Six Finalists for 2013 Brevard Teacher of the Year

Categories: Brevard County

Six Finalists for 2013 Brevard Teacher of the Year

VIERA – The names of six outstanding educators who have been selected as finalists for BPS 2013 Teacher of the Year have been announced.

The finalists – three elementary and three secondary school educators – were selected from the 90 Teachers of the Year from each of the district schools and education service center areas. These individuals will now contend for the honor of being named Brevard 2013 Teacher of the Year.

“These six exceptional teachers represent the talent and dedication illustrated by teachers throughout the district” said Superintendent, Dr. Brian Binggeli. “When you read their nominations for this award—made by colleagues—you can’t help but see the passion that these individuals bring to providing children with the highest quality education possible,” he continued. “My congratulations go to each one of them for earning this recognition!”

The 2013 BPS Teacher of the Year will be chosen by a committee comprised of education, business and civic leaders in a formal selection process and will be announced in ceremonies at the ABC Awards Gala on Jan. 23. The winner will be Brevard’s representative in the state’s 2013 Teacher of the Year competition and be the recipient of more than $3,000 in cash and prizes. Finalists for the 2013 BPS Teacher of the Year are listed below in alphabetical order.

	Joanna DiPeppe – Satellite High School A National Board Certified teacher, Joanna DiPeppe, has been with BPS for 12 years, all of them at Satellite High where she teaches AP English and Composition. “As part of Satellite High School’s community, she does an outstanding job supporting her students and her colleagues in their endeavors,” Principal Mark Elliott expressed. “Ms. DiPeppe’s dedication reaches beyond the classroom,” he continued.
	Susan French- Sherwood Elementary Susan French has been teaching in Brevard for 23 years and has been at Sherwood for the last nine. Currently she is a sixth grade classroom teacher. Principal Cindy Wilson had this to say about French’s nomination, “She has the characteristics that are necessary to be a great teacher: she inspires students to do their best; she creates a community within and outside her classroom; and she loves to learn and share new ideas.”
	Debra Milliken – Oak Pak Elementary Now in her 20^th year of teaching, Debra Milliken has been at Oak Park since 2009 and currently teaches third grade. In his letter of recommendation, Principal Ron Dedmon said, “Mrs. Milliken is a strong force in education! Her dedication, cooperation and commitment to students are commendable. I strongly endorse Mrs. Milliken to represent the District as our Teacher of the Year!”
	Jason Schack – Melbourne High School Jason Schack, a PE teacher at Melbourne High, has been with the District for nine years; all but one in his current Location. James Willcoxon, principal of Melbourne High said this of Schack, “In my opinion, Jason Schack is a truly outstanding educator and role model for all students. He is a shining example of what a great teacher should represent each and every day with his students and colleagues.”
	Amber Thibedeau – Sunrise Elementary A nine year veteran teacher, Amber Thibedeau has been at Sunrise Elementary since it opened six years ago. She is the Title I Science Teacher at the school. “Amber is one of the true professionals, which every administrator would like to have on their team,” said Principal Barry Pichard. “Amber is a leader by example, very enthusiastic and excited about her students and her responsibilities.”
	Jill Whitacre-West Shore Jr./Sr. High Jill Whitacre, a seventh grade math teacher at West Shore for two years, has been employed with the District for the past 12. In a his letter of recommendation, Principal Rick Fleming begins, “Every once in a while in our profession, someone comes along that has a special gift for teaching and learning, and inspiring others to do the things they thought they never could. Here at West Shore, that special person is Jill Whitacre.”

Listed below are the names of the all of the 2013 BPS Teacher of the Year candidates:

SCHOOL	FIRST NAME	LAST NAME
Andersen, Hans Christian, Elementary	Christine	Beck
Apollo Elementary	Michelle	Tucci-Gulbrand
Astronaut High	Kim	Hall
Atlantis Elementary	Michille	Hefelfinger
Audubon Elementary	Jennifer	Tonhauser
Bayside High	Christine	Barbuto
Cambridge Elementary	Lupe	Stephens
Cape View Elementary	Pamela	Smith
Carroll, Lewis, Elementary	Stefanie	Diegelman
Central Area Adult Education	Bruce	Pearce
Central Middle	Miranda	Korpas
Challenger 7 Elementary	Michael	Mugge
Clearlake Middle	Diahann	Shaw
Cocoa Beach Jr./ Sr. High	Jeri	Laufenberg
Cocoa High	Sara	Wyrick
Columbia Elementary	Vivaldo	Hays
Coquina Elementary	Sharon	McDowell
Croton Elementary	Kathy	Bartyczak
DeLaura Middle	Lisa	Bruno
Discovery Elementary	Mary	Wouters
Dr. W. J. Creel Elementary	Anita	Campbell
Eau Gallie High	Emily	Toriak
Edgewood Jr./Sr High	Laura	Robbins
Endeavour Elementary	Karen	Coppola
Enterprise Elementary	LeeAnne	Herold
Exceptional Student Education	Karen	Williams
Fairglen Elementary	Kimberly	Haggard
Freedom 7 Elementary School of International Studies	Payne	Thomas
Gardendale Elementary Magnet	Rhonda	Ripperger
Gemini Elementary	Holly	Hays
Golfview Elementary Magnet	Lorri	Benjamin
Harbor City Elementary	Tiffany	Letawa
Heritage High	Enrique	Luna
Holland, Spessard , Elementary	Judy	Vizzini
Hoover, Herbert C. Middle	Crystal	Golinello
Imperial Estates Elementary	Magi	Sizemore
Indialantic Elementary	Kimberly	Donovan
Jackson, Andrew Middle	Kyle	Hess
Jefferson, Thomas, Middle	Peggi	DeRoy
Johnson, L.B.	Tammy	Greene
Jupiter Elementary	Jamie	Versluis
Kennedy, John F., Middle	Jolette	McDonald
Lockmar Elementary	Brittani	Bluhnm
Longleaf Elementary	Kristie	Pederquist
Madison, James, Middle	Joyce	Smolik
Manatee Elementary	Aulakh	Pamela
McAuliffe, Christa, Elementary	Attah	Tikili
McNair, Ronald, Magnet Middle	Maria	Diaz
Meadowlane Intermediate	Kimberly	Herring
Meadowlane Primary	Bridget	Braun
Melbourne High	Jason	Schack
Merritt Island High	Amy	Finney
MILA Elementary	Janet	Eastman
Mims Elementary	Jamie	Reynolds
Oak Park Elementary	Debra	Milliken
Ocean Breeze Elementary	Kate	McDaniel
Palm Bay Elementary	Sally	White
Palm Bay High	Jasmin	Baez
Pinewood Elementary	Michelle	Lang
Port Malabar Elementary	James	Harding
Quest Elementary	Jamie	Slentz
Riverview School	Zorica	Simic
Riviera Elementary	Theresa	Chase
Rockledge High	Leslie	Shinault
Roosevelt Elementary	Holly	Schumann-Grubb
Roy Allen Elementary	Kathleen	Giannasi
Sabal Elementary	Lee	Taylor
Satellite High	Joanna	DiPeppe
Saturn Elementary	Brooke	Hotaling
Sculptor Charter School	Maria	Tyson
Sea Park Elementary	Maria	Clifford
Sherwood Elementary	Susan	French
South Lake Elementary	Anthony	Colucci
Southwest Middle	Keith	Merrell
Space Coast Jr./Sr. High	Milagros “Milly”	Sessions
Stevenson, Robert Louis, Elementary	Alison	Fletcher
Stone Middle	Melissa	Grabowski
Sunrise Elementary	Amber	Thibedeau
Suntree Elementary	Amy	Imka
Surfside Elementary	Tew	Sandy
Titusville High	Thomas	Hietpas
Tropical Elementary	Mary	Hoffman
Turner Sr., John F. Elementary	Cindy	Carlson
University Park Elementary	MaryEllen	Sorensen
Viera High	Kate	Howick
Virtual Instruction Secondary	Cindy	Dean
West Melbourne Elementary School For Science	Ashley	Skeen
West Shore Jr/Sr High	Jill	Whitacre
Westside Elementary	Cindy	Roach
Williams, Ralph M.Jr., Elementary	Marie	Sichler