The Osceola County School District has narrowed down its list of 10 finalists for the Teacher of the Year and School-Related Employee of the Year awards.
Each one received a surprise visit from Superintendent Dr. Debra Pace announcing the news over the last several weeks.
Judges selected the finalists based on their applications. The winners will be announced at the district's annual Education Awards ceremony to be held on March 9 at Osceola Heritage Park.
The Teacher of the Year finalists:
Jackelyn Adkins, Tohopekaliga High — 2D Studio Art Instructor
Elizabeth Bullock, Partin Settlement Elementary — 3rd Grade Teacher
Kayra Burdette, Mill Creek Elementary — 4th Grade Teacher
Jacqueline Hinds, Horizon Middle — Literacy Coach
Milagros Mercado, Canoe Creek K-8 — 2nd Grade Teacher
Tiffany Perry, East Lake Elementary — 5th Grade Teache
Jeremiah Swartz, Gateway High — Math Coach
Geoffrey VonRentzell, NeoCity Academy — Digital Multimedia
Elizabeth Weretka, Westside K-8 — 4th Grade Teacher
Laura Winstanley, St. Cloud Middle — Varying Exceptionality Teacher
The School-Related Employee of the Year finalists:
Claudia Guzman – Special Programs – Family Resource Specialist
David Maxwell - Chestnut Elementary School for Science and Engineering – Paraprofessional
Nicholas Montalbano – School Operations – Foreman
Bianca Morales – Business and Finance – Payroll Business Analyst
Kelly Mott – Narcoossee Middle – Executive Secretary
Janae Muchmore – Community Relations – Social Media & Digital Storyteller
Melvin Rivera – Harmony Middle – IT Tech
Tanya Snellings – Educational Choices and Innovation – Charter Schools Compliance Specialist
LaShanna Ward – St. Cloud Middle – Dean’s Secretary
Francis “Dale” Wheeler – Student Services – Judicial Liaison
Information from the Osceola County School District was used in this report.
