Alachua County’s Teacher of the Year will be announced at annual celebration on January 23
Press release from Alachua County Public Schools
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Alachua County’s Teacher of the Year will be announced this Thursday, January 23, at the annual celebration hosted by The Education Foundation for Alachua County Public Schools and sponsored by Cox Communications, Florida Credit Union, SWI Photographers, and many other businesses, organizations, and individuals.
“We are grateful to our community partners who help make this such a memorable event,” said Tia Brock-Paul, Executive Director of The Education Foundation. “Teachers are the heart of our schools and the foundation of our community’s future. We look forward to showing them our appreciation for their dedication and passion to make a difference every day in the lives of our students.”
“I am thrilled to attend my first Alachua County Teacher of the Year program,” said Superintendent Dr. Kamela Patton, who assumed the district’s leadership in late November. “I have already had the privilege of meeting many exceptional teachers making a remarkable impact in our schools, and I look forward to celebrating even more of them at this event.”
The three finalists for Teacher of the Year honors for the 2024-25 school year are: Vanessa Lind, a 2nd-grade teacher at Glen Springs Elementary School; Natalie Watkins, a 7th-grade math teacher at Ft. Clarke Middle School; and Monica Benson, a special education teacher at the Sidney Lanier Center.
Vanessa Lind
Lind, the elementary finalist, has been an elementary school educator for more than 25 years, including nearly three years at an elementary school in Durban, South Africa and seven years as a school administrator. She’s been teaching at Glen Springs since 2022.
Lind says building strong relationships with her students is fundamental to her teaching philosophy.
“I believe that genuine connections encourage students to take risks and engage deeply with their learning,” she said. “By getting to know my students personally and understanding their strengths, challenges, and aspirations, I can tailor my approach to support their growth effectively.”
Natalie Watkins
Watkins, the middle school finalist, has taught both math and science in Alachua County Public Schools since 2016. She also served as a paraprofessional and long-term substitute for five years after a career in the insurance and finance industry.
Watkins says working in the corporate world didn’t give her a sense of personal satisfaction.
“It was only when I returned to the classroom as a paraprofessional that I realized I was finally in a place that ‘filled my cup,’” she said. “Today I can truly say that the daily adventures with my students fulfill me and allow a deep-rooted part of me to know I’m where I should be, doing what I am meant to do.”
Monica Benson
Benson has been teaching special needs students at Sidney Lanier since 2016, including those with significant emotional and behavioral disorders. Before joining the faculty at Lanier, she worked at both a childcare program and a local business serving special needs children.
Benson says she knows first-hand what it is like to be a struggling student. She attributes her success to teachers who believed in her and inspired her to persevere.
“As an educator, I promised myself I would always be attentive and caring towards my students,” she said. “My students are better able to learn knowing that I am there for them, I am willing to listen, and I support their individual needs.”
The three finalists and 37 other honorees from each of the district’s schools will be honored at the upcoming Robert W. Hughes Teacher of the Year ceremony. The recognitional program is named for the former Superintendent of Schools who established it and will be in attendance.
The finalist chosen as the districtwide Teacher of the Year will go on to represent Alachua County Public Schools in the statewide teacher recognition program.
“Teachers are the heart of our schools and the foundation of our community’s future. We look forward to showing them our appreciation for their dedication and passion to make a difference every day in the lives of our students.” – Tia Brock-Paul, Executive Director of The Education Foundation.
Really sad the SBAC doesn’t echo that sentiment with their “offering” of a 1 1/2% raise. Remember, the majority of voters in Alachua County are registered Democrats, which would lead to the conclusion that the majority of teachers voted for the current Board members.
They don’t have to look far for someone to blame.
Some of us voted differently and really do appreciate what you do.
Teacher of the year is the kiss of death… how many celebrated educators have we seen fall to the very lowest society has to offer? I wouldn’t want anything to do with receiving an award from the school board.
Hi! 2022-23 ACPS TOY here. The TOY recognition has been an absolute blessing as it has put me in personal communication with FLDOE and other teachers of the year from every single county throughout Florida. Additionally, this award does not come from the school board, it comes from the Alachua County Education Foundation. I encourage you to join, as they are always in need of mentors from the community that want to see our future leaders succeed.
This is not a fair (read merit based competition.) It is in the ACPS system. Just look at the pictures of the three finalists and it is obvious which one will be approved and appointed by the school system DEI policies. Confirmation tomorrow.
Bingo
You probably shouldn’t fall in line so easily.
Hi, 2022-2023 ACPS TOY here. It’s easy to refute your claim, as I am the most Caucasian guy I know. I’m glad you took the time to post though, because we need passionate people from a wide variety of perspectives interested in helping the next generation navigate the pitfalls that modern society claims as important. Please consider getting involved with the Education Foundation for Alachua county.
Stick with your day job – you suck at predicting the future.