UPDATE – Friday, 1:03 p.m.
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – The public is invited to welcome home and congratulate 4th Grade Osceola Magnet teacher Cheryl Conley this afternoon when she arrives from home from the 2011 Florida Teacher of the Year banquet. People will begin gathering shortly before 5 p.m. at the school’s entrance, 665 20th St., Vero Beach.
“We are extremely proud of Cheryl Conley,” said Superintendent Dr. Harry La Cava. “She is a phenomenal teacher, who is such an inspiration to this School District and the State of Florida. We are delighted that she is being recognized by the Florida Department of Education and Macy’s, for her outstanding dedication and commitment to children and her profession. This is truly a tremendous honor,” he said.
Conley was named Florida’s Teacher of the Year for 2011 Thursday night at the Hard Rock Live! at Universal Studios City Walk in Orlando, beating out four other teachers from around the state to win the title.
Responding to Cheryl Conley’s dedication to her students and ability to inspire, the Florida Department of Education Thursday night named the Osceola Magnet Elementary School instructor the 2011 Florida Teacher of the Year.
“Energy, commitment, talent, and innovation are but a few of the many defining characteristics of Florida’s newest Teacher of the Year, Cheryl Conley,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Eric J. Smith. “Cheryl’s service will prove to be an incredible source of inspiration for our hard working teachers as she travels the state and shares her accomplishments and experiences with her peers.”
She will serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for education, visiting and working with schools throughout the state. She also received $10,000 from Macy’s and an all-expenses paid trip to New York City for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
Conley was chosen from district nominees who represent more than 180,000 public school teachers.
“Cheryl Conley’s love of teaching and dynamic style translate into big successes for her students,” said Karin Darmanin, Macy’s Senior Vice President and Regional Director of Stores, when Conley was selected to represent the school district. “Cheryl equips her students with the fundamentals and also empowers them with the confidence to meet life’s challenges.”
Macy’s also awarded each of the other four finalists – Allan Phipps, South Plantation High School, Broward County; Zachary Champagne, Mandarin Oaks Elementary School, Duval County; Cristine O’Hara, Palmetto Middle School, Miami-Dade County; Kelly Burnette, Yulee High School, Nassau County – a $5,000 check and a $500 Macy’s gift card. Macy’s also presented $1,000 to each of the finalists’ respective schools to be used toward educational programs.
“Teachers are on the front line every day, introducing young minds to the world and shaping them into the leaders and great thinkers of tomorrow,” said Darmanin. “Macy’s is honored to take this opportunity today to thank Cheryl Conley for dedicating herself wholeheartedly to enlightening and empowering her students toward a brighter future.”
