Governor Scott Presents Shine Awards to Eight Outstanding Florida Educators
March 29, 2016
Governor's Press Office
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Governor Scott Presents Shine Awards to Eight Outstanding Florida Educators
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, during a meeting of the Florida Cabinet, Governor Rick Scott recognized eight outstanding educators with the Governor’s Shine Awards. The Shine Award is presented to teachers and administrators in Florida who make significant contributions to the field of education.
Governor Scott said, “I am proud to honor Florida’s incredible teachers who work every day to help students accomplish their goals and get a great education in our state. I especially want to thank the Florida teachers who have previously served in the military. The sacrifices they have made to keep Florida families safe and defend freedom across the world gives our students the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.”
The following eight teachers were awarded the Governor’s Shine Award:
Susie Barber, Jackson County – Barber teaches Culinary Arts at Marianna High School and was named Jackson County’s 2016 Teacher of the Year. She helped start the high school’s Culinary Arts Academy which offers students a nationally-recognized food service certification.
Tim Brown, Taylor County – Brown teaches Welding Technologies at Taylor Technical Institute. Brown’s students achieved a 100 percent passing rate on the American Welding Society performance-based certification tests. He was recently named Taylor County’s 2016 Teacher of the Year.
SGM Cynthia Downing, U.S. Army, Polk County – Downey teaches ROTC at Lake Gibson High School and an adjunct professor at Southeastern University. She provides reading assistance to career and technical students and also teaches a college level leadership course at her high school.
Lindsey Hamlin, Jackson County – Hamlin teaches third grade at Graceville Elementary and is the volleyball and softball coach for Graceville High School. This is her first year teaching and was named Jackson County’s Rookie Teacher of the Year in 2016.
Col. Jeff Kaloostian, U.S. Air Force, Hillsborough County – Kaloostian iserved in the United States Air Force for 28 years and now teaches Aerospace, Private Pilot Operations, Unmanned Aircraft and Aviation Physiology at Robinson High School. He is the only high school aerospace teacher in Hillsborough County.
Sgt. Leon O’Connell, U.S. Army, Polk County – O’Connell teaches physical education at Sleepy Hill Elementary School. He organizes school-wide activities for students and staff, serves as advisor to his school’s Kiwanis K-kids Club, and leads the school-wide gardening project.
Lt Col. Shawn Phelps, U.S. Army, Polk County – Phelps teaches JROTC at Haines City High School after serving 26 years in the United States Army. He oversees the JROTC curriculum, including course work on leadership, civics, geography and global awareness, and U.S. history. Last year, ten of the 36 graduating seniors joined the military after high school.
Jo Ellen Stanley, Lee County – Stanley teaches sixth grade math at Varsity Lakes Middle School. She was recently recognized as a high impact teacher by the Florida Department of Education for her effective teaching and positive impact on student learning.
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