Nancy Ellsworth has been a teacher for 35 years, with 25 years at Coral Shores High School. She is a National Board Certified educator who is a member of the school’s Building Level Planning Team and the School Health Advisory Council. Last year she served as a Physical Education curriculum writer for the Florida Department of Education. She believes public education has the responsibility to prepare students to lead productive and healthy lives.

As an educator, she works to ensure that she uses effective teaching strategies and diversified instruction to meet the needs of all children so they can be successful. The basic underlying principle in her classes is one of respect, both for oneself and others. Through her instruction and modeling, students demonstrate respect for themselves and others as they learn how to live a healthy life. Her dedication goes beyond the classroom as she serves as a mentor to other teachers, sharing her successful techniques in classroom management, communication and effective school leadership. Principal Ron Martin notes that her commitment to excellence is evident every day in her work with students and the entire school community. Nancy feels her greatest gift is her positive attitude and her love for the profession and children with whom she works.