Unveiling the Excellence in Education Awards
On Thursday, January 28 more than 2,500 of the county's faculty, staff, and guests gathered at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts for an exciting evening at the inaugural Excellence in Education Awards. A highlight of the evening was not only showcasing the talent of the educators and employees in attendance, but also the students. Sickles and Wharton Culinary Arts students impressed guests at the reception with their culinary talents. Throughout the night everyone was entertained by the Chamberlain High School Drum Line, Orange Grove Middle School Pride Dancers, Gaither High School Showcase, and the Blake High School of the Arts Jazz Ensemble.
The excitement grew as the program reached the grand finale, announcing the winners of this year's coveted awards.
Congratulations to this year's winners!
Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year
Karen Willis-Barrett
Greco Middle School
Instructional Support Employee of the Year
Kelly Jean Zelaya
Stewart Middle Magnet School
Teacher of the Year
Emily Marrero
Philip Shore Elementary School
Log on to the St. Petersburg Times website to view photos of all the nominees and the event!
The Foundation would like to thank Hillsborough County Public Schools and the sponsors of this year's awards program for your support and contributions to this memorable evening:
Amscot Financial
Presenting Sponsor, Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year Award
Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union's Suncoast for Kids Foundation
Presenting Sponsor, Instructional Support Employee and Teacher of the Year Awards
Caspers Company McDonald's Restaurants
Founding Sponsor, Teacher of the Year Award
Premiere Sponsors
Everest University
Helios Education Foundation
Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated
Celebrity Sponsors
Herff Jones
Nova Southeastern University's Fischler School of Education and Human Services
VALIC
Spotlight Sponsors
All American Containers, Inc.
The Beck Group
Ford & Associates, Inc.
St. Petersburg Times - Newspaper in Education
Voltair Consulting Engineers, LLC
Walden University
Patron Sponsors
Argosy University, Tampa Campus
Bayshore Technologies
Beef 'O' Brady's
The Hirsch Group of Robert W. Baird & Co.
L. Ortega & Associates of Tampa Bay
Pruida-Guida & Company, P.A.
USF College of Education
(L-R): Bill Hoffman, Hillsborough Education Foundation President; Emily Marrero, Teacher of the Year; Kelly Jean Zelaya, Instructional Support Employee of the Year; Gayle Sierens, WFLA News Channel 8; Karen Willis-Barrett, Ida S. Baker Diversity Educator of the Year at the Excellence in Education Awards.