Clay County Educator Named 2023 Florida Teacher of the Year

July 14, 2022

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Clay County Educator Named 2023 Florida Trainer of the 12 months

~ Melissa Anne Matz was chosen from almost 185,000 public faculty lecturers and can function Florida’s Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Schooling ~

Tallahassee, Fla., July 14, 2022 – Tonight, Florida Commissioner of Schooling Manny Diaz, Jr. named Melissa Anne Matz, a seventh-grade math trainer at Lakeside Junior Excessive College in Clay County, the 2023 Florida Division of Schooling Trainer of the 12 months. Ms. Matz was chosen from almost 185,000 public faculty lecturers all through the state for her exemplary classroom excellence and contributions to her college students and faculty.

Because the 2023 Florida Trainer of the 12 months, Ms. Matz will function the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Schooling for one 12 months and create better public consciousness of Florida’s distinctive lecturers and the schooling occupation. She can even have the chance to advertise and have fun the numerous contributions of Florida’s educators, in addition to present skilled studying alternatives for educators and recruit future lecturers for Okay-12 faculties.

“I’m honored to acknowledge Melissa Anne Matz because the 2023 Florida Trainer of the 12 months,” stated Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “Melissa has risen to the highest by onerous work, ardour and placing her college students first. I’ve little question she’s going to symbolize Florida with excellence within the coming 12 months, simply as she has accomplished in her classroom.”

Ms. Matz has served because the Lakeside Junior Excessive College math division head and management workforce member since 2015. She is the chairperson for Lakeside’s College Advisory Committee, a cooperating trainer for school interns, and a college consultant for district curriculum-map writing. She believes that constructing rapport with every of her college students is a necessary step within the means of educating math, and she or he makes it a degree to talk with every pupil as they enter her classroom. Ms. Matz takes the strategy that stepping exterior of 1’s consolation zone and taking constructive dangers are how extraordinary good points are achieved.

“Melissa Matz’s college students see firsthand that the abilities they purchase in her classroom might be utilized to a broad spectrum of fields, and due to this fact, they will turn into well-rounded members of our neighborhood,” stated Clay County Superintendent of Colleges David Broskie.

Because the 2023 Florida Trainer of the 12 months, Ms. Matz will obtain a $20,000 award from the Florida Division of Schooling, a tuition waiver to pursue a graduate diploma from the Florida State College School of Schooling, and a two-year Florida School scholarship from the Florida Pay as you go School Board to current to a pupil of her selection.

The remaining 4 Trainer of the 12 months finalists will every obtain $15,000 from the Florida Division of Schooling – Seema Naik, a fourth-grade trainer at Eagle Ridge Elementary College in Broward County; Deelah Jackson, a fourth-grade trainer at Samoset Elementary College in Manatee County; Dr. Jennifer Jaso, a social research trainer at Sarasota Center College in Sarasota County; and Trinity Brooke Whittington, a fourth-grade English language arts and social research trainer at Bell Elementary College in Gilchrist County. The sixty-nine different Trainer of the 12 months district winners have been additionally acknowledged for his or her achievements and excellence in educating and can every obtain a examine for $10,000.

The Florida Division of Schooling endeavors to offer each pupil with a world-class schooling, which includes having high-quality educators in all Florida school rooms. Governor Ron DeSantis, Commissioner Diaz and the Florida Legislature have persistently elevated lecturers, together with by document funding for recruitment and retention. Total, Florida has dedicated over $2 billion in new funding for trainer salaries since 2020.

Along with asserting the 2023 Florida Trainer of the 12 months, a number of particular awards have been additionally offered tonight:

Excellent Trainer Chief Award – Michelle Lapointe, South Elementary College, Okeechobee County

The Excellent Trainer Chief Award was established to honor the legacy of educators who’ve handed and whose ardour for educating and lifelong studying impressed others. The award is offered to a trainer who demonstrates a dedication to studying, pupil success and an general constructive contribution to Florida’s schooling system.

Mary Brogan “Excellence in Educating” Award – Wendy Stinson, Florida State College College

The Mary Brogan “Excellence in Educating” Award honors the late spouse of former Lt. Governor and Commissioner of Schooling, Frank Brogan, and is given to an educator who exemplifies the core values of excellence, dedication and the power to instill ardour, pleasure and love of studying in college students.

State Farm Life Abilities Award – Nancy Welch, Orange Technical School-Orlando Campus, Orange County

The State Farm Life Abilities Award acknowledges an educator devoted to bettering the decision-making, vital considering and monetary duty of their college students, ensuring they’re ready and prepared for the longer term.

Ron Nieto Digital Educator Award – Jessica Robust, Florida Digital College Full-Time Center College, Florida Digital College

This award honors the late Ron Nieto, former Florida Division of Schooling Deputy Commissioner of Innovation, and is given to the educator who excels in utilizing expertise within the classroom to positively affect pupil outcomes.

Consortium of Florida Schooling Foundations’ “Invested in Excellence” Award – Alexandria Wicker, Andrew Jackson Center College, Brevard County

The Consortium of Florida Schooling Foundations’ “Invested in Excellence” Award is given to an educator who goes above and past to develop studying alternatives for college kids.

In partnership with the Florida Schooling Basis, the Florida Trainer of the 12 months program is made potential by these beneficiant sponsors: Florida Pay as you go School Financial savings Plans, State Farm Insurance coverage, Florida State College School of Schooling, Helios Schooling Basis, Florida Blue Basis, the Florida Lottery, Florida Schooling Affiliation, Herff Jones, Publix Charities, PNC Financial institution and Florida Energy & Gentle Firm.

To be taught extra in regards to the Florida Trainer of the 12 months program, please go to Florida Academics Lead.

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