DOE and Macy's Make Surprise Announcement in Hillsborough County for Teacher of the Year Finalist!
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Melissa Goff, Macy’s Media Relations
Melissa.Goff@Macys.com - 305-577-2171
Georgi Pipkin, Macy’s Media Relations
Georgi.Pipkin@Macys.com - 305-577-6791
Macy’s Partners with Florida Department of Education to Celebrate 27 Years of Extraordinary Teachers with Surprise, Magical Announcement for Teacher of the Year Finalist!
One of five finalists named to compete for distinguished 2016 Macy’s/Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year Award
Miami, FL – May 7, 2015 – Every day, teachers from across Florida create magic in their classrooms. Today, from a group of 72 teachers, Diane McKee of Williams Middle Magnet School in Hillsborough County received a magical surprise that she has been chosen as one of five finalists to compete for the 2016 Macy’s/Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year Award!
For twenty-seven years, Macy’s along with the Florida Department of Education has honored the most exceptional educators in Florida who make magic in and out of their classrooms every day. The Teacher of the Year program recognizes and honors the contributions of outstanding classroom teachers who have demonstrated a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.
At 9:30 a.m., Florida Department of Education Commissioner, Pam Stewart, along with Teresa Burgess Macy’s District Vice President of Western Florida, was on hand to make the big surprise announcement. The 8th grade Language Arts teacher was called by Principal Arlene Castelli and told that she has been chosen as one of five finalists for the prestigious honor. This year’s surprise announcement happened to fall during National Teacher Appreciation Week, a weeklong celebration of teachers in the U.S.
Upon receiving the good news, Ms. McKee was presented with a $5,000 check made possible by the Macy’s Foundation and a $500 Macy’s gift card. A $1,000 check, also funded by the Macy’s Foundation, was presented to the finalist’s school. This year, the Macy’s Foundation will contribute over $100,000 in cash to the state-run Teacher of the Year program, as it has done since 1988.
“At Macy’s, we feel teachers are our state’s greatest human resource. That’s one reason why we’re proud of our long-standing commitment to education in Florida,” said Darlene Hanes, Macy’s Executive Vice President and Regional Director of Stores. “The Teacher of the Year program gives us the opportunity to honor the best educators in the state as well as motivate teachers to strive for excellence in their own communities.”
“Teachers chosen as statewide finalists for Florida Department of Education Macy’s Teacher of the Year are among the best of the best in their profession,” Education Commissioner Pam Stewart. “For these educators, teaching is not merely a job, but is a deep commitment to their students and to the future of our state. It’s a pleasure to recognize Diane McKee for her accomplishments and dedication to her students.”
The winner of the 2016 Macy’s/Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year award will be announced during a ceremony on Thursday, July 9, 2015. The event, hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Deborah Norville, will be held at Orlando’s Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios CityWalk.
For the 27th year, Macy’s will sponsor and produce the awards ceremony. During the event, the remaining nominees from around the state will be recognized for their achievements and excellence in teaching. Each of the nominees will be presented with a $750 personal cash award and a $250 grant for their school, funded by the Macy’s Foundation.
In addition to a $10,000 grant funded by the Macy’s Foundation, the Teacher of the Year will receive awards from Macy’s including an all-expense paid trip for four to New York City to attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The winner will also serve for one year as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education, touring the state to spread the word about educational opportunities and challenges in the Sunshine State. To date, Macy’s and the Macy’s Foundation have contributed over $2.8 million to teachers throughout the state.
This year’s five finalists were chosen from more than 180,000 public school teachers throughout the state by a Department of Education-appointed selection committee representing teachers, principals, parents and the business community. Each finalist is selected on the basis of outstanding ability to teach and communicate knowledge of the subject taught, professional development, philosophy of teaching, and outstanding school and community service. The winner must also show a superior capacity to inspire a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities.
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