- Monroe County School District
- District Spotlights and Awards
School District Awards
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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.
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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.
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Youth Volunteer of the Year - Midesailenska "Midgie" Dermil
Congratulations to Midesailenska "Midgie" Dermil who has been selected as the Monroe County School District Youth Volunteer of the Year!! Midgie is in her first year at Sugarloaf School and she has made major contributions to classrooms and teachers outside of her schedule. Every day after middle school dismisses, she arrives with a smile on her face ready to help the elementary students. Her time in a K-4 ESE room has made a positive impact on the students as she helps them with curriculum, crafts, sensory time and guided play. The children look forward to her arrival in class where they pull up a chair next to her or join her on the carpet. Her smile brightens the afternoon, her patience is limitless and her kindness is all-encompassing.
She displays these attributes throughout the day as she helps her own classmates, participates in school activities and provides a helping hand when needed. She is a role model for her classmates and the younger students in the school by always showing her Shark Pride.
Volunteer of the Year Awards are presented to school volunteers who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to the quality education in Florida. Principal Trevor Tyler and Assistant Principal Kevin Walden were proud to announce Midgie as the District Winner!
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Senior Volunteer of the Year - Pam Gauthier
Pam Gauthier has been named the Monroe County School District Senior Volunteer of the Year. Mrs. Christine Paul, Marathon High School Principal, honored Pam at a luncheon with Champions for Change to make the announcement. Pam volunteers in the Marathon High School Success Center and with the Champions for Change Clothing Exchange. She is a dedicated volunteer that is kind and patient with all the students that she encounters. She helped to start and maintains the Teen Weekend Food Bag Program that is a project supported by the Community Foundation of the Florida Keys. Her organization of gently used and new clothing helps students find what they need. She helps to fit students that do not know their sizes and are in need of clothing and shoes, helps students get cleaned up with cafeteria and other accidents, and find dry clothing after getting wet in the rain. Pam is an asset to everyone on the MHS campus to include administration, staff, and students. From the first day of school through today, she has logged over two hundred volunteer hours. The entire student body benefits directly or indirectly from her efforts as she impacts attendance, student morale, and the overall school climate.
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Kanagy Named as District Management Employee of the Year
Catherine Kanagy, Program Specialist with the Exceptional Education Department, has been recognized as the District Management Employee of the Year for the Monroe County School District. Kanagy demonstrates an outstanding dedication to ensuring that students with exceptionalities get the services and support they need to be successful.
“Catherine Kanagy is the woman who always helps with anything and everything to do with ESE,” stated Axford. “Her ability to multitask is legendary. On top of this, she shows genuine care and concern for students and staff. I am so pleased she is being recognized this year. She truly deserves it.”For almost thirty years, she has developed a rapport with teachers across the district and is known for her vast knowledge along with a hands-on approach to building a strong parent-student-teacher connection. Congratulations to Ms. Kanagy!
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Hillman is School Counselor of the Year
Superintendent Theresa Axford is pleased to announce Krista Hillman as the Monroe County School District School Counselor of the Year.Hillman, from Plantation Key School, was nominated for her positive attitude, strong relationships and the many activities she oversees to ensure students are supported for success. Her days include morning greetings, small and large group counseling, and meeting individual student needs. She facilitates teacher/parent meetings where her expertise is valued because she builds relationships with all of the families she supports.
The Panther Community benefits from the amazing activities she plans for Kindness Week, Start with Hello Week and Career Week, as well as the extra hours she puts in at holiday times to bring holiday cheer to families. The staff also benefits from her can-do mindset as she assists with the attendance committee and the Multi-Tier Support System.
Krista is a shining light at PKS and we congratulate her on her well-deserved honor.