenport School of the Arts – TOY: Theresa Mosley; SRE: Carmen Moro
Horizons Elementary – TOY: Shana Shea; SRE: Vanessa Gonzalez
Loughman Oaks Elementary – TOY: Joel Degraaf; SRE: Angel Rivera
Ridge Community High – TOY: Brenna Hanley; SRE: Josephine Bragg
Dundee
Donald E. Woods Opportunity Center – TOY: Tanja Scott; SRE: Sandra Jusino Vazquez
Dundee Elementary Academy – TOY: Zachary Pry; SRE: Amber Bowlin
Dundee Ridge Middle Academy – TOY: Sherri Dixon; SRE: Denise Davis
Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake Elementary – TOY: Tanya Bowen; SRE: Gregory Mills
Lake Region High – TOY: Maria Boyer; SRE: Teresa Shoemaker
Pinewood Elementary – TOY: Amanda Blind; SRE: Leslie Iakovidis
Fort Meade
Fort Meade Middle/Senior High – TOY: Hazel Stephens; SRE: Nolberta Gomez
Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary – TOY: Rebecca Schempp; SRE: Nancy Rodriguez
Lewis Elementary – TOY: Theresa Johnson; SRE: Jordan Fawley
Frostproof
Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary – TOY: Alice Johnson; SRE: Stacy Leech
Frostproof Elementary – TOY: Yvonne McDuffie; SRE: Oleda Johnson
Frostproof Middle/Senior High – TOY: Pamela Hadden; SRE: Ronald Scali
Haines City
Alta Vista Elementary – TOY: Teresa Williams; SRE: Alejandra Reyes Landron
Bethune Academy – TOY: Darrell Venable; SRE: Tyann Bowen
Daniel Jenkins Academy of Technology – TOY: Sheri Onorati; SRE: Keith Longley
Eastside Elementary – TOY: Natalie Trinidad; SRE: Bridgett Ginther
Haines City Senior High/IB – TOY: Sandra Rubbico; SRE: Trina Carter
Sandhill Elementary – TOY: Jennifer Glasgow; SRE: Ely Rivera
Shelley S. Boone Middle – TOY: Christopher Valverde; SRE: Vicente Gonzalez Martinez
Highland City
Highland City Elementary – TOY: Jonna Sue Monahan; SRE: Nicole Miller
Lake Alfred
Karen M. Siegel Academy – TOY: Elizabeth Wilson; SRE: Mitchell Credit
Lake Alfred Elementary – TOY: Elizabeth Smith; SRE: Todd Koza
Lake Alfred Polytech Academy – TOY: Anita Carson; SRE: Sherry Griffin
Lake Wales
McLaughlin Middle & Fine Arts Academy – TOY: Tabitha Kramer; SRE: Linda Whitfield
Roosevelt Academy – TOY: Michele Ogburn; SRE: Sarah Edmonds
Spook Hill Elementary – TOY: Stephen Lehnhoff; SRE: Bobbie Crippen
Lakeland
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center – TOY: Adrian Israel; SRE: Yaira Castro
Carlton Palmore Elementary – TOY: Ann Helen Zimmerman; SRE: Sandra Oberhofer
Cleveland Court Elementary – TOY: Suggey Y Ortiz Oyola; SRE: Yvonne Folds
Combee Academy of Design & Engineering – TOY: Julie Bullock; SRE: Melanie Walker
Crystal Lake Elementary – TOY: Brittney Davis; SRE: Edgar Diaz Reyes
Crystal Lake Middle – TOY: Derick Seay; SRE: Fabiane Bodine
Dixieland Elementary – TOY: Patricia Busby; SRE: Karen Green
Doris A. Sanders Learning Center – TOY: Gino Hernandez; SRE: Philip De La Cruz
Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary – TOY: Rebecca Bruzek; SRE: Pamela Flores
Edgar L. Padgett Elementary – TOY: Davina Burdick; SRE: Alveza Garcia
George W. Jenkins Senior High – TOY: Taina Corcelles; SRE: Janet Robinson
Griffin Elementary – TOY: Amber Hipp; SRE: Dawn Sorrell
Harrison School for the Arts – TOY: Clifford Parody; SRE: Idalmis Galban
Highlands Grove Elementary – TOY: Tamara Volpe; SRE: Francis Aguilar Mejia
James W. Sikes Elementary – TOY: Kandy Boyette; SRE: Paula Payne
Jesse Keen Elementary – TOY: John Jones; SRE: Lisa Gill
Kathleen Elementary – TOY: Melea Jennings; SRE: Lori Haase
Kathleen Middle – TOY: Kjersten Mathis; SRE: Sarah Nipper
Kathleen Senior High – TOY: Ledarius Haggins; SRE: Elaine Mcleish
Lake Gibson Middle – TOY: Kelsey Whalen; SRE: Tammy Shinabarker
Lake Gibson Senior High – TOY: Robyn Silva; SRE: Gretchen Blume
Lakeland Highlands Middle – TOY: Rachel Young; SRE: Diane Calabrese
Lakeland Senior High – TOY: Alanna Redd; SRE: Myrna Ramos
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy – TOY: Katelyn Nykiel; SRE: Janet Hughes
Lincoln Avenue Academy – TOY: Kimberly Lucido; SRE: Martha Hillman Padron
Medulla Elementary – TOY: Tavarous Faniel; SRE: Audra Star Montalbano
North Lakeland Elem. School of Choice – TOY: Cassandra Anderson; SRE: Cynthia Troxel
Oscar J. Pope Elementary – TOY: Michelle Balaguer; SRE: Joanne Cole
Philip O’Brien Elementary – TOY: Amber Screen; SRE: Rudolph Brooks
Polk Virtual – TOY: Paula Cardinali; SRE: Jennifer Leonard
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary – TOY: Amber Kent; SRE: Maria Chaviano
R. Clem Churchwell Elementary – TOY: Kimberly Oestreich; SRE: Bernard Milewski
R.E.A.L. Academy – TOY: Stephanie Clevenger; SRE: Charysse Graham
Rochelle School of the Arts – TOY: Marie Sheffield; SRE: Nancy Gipp
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy – TOY: Maude Graham; SRE: Jennifer Carriere
Scott Lake Elementary – TOY: Candace Shim; SRE: Lisa Lee
Sleepy Hill Elementary – TOY: Susan Van Bibber; SRE: Johnny Thomas
Sleepy Hill Middle – TOY: Alejandro Carreno; SRE: Lisa Vansluyters
Socrum Elementary – TOY: Cinnamon Palso; SRE: Rebecca Carroll
Southwest Elementary – TOY: Tauni Pickrell; SRE: Denissia Pickrell
Southwest Middle – TOY: Bradford Fales; SRE: Hannah Chambers
Tenoroc High – TOY: Kimberly Slifer; SRE: Alice Noell
Traviss Technical College – TOY: Jordan Cox; SRE: Leigh Ann Woodard
Valleyview Elementary – TOY: Lena Shaver; SRE: Isabella Zamora
Wendell Watson Elementary – TOY: DeAnn Jones; SRE: Leah Shireman
West Area Adult School – TOY: Leah Sanoba; SRE: Sable Bishop
Winston Academy of Engineering – TOY: Ashley Slack; SRE: Maria Negron
Mulberry
Kingsford Elementary – TOY: Clair Hernandez; SRE: Nayeli Achirica-Avila
Mulberry Middle – TOY: Sara Garcia; SRE: Nicholas Jerry
Mulberry Senior High – TOY: Lia Maffett; SRE: Kiana Gibson
Purcell Elementary – TOY: John Mcclintock; SRE: Maria Gomez
Poinciana
Lake Marion Creek Middle – TOY: Lillian Rodriguez Rivera; SRE: Chandipaul Bhoj
Laurel Elementary – TOY: Mark Tambrino; SRE: Veronica Zayas
Palmetto Elementary – TOY: Kristen Aanerud-Smith; SRE: Lisa Myrick
Polk City
Polk City Elementary – TOY: Katrina Polz; SRE: Jacquelyn Hardaker
Winter Haven
Chain Of Lakes Elementary – TOY: Salaam Mustafa; SRE: Avril Jacobs
Denison Middle – TOY: Natalie Chin-Watson; SRE: Roneiqua Wright
Elbert Elementary – TOY: Skyeler Jackson; SRE: Karen Dinocola
Frank E. Brigham Academy – TOY: Teresa Negley; SRE: Emma Curran
Fred G. Garner Elementary – TOY: Tonya Clayton; SRE: Tarolyn Mcmath
Garden Grove Elementary – TOY: Kara Burry; SRE: Mindy Williams
Inwood Elementary – TOY: Melanie Maruyama Fienga; SRE: Aaron Wilson Sr
Jewett Middle Academy Magnet – TOY: Paulette Jacobs; SRE: Josue Negron Rivera
Jewett School of the Arts – TOY: Danielle Hippeli; SRE: Cheryl Petko
John Snively Elementary – TOY: Viviana Torres; SRE: Maria Gomez
Lake Shipp Elementary – TOY: Sara Gossman; SRE: Michael Cramatte
Ridge Technical College – TOY: Sandra Marra; SRE: Wendy Gutierrez
Wahneta Elementary – TOY: Bethany Agostinelli; SRE: Patricia Baggett
Westwood Middle – TOY: Patricia Bay; SRE: Vicmarie Torres Rodriguez
Winter Haven Senior High – TOY: Mary Hunt; SRE: Toni Eldridge
Photos:
Visit the 2021 Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year photo gallery to see photos of all of this year’s nominees, “prize patrol” photos and event photos.
Please share your photos on social media using the hashtag #LovePolkSchools.
Platinum Sponsors:
- MIDFLORIDA Credit Union
- Lakeland Automall
Gold Sponsors:
- ARAMARK
- BlueCross BlueShield of Florida
- Boswell & Dunlap LLP
- Legoland Florida Resort
- Mosaic
- Publix Super Markets Charities
- TECO
Partners:
- Polk Education Association
