INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – Twenty-one teachers have been selected to represent their schools as the 2012 Teacher of the Year.
Nominated by their peers, these teachers represent the best of public education and more than 1,100 outstanding professional educators in Indian River County public schools. In addition to completing the written application process, each teacher and his or her principal will participate in a televised interview to be broadcast on the Education channel in January, so the community will have the opportunity to learn more about them.
Five finalists will be chosen in late January.
The community will also have an opportunity to peek into the classrooms of the finalists as they are videotaped teaching their students on a typical school day.
There will be a reception for the nominees on Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Sebastian River High School’s Performing Arts Center.
The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.
This year’s selection committee, co-chaired by Director of Staff Development Deborah Long and New Teacher Coach Katie Collier, is comprised of former Indian River County Teachers of the Year, school administrators and parents from our school community.
The selection process will wrap up on March 1, and the 2012 Teacher of the Year will be announced that evening at a special dinner at the Vero Beach Country Club.
The winner will go on to represent our district in the state competition later in the year.
The School District of Indian River County 2012 Teacher of the Year Event is sponsored by Space Coast Credit Union.
The nominees are:
Teacher
Grade/Assignment
School
Doris Landers
6-12: Language Arts
Alternative Center for Education
Bill Kolesnik
5
Beachland Elementary
Bob Whalen
3-5: Project Child Math & Science
Citrus Elementary
Jennifer Pegler
K-5, ESE
Dodgertown Elementary
Jennifer Alderton
4
Fellsmere Elementary
Sandra McMahon
8: Math
Gifford Middle
Janet Olsson
3-5: Project Child Reading
Glendale Elementary
Sue DiDomizio
4-5: Math
Highlands Elementary
Sandra Benham
1
Liberty Magnet
Kristen Bruckner
Grade 5
Osceola Magnet
James Thimmer
6: Social Studies
Oslo Middle
Joann Walleshauser
Grade 3
Pelican Island Elementary
Julie Carroll
5
Rosewood Elementary
Rose Brickles
5
Sebastian Elementary
Samuel Velazquez
Grade 8: Math
Sebastian River Middle
Sandra Keesee
9-12: Math
Sebastian River High
Sally Brown
6: Social Studies
Storm Grove Middle
Dolores Ann Shemo
Pre-K
Thompson Lifelong Learning Center
Patricia Hunsecker
K-2: Project Child Math
Treasure Coast Elementary
Rachel Serra
4
Vero Beach Elementary
Heather Holden
9: Science
Vero Beach High
Katherine Myers
Teacher Specialist: Visual Impairment
Wabasso School