Mr. Roma Roberts & Mrs. Brenda Roberts

Having one teacher of the year in the family is an honor in itself, but can you imagine what the odds are of having two? That's exactly what took place recently in the Roberts home, where 24-year educator Brenda Roberts and her husband, Roma - a decade-long teacher - both brought home Teacher of the Year honors from their respective schools.

"I don't think it's ever happened before," said Roma Roberts, who teaches eighth grade American history at Lauderhill Middle School. Mr. Roberts always wanted to become a teacher and, in fact, was a member of Future Teachers of America while in high school. The offer of a full-time supervisory position at UPS was too good to pass up, however, and he ended up staying there for 13 years. But his desire to teach eventually won out, causing him to go back to school to obtain his teaching certificate and even a Master's degree in public administration. Mr. Roberts would ultimately like to become an administrator and is just two classes away from getting a specialist degree in educational leadership. He's done all this while serving as department chair and student council advisor, too!

Mr. Roberts credits his wife of 32 years with providing the support necessary for him to change careers midstream. "I would be nothing without her," he said. It's good old hard work, however, that earned him Teacher of the Year honors. "I'm dedicated to my students," explained Mr. Roberts. "I go in early and stay late. I do whatever it takes for the kids to be successful."

Brenda Roberts, who, after teaching at Broward Estates Elementary for 23 years is in her first year teaching kindergarten at the newly opened Endeavour Primary Learning Center, decided to become a teacher after witnessing her son's challenges at school. "I wanted to create an environment to make learning fun for the children and have always had a goal to touch their lives in some way," she explained. "It gives me the greatest joy to see how much they grow and progress and to be able to see them stand on their own and move from grade to grade." Mrs. Roberts wears many hats at Endeavour and even serves as administrative designee when her principal is away and as grade chair over both pre-k and kindergarten. "I'm a people person," said Mrs. Roberts, who also won Teacher of the Year honors in 1994.

The Roberts found out they were both winners within several days of one another. "I was really surprised that Roma had won, too," said Mrs. Roberts, who holds a Master's degree from Nova Southeastern University in early childhood development. "It's such a great feeling and puts a spark in my heart for both of us to be honored like this."