University recognizes state's distinguished educators
Five teachers, principals and administrators from public school districts throughout the state were honored by the University of Florida as distinguished educators during the University’s recent fall 2005 commencement ceremonies.
The five honorees were each chosen by their districts to represent their counties for this twice-yearly award to recognize outstanding building-level educators for their commitment to the profession.
The distinguished educators are:
- Mindy Marie Myers, a first-grade teacher at Avalon Elementary School in Collier County. Myers has a bachelor’s degree in early and elementary education from the University of South Florida and a master’s in primary education from Nova Southeastern University. Recently awarded the National Board Certification, Myers is knowledgeable in curriculum, best instructional practices and early childhood development.
- Kelly Tyler, a principal at Lecanto High School in Citrus County. Tyler has a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from the University of Florida and a master’s in educational leadership from the University of South Florida. He has been active in school and community activities, taking part in district leadership roles at the state level and civic organizations that support youth and education in Citrus County.
- Rosemarie Shaeffer, a program staffing specialist for the Hernando County School District. Shaeffer has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Eastern Illinois University and a master’s in educational leadership from the University of South Florida. Shaeffer is a practiced educator, with 24 years of professional experience overall and 17 years in Hernando County. She has been active in leadership roles throughout the district, serving as chair and inclusion coordinator for the Exceptional Student Education department at Powell Middle School and team leader at several elementary schools in the district. She is also the 2005 Hernando County Teacher of the Year.
- Jacquelyn H. Cornelius, principal of Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Duval County. Cornelius has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Florida and a master’s in administration and supervision from the University of North Florida. She joined the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in 1988, serving as its arts director and vice principal before moving to the principal’s chair in 1996. Under her leadership, the school has been recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, a National Model School and a National Leader School by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Sarah Mott White, the Project CHILD Intermediate Writing Teacher at Glendale Elementary School in Indian River County. White holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in elementary education from the University of Florida. Serving as a role model to students and staff alike, White combines the art and science of teaching to create an environment where students feel safe taking risks and exploring new skills, and supports staff development throughout the district by providing training to all teachers at Project CHILD schools. She is also Glendale Elementary School’s 2005 Teacher of the Year.
The Distinguished Educator Award was established by the University of Florida in the fall of 1988 to acknowledge the important role of elementary and secondary teachers and administrators in shaping the lives of Florida’s elementary- , middle- and high-school students. Each fall and spring term, a county from each of the five educational regions of the state is identified and asked to select a distinguished building-level educator representative of all of the outstanding educators in the county. The chosen educators are invited to take part in University commencement ceremonies as members of the platform assembly in full academic regalia. Each educator is recognized by the president of the University and presented the Distinguished Educator Award from the University of Florida.
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Writer
Joy L. Rodgers, jrodgers@coe.ufl.edu, (352) 392-0726, ext. 274
