Forty-six new Lake County Schools educators are being recognized for their commitment to their students and their passion for teaching.
Each teacher was selected by peers as the 2022 Rookie Teacher of the Year for their respective schools.
In February 2021, three finalists for the district-wide Rookie Teacher of the Year designation will be announced. The winner will be announced on March 11.
Each Rookie Teacher of the Year nominee has three years or less of teaching experience and has demonstrated leadership, innovation and compassion in the classroom.
“It can be challenging to make an impact in the classroom when you are just starting your teaching career. But these nominees have demonstrated incredible creativity and dedication at a time when our classrooms are anything but normal because of the pandemic,” said Diane Kornegay, Lake County Schools Superintendent. “I congratulate each of the nominees and extend my heartfelt thanks for their work to help our students succeed.”
The 2022 Lake Schools Rookie Teacher of the Year nominees are:
- Astatula Elementary – Kacie Briggs
- Beverly Shores Elementary – Equitia Sayles
- Carver Middle – Ronika Moore
- Clermont Elementary – Carolynn Prather
- Clermont Middle – Sylvia Vellios
- Cypress Ridge Elementary – Tiffany Desautels
- East Ridge High – Vrenlly Cruz-Guerrero
- East Ridge Middle – David Martinez
- Eustis Elementary – Jessica Goodbred-Warren
- Eustis Heights Elementary – Sabrina Hutchinson
- Eustis High – Catherine Schulte
- Eustis Middle – Jakara Green
- Fruitland Park Elementary – Alexa DeJarlais
- Grassy Lake Elementary – Julia Richter
- Gray Middle – Scott Miller
- Groveland Elementary – Kylee Martin
- Lake Hills School – Melissa Icker
- Lake Minneola High – Nilda Rodriguez
- Lake Success Academy – Jessica Tomalia
- Lake Technical College – Tyler Shadick
- Leesburg Elementary – Kristen O’Donnell
- Leesburg High – Yolander Scarberry
- Lost Lake Elementary – Amritha Rama
- Mascotte Charter – Jacob Carriero
- Minneola Charter – Jasmin Cruz
- Mount Dora High – Sarah Greinke
- Mount Dora Middle – Miranda Cornwell
- Oak Park Middle – Samuel Blocker
- Pine Ridge Elementary – Samantha Hudson
- Rimes Early Learning Center – Amy Crosts
- Round Lake Charter – Marissa Cannon
- Sawgrass Bay Elementary – Hannah Altemeyer
- Seminole Springs Elementary – Antoinette Baptiste
- Sorrento Elementary – Savannah McMennamy
- South Lake High – Tonya King
- Spring Creek Charter – Jocelyn Register
- Tavares Elementary- Lindsey Gantz
- Tavares High – Johnanna Hill
- Tavares Middle – Claritza Duarte
- Treadway Elementary – Maggie Slaight
- Triangle Elementary – Cylie Svartoien
- Umatilla Elementary – Kennady Merrill
- Umatilla High – Theresa Spann
- Umatilla Middle – Katherine Jolliff
- Villages Elementary – Jasmine Edwards
- Windy Hill Middle – Kyle Manecci
Established in 1987, the Education Foundation of Lake County is a nonprofit organization and designated direct support organization for Lake County Schools. The organization’s mission is to serve as the connection between the community and public education, evaluating needs and securing resources to enhance the quality of education. The Education Foundation of Lake County operates for the benefit of students and teachers in Lake County Public Schools.
The Education Foundation of Lake County is ranked among the Top 50 Education Foundations in the United States by the Caruthers Institute. For more info, please visit EdFoundationLake.com.
