-
Katie Fernandez, Staffing Specialist at Horace O’Bryant School, has been selected as the Monroe County School District Student Services Employee of the Year. She is amazingly organized and professional and has handled some of the most challenging cases in the district this year. Mrs. Fernandez goes the extra mile for the students and families and does so with a smile. Students love to stop by her office to check in and say hello. Throughout her week, she meets with teachers and families and observes in the ESE classrooms to better learn about the situations and needs. She is a strong advocate for all and tirelessly supports staff and students alike. Congratulations on her deserved honor! -
Madelin Riquelme, a teacher at Key Largo School, has been chosen as the Monroe County School District Inclusion Teacher of the Year. Ms. Riquelme has the unique ability to create an inclusive and supporting learning environment for all students. Her commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance is truly commendable. She goes above and beyond to ensure that every students regardless of their background feels valued and empowered in her classroom. Her dedication is appreciated by all who work with her.
Congratulations to all of the school level Inclusion Teachers of the Year!
CSHS Amelia Sanguily
GAE Guinevere Gerardot
HOB Samantha Hall
KWHS Kyla Shoemaker
MHS Jaymie Robinson
PKS Amy Russell
POI Kathleen Greenan-Baker
SSE Kathy DePastino
SUG Barry Schultz
-
Monroe County School District is proud to congratulate the School Related Personnel of the Year for 2023-2024.
Patti Boucier, Office Manager at Marathon High School, was selected as the district wide SRP for her outstanding work in supporting the school and the district.
The below list of those selected in the various categories were chosen based on displaying excellent skills, their high work ethic, and the positive impact they made on their school/department.
Brittany Poelma – Instructional Technology
Susan Gartenmayer – Food Services
Lisa Graft – Teacher Support
Roland Rivera – Maintenance
Rudy Kennedy - Transportation
-
It is with great pleasure that we announce Mr. Jeff Barrow as the 2024 Monroe County School District Management Employee of the Year.
Mr. Barrow is a superstar within Monroe County School District and truly an unsung hero! The consummate yet quiet professional, he and his department accomplish more in a single day than many private companies twice as large. Jeff's ability to manage the daily barrage of work orders and unexpected problems allows our schools and departments to operate care-free and focus on working together to inspire and bring excellence to every student every day. In addition to the daily grind, Jeff has to focus on the longer-term demands of maintaining our schools and facilities. He has what seems to be and endless list of large capital projects that takes months of planning and focused supervision during execution. On top of that he has direct oversight over our custodial and grounds keeping contracts which require near-daily interaction with those service providers. Add to all this the responsibility of managing utility expenditures district-wide and we wonder how he finds time for it all.
“Jeff Barrow has worked tirelessly for our District for over 28 years and is more than deserving of the recognition afforded by being selected as the Management Employee of the Year,” stated Executive Director of Operations and Planning Pat Lefere.
-
Lindsay Moore, from Key West High School, was selected as the Monroe County School Counselor of the Year for 2024. Moore excels at building relationships with students and supporting both their academic and self-care needs. As the senior class counselor, she has held numerous conferences, assemblies and sessions with seniors and their parents to ensure they are on track with graduation and are prepared with a post-graduation plan. Whether it is helping students select their next classes, possible college or career choice or making a connection for them to needed resources, Moore's ability to listen to all students and provide support without judgment shines through. Her positive nature motivates everyone around her and she contributes to counselors district wide by sharing creative and innovative strategies. “Lindsay Moore is an outstanding student advocate that leads with compassion and care,” stated Christina McPherson, Executive Director of Student Support Services. “Her passion and desire to see all students succeed is visible throughout not only Key West High School, but all Monroe County students.” Congratulations Mrs. Moore!
-
Caitlin Sullivan, 2024 District Teacher of the Year
Caitlin Sullivan has been named as the Monroe County School District 2024 Teacher of the Year. She teaches fourth grade at Gerald Adams Elementary and says she has always wanted to be a teacher. Her enthusiasm for the teaching, highly effective skills and connection with students are obvious when you watch her in the classroom. “Monroe County School District is fortunate to have Caitlin teaching in one of our classrooms. Her enthusiasm is electric and students are highly charged to do well. Their enjoyment is clear as they work together and on their own to meet the challenges Mrs. Sullivan gives them. She is so high performing that the success of her students is obvious as are the wonderful results she creates," said School Superintendent Theresa Axford.
Sullivan began her career in Monroe County in 2015 as a paraprofessional and went on to earn her degree in Education from the University of West Florida. Her experiences include teaching English in China for nine months after graduation before returning to Key West. In 2018, she became part of the Gerald Adams Elementary staff as a fourth grade teacher where she has since excelled, becoming an important asset to the school. Creativity and striving for excellence are evident in her classroom as the walls are adorned with model student work, active student centers and students focused on doing their best.
"I can attest that her passion for teaching, students, and education is a testament to her lifelong dream of becoming a teacher," said Melissa Alsobrooks, Principal of Gerald Adams. "Her room is full of life and students are engaged, having fun and learning at a deep level that is evident in their attitude towards the classwork and the scores they achieve."
She is not only dedicated and committed to her students in the classroom, she is also a valued volunteer for Special Olympics, coaching stand-up paddleboard, and volunteering to support both flag football and cheerleading.
"Special Olympics Florida Monroe County is blessed to have such a dedicated coach and volunteer! We are grateful to Caitlin’s contributions in the phenomenal growth of participation within our county," said Ruth Coleman Sports, Training and Competition Manager for Special Olympics Florida-Monroe.
Mrs. Sullivan will represent Monroe County School District in the Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year process. As the district Teacher of the Year, she will attend leadership training throughout the year with other outstanding state teachers and serve as part of the MCSD TOY cohort that provides professional learning across the district.
-
Volunteer of the Year: Karen Ciampa
Mrs. Karen Ciampa has been selected as the Monroe County School District Volunteer of the Year! Mrs. Ciampa volunteers her time in the Media Center at Plantation Key every day, putting in about 120 hours a month. She does a wide variety of activities including active instruction, reading to students and helping younger students complete Accelerated Reader tests. She organized an incentive program called Brag Tags which supports the emergent and successful readers immensely. The K-3 students lover earning these Brag Tags that encourages a love for reading and helps their comprehension skills grow. She works with students on homework assignments during lunch and teaches them how to use the catalog system to do research using books as resources. As an avid non-fiction enthusiast, she includes those books into the many activities she organizes and her decorations in the Media Center help make it a welcome place for all students. Her generosity is unmatched as she is always bringing in supplies, treats and things students might need to help them be successful. The smile on her face never diminishes and her impact on the Panther Community is tremendous and has made such a positive difference for students, staff and the families. Volunteer of the Year Awards are presented to school volunteers who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to the quality education in Florida and Karen Campia demonstrates that every day at PKS.
