Each year, the 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.
Dr. Vincent M. Miller II — 2020 Teacher of the Year
Dr. Miller is known for building positive relationships with students, their parents, and the community. He created a “clothes closet” where students can receive free clothing, shoes and hygiene products donated by local businesses. He founded Filling the Lane, a mentoring program that uses basketball to connect with youths, encourage them to stay in school and achieve their goals. He also helped launch a new student club to celebrate diversity among the student body, and give students from varying backgrounds a place to get to know one another. In the classroom, Dr. Miller designs his lessons around hands-on, real-life situations demonstrating how math is an integral part of everyone’s life. He also provides free tutoring after school. Dr. Miller believes teachers must be “lifelong learners” who are willing to discover new teaching practices so they can better reach their diverse students in an ever-changing world. “As our students evolve, our teaching needs to evolve,” he says.
Kay Llewellyn— 2020 School-Related Employee of the Year
As a principal’s secretary, Llewellyn epitomizes servant leadership. In her 30 years at Dixieland Elementary, she has brightened the lives of countless students, employees and parents. She is the first to offer help to those in need, whether it’s by giving a hug and encouraging word, or by collecting blankets for the homeless. She believes in filling each student’s “emotional bucket” with love and affirmation so they can be ready to learn every day. She is always ready to help coordinate fundraisers, reading incentives, and awards programs. Llewellyn is more comfortable as a behind-the-scenes person, and will quietly organize donations to help whoever is in need.
2020 Honorees
Teachers of the Year are listed first followed by
School-Related Employees of the Year
Alturas
Alturas Elementary – TOY: Mary Deal; SRE: Deborah Cowles
Auburndale
Auburndale Central Elementary – TOY: Oscar Loya Jr.; SRE: Hope Bennett-Stephens
Auburndale Senior High – TOY: Pam Lancaster; SRE: Linda Himmel
Clarence Boswell Elementary – TOY: Patricia Blackburn; SRE: Melissa Osbourn
East Area Adult – TOY: Mariza Abdalla; SRE: Michaela Bradford
Jere L. Stambaugh Middle – TOY: Todd Taylor; SRE: Dale Evans
Lena Vista Elementary – TOY: Krystal James; SRE: Courtney Jergensen-Nelson
Walter Caldwell Elementary – TOY: Megan Higgins; SRE: Jeanne Shower
Bartow
Bartow Elementary Academy – TOY: Mikayla Sanford; SRE: Catherine Coconato
Bartow Middle – TOY: Elizabeth Worthington; SRE: Karen Parker
Bartow Senior High/IB/Summerlin – TOY: Lindsey Hanger; SRE: Mari Lynn Burkett
Floral Avenue Elementary – TOY: Chris Lynch; SRE: Andrew Kennison
Gause Academy of Leadership – TOY: Andrew Dolson; SRE: Pearlie Bell
Gibbons Street Preschool Center – TOY: Diane Russo; SRE: Jocelyn Oquendo
James E. Stephens Elementary – TOY: Jennifer Hubbard; SRE: Jose Flores
Jean O’Dell Learning Center – TOY: Laura Taft; SRE: Arielle Roux
Spessard L. Holland Elementary – TOY: Brittany Deliz; SRE: Lori Dixon
Union Academy – TOY: Howard Canning; SRE: Lawrence Armburger
Davenport
Citrus Ridge – A Civics Academy – TOY: Renee Rankine-Colman; SRE: Nicole Murphy
Davenport School of the Arts – TOY: Tony Wilmoth; SRE: Charlene Stamper
Horizons Elementary – TOY: Keila Pagan Cartagena; SRE: Ketty Joseph
Loughman Oaks Elementary – TOY: Cynthia Luna-Santos; SRE: Barbara Ritacco
Ridge Community High – TOY: Timothy Frost; SRE: Connor Blethen
Dundee
Donald E. Woods Opportunity Center – TOY: Lyle Hedley; SRE: Tymesia Ellis
Dundee Elementary Academy – TOY: Yesenia Razo; SRE: Michael Murphy
Dundee Ridge Middle Academy – TOY: Katie Heter; SRE: Vicky Whitehead
Eagle Lake
Eagle Lake Elementary – TOY: Bianca Carrizales; SRE: Jamie Martin
Lake Region High – TOY: John Blackburn Jr.; SRE: Leza Breckinridge
Pinewood Elementary – TOY: Danette Karnes; SRE: Thiago Lobato
Fort Meade
Fort Meade Middle/Senior High – TOY: William Coca; SRE: Stephanie Clark
Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary – TOY: Stella Hatton; SRE: Anita Bigsby
Lewis Elementary – TOY: Tishna Shell; SRE: Sheila Roberts
Frostproof
Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Elementary – TOY: Wendy Wilson; SRE: Alice Stinson
Frostproof Elementary – TOY: Jennifer Fugate; SRE: Brian Long
Frostproof Middle/Senior High – TOY: Valorie Perron; SRE: Ronald Scali
Haines City
Alta Vista Elementary – TOY: Scott Feshanko; SRE: Emily Palmer
Bethune Academy – TOY: Amanda Bryant; SRE: Kirsten Akers
Daniel Jenkins Academy of Technology – TOY: Chris Sitek; SRE: Lakeisha Gilbert
Eastside Elementary – TOY: Latoya King; SRE: Verónica Torres Silva
Haines City Senior High/Haines City IB – TOY: Igdelia Rivera Reyes; SRE: Cleveland L. Morrow
Sandhill Elementary – TOY: Sierra Morris; SRE: Lynda Nissen
Shelley S. Boone Middle – TOY: Joshua Ortiz Villa; SRE: Erin Brown
Highland City
Highland City Elementary – TOY: Jennifer Hartsaw; SRE: Leslie Brown
Lake Alfred
Karen M. Siegel Academy – TOY: Angela Jones-Dawson; SRE: Jennifer Owens
Lake Alfred Elementary – TOY: Rachel Snapko; SRE: Anita Bess
Lake Alfred Polytech Academy – TOY: John Chagaris; SRE: Lionel Delgado-Oquendo
Lake Wales
McLaughlin Middle & Fine Arts Academy – TOY: Sylvia Richardson; SRE: Milagros Flores
Roosevelt Academy – TOY: Jennifer Middlebrook; SRE: Ethelrine G. Watts
Spook Hill Elementary – TOY: Theresa Johnson; SRE: Joanna Wilson
Lakeland
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center – TOY: Deborah Jones; SRE: Lynn Russell
Carlton Palmore Elementary – TOY: Mary Isaac; SRE: Darlene Czerwinski
Cleveland Court Elementary – TOY: Carmela DiCesare Myers; SRE: Esther Marsh
Combee Academy of Design & Engineering – TOY: Jennifer Smith; SRE: Cheryl Eastabrooks
Crystal Lake Elementary – TOY: Yolanda Jiles; SRE: Sheila Chamberlain
Crystal Lake Middle – TOY: Eunice Johnson; SRE: Wanda Testerman
Dixieland Elementary – TOY: Daphne Harris; SRE: Kay Llewellyn
Doris A. Sanders Learning Center – TOY: David Seefeldt; SRE: Robert Sullivan
Dr. N.E. Roberts Elementary – TOY: Diana Clopton; SRE: Heather Manley
Edgar L. Padgett Elementary – TOY: Amanda Campbell; SRE: Zena Moody
George W. Jenkins Senior High – TOY: Anita Puissegur; SRE: Antwon Carter
Griffin Elementary – TOY: Janel Brown; SRE: Jerry McDowell II
Harrison School for the Arts – TOY: Rick Jansen; SRE: Karen Moroney
Highlands Grove Elementary – TOY: Gina Sweezey; SRE: Angela Williamson
James W. Sikes Elementary – TOY: Emily Minter; SRE: Kristal Jones-Gordon
Jesse Keen Elementary – TOY: Amy McElwain; SRE: Shambria Sanders
Kathleen Elementary – TOY: Chad Sell; SRE: Jamie Allred
Kathleen Middle – TOY: De’Oni Dew; SRE: Jessica Riddley
Kathleen Senior High – TOY: Joaquin Reyes; SRE: Laura Mango
Lake Gibson Middle – TOY: Amber Knight; SRE: Yvonne Hilton Still
Lake Gibson Senior High – TOY: Sean Luce; SRE: Sammy Strickland
Lakeland Highlands Middle – TOY: Angela Brooks; SRE: Saily Lorenzo Santana
Lakeland Senior High – TOY: Tyler Campbell; SRE: Alejandro Vazquez Colon
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy – TOY: Erin Lavelle; SRE: Zoraida Rodríguez Alvarado
Lincoln Avenue Academy – TOY: Yolonda Cherry; SRE: Cindy Cole
Medulla Elementary – TOY: Janina Davis-Espina; SRE: Nancy Brow
North Lakeland Elem. School of Choice – TOY: Heather Patrias; SRE: Priscilla Walters
Oscar J. Pope Elementary – TOY: Hope Sims; SRE: Nuyen Spencer
Philip O’Brien Elementary – TOY: Krystal Sanders; SRE: Marcus Patterson Jr.
Polk Virtual – TOY: Larry Mohler; SRE: Keelie de Loera
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary – TOY: Jennifer Weber; SRE: Jason McGuire
R. Clem Churchwell Elementary – TOY: Carlene Skiles; SRE: Dawn Wade
R.E.A.L. Academy – TOY: Luis A. Lopez-Santiago; SRE: Naschira Chacón
Rochelle School of the Arts – TOY: Tammy Mooney; SRE: Aimee Tate
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy – TOY: Rebecca Champion; SRE: Maria Comperchio
Scott Lake Elementary – TOY: Jana Stinnett; SRE: Marcus Ghent
Sleepy Hill Elementary – TOY: Kathryn L. Spring; SRE: Paul Hagelstein
Sleepy Hill Middle – TOY: Elizabeth Rodriguez; SRE: Stacy Meyers
Socrum Elementary – TOY: Tamya Wile; SRE: Vicci Jester
Southwest Elementary – TOY: Joshua Bieber; SRE: Tania Maldonado
Southwest Middle – TOY: Laura Blanchette; SRE: Calvin Shaffer
Tenoroc High – TOY: Carlos Gonzalez Rodriguez; SRE: Leona Smarte
Traviss Technical College – TOY: Gail Balser; SRE: Patty Troxtel
Valleyview Elementary – TOY: Jennifer Green; SRE: Joseph Caron
Wendell Watson Elementary – TOY: Jane Moore; SRE: Lisa Swope
West Area Adult School – TOY: Kenneth E. Rivera; SRE: James Clayton
Winston Academy of Engineering – TOY: Courtney Upton; SRE: Susan Cruz
Mulberry
Kingsford Elementary – TOY: Nina Wilbur; SRE: Cyndi Childress
Mulberry Middle – TOY: Lesley Smith Hayes; SRE: Robin Nelson
Mulberry Senior High – TOY: Jerry Wooten; SRE: Elizabeth Dorado
Purcell Elementary – TOY: Christopher Doucette; SRE: Sharon Tilley
Poinciana
Lake Marion Creek Middle – TOY: Aram Perry Jr.; SRE: Jackeline Rodriguez
Laurel Elementary – TOY: Temperance Anderson-Bryant; SRE: Dagmar Bauzo
Palmetto Elementary – TOY: Samantha Green; SRE: Monica Sierra-Diaz
Polk City
Polk City Elementary – TOY: Sarah Lewis; SRE: Michael Lewis
Winter Haven
Chain Of Lakes Elementary – TOY: Jason Murphy; SRE: Candice O’Neal
Denison Middle – TOY: Cheryl Irving-Davis; SRE: Clive Fishley
Elbert Elementary – TOY: Carnetha Bell; SRE: Ana Nicholson
Frank E. Brigham Academy – TOY: Carrie Spruell; SRE: Donna Langford
Fred G. Garner Elementary – TOY: Tracey Hall; SRE: Helen Mack
Garden Grove Elementary – TOY: Victoria Laroche; SRE: Elisa Gamez
Inwood Elementary – TOY: Lisa Gourley; SRE: Jessica Evans
Jewett Middle Academy Magnet – TOY: Yadira C. Shoffner; SRE: Gloria Hunter
Jewett School of the Arts – TOY: Judah Grooms; SRE: Pamela Musgrove
John Snively Elementary – TOY: Lauren Garner; SRE: Deanna Baker-Bailey
Lake Shipp Elementary – TOY: Juanita McCoy; SRE: Kevin Brown
Ridge Technical College – TOY: Steven DiLorenzo; SRE: Darlene Lyon
Wahneta Elementary – TOY: Nina M. Panzica; SRE: Marta Diaz
Westwood Middle – TOY: Dawn Coatney; SRE: Anjanette Richard-Jones
Winter Haven Senior High – TOY: Dr. Vincent M. Miller II; SRE: Laura Mason Kovachy
Photos:
The 2020 Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year photo gallery will be posted in the coming weeks.
Visit the 2020 Teacher and School-Related Employee of the Year photo gallery.
Both event photos and red carpet portraits are available for free download.
Please share your photos on social media using the hashtag #LovePolkSchools.
Platinum Sponsors:
- Ledger Media Group
- MIDFLORIDA Credit Union
- Regal Automotive
Gold Sponsors:
- ARAMARK
- Boswell & Dunlap LLP
- Florida Blue
- Legoland Florida Resort
- Mosaic
- Publix Super Markets Charities
- TECO
Silver Sponsors
- AMSCOT Financial
- Ben Hill Griffin, Inc.
- BENCOR
- CEMEX
- Citizen’s Bank and Trust
- Duke Energy
- Employer Payroll Solutions
- Florida Prepaid College Foundation
- Florida Southern College
- Horace Mann Insurance
- Huntington Learning Center
- Lakeland Magic
- Polk Education Association
- Polk State College
- Southeastern University
Additional Thanks:
- Epic Church Lakeland
- Harrison School for the Arts
- InnerAct Alliance
- Little Caesars, Lakeland
- Men’s Wearhouse, North Lakeland
- PCPS Department of Equity and Diversity Management
- PCPS Department of Fine Arts
- PCPS Transition Program
- Theatre Winter Haven
- Traviss Technical College Cosmetology Program
- Winter Haven Senior High Fashion Academy, Studio 21
- Bob Woods
